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"Electrostreak"Great Planes Kit |
| Wingspan | 1.12 Metres (44 inches) |
| Wing Loading | 56 gm/dm2 (18.5 oz/sqft) |
| Flying Weight | 1180gm (42oz) |
| CG (percent of MAC) | 26% |
| Motor | Kyosho Magnetic Mayhem |
| Propeller | APC 7x5 |
| Speed Control | Kontronic SUN3000 |
| Battery | 7 x Sanyo 1700SCR (8.4V) |
| Receiver | Hitec HFS04Mi+ |
| Servos | CS30-BB (ailerons), Naro Pro BB (elevator) |
| Controls | Ailerons, Elevator, Motor |
| Construction | Balsa, Liteply, Oracover |
This is an old Great Planes kit which I inherited already built up (does this make it an 'ARF'?). I added a Hitec Rx, GWS servos, Kontronic speed controller and a 7 cell 1700SCR battery. It came with a can motor of unknown vintage, which still had a price sticker attached - $9.95 - so I wasn't expecting much from it. Sure enough, the first flights were not spectacular, with at least 3/4 throttle needed to keep it in the air. The other problem was the colour scheme - plain maroon wings made it hard to see the plane's attitude.
To improve visibility I added yellow stripes to the wings and tail, and spots on the wing undersides (if I see spots - it's inverted!) I threw away the old motor and replaced it with a Kyosho Magnetic Mayhem, which gave much more power at slightly lower current draw. Now it cruises at less than half throttle and can still do loops and rolls. Inverted flight only needs just a touch of down alevator, and rolls are fast and axial. I only use full throttle on takeoff and for high speed passes. Although the small propellor does not give enough thrust for continous vertical, the plane holds energy very well which makes for effortless large loops, bunts etc.
I am still getting used to this model, as its speed and smooth aerobatic ability are far superior to my other planes, but the more I fly it the better I like it. The whistling sound it makes as it 'streaks' through the air at high speed is awesome. What a pity that Great Planes had to bundle such a junk motor with the kit.
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April 13th, 2003. Shot down by another transmitter on the same frequency - 'twas my own fault for not securing the channel! |
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