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Hacker EPP Piper Cub J-3 and Hobby Lobby eRC BL300 Motor Review
!Introduction
| spec2 | | @IMG_3732.jpg |> <b>Wingspan:</b> |< 1200mm / 47.28" |> <b>Wing Area:</b> |<387.75" / 25 dm. sq. |> <b>Weight:</b> |< From 470g / 16.57oz. |> <b>Length:</b> |< 840mm / 33.07" |> <b>Wing Loading:</b> |< 6.15 oz/sq. ft. / 18.8 g/dm. sq. |> <b>Servos:</b> |< GWS Naro +D 10g |> <b>Transmitter:</b> |<Futaba 9 Cap Super with TM-7 2.4 GHz 7 module |> <b>Receiver:</b> |< Futaba R6106HF |> <b>Battery:</b> |< 800 mAh 11.v - 1500 mAh 11.v |> <b>Motor:</b> |< eRC BL300 |> <b>Propeller:</b> |< Graupner Slowfly Prop 7x4 |> <b>ESC:</b> |< Castle Thunderbird 18 |> <b>Typical Flight Duration:</b> |< Ten minutes + |> <b>Manufacturer:</b> |< <a href=http://www.hacker-model.com/uk/index.html>Hacker-Model</a> |> <b>Available From:</b> |< Available Late April |> <b>Price:</b> |< $149.00 Each Cub version brings something to the airfield that reminds us of the history of aviation and that creates an enthusiasm for RC flying. I have flown Cubs from small foamies through giant scale, and each has a personality of its own. There is ne thing I would say about the ones I have liked: They tended to fly like a Cub; slow, deliberate, wide turns, stable in a stall and easy to land. Hacker’s EPP J-3 Piper Cub is one that meets my criteria of a great rendition of the venerable Cub, from the components, to matching the right engine, through the build and at the airfield; this Cub is an excellent addition to really anyone’s hanger. !Kit Contents As an EPP model, the kit comes with well cut parts and components designed to specifically meet the needs of this Cub. The model is pre-painted with a light almost transparent coating with painted on decals, windows, panel detail and N-Numbers. The yellow is bright, but not as bright as some kits. The size is obvious, and this Cub has lots of qualities worth investing in and flying. @IMGA0340.jpg: Mine arrived with no damage. @IMGA0341.jpg: Good packing, but little damage is going to happen to EPP foam. @IMGA0381.jpg:The complete kit contents, including painted wings, tail and fuselage and items to complete the build *You will need a few items: *Four 9g servos *Prop *Brushless motor *ESC *Receiver *Two 12-inch extensions I was lucky to have access to <a href= http://www.gwsus.com/english/product/servo/sub%20micro.htm>GWS's digital Naro + D servos</a>. These are excellent 10 gram (.35 oz) servos and, contrary to the experience I have had with many digital servos, these DID NOT BUZZ. They were right on and strong with quick response and controllability. Since most usage is at the 4.8 voltage range the specifications include: 0.160 sec/60 degree and1.4 Kg/cm (22 oz.) torque. The measurements are consistent with just about any 9 -10 gram servo. GWS has a programming card available to set sensitivity, locked position when out of signal and rotation range using a neutral point and two end points. @IMGA0384.jpg: Great value at about $15 @IMGA0386.jpg: Excellent quality @IMGA0346.jpg: Well written and illustrated instructions I contacted Hobby Lobby International with the requirements necessary to get the right brushless motor. Their line-up of eRC motors was perfect, and with a little help, we decided on the BL300. Hacker proposes an 80W motor, but also one that is 28mm wide, 15mm deep and in the 1400-1500KV range. The <a href=http://www.hobby-lobby.com/erc_motors_279_ctg.htm >BL300</a> motor was suggested knowing we were going to be pretty close at 1400KV. It fit perfectly with no trimming. In the end, this was absolutely the perfect motor. Each eRC motor has a one year warranty. @IMGA0391.jpg: High quality magnets and silicon steel stator for more power and efficiency @IMGA0395.jpg: Precise CNC machined components provide a truly quiet operation. @IMGA0396.jpg: High temperature carbon steel bearings for high RPM Hobby Lobby suggested one of their <a href=http://www.hobby-lobby.com/slowflyer_propellers_368_ctg.htm > Graupner slowflyer 7 x 4</a> glass-fiber props to go with the BL300 eRC motor. This turned out to be a great