Goldberg Tiger 400 ARF

[donjiskra]

Saw a Tiger flying yesterday. Very impressive!!
The supplied stock 400 motor had been replaced with an AXI 2212 with a 2s LiPo TP pack, don't know the mah size but it performed aerobatics with authority. Wheels were to small to ROG from our grass field so HL was necessary.
Overall quality of this plane is awesome, especially liked the hinged canopy. Availble from:
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHCE8&P=0

Price is only $99.99 (I don't work for Tower), just was impressed with this plane.

Don

[Tweet]

I had one and put a brushless motor on it. I liked the way it flew, but the landing gear was ABYSMAL. Plan to upgrade that on the initial build and you will probably be happy with it.

[donjiskra]

Tweet,
You are absolutely right the Tiger owner stated that the wire landing gear was really too flimsy, especially for our grass field.
When I get mine I will install the 6.5" carbon fiber one that Hobby Lobby sells. What motor brushless motor, prop and battery are you using?
Thanks,
Don

[Tweet]

I couldn't keep from flattening the gear even on the best landing. Looks like you have that problem solved though.

I used a geared Mega Motor 16-7-7 with the 2.8:1 reduction, Phoenix 25, ThunderPower TP1320 3 cell, and an APC 10x4.7 prop. I liked the way it flew with the 10x7 prop better, but kept hitting the LV cutoff (was pulling the battery voltage down, not a good thing). With the setup described above static current draw at wide out throttle was 16A.

If I were doing it again I would probably use an AXI outrunner. The TP1320 was ideal because it fit nicely under the hatch, but did limit the current draw (I have used the TP2100 on this size model frequently).

[poobear]

I have the Tiger with the following setup:
Mega Motor USA Brushless – Part# ACn 16/15/4
Castle Creations Phoenix 25 Brushless Speed/Motor Controller
Mega MicroGear 16 – 2.8:1 ratio
Thunder Power Lