WelcometotheOctober2023issueofRCM&E.
I’vebeennoticingabitofatrendlatelyandthatis themakingofdownwindlandings.Twoofmylocal modelclubshavenice f lyingsitesbutbothhavehedgesand treesontheirapproachesthatcanbeabitof fputtingtosome pilots.Thereasonsfordecidinginwhichdirectiontolandvaries dependingonwhomItalkto;somearemoreconcernedabout approachingovertheshrubsonthefieldboundarieswhilst othersareseekingaclearerexitincaseofengineproblemsin theeventofago-around.
It’sallabitstrangeasregardlessofsitelayoutIwillalwaystry tolandintowindorasclosetoaspossible.So,seeingclubmates doexactlytheoppositetimeaf tertimeisabitofamysteryto me,especiallyifitleadstoascruf fyhigh-speedarrival,of ten withthepooraircraf tendinguponitsnoseor f lippedover.But aslongasthemodelsuf fersnoapparentdamage(theof t quoted‘Anylandingyoucanwalkawayfromisagoodone!’) thenitseemstobecountedasasuccessfulendtoa f light.
Asafull-sizelightaircraf tpilot(lapsedthesedays,I’mafraid) it’singrainedinmetopointanyaircraf tintothebreeze.So,I wonderedifIwasmissingsomething,particularlywithregards towhattyromodelpilotswerebeingencouragedtodointhis regardnowadays.IdecidedtodoabitofsleuthingontheBMFA websitetoseewhatthelatestadviceisonthesubject.As always,mydefaultreferencewithquerieslikethisisthe‘old faithful’BMFAMember’sHandbook,noweasilyavailableasa download.
It’sallthereinblackandwhiteinSection11,R/CPowerFlying SiteLayoutandFlightPatterns:
Sub-section11.3(c):Specifythatany f lyingactuallyoverthe take-of f/landingareamustbeintowindonly(exceptinanemergency orwhenpractisingwithnoothermodelsairborne).Thisavoids conf licting f lightpatternsovertheactiverunwaybutdoesnotprohibit otherstylesof f lyingawayfromit.
And,morepertinently,sub-section11.4:
Section11.3abovehascertainimplications,themainonebeingthat thecircuit f lownatanytimewilldependonthewinddirection.For instance,iftheprevailingwindiswesterlyandthisgivesyoualef t handcircuitonyourfield,achangeinthewindtoeasterlymeansthat youmust f lyarighthandcircuit.
Becauseofthisyourmemberswillhavetobecomeproficientinboth lef tandrighthandcircuitsandwillhavetobeabletolandeitherfrom theirlef tortheirright.Noneofthisshouldbothermostreasonably competentclub f lyersoranynewcomertrainedto f lylikethatfromthe
startbutafew f lyers,evensomequiteexperiencedones,mayneed encouragementandhelptobreakoldhabitsandbegin f lyingina slightlymoredisciplinedstyle.
Okay,I’llgetof fmysoapboxfornow.Fingerscrossed,evenif justafewpeoplereadthisandtrytochangethisparticularbad habitthenitwillhavebeenworthwritingabout.
Timenowtotakeabrieflookatwhatwehavelinedupforyou intheOctoberissueofRCM&E,startingwithourregular columns.Kickingof fwithBenchBlog,TimHooperbuilds anotherunusualmodel,thistimeintheshapeofa f lyingcar!In MakeItScale,DannyFentongivessometalksattheFestivalof ScalethencontinueshisChipmunkbuild.NextupisOneMan& HisShed,insideofwhichDaveGoodenoughshowshowto f lipa partialmodelplan(i.e.,onewingonly),suchasissometimes usedwithourpull-outplans.InhisScaleGlidingcolumnChris Williamstrieslaunchingaone-sixthscalegliderfromabungee. Finally,KeithJackson’sAerobaticScenecolumnincludesaphoto reportfromthe55thF3AWorldCupinLichtenstein,theBMFA SouthMidlandsAerobaticDayandanupdateontheChilli Breezeproject.
Thismonth’spull-outPro-PlanisforaDambustingAvro Lancaster.AcePSSdesignduoGordonStudleyandMartinGay haveteameduptoof ferupasmall1:32ndscalemodelofthe famousWW2fourengineheavybomber.
OurfeaturearticlesstartwithaModelMagicbyStuart MackaywholooksatapairofgiantscaleMosquitos f lownon thelargemodelcircuitbyTheGhostSquadron.Inhislatest workshopfeatureonbuildinga1/2sizeENVaeroengine, StephenWessellooksatvalvetimingandmakingcams.Then it’sovertoDaveGoodenoughforAirborneAnticsasherecords themayhemattheLeek&MoorlandModelGliding Association’sFunFlygathering.
OurreviewstestthismonthstartwiththeXFly-ModelsSwif t 2100.AlthoughbestknownfortheirEDFjets,XFlymakeprop planestoo.AndrewJames f liestheirnewelectricgliderfor multiplepowerset-ups.Finally,PeterMillertakesabreakfrom hisdrawingboardandbuildsaValuePlanesoldtimerkit,the CloudWalker.
HappyFlying!
Photo:TimHooper
Inthe1930sUSaviatorWaldoWatermanhadadreamofbuildinga f lyingcarforthemasseswithathree-seatfuselageanda detachableone-piecewing.TimHooper’smodelofWaldo’sdream machineisbasedonthe1939MegowModelsplan,enlargedtogive 38”wingspanandusinglightweightR/Cgeartowiggletheelevons aboutabitinanadvisoryfashion.
10 SWIFT2100
AlthoughbestknownforEDFjetsXFly-Modelmakepropplanes too.AndrewJames f liestheirnewelectricgliderformultiplepower set-ups
56 IWATAHP-TH2
JohnDanielscastshiseyeoverahigh-qualitygravityfeddual actiontriggerairbrushformediumandwidepaintcoverage
60 CLOUDWALKER
PeterMillertakesabreakfromhisdrawingboardandbuildsa ValuePlanesoldtimerkit
DaveGoodenoughrecordsthemayhemtakingplaceattheLeek&
16 BENCHBLOG
TimHooperconjuresupanotherweirdie,thistimeintheshapeofa real-life f lyingcar!
22 MAKEITSCALE
DannyFentongivesatalkortwoattheFestivalofScalethen continueswithhisDHCChipmunkbuild
28 ONEMAN&HISSHED
DaveGoodenoughshowshowto f lipapartialmodelplanfor buildingandmotorsuphisbeginner’sglider
72 SCALEGLIDING
ChrisWilliamstrieslaunchingaone-sixthscalegliderfroma bungee.ButfirsthereportsfromthelatestWhiteSheetscale meeting
80 AEROBATICSCENE
KeithJacksonfilesaphotoreportfromtheF3AWorldCupevent inLichtensteinandprovidesanupdateonthenewChilliBreeze project
AcePSSdesignduoGordonStudleyandMartinGayof ferupa small1:32ndscalemodelofthefamousWW2fourengineheavy bomber
Allreasonablecareistakeninthepreparationofthemagazinecontents,butthepublisherscannotbe heldlegallyresponsibleforerrorsinthecontentsofthismagazineorforanylosshoweverarisingfrom sucherrors,includinglossresultingfromnegligenceofourstaff.Relianceplaceduponthecontentsofthis magazineisatreaders’ownrisk.
GeorgeWorley,thewell-knownproprietorof 4-MaxModels,hasbuiltafinelookingBellanca Skrocketintributetohisfather:
LastyearIfoundthesameplanthatmy fatherusedtobuildafree flightsemiscale BellancaSkyrocket.Iwasaround10yearsold whenhebuiltitandweusedto flyinthemiddle ofEpsonDownsRacecourseinSurrey.
I’msuremostofyouhaveheardofCharles LindberghandhisRyanNYPcalledthe‘Spirit ofStLouis’.Hemadethefirstsolotransatlantic flightfromNewYorkandlanded33hoursand 30minuteslater,justshortofParis.
Whatmostpeopledon’tknowwasthatMr. Lindbergh’sfirstchoiceofaircraftforthetrip wasaBellancaWB-2whichlookssimilartothe BellancaSkyrocket.Duetosomecontractual problemswithBellancaandlegalbattleshehad tochoosetheRyanNYPinstead.Hemadehis record-breaking flightonthe20thofMay1927 andwontheOrteigPrizeof$25,000Dollars.
Onthe4thofJune1927,exactlytwoweeks afterCharlesLindbergmadehissoloTransAtlantic flight,ClarenceChamberlinand CharlesLevinetookoffintheBellancaWB-2, named‘Columbia’,fromthesameairportin
NewYorkandheaded EasttowardsParis.They overshottheFrenchcapital andheadedontoGermany. However,assoonasthey reachedGermany,theybecame lost.UrgedonbyLevinetoreach Berlin,Chamberlinpushedthe planetotheextreme.Whenthefuelfinally ranout,theywereforcedtoputdownatHelfta nearEisleben,approximately100milesshortof Berlinafteranon-stop flightof3,905milesin 42hours45minutes,havingbeatenLindbergh’s recordbyjustover315miles.They flewfor 9hoursand6minuteslongerthanCharles Lindbergh’s flight.
TheRyanNYPandtheBellancaWB-2used thesamereliableWrightR-790(J-5Whirlwind) engine.
Moreaboutthemodel
Ithasa51”wingspanandisatraditionally builtmodelwithafewmodifications.It wasoriginallydesignedbyH.G.Bowersand appearedin‘ModelAircraft’in1965(MA396).It isverysimpleandquicktobuild.Idownloaded
theplanfromtheinternetandprintedit ontoseveralbitsofpaper,andthenspentan afternoontapingthemalltogether.
Itrytobuildverylightandthismodelcame outat2.58lbs(1171g)whichisprettygoodfor a51”model.Ithasgotasmall4-MaxPO-28341020motor,a20AESCandusesa3S1300mAh LiPotogive6-7minutesofgentlescalelike flying.
Ihadtoaddaskiploadofleadupthefront togetittobalancesoinhindsightIshouldhave madetherearlighterandusedalarger,heavier motorjusttohelpwiththeCofG.
Justlikemyfather’sfree flightversion,this R/Cversionalso fliesverywell.Ithasmyfather’s nameononesideandClarenceChamberlinon theother.
TheAirbrushCompanyareoneofveryfew companieswhooffercoursesonusingan airbrush.Soperhapsit’soflittlesurprisethat theyhavestudentstravellingfromalloverthe UKtolearnmoreaboutusingtheseprecision paintingtools,andalsomanyparticipantsfrom evenfurtherafield!
TheAirbrushCompanysay:
‘Wewouldliketospreadthewordaboutour coursestoallthosewhoarestrugglingwith theirnewairbrush,thosewhowanttoprogress theircurrentskills,orthosewhosimplywant totryairbrushingbeforetheycommitto investinginequipment.OurAirbrushCourses areidealforanyonewhowantstogetstarted inairbrushing,orwhohasproblemsgetting startedwiththeirairbrush.
Inourdedicatedtrainingroom(pictured)we offerairbrushtrainingtaughtbyexperttutors onnearlyeveryapplication,frombeginnersto advanced.Theseincludecustompainting,art andgraphics,modelpaintingandevencake decorating!Studentshavethechancetoget handsonandtryoutvariousairbrushes,learn howtomasterahugerangeoftechniques,plus buyproductsatastudentdiscount.’
Ifyouareinterestedinattendingoneof TheAirbrushCompanycoursespleasevisit theCoursespageontheirwebsiteat:https:// airbrushescom
OverlanderBatteriesisrevolutionisingremotecontrolledaviationwithitslatestadditions, tailoredforR/Chelicopters,smallaerobatic planesandgliders.Overlander,acompany renownedforhigh-performanceenergy
FromtheirbasedeepinGuangdong Province,China,XFly-ModelTechnology continuetoreleasenew,innovative modelstoanever-hungrymarket,the 40”(1019mm)spanEagleTwin40mm beingamongsttheirlatest.Poweredby anewlydeveloped12-blade40mmEDF powersystem–oneateachwingtipwith acentrally-disposedLiPointhefuselage –thishand-launch, flyingwingracerhas apower-to-weightratiogreaterthan1:1.5. TheEDFconfigurationandmixingsetup (assistedbyanoptionalcustomgyro)sees themodelcapableofdeliveringdifferential speedsandeasingthroughanarrayof manouevres-rolls, flatspins,inverted flatspinsetc.–withatopspeedbeyond 110mph.Anabundanceofpowermakes forafuss-freehandlaunch,withwearresistantplastictothemodel’sunderside affordingprotectiontotheEPOairframe whenlanding.Flightdurationisaround 5-10minutesona4S1800–2200mAhLiPo.
solutions,deliversbatteriesthattransformthe waymodelaviationfansexperience flight.
The500mAh2Sand3S80Cpacksareatthe forefront,givingaircraftapowerfulboost.They provideprecisionforintricatemanoeuvres andthrilling flights,inadditiontopower. The350mAh2S25Cbatteryaddsversatility, balancingpowerandendurance.Emphasising reliability,itensuresconsistentextended flight performance,idealforaerialexplorations.
Anticipationbuildsfortheupcoming 650mAh3S50Cand350mAh3S40Cbatteries. TheseadvancementsraisethebarforR/C
Suppliedfactory-assembledintheUKfrom CMLDistribution–www.cmldistribution. co.uk-theEagleTwinrequiresyourchoice of5-channelR/CandaforementionedLiPo andisavailableintwocolourschemesin twoversions,pricedat£159.99withgyro suppliedor£139.99without.
flying,cateringtolonger flightdurations andenhancedpowerdelivery.Overlander’s dedicationtoinnovationshines,focusingon performance,precision,andsafety.These batteriesempowerR/Centhusiaststoreach newheightsconfidently.
AlthoughwellknownfortheirfineEDF jets,XFly-Modelmakesomeexcellent propplanestoo.AndrewJamesassembles theirnewelectricgliderwhichoffers multiplepoweroptions
Ihavetoadmittohavingbeenveryimpressed withalltheXFly-ModelkitsthatIhaveseen sofar,basedonthethreejetsandaSTOL twinthattheEditorhasbroughttoour flying patch.
UponopeningtheSwift2100boxthat favourableimpressioncontinued,especially whenIrealisedthatthismodelshouldbe easytototallydisassembleandrepackinside itsbox,makingitagoodchoiceasaholiday modeli.e.,onethatcouldbeinnocently secretedbehindtheseatsinmyestatecarand withwhichIcouldfeigncompletesurprise whenbeingunpackedatourdestination… Mindyou,theboxisn’treallysmallatallsoI don’tthinkitwouldstaythatwellhidden,but I’llgiveitatry!
MULTIROLE
Anotherreasonforwantingtotrythiskitisthat
althoughitissuppliedasaconventional electricpoweredglideritalsocomeswitha 50mmElectricDuctedFanpodwhichcanbe usedtojetpowerthemodelwhenfuelledbya 4SLiPo.TheplanwastotrytheSwiftasan electricgliderfirst,assupplied‘outofthebox’, andthenfittheEDFpod.Butaftertheinitial test flights,whenIturnedmyattentionto fittingthejetpodIrealisedthatdoingso wouldrequireapermanentchangetoEDF power,thepodneedingtobegluedinto positionontopofthefuselage.It’sashame becauseitwouldbenicetobeabletoswap betweentractorandEDFpoweratthefield. MaybeXFly-Modelcouldlookintomakinga lesspermanentmountfortheEDFmotorto maketheSwiftatrulymulti-rolemodel.
So,whattodowitheitherthesparetractor motororthespareEDFpod?Well,theobvious answerwouldbetopurchaseasparefuselage
fromXFly’sdistributorCMLsothatyoucan selecteitherpowertypeatwill.You’llalsoneed anotherpairofrudderandelevatorservos,and extensionleads.Thewings,wingjoiner,canopy andhorizontaltailplanecanbeswapped betweenthetwopowertypes.
Iwillbeinvestigatingthisinafurtherreview sothatwecanassesshowwelltheSwift2100 performsunderjetpower.So,watchthisspace!
WhenconvertedtoEDFthetractorpropand spinnerareremovedandreplacedwithafoam nosecone.Butyoucoulddothiswithoutfitting theEDFpodand–hey,presto!–you’vegot yourselfaveryneat2.1metrespanslopesoarer.
Thekitalsocontainsanalternativecanopy onwhichcanbemountedeitheraGoProor MobiusstylecameraorevenanFPVcamera andvideoTx.So,theSwiftcandoubleupas
Withonlysix3mmscrews andwithnogluerequired assemblyisfastandeasy.
Words» AndrewJames Photos» KevinCrozier,SteveHannon
“Swiftcan doubleupas aquickbuild cameraplane too”
AlthoughwellknownfortheirfineEDF jets,XFly-Modelmakesomeexcellent propplanestoo.AndrewJamesassembles theirnewelectricgliderwhichoffers multiplepoweroptions
Ihavetoadmittohavingbeenveryimpressed withalltheXFly-ModelkitsthatIhaveseen sofar,basedonthethreejetsandaSTOL twinthattheEditorhasbroughttoour flying patch.
UponopeningtheSwift2100boxthat favourableimpressioncontinued,especially whenIrealisedthatthismodelshouldbe easytototallydisassembleandrepackinside itsbox,makingitagoodchoiceasaholiday modeli.e.,onethatcouldbeinnocently secretedbehindtheseatsinmyestatecarand withwhichIcouldfeigncompletesurprise whenbeingunpackedatourdestination… Mindyou,theboxisn’treallysmallatallsoI don’tthinkitwouldstaythatwellhidden,but I’llgiveitatry!
MULTIROLE
Anotherreasonforwantingtotrythiskitisthat
althoughitissuppliedasaconventional electricpoweredglideritalsocomeswitha 50mmElectricDuctedFanpodwhichcanbe usedtojetpowerthemodelwhenfuelledbya 4SLiPo.TheplanwastotrytheSwiftasan electricgliderfirst,assupplied‘outofthebox’, andthenfittheEDFpod.Butaftertheinitial test flights,whenIturnedmyattentionto fittingthejetpodIrealisedthatdoingso wouldrequireapermanentchangetoEDF power,thepodneedingtobegluedinto positionontopofthefuselage.It’sashame becauseitwouldbenicetobeabletoswap betweentractorandEDFpoweratthefield. MaybeXFly-Modelcouldlookintomakinga lesspermanentmountfortheEDFmotorto maketheSwiftatrulymulti-rolemodel.
So,whattodowitheitherthesparetractor motororthespareEDFpod?Well,theobvious answerwouldbetopurchaseasparefuselage
fromXFly’sdistributorCMLsothatyoucan selecteitherpowertypeatwill.You’llalsoneed anotherpairofrudderandelevatorservos,and extensionleads.Thewings,wingjoiner,canopy andhorizontaltailplanecanbeswapped betweenthetwopowertypes.
Iwillbeinvestigatingthisinafurtherreview sothatwecanassesshowwelltheSwift2100 performsunderjetpower.So,watchthisspace!
WhenconvertedtoEDFthetractorpropand spinnerareremovedandreplacedwithafoam nosecone.Butyoucoulddothiswithoutfitting theEDFpodand–hey,presto!–you’vegot yourselfaveryneat2.1metrespanslopesoarer.
Thekitalsocontainsanalternativecanopy onwhichcanbemountedeitheraGoProor MobiusstylecameraorevenanFPVcamera andvideoTx.So,theSwiftcandoubleupas
Withonlysix3mmscrews andwithnogluerequired assemblyisfastandeasy.
Words» AndrewJames Photos» KevinCrozier,SteveHannon
“Swiftcan doubleupas aquickbuild cameraplane too”
aquickbuildcamera planetoo.
Electric flight,jet power,slopesoarer andcameraplane: that’squitean impressivelistof optionsfromjustone modelkit,Ihopeyou willagree.
BOX,BOX!
AsIsayI’llbekeepingth andinternalpackingpiec
es to store the Swift am models come with ails but in my arely fit without q
Quiteoftenthesedaysfo supposedlyremoveablet experienceempennagesr needingsomepackingtosquarethemup againstthewings.Andtheeasiestwaytokeep suchpackingpiecesinplaceistogluethetail onpermanently.So,itmadearefreshing changetofindahorizontaltailfixingthatis notonlyeasilyremoveablebutwhichislevel withthewingstoo!Hence,theSwift2100looks likeitshouldbeeasytoputbackintheboxfor holiday flyinganditwilleaselong termstorage.
Asyoucanseefromthenearbypicturesit’s akitoffewpartsandismostlymouldedfrom EPOfoamwithcarbonfibrereinforcements. Thetwowingpanelscomeoutfirst,equipped with9gdigital flapandaileronservos.The aileronsareconnectedtotheservoswithshort wirepushrodsbutthe flapsareleftfortheuser toconnecttoavoidoverdrivingtheservosuntil thetransmitterhasbeensetupcorrectly.
Underneaththewingsisthenicelymoulded
holidayorstorage.
Left:Minimalhardware includesastripofhook &looptape, flapand elevatorpushrods,wing &tailfixingscrewsand awell-illustrated manual.Thewiresare forextendingtheESC motorwireswhen fittingtheEDFpod.
aquickbuildcamera planetoo.
Electric flight,jet power,slopesoarer andcameraplane: that’squitean impressivelistof optionsfromjustone modelkit,Ihopeyou willagree.
BOX,BOX!
AsIsayI’llbekeepingth andinternalpackingpiec
es to store the Swift am models come with ails but in my arely fit without q
Quiteoftenthesedaysfo supposedlyremoveablet experienceempennagesr needingsomepackingtosquarethemup againstthewings.Andtheeasiestwaytokeep suchpackingpiecesinplaceistogluethetail onpermanently.So,itmadearefreshing changetofindahorizontaltailfixingthatis notonlyeasilyremoveablebutwhichislevel withthewingstoo!Hence,theSwift2100looks likeitshouldbeeasytoputbackintheboxfor holiday flyinganditwilleaselong termstorage.
Asyoucanseefromthenearbypicturesit’s akitoffewpartsandismostlymouldedfrom EPOfoamwithcarbonfibrereinforcements. Thetwowingpanelscomeoutfirst,equipped with9gdigital flapandaileronservos.The aileronsareconnectedtotheservoswithshort wirepushrodsbutthe flapsareleftfortheuser toconnecttoavoidoverdrivingtheservosuntil thetransmitterhasbeensetupcorrectly.
Underneaththewingsisthenicelymoulded
holidayorstorage.
Left:Minimalhardware includesastripofhook &looptape, flapand elevatorpushrods,wing &tailfixingscrewsand awell-illustrated manual.Thewiresare forextendingtheESC motorwireswhen fittingtheEDFpod.
YoucanremovethefoldingpropandaddtheGalaxy 50mmEDFpodtothetopofthefuselageforan alternative flyingexperience.Butbewarned–it’sa permanentchange!
Thefoldingpropellerandmetalspinnerareboth goodqualityitems.Thefoamnoseconeisused insteadwheninEDFmode.
AnFPVsetupisalsopossibleusingthe flat-topped canopyandanoptionalservo-equippedcamera mountavailablefromCMLDistribution.
fuselage,completewithareadyfitted31361000kVbrushlessmotor,40AESCand9g digitalrudderandelevatorservos.Thetail servosarefittedwithextensionleadsandat thecockpitendtheyarelabelledwiththeir channelnames,readyforquickconnectionto yourchosenreceiver;theotherservoleads arelabelledinasimilarmanner.
Thefuselageisquiteachunkydesign butlookstomeasifitisstyledon thePolishMDMFoxaerobaticglider, completewithsweptfin(mouldedinto thefuselagesonofitmentrequired)anda workingmonowheel.It’sjusttherightsize togiveagoodgripforeasyhandlaunching. Thefuselageistoppedoffbyacarboneffect canopyunderwhichisoodlesofspacetofita 3or4S2200-3300mAhLiPo,thelargersize beingneededifusingtheEDFpod.TheLiPois strappedtoaplybatterytrayunderwhichis mountedtheESC.Anicetouchisacutoutin thetraytoallowtheXT60leadtosafelyenter thebatterybay.UseofanXT60plugmeans thattheESCcanalsobeconnectedtoLiPos fittedwithEC3connectorswithoutneedingto useanadapter.
I’lldiscusstheotherairframepartsaswe comeacrossthemduringtheverybriefbuild. ButtofinishthissectionoffIjustwanted topointoutthattheSwift2100comes prefinishedwithsomeverynicelyapplied
Outofthebox,Swiftisfittedwithabrushlessmotor inthenose.Plentyofroomintherefordifferent sizesofLiPo,withtheRxmountedvertically betweenthewingrootmouldings.Notetheneat exitfortheESCbatteryleadtopokethrough.
Swiftfeaturestoughcarboncomposite reinforcedEPOfoamthroughout, typifiedbythiswell-finishedwingset.
Shortwireaileronpushrodsarepre-fitted,butthe flapsareleftforthepilottosetuptosavedamagingthe servoswhenfirstswitchedon.Notetheballsfittedtothecontrolhorns.
ChunkybutsleekfuselagehasaFoxfeeltoit.
GreenMultiplexstyleconversionleadsmake hookingupthewingservoseasy.There’snowayof plugginginthewrongservohere! Wingrootdetail.Allveryneat.
YoucanremovethefoldingpropandaddtheGalaxy 50mmEDFpodtothetopofthefuselageforan alternative flyingexperience.Butbewarned–it’sa permanentchange!
Thefoldingpropellerandmetalspinnerareboth goodqualityitems.Thefoamnoseconeisused insteadwheninEDFmode.
AnFPVsetupisalsopossibleusingthe flat-topped canopyandanoptionalservo-equippedcamera mountavailablefromCMLDistribution.
fuselage,completewithareadyfitted31361000kVbrushlessmotor,40AESCand9g digitalrudderandelevatorservos.Thetail servosarefittedwithextensionleadsandat thecockpitendtheyarelabelledwiththeir channelnames,readyforquickconnectionto yourchosenreceiver;theotherservoleads arelabelledinasimilarmanner.
Thefuselageisquiteachunkydesign butlookstomeasifitisstyledon thePolishMDMFoxaerobaticglider, completewithsweptfin(mouldedinto thefuselagesonofitmentrequired)anda workingmonowheel.It’sjusttherightsize togiveagoodgripforeasyhandlaunching. Thefuselageistoppedoffbyacarboneffect canopyunderwhichisoodlesofspacetofita 3or4S2200-3300mAhLiPo,thelargersize beingneededifusingtheEDFpod.TheLiPois strappedtoaplybatterytrayunderwhichis mountedtheESC.Anicetouchisacutoutin thetraytoallowtheXT60leadtosafelyenter thebatterybay.UseofanXT60plugmeans thattheESCcanalsobeconnectedtoLiPos fittedwithEC3connectorswithoutneedingto useanadapter.
I’lldiscusstheotherairframepartsaswe comeacrossthemduringtheverybriefbuild. ButtofinishthissectionoffIjustwanted topointoutthattheSwift2100comes prefinishedwithsomeverynicelyapplied
Outofthebox,Swiftisfittedwithabrushlessmotor inthenose.Plentyofroomintherefordifferent sizesofLiPo,withtheRxmountedvertically betweenthewingrootmouldings.Notetheneat exitfortheESCbatteryleadtopokethrough.
Swiftfeaturestoughcarboncomposite reinforcedEPOfoamthroughout, typifiedbythiswell-finishedwingset.
Shortwireaileronpushrodsarepre-fitted,butthe flapsareleftforthepilottosetuptosavedamagingthe servoswhenfirstswitchedon.Notetheballsfittedtothecontrolhorns.
ChunkybutsleekfuselagehasaFoxfeeltoit.
GreenMultiplexstyleconversionleadsmake hookingupthewingservoseasy.There’snowayof plugginginthewrongservohere! Wingrootdetail.Allveryneat.
Initial flighttestingwascompletedwith3S2700mAhpacks.Themotorsetdeliversplentyofthrustfor relativelyfastclimbstoglidingaltitude,aswellassport flyingandmotorassistedaerobatics.
redandblackdecals.Thenoseisalsoneatly airsprayedredinASWstyle.
SWIFTLYTOGETHER
Firstjobistoslidethewingpanelsontotheir carbonrodjoinerandtoconnecttheservo leads.Althoughtheextensionleadsarefitted withconventionalconnectors,XFlyhave thoughtfullyfittedthem,andthematching extensionleadsfromthereceiver,withshort conversionleadstoMultiplexstylegreen connectors.Thismakeshookingupthewings arealdoddleandisanotheroneoftheneat touchestobefoundfromthisthoughtful manufacturer.Thepanelscanthenbepushed intothewingrootmouldingsinthesidesof thefuselageandsecuredinplacewithapair ofHKM3x10mmhexboltsoneachside. Thehorizontaltailisfittednext,being clippedinplaceinitsslotattherearand fixedwithasingleHKM3x32mmhexbolt. AsIsaidearlier,thiswentoneasilyandwas squaretothewingssonolevellingupwas required.Therudderispre-fittedwithits shortwirepushrodsothesameneedsdoing withtheelevatorlinkage.Allthecontrolhorns
arefittedwithball-links,makingthemfree movinginoperation.
Nowtothefrontendtofittheready assembled10x6-inchfoldingprop,the hubofwhichiscoveredbyahighquality, redanodisedmetalspinner.Thepropsetis retainedbyaHKM3x10mmbolttightened intothemotorshaft.Thislooksgreatbutthe bladesdonotfold flatagainstthefuselage sides.Ialsofounditimpossibletofitarubber bandaroundthehubtoforcethebladesto lieas flataspossiblewhengliding,withthe resultthattheytendtowindmillin flight.This doesn’treallybotherme,butIcanimagine die-hardgliderpilotsrecoilinginhorroratthe thoughtofafreerunningprop!
Allthatremainstodoistosetupthecontrols andtheCGpointasshowninthewellwritten andillustratedinstructionbook.First flights wereatthesettingsshownandallwentwellso theyprovideagoodstartingpoint.
MAIDENFLIGHT
Themaiden flightoftheSwiftnearlyendedin disaster,butthesignswerethereandshould havebeenheeded.Ihadfittedanaftermarket
Below:Withamixofpoweronandoff(whengliding)youcanexpect flighttimesofbetween10to 30minutes.AmonowheelandplasticcomponentsonthewingtipsandtailallowtheSwiftsome protectionwhenlandingontarmacandotherhardsurfaces.
Name: Swift2100
Modeltype: AlmostReadyToFlyelectric glider
Manufacturedby: XFlyModel
UKdistributor: CMLDistribution www.cmldistribution.co.uk
RRP: £209.99
Wingspan: 2100mm(82.7”)
Fuselagelength: 1050mm(41.3”)
All-upweight: 1350g(47.6oz)
Wingarea: 35dm.sq.(542.5sq.in.)
Wingloading: 38.5g/dm.sq.(12.6oz/sq.ft.)
Powersystem: 3136size1000kVbrushless or50mmGalaxyEDF,40A ESC
Prop: 10”x6”folding
Connectortype: XT60
Req’dto fly: 6-chradio,3S/4S22003300mAhLiPo
Rightandbelow: Horizontalstabiliser slotsintoplacejust underthefinandis securedwithasingle bolt.Itcameapart easilyduringthebuild, sothisbodeswellfor easydisassemblywhen takingitonholiday!
“…it’sakitoffewpartsandis mostlymouldedfromEPOfoam”
Initial flighttestingwascompletedwith3S2700mAhpacks.Themotorsetdeliversplentyofthrustfor relativelyfastclimbstoglidingaltitude,aswellassport flyingandmotorassistedaerobatics.
redandblackdecals.Thenoseisalsoneatly airsprayedredinASWstyle.
SWIFTLYTOGETHER
Firstjobistoslidethewingpanelsontotheir carbonrodjoinerandtoconnecttheservo leads.Althoughtheextensionleadsarefitted withconventionalconnectors,XFlyhave thoughtfullyfittedthem,andthematching extensionleadsfromthereceiver,withshort conversionleadstoMultiplexstylegreen connectors.Thismakeshookingupthewings arealdoddleandisanotheroneoftheneat touchestobefoundfromthisthoughtful manufacturer.Thepanelscanthenbepushed intothewingrootmouldingsinthesidesof thefuselageandsecuredinplacewithapair ofHKM3x10mmhexboltsoneachside. Thehorizontaltailisfittednext,being clippedinplaceinitsslotattherearand fixedwithasingleHKM3x32mmhexbolt. AsIsaidearlier,thiswentoneasilyandwas squaretothewingssonolevellingupwas required.Therudderispre-fittedwithits shortwirepushrodsothesameneedsdoing withtheelevatorlinkage.Allthecontrolhorns
arefittedwithball-links,makingthemfree movinginoperation.
Nowtothefrontendtofittheready assembled10x6-inchfoldingprop,the hubofwhichiscoveredbyahighquality, redanodisedmetalspinner.Thepropsetis retainedbyaHKM3x10mmbolttightened intothemotorshaft.Thislooksgreatbutthe bladesdonotfold flatagainstthefuselage sides.Ialsofounditimpossibletofitarubber bandaroundthehubtoforcethebladesto lieas flataspossiblewhengliding,withthe resultthattheytendtowindmillin flight.This doesn’treallybotherme,butIcanimagine die-hardgliderpilotsrecoilinginhorroratthe thoughtofafreerunningprop!
Allthatremainstodoistosetupthecontrols andtheCGpointasshowninthewellwritten andillustratedinstructionbook.First flights wereatthesettingsshownandallwentwellso theyprovideagoodstartingpoint.
MAIDENFLIGHT
Themaiden flightoftheSwiftnearlyendedin disaster,butthesignswerethereandshould havebeenheeded.Ihadfittedanaftermarket
Below:Withamixofpoweronandoff(whengliding)youcanexpect flighttimesofbetween10to 30minutes.AmonowheelandplasticcomponentsonthewingtipsandtailallowtheSwiftsome protectionwhenlandingontarmacandotherhardsurfaces.
Name: Swift2100
Modeltype: AlmostReadyToFlyelectric glider
Manufacturedby: XFlyModel
UKdistributor: CMLDistribution www.cmldistribution.co.uk
RRP: £209.99
Wingspan: 2100mm(82.7”)
Fuselagelength: 1050mm(41.3”)
All-upweight: 1350g(47.6oz)
Wingarea: 35dm.sq.(542.5sq.in.)
Wingloading: 38.5g/dm.sq.(12.6oz/sq.ft.)
Powersystem: 3136size1000kVbrushless or50mmGalaxyEDF,40A ESC
Prop: 10”x6”folding
Connectortype: XT60
Req’dto fly: 6-chradio,3S/4S22003300mAhLiPo
Rightandbelow: Horizontalstabiliser slotsintoplacejust underthefinandis securedwithasingle bolt.Itcameapart easilyduringthebuild, sothisbodeswellfor easydisassemblywhen takingitonholiday!
“…it’sakitoffewpartsandis mostlymouldedfromEPOfoam”
receiverwhichhadbeentest flowninanother aircraft,soIhadfullconfidenceinit.However, whenrangetesteditdroppedoutatjust beyondtheusual30paces.But,hey,30pacesis fine,isn’tit?
Afteralongwaitforadecentweather windowtheurgeto flywastoostrongandso theSwiftwaslaunchedintothebreeze.Fitted witha3S2700mAhLiPoshepoweredaway wellbutneededsomeailerontrim,whichIwas busytryingtoaddwhenIsuddenlyhadthat awfulfeelingthattheSwiftwasnotresponding tothecontrols.Controlwasintermittent,to saytheleast,butafternearlylosingthemodel behindatreeImanagedtogetherleveland hadcontrolforlongenoughtomakeaheavy landingintheadjacentfield.Itroopedover expectingtofindsomeairframedamagebut waspleasantlysurprisedtofindthattheonly thingbrokenwasthefoamcanopytongue whichhadsnappedoff.
Phew-theSwift2100isonetoughbird!
Withthetonguegluedbackonandreinforced withacoupleoflollysticks,andafreshreceiver fitted,itwastimeforanotherrangetest.This timeIhadtheusualresponsefroma2.4 receiver,withfullcontrolatwaypast50paces andstillgoingstrong.Afterbeingwavedback bymy flyingchumsitwastimetocommitthe Swifttoaviationonceagain.
Thistimeallwentwell.Imusthavebeen veryclosetogettingthecorrectaileronsettings duringtheprevious flightastheSwiftneeded littletweakinginthatrespect,togetherwith justalittleadditionalupelevatorduringthe glide.IfullyexpectthistoreducewhenIstarted backingofftheCGbymovingtheLiPobackin increments,butfornowIwasjusthappythat shewas flyingwellunderfullcontrol.
SincethenIhavehadmany flightswiththe Swift2100andthingsarelookingverypositive indeed,especiallyaswebeginourjourney oftweakingtheCGandcontroldeflections tosuitmyownpreferences.Besidesmoving theCGbackabitIhavealsowoundthe aileronmovementsuptomaximuminmy third(aerobatic) flightmodeastheSwiftis afairlyreluctantperformerinthatrespect. Buttocounterthatshedoesperformalovely lookingloop.
Ingoodthermalconditionssheridesrising airwell,butyouwillprobablygetovertaken fastbymorepedigreesoarers.Butthat’sreally nosurprisebecauseitisasasportgliderthat theSwift2100reallyexcelswithhereasy handlingandhighversatility,especiallyifyou wanttoexploreallthosemulti-roleoptions thatsheoffers-electric flight,jetpower,slope soarerorcameraplane.
Butformejetpowerbeckons.AsArniesays, I’llbeback-whenI’vestrappedonthat50mm EDFpod!
CFD(ComputationalFluidDynamics),asusedbymotorracingcardesigners,wasutilisedbytheXFly teamtogivetheSwift2100ahighlift-to-dragratio. Factoryinstalledpowersystemusesa 3136-1000kVbrushlessmotoranda40A ESC,poweredwitha3Sor4SLiPobattery.“Swift2100reallyexcelswithhereasy handlingandhighversatility”
receiverwhichhadbeentest flowninanother aircraft,soIhadfullconfidenceinit.However, whenrangetesteditdroppedoutatjust beyondtheusual30paces.But,hey,30pacesis fine,isn’tit?
Afteralongwaitforadecentweather windowtheurgeto flywastoostrongandso theSwiftwaslaunchedintothebreeze.Fitted witha3S2700mAhLiPoshepoweredaway wellbutneededsomeailerontrim,whichIwas busytryingtoaddwhenIsuddenlyhadthat awfulfeelingthattheSwiftwasnotresponding tothecontrols.Controlwasintermittent,to saytheleast,butafternearlylosingthemodel behindatreeImanagedtogetherleveland hadcontrolforlongenoughtomakeaheavy landingintheadjacentfield.Itroopedover expectingtofindsomeairframedamagebut waspleasantlysurprisedtofindthattheonly thingbrokenwasthefoamcanopytongue whichhadsnappedoff.
Phew-theSwift2100isonetoughbird!
Withthetonguegluedbackonandreinforced withacoupleoflollysticks,andafreshreceiver fitted,itwastimeforanotherrangetest.This timeIhadtheusualresponsefroma2.4 receiver,withfullcontrolatwaypast50paces andstillgoingstrong.Afterbeingwavedback bymy flyingchumsitwastimetocommitthe Swifttoaviationonceagain.
Thistimeallwentwell.Imusthavebeen veryclosetogettingthecorrectaileronsettings duringtheprevious flightastheSwiftneeded littletweakinginthatrespect,togetherwith justalittleadditionalupelevatorduringthe glide.IfullyexpectthistoreducewhenIstarted backingofftheCGbymovingtheLiPobackin increments,butfornowIwasjusthappythat shewas flyingwellunderfullcontrol.
SincethenIhavehadmany flightswiththe Swift2100andthingsarelookingverypositive indeed,especiallyaswebeginourjourney oftweakingtheCGandcontroldeflections tosuitmyownpreferences.Besidesmoving theCGbackabitIhavealsowoundthe aileronmovementsuptomaximuminmy third(aerobatic) flightmodeastheSwiftis afairlyreluctantperformerinthatrespect. Buttocounterthatshedoesperformalovely lookingloop.
Ingoodthermalconditionssheridesrising airwell,butyouwillprobablygetovertaken fastbymorepedigreesoarers.Butthat’sreally nosurprisebecauseitisasasportgliderthat theSwift2100reallyexcelswithhereasy handlingandhighversatility,especiallyifyou wanttoexploreallthosemulti-roleoptions thatsheoffers-electric flight,jetpower,slope soarerorcameraplane.
Butformejetpowerbeckons.AsArniesays, I’llbeback-whenI’vestrappedonthat50mm EDFpod!
CFD(ComputationalFluidDynamics),asusedbymotorracingcardesigners,wasutilisedbytheXFly teamtogivetheSwift2100ahighlift-to-dragratio. Factoryinstalledpowersystemusesa 3136-1000kVbrushlessmotoranda40A ESC,poweredwitha3Sor4SLiPobattery.“Swift2100reallyexcelswithhereasy handlingandhighversatility”
