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Hobby People BH Models Stick 4D 46 ARF Review
By dawnron1
Apr 09, 2008, 01:06 PM
Introduction
A few years ago, I accompanied a flying buddy to his club field. That day he brought one of his favorite planes to fly: a 60-size 'Stick' with a 4-stroke glow engine. I had a chance to fly it and was amazed that it was such a great flier. It had a broad speed envelope, was very aerobatic and could slow down amazingly well. I decided then and there that I eventually would have one in my hangar. When I discovered that BH Models and Hobby People were going to offer a 40-size 'Stick' that was electric-ready out of the box, I knew immediately that I wanted to do the review for RCGroups!
Kit includes:
Kit requires:
Included for this review:
What's in the box?
The review package arrived from Hobby People with no damage. All the parts were wrapped in heavy plastic bags and were neatly placed in the large ARF box. The parts count was very low for an ARF this size so I knew the Stick 4D would be a quick build. In fact, I reread the parts count twice just to make sure nothing was missing! It never ceases to amaze me how they can fit large airplanes into such a small box.
Assembly
The build was quick and straightforward. I took my time, and the entire assembly was finished in just three short evenings. The Stick 4D instruction manual was comprised of many photo-illustrations throughout, but was a little sparse in the text department, however if you have a fair amount of ARF building experience, you should have no trouble assembling the plane. As mentioned before, the build went very quickly with no surprises.
Wing
Both wing halves include pre installed string that made pulling the servo leads through the wing very easy. The wing uses a single aluminum spar tube for strength, and the two wing halves glue together with 15 minute epoxy. The ailerons are pre hinged and installed right out of the box. There are also extra servo bays pre-installed for optional flaps.
Tail
The tail group installs using 15 minute epoxy in the usual way, by first removing the covering on the horizontal stab, then aligning it with the wing and gluing it in place. An old soldering iron is great for doing this. The elevator is a one-piece design. The rudder holds a well-designed steerable tail wheel.
Fuselage
Large electric conversions are becoming more and more popular and BH Models had this in mind when they designed the Stick 4D. Although I initially planned this project to be a glow-to-electric conversion with several modifications needed, I was thrilled to see photos on the box of both glow and electric motors installed. Right out of the box, the Stick 4D can be set up for either glow or electric power with an optional light ply mount for an outrunner included right in the parts bag! It turned out that I didn't need it, as the larger KMS outrunner I used for the review had a larger X-mount that fit perfectly on the stock firewall. All that was required was to mark the four holes, drill them out and install four blind nuts behind the firewall and tighten four matching bolts. Since the Stick 4D has no cowl, the spacers that would normally be used weren't needed. The Stick 4D comes with a removable battery access hatch on top of the nose that is secured with a screw. A plywood battery tray also is included, and it can easily be removed by loosening a screw. I decided to glue my battery tray in place permanently with epoxy as there was adequate room for the 4S 3200 LiPo pack. For extra insurance, I installed a Velcro strap underneath the battery tray. The flexible aluminum landing gear is held in place with four bolts and absorbs less-than-perfect landings well, but may need some periodic straightening.
Radio equipmentI always try to mount my ESC somewhere in the flow of air for adequate cooling, and there is adequate room in the battery area near the cooling hole underneath the motor. I mounted the BEC just behind the battery. I also try to mount my receiver as far away from the servos and ESC as possible to avoid radio interference. A Castle Creations Phoenix 60 was used as the ESC. Since the built-in BEC on the Phoenix 60 cannot be used on a 4S or higher configuration, I used the new Castle Creations BEC to provide 4.8V to power the receiver and servos. It's very lightweight and the output voltage can be programmed via the Castle Link programmer. A receiver battery could also be used instead of a BEC.
Finish
Lastly, I applied the Stick 4D decals. Each decal was cut and trimmed, then peeled off the decal sheet and installed using the box as a guide. They look really sharp against the Stick 4D's bright color scheme!
Power system
The KMS Quantum 4120/06 Brushless Outrunner: The KMS Quantum Outrunner provided excellent power for the Stick 4D. With an APC 13 X 10 'E' prop installed, the amp draw was easily within the limits of this motor. I’ve been very impressed with KMS Quantum brushless outrunners and think they are a great value for their price. They include mounting hardware for installation behind or in front of a firewall.
The Castle Creations Phoenix 60 Brushless ESC: Castle Creations continues to lead the pack with their impressive line of ESCs that offer great performance, lots of features and ease of programming. Basic programming can be done at the field using your radio, and more advanced programming takes only a few minutes on your PC with the Castle Link USB programmer.
The Castle Creations BEC: This was my second experience with the new Castle Creations BEC, and I am truly sold on their performance and value. It eliminates the need for a separate receiver battery to power the receiver and servos and, using the Castle Link USB programmer, the voltage can be adjusted easily!
Impulse 4S Lithium Polymer 3200mAh 11.1V 20C Lithium Polymer pack: The Impulse LiPo batteries from Hobby People offer true 20C amp draw discharge capability, are lightweight and are a terrific value. Even after 6-7 minutes of aggressive flying the Stick, the Impulse LiPo pack was barely warm upon landing.
The Stick 4D's AUW came in at 4lbs, 4oz.
Completion
The Stick 4D's AUW came in at 4lbs, 4oz. The CG was marked with a fine tip marker, and the Stick 4D was balanced at the leading edge of the spar. With the Impulse 4S 3200 mAh pack at the midpoint position on the battery tray, I was happy to find that the Stick 4D balanced perfectly!
Flying
The maiden flight was made on a Saturday morning in calm winds. My club field is short grass, and because I was concerned the Stick 4D might want to nose over, I installed some slightly larger diameter wheels. After the very first takeoff however, I was happy to find no such problem.
BasicsThe Stick 4D is a smooth, predictable plane that goes right where you point it and tracks so smoothly it’s as if it’s flying on rails. Fast turns, loops and rolls are all so enjoyable to perform, and the smooth, quiet power of the KMS 4120/06 outrunner was perfectly matched to this airframe. The Stick 4D is certainly not a slow flier but it is very predictable and feels very solid in the air. After each successful flight I felt more confident at flying this beautiful bird, and it sure drew attention at my club field too!
Takeoff and Landing
I taxied the Stick 4D onto the runway and lined her up for takeoff. The steerable tail wheel was very effective and only a little rudder input was needed to keep the plane tracking straight down the runway. Only half throttle was needed to get the plane moving at a good clip, and as I increased to three quarter throttle the tail lifted off, I eased back on the elevator, and she was airborne. I throttled back to just over half, and the plane settled into a nice groove. It tracked extremely well and felt solid as a rock. With the throttle increased to full, the Stick 4D moved out quickly and became an exciting sport plane! Landings were set up with a fairly long approach and a small amount of power - just keep the airspeed up a bit until touchdown, and the Stick 4D will reward you with a nice, easy landing. Touch-and-go’s are an absolute blast to do, thanks to the Stick 4D’s predictable flight manners.
Special Flight Characteristics
The Stick 4D had a very gentle stall, and it slowed almost to a crawl before the nose started to drop. Even then, it remained fully controllable, and the recovery was quick and easy with full throttle applied. It was never unpredictable. Loops are an absolute joy to perform and are big and smooth. Only when I tried to make extremely tight loops did the Stick 4D tend to roll out of them slightly. Again, it is easy to recover with some decent altitude and power applied. What a rolling machine this plane is! The Stick 4D rolls briskly enough on low rates, but when I switched to high rates, I counted between 2-3 rolls a second! Not only were they brisk, but the rolls were very crisp and axial since the wing has no dihedral. Thanks to the Stick 4D’s huge rudder stall turns were a lot of fun to perform too! Just point the plane in a straight up attitude, kick the rudder over, and the nose will come straight over and down. Inverted flight is another area where the Stick 4D really excels. You often hear the term ‘hands-off’ when describing a plane that flies well inverted, and that term certainly describes this plane. With the Stick 4D properly balanced, you can roll it into inverted flight, take your hands off the sticks, and it will fly straight and level without any elevator input.
Flight Video/Photo Gallery
Is this for a beginner?
Although I would not classify it as a beginner plane, it would make a great choice if you’re looking to transition to a large electric that won’t intimidate you with its size. The Stick 4D has got it all: broad speed range, excellent stability in flight and rock-solid performance. And at just over 4 pounds, it handles a fair amount of wind with ease. If you’re in the market for a large electric sport plane that puts a smile on your face every time you fly it, look no further than the BH Models Stick 4D!
ConclusionThe Hobby People BH Models Stick 4D ARF is an exciting flier and an outstanding value. The electric conversion was easy to do and the electric power system that Hobby People recommends is the perfect combination for it. It is hands-down one of the most beautiful and exciting planes I've ever flown, and it's unique looks will turn heads both on the ground and in the air. Experience the BH Models Stick 4D today at your local hobby shop or from Hobby People. Pluses:: Nicely finished ARF that’s electric-ready out of the box
Minuses:: Landing gear may need periodic adjusting after several landings Last edited by Angela H; Apr 10, 2008 at 07:18 PM.. |
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Apr 09, 2008, 01:28 PM
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#2 |
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Where's my beer, and my pants!
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Private Location
Posts: 2,008
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How was the vertical performance? Looks like it was a great sport flyer but a little low on power yet. Although I wouldn't want to hover with it vertical is nice to have.
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Apr 09, 2008, 02:32 PM
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#3 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Raleigh, NC, USA
Posts: 59
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Wing Tube
Hi there,
Do you have to glue the wing halves together? I am not sure why they would use an aluminum tube in that case. It would be cool if it was a two piece wing. Steve |
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Apr 09, 2008, 02:33 PM
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#4 |
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Got shenpa?
