What is good after market motor for the Lil Hornet?

[hmhoshi]

I am getting the Lil Hornet for Radical RC, and would like to know what motor would improve performance? The stock 250 performs well, what I would like is to be able to get added run time and performance on possibly 8 cells without having the motor start smoking.

I woul like to get the ball bearing 280 or something larger or possibly the speed 350.

Thanks Henry

[Rabbit]

Some people recommend the TR-389...
http://www.toddsmodels.com/slowmtrprp.htm

[hmhoshi]

Thanks Rabbit;

I am going with the Simprop Power Speed 300 from Hobby Lobby. I decided to go with it rather than 280 BB, because I didn't know how it would run on 8 cell 600 Nimh's or they would run on 7 cell 720 mah's.

The guy from Radical RC said it would perform real well with the stock motor. I hope can set up the Simprop 300 for added performance.

Have any you tried adding an extra servo for rudder, so you can taxi on the ground?

Thanks again, Henry

[BleuBuck]

Hey Henry!!!
Hope you enjoy your hornet!! I've got about 20+ flights on mine and love it.

It weighs in just over 10oz and has full house 4-channel control and is completely stock.... It's a blast! I'm using a 7x720 AAAnimh pack and am getting 10 minute runs. The only thing I would do different is try to build it lighter (to compensate for the rudder servo). I used a bit too much glue in places.

I am going to replace the gear on it too... I'm going to use the GWS litestick wheels and some heavier wire than was included with the kit..... the stock LG flop around like mad!!!

Good luck with your Hornet.... Let us know how it turns out!

Boone

[hmhoshi]

Hi! Boone;

So you kept your pretty much stock. I plan to use Mini Max gears for mine and a Simprop 300 to power mine. I believe this will allow me to run my 8 cell 600 nimh's (I two sets). My Little Hornet will come with one 7x720 AAA nimh pack. I am sure the alternate packs will work with the Simprop 300.

Was it hard to fing the CG with the extra weight of another servo and rudder? How much rudder did you add to allow you to taxi on the ground? Maybe I won't need to add that much. Just so long as I get it to balance at the CG.

Henry

P.S. Did you use the Radical RC modifications?

[Neil Morse]

Henry:

Seems like you've already made your decision, but I'm very happy with my Hornet with the TR-389 and GWS 8X6 prop. I think you were at RSA the day that I crashed it on take off due to reversed aileron servo ( ), but it's back together now and flies great. I think your Hornet will be a different airplane with the weight of a speed 300, but I'll be curious to see how it flies. I also put a carbon fiber tube fuse on mine instead of the balsa stick.

See you at RSA,

Neil

[BleuBuck]

The only thing i did different from the kit was NOT to solder the brass tubes to the motor can and NOT use the string to strengthen things up..... if that area is made too strong (as radicalrc points out) the balsa fuse stick will break easily!!!

With my setup I used a 7cell AAA pack shaped like this as if looking at it from the front of the plane:

O
OOO
OOO

the pack is pushed all the way to the front of the pack area and the plane balances perfectly!!!
Good luck!
Boone

[hmhoshi]

Hi! Neil & BleuBuck;

I want to reinforce the fuselage with carbon fiber cloth or a tube as you said. With the modifications Radical RC recommends, it will be a much stronger airplane. But not too heavy I hope? Where can I get the carbon fiber cloth and what grade is it? I mean is it extra fine? I know I can get the carbon fiber tubes a local hobby shop.

I have an eight cell pack of 600 nimh's, that are four on four (2 each), and I also ordered the 7x720 nimh pack.

I just have to get it balanced, and the get the CG right. Now all I have to do is wait till it gets here.

Henry