1. I was looking at the GWS site and it showed 2 different motor set-ups for the TM but I never heard about there being a 2nd option before. So my question is: What does everyone have? The TXA setup or the 280 setup?

2. I've seen GWS flight packs for sale with either 150mah nicad battery (I know this fits) or a 270mah 7.2v nicad. Will the 270mah battery fit in a TM?

Not sure of 1., but for 2., definetly use the 270 mah batteries, they fit fine. If you go with the 150's, you'll only get 3-4 mins, with the 270's you'll get ~10 mins.

The Tiger Moth has a huge nose block so you can chuck just about anything on there. I started with the stock motor but just out of curiosity mounted a geared 280 ball bearing motor drawing 7.5 amps to see how it would go. How can I put this? Zooooooom!

I'm going back to the stock motor cos it scared me.

sean1:
Although the GWS site lists 2 versions, I've only seen one for sale in the U.S. The other option is with the direct drive 280.
My GWS J3 Cub box is labeled the same way also, but again, I've never seen one available.

I use the 6cell 270mah nicad pack(GWS) and also some 7cell 300mah nimhs from Dave at Radical RC.Both require you to cut out the battery opening to make them fit.The nicad gives me about 9-10min.flights and the nimhs which way less give 14+min.Under 40 degrees the nimhs are said to give about have the duration(this is my first winter using nimhs so I'll know soon enough).The Tiger Moth is hands down my favorite plane.BTW I use the stock IPS-DXA motor.
cloudhopper

Thanks for all the help, looks like if I get the Tiger Moth, I'll get the 270mah GWS battery pack & make the mods I need to the plane to make it fit. I'll certainly get better flight times than with the 150 mah battery!

Sean,

You might want to run an E-Zone search on this question first before finally settling on the 270 pack. I've seen some posts in the past about the TM not flying well on the 6-cell 270s due to the added weight.

Looks like your best options for really longer flights is either to go with the 830mAh Lithiums (the Qualcomm surplus packs) or with the 7-cell 300 mAh NiMH packs from Radical R/C.

Dajudge:
What are the weight figures in Grams between the 7-Cell 300 Mah Nimh Pack & the GWS 6-cell 270Mah Pack? How do they compare? The 7-cell 300 Mah Pack, how wide are the cells? will I have to hack away any foam?

Sean, Go with the RRC 300 MH's. I have 3 packs and they work great. The 7 cell 300's weigh about 2 oz. and the 6 cell 270's about 2.8 oz.. It's a good idea to use one more NiMH cell than what you would use for Nicad. I get about 17 to 18 minutes per pack depending on throttle use.

Each 300 cell is .41x1.17", 7.4g, .26oz.
Can't find any 270 specs other than total pack weight. (2.8 oz)

You do have to carve a little foam out. I used an xacto knife and then stuck some velcro on the top of the slot and on the batteries to hold them in and also allow for CG adjustments.

BC

How much (average) flight time do you get with the standard 150mah nicad?

Most people seem to get 3-4 mins with the 150's. I believe the 270's are good for the TM, a lot of guys in my club fly them with 270's and they fly great (I use 270's in my Pico Cub F). Average 10 mins. The 300 nimh look real nice too.

I am flying with a 7cell 550mah Nimh pach and a full size double conversion FPR-148 receiver. The airplane weighs 11.6 oz flying weight and flys for 25 minutes with the throttle wide open all the time. It is more fun that way. I am using a heatsink on the motor but it does get warm. With a little thermal help it will go out of sight (the reason for the receiver choice, plus fly at the local club with no interference problem). Without thermals it will fly wherever I want. It will not slow fly as well as with 7 280mah Nimh but works nicely. On my new shiny scales the 280s weigh 2.2 ounces, the 550s weigh 3.4. Not much.

Im using a 6 cell 280 Nimh pack from balsa products and get 12-15 min. This pack fits perfectly, requires no cutting. The moth climbs fast, loops endlessly, and I couldn't ask for more. Why cut the fuse if you don't have to. I also used TONS of epoxy on the plane with no signs of trouble.

A full size dual conv. rx sounds interesting. I didn't even consider this an option, but if it's been done already, I might try it. It would be nice to fly high without worrying about glitches or lost planes. My GWS receiver hasn't failed me yet...but you never know.

Whatever option that you decide to take, You are gonna flat out love the Tiger Moth.
It's a very smooth flying airplane that enables you to slow it waaay down to almost a walk if you want.
It's very forgiving and great looking in the air!
Enjoy!!

Bryan

I agree that you'll love the Moth. I have 5 electrics and the Moth is my favorite!