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 10,495
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Thanks for the review. Can we have actual numbers for current draw and battery voltage? The only reference I can find in the text of the article says "the amp draw was easily within the limits of this motor", but it does not say what those limits are or give any hint as to the actual power into the motor (watts).
With a 13" prop on a 4 1/2 lb aerobatic model, most pilots would want at least 450 W, which would correspond to roughly 32 amps draw from a typical 4S lipo pack (14 volts under load). -Flieslikeabeagle |
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Apr 09, 2008, 03:49 PM
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#5 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 104
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in the video, when a quick roll left or right is performed, the plane seems to "waiver" ( i forget what it's called) like a looping roll, my ultrastick did not do this. Is this caused by the pilot or a flaw in the plane?
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Apr 09, 2008, 04:36 PM
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#6 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HUDDINGE, Sweden
Posts: 11
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I have had a Stick 4D with a similar power set up. It had an LRK 350/20 12.5W outrunner (kv 830), a 11x7 APC E drawing 40+ amps, same ESC and 4 LiPo. I recognize the loud "clang!" when you cut the motor...changing the timing advance to LOW removes this with only a slight loss of power/amp draw.
There is no need to glue the wing halves together, the wing bolts keep everything in place. The vertical performance was very good, after take off you can put the nose (airplane also) straight up and continue to climb until you start worrying.... Just like dawnron1, I found landings and wingovers extremely easy to perform well, loopings could be made very large. Too bad I sold the Stick 4D (replaced with a Kyosho Edge 540, another excellent electric aerobat). The Stick 4D was a very nice flyer! The only negative I found was that the fin and stab became a bit twisted after a year. I replaced them with a more stiff type of construction. Cheers, Anders |
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Apr 09, 2008, 07:44 PM
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#7 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Hemet, California, United States
Posts: 1,490
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Hi,
What kind of duration are you getting? Any idea on what size E Flight motor (Power 32 on 4S?) would match up with your KMS motor? Anyone able to compare this model with the E-Flight Stick 25E ? Thanks! Mickydee |
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Apr 09, 2008, 07:58 PM
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#8 |
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We shall serve the Lord
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TEXAS
Posts: 1,661
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Nice Review Ronnie. The KMS 4120/06 looks like a good choice for the BH Stick. Your video brought back a lot of very pleasant memories of other Stick models I've owned. What a rock solid flyer!
Mike McD |
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Apr 09, 2008, 11:53 PM
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#9 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Canada's East Coast, "An Ocean Playground"
Posts: 3,762
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"The Hobby People BH Models Stick 4D ARF is an exciting flier and an outstanding value with its included retractable landing gear."
..is this correct..? (corrected later..thanks) Bill Last edited by retiredVTT; Apr 10, 2008 at 07:53 PM. |
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Apr 10, 2008, 08:33 AM
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#10 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,381
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I have to say in all of my years flying, I have NEVER owned a "stick" variation, of either the IC or electric variety!? I know, I know, there is something wrong with me. And I never worked at a fast food restaurant as a teenager either!
 I do like the quality of the BH Models and find myself wondering if maybe this is the one I should try? You write up and the excellent photos find me drawn to this plane for some reason. Even though I do not "need" another plane. Thanks a lot Ronnie!
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Apr 10, 2008, 09:09 AM
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#11 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HUDDINGE, Sweden
Posts: 11
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"...with its included retractable landing gear."
A fast low level pass could fix that, the kit has a fixed gear....  Cheers, Anders |
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Apr 10, 2008, 07:49 PM
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#12 |
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"Have Glue - Will Travel"
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Ft. Worth, Texas
Posts: 2,407
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Thanks guys, glad you liked the review! There were indeed a couple of link errors and we fixed 'em
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Apr 11, 2008, 12:18 PM
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#13 |
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Englishman in Japan
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Takasaki, Gunma, Japan
Posts: 391
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Great plane, nice review!
Mine had place for fitting 4 servos to the wing. Set it up with flaps, crow and flaps to elevator mix etc ,etc. Found a nice guide to setting up your radio for the "sticks" on the Horizon hobby web site. Think it is on the Hangar 9 site too. Well worth doing, makes the plane a lot more fun  TP 3520, Hyp 5s 4000, HW 60a esc, Gws park hpx in the wing , mini bb mg for the rear end. Added 2mm carbon rods to support the fin. |
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Apr 11, 2008, 12:22 PM
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#14 |
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Got shenpa?
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 10,495
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Ronnie - can we have actual pack volts and amps drawn by the motor? That is rather vital information and is missing from the review.
Thanks! -Flieslikeabeagle |
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Apr 11, 2008, 03:22 PM
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#15 | |
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"Have Glue - Will Travel"
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Ft. Worth, Texas
Posts: 2,407
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