combination. @IMGA0388.jpg: These Graupner slowflyer props are not brittle and can survive some tip impacts without breaking. What good is a durable EPP airframe without a prop that can also stand some abuse? !Assembly The manual is well illustrated and is translated in at least five languages. Billed as a “Top Flyer Almost Unbreakable” aircraft, the Hacker Cub assembly is easy to follow, and I found nothing left out that would lead to an incorrect build. The process starts with the wing and ends with the battery hatch. If I adapted anything in the assembly it was to get the mains on as soon as possible to get the fuselage standing upright. Let’s do a little walk around of the Hacker Cub. @IMGA0383.jpg: Not too much to have to build @IMGA0376.jpg: Well designed components @IMGA0348.jpg: The reinforced EPP fuselage @IMGA0350.jpg: Good fit on the tail @IMGA0352.jpg: A durable main gear mount and forward battery hatch @IMGA0354.jpg: Strong firewall @IMGA0358.jpg: Good detail in the paint job @IMGA0359.jpg: These ailerons are huge at 2” each @IMGA0360.jpg: Hinge lines are smooth and deep !!Wing The wing is a two-piece design and requires the installation of a wooden main spar. Because this is EPP you can use regular CA glue. Be careful to not over accelerate the drying as heat will damage the foam. @IMGA0356.jpg: Two thick pieces of wing @IMGA0443.jpg: Thicker than my finger @IMGA0365.jpg: The spar will fit into this recess. @IMGA0360.jpg: Ailerons are ready to go @IMGA0362.jpg: Here is a good view from the wing tip @IMGA0358.jpg: You can see the hinge line from the top. Plenty of durability. @IMGA0364.jpg: Control horn attach points are even cut. After you install the spar, the wing halves must be joined with a slight dihedral. I cut a piece of ruler to use to get the correct spacing between the wing tip and the table top. The center rib fit well with this slight angle. A main wing joiner is provided that is plastic and glues the two halves together. The J-3 does not use wing struts. @IMGA0399.jpg: The spar installed @IMGA0400.jpg: It is a good flush fit. @IMGA0402.jpg: This is my spacer. @IMGA0403.jpg: This joiner slips right next to the spar. @IMGA0404.jpg: A flush fit The servos are installed at this time and require you to cut into the wing to make the servo fit. While it seems like extra work, this method ensures the cut fits your servo. I used hot glue to hold the servos. @IMGA0405.jpg: Mark right and left correctly. @IMGA0406.jpg: Remove the foam. @IMGA0407.jpg: Cut in with some room for the servo arm to move. @IMGA0412.jpg: The arm and quick connector installed. @IMGA0411.jpg: Extensions will likely be required. I used 12” extensions. @IMGA0449.jpg: The wing saddle provides a well mated wing to fuselage point. @IMGA0409.jpg: A front and rear reinforcement is provided that also keeps the rubber bands from cutting into the foam. @IMGA0408.jpg: The control horns finish the wing. @IMGA0413.jpg: Ready to go. !!Fuselage The fuselage is basically built and ready to go. You need to add the tail, firewall, wing attachment pins and landing gears. I started with the motor mount. @IMGA0418.jpg: The firewall is a single piece of plywood. @IMGA0419.jpg: The BL300 is a perfect fit. @IMGA0420.jpg: Make sure to get the motor centered. @IMGA0412.jpg: Note a slight right angle. @IMGA0416.jpg: The cowl buttons up nicely. !!Tail The tail is similar to the wing and attached in a conventional manner. Flex the elevator and rudder some to make them move easier, bit otherwise the build here is simple. @IMGA0369.jpg: Just like the ailerons, the elevator and rudder are pre-cut. @IMGA0370.jpg: Flex them to loosen them up a little. @IMGA0422.jpg: A wooden joiner combines both elevator halves. @IMGA0423.jpg: The control horn is installed before final installation. @IMGA0424.jpg: Another look @IMGA0425.jpg: Same for the rudder @IMGA0353.jpg: Here are the pre-installed linkages. @IMGA0427.jpg: Some trimming of the rudder might be necessary. @IMGA0426.jpg: Almost ready to go @IMGA0429.jpg: Elevator and rudder ready for flight @IMGA0444.jpg: Well designed parts tend to fit. @IMGA0431.jpg: The rudder and elevator servo slipped right into place with hot glue. !!Landing Gear The main gears are simple to install, but a little more effort is required for the steerable tail wheel. @IMGA0351.jpg: The mains are reinforced. @IMGA0430.jpg: The wheels are 1.75” with a 7” stance. @IMGA0453.jpg: Fairings complete the scale look. @IMGA0437.jpg: A good stable stance @IMGA0450.jpg: The tail wheel glues to the fuselage. @IMGA0452.jpg: You can see the steerable linkage. !!Radio Installation I used a Futaba R6106HF 2.4 GHz receiver with my trusty Futaba 9 Cap Super equipped with a TM-7 module. The light weight versatility of this setup provides you some options with battery selection, and it is a great 2.4 setup designed by Futaba. The ESC tucks up behind the firewall and on top of the battery platform and reaches just inside the fuselage under the wing. The battery is located to meet the 65mm CG from the leading edge. !!Completion The final items needing completion include the battery hatch and wing mounting, which are ot too difficult. My amp draw was 9 amps, and my wattage was 87 in the end, so I was pretty much on target with Hacker’s recommendation. @IMGA0460.jpg: Some trimming might be necessary. @IMGA0439.jpg: It's easy to make the battery connection @IMGA0433.jpg: This hatch works very well. @IMGA0434.jpg: While small, the hatch release is easy to grab and rotate. @IMGA0435.jpg: This, too, is well designed. @IMGA0440.jpg: Nice nose and some realism with the prop mount (paint it yellow too?) @IMGA0441.jpg: Two rubber bands on each side attach to plastic pins through the fuselage. @IMGA0442.jpg: Nice thick wing @IMGA0445.jpg: Always nice to look at a Cub! *Ailerons *10mm up and down *Elevators 10mm up and down *Rudder 15mm right and left !Flying My initial flights were what I expected with regard to turns. I quickly landed and dialed in some rudder to coordinate the turns and the Cub performed much better. I used about 30% expo on the sticks to soften my inputs and slow the rate of control to a more realistic flight. I did not experience any really poor or uncorrectable flight characteristics that made me uncomfortable, and as I flew the Cub more and more I began to try a few larger batteries from the original 800 mAh LiPo. In the end, I was up to a 1500 mAh (135g) and as long as the battery is narrow enough I am pretty sure I could have added an even larger battery. Final flight weight was up to 561 grams. The Cub can haul a load, and in fact I think flies better with some weight. The CG is right under the wing spar so whatever battery you use it has to be shoved up inside the fuselage. The battery opening is really to reach the battery and ESC leads, but with the BL300 motor I used, the weight had to stay aft some ways. !!Basics I have flown the Cub quite a bit, and each time I continue to tweak the mixes on my Futaba 9 Cap Super. I added some up elevator too for the turns and this improved the flight character. I was a little disappointed that even though I had the motor firmly against the firewall I felt the throttle was also controlling the altitude. I mixed in a little down elevator to the throttle to compensate, but spacers behind the motor would have also worked. Turns, once coordinated, are nice and level, and the plane holds true in a straight line after my combination proved the need to dial in some tail control. The glide slope is great. Full throttle stalls dipped the left wing and power-off stalls were a gentle nose drop with easy recovery. !!Taking Off and Landing The takeoff roll does require some rudder, but the lift-off is quick. I did not have too much trouble keeping the Cub straight. The prop has a scale distance to the runway so you have to keep the plane level on the takeoff to avoid a tip hit. The landings are absolutely a joy. I love setting up a plane to land and basically just following it to the runway with little stick input. This is a wonderful plane to learn on, and the EPP foam is as durable as any RC plane material can be. You can roll the Cub on landings with no damage. The landing gear is durable too. !!Aerobatics/Special Flight Performance I thought the basics were all doable. I could pull loops easily and they were nice and straight. Rolls were floppy, and it takes a lot if aileron to get the Cub over and then a lot of elevator to keep it level. The dihedral in the wings fought my inputs to right the Cub. Inverted flight was stable, a show stopper for your less accomplished pilot friends. While upside-down the Cub wants to nose up, so I found the need to keep pushing the nose down. Overall I thought it flew like a Cub should without the BL300 motor. I was very pleased. !!Is This For a Beginner? It would be hard to not categorize the Hacker Cub as a beginner aircraft. It flies slow, is controllable and can re-enter the atmosphere for landings like beginners dream. I really loved the flight style. I also thought the build sequence was well thought out, plans were easy to understand, and when done, it looked like a Cub. There's really no reason not to try this plane. Now that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed flying the Cub, and I consider myself at least an experienced pilot. You can polish your tail dragger skills, landings and use of mixes. I like the fact that I have some flexibility in battery choice and consider this a great park flyer capable of flying everyday in some winds. !!Flight Video/Photo Gallery @IMG_3706.jpg: Nice flight character @IMG_3730.jpg: Pretty big in the air @IMG_3734.jpg: The wings are flat on the bottom @IMG_3735.jpg: Pretty good climb rate @IMG_3707.jpg: November 33 India Tango +HackerCub.mov:The Cub as a 2.45 MB file +HackerCub2.mov:The Cub as a 19.46 MB file !Conclusion This Cub has a lot of potential. It presents itself as a beginner aircraft but has all the ability to bring satisfaction to even the most seasoned flyer. It can do mild aerobatics, but land easily. One could add floats, or given I have not even come close to the load this plane will haul, try lots of batteries or camera equipment. I liked the build and instructions and see nothing to keep a new flyer from having a successful experience. I recommend the Hacker Top Flyer Almost Unbreakable Cub and hope it gets to the market very soon for total distribution and access. Special thanks to Hobby-Lobby International and Grand Wing Systems for their support. *Plus *Pre-painted, decaled and detailed *The Cub can haul a load *EPP *Negatives *Narrow rubber band protectors *CG does not align with the batery hatch. ImagesView all Images in thread
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Last edited by Angela H; Jun 10, 2011 at 07:37 AM.
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Well written with a wealth of detail photos.
Thanks Dave. I will also take issue with the price, if only so the folks at Hacker might figure out that their prices are WAY out of line. $150... are you kidding me?? For that price it would have to come with a motor/ESC combo to even be competitive. Good heavens... It's pre-sale on Ebay at $175. |
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Quote:
Your website has it priced at $111.75 http://www.worldtoyimports.com/hacke...af5850ba56ca5f |
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I am using the eRC BL300 on my TW Lanyu Cessna. Works beautifully! Great review.
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Just from the pics and price, I'd sooner go with something that looks better and is more RTF from Hobbyking. Great review though
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I agree, nice review but they have the pice point all wrong. This should be a $70 kit, no more. Seriously.
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About the eRC BL 300 - I've been using one of two for about half an year on that Lanyu, (and yes, it has been working beautifully) but after running the motor for a 8+ minute flight, I find it darn hot! I mean, BOILING! However, nothing's going bonkers with the bearings or magnet wires, it's just simply hot. I run 11.1V 25-35C, using a variety of batteries from Tower Hobbies to Rhino to Turnigy. ESC is HiMax 18A. Propeller is 9x6.
Anybody else have similar issues? |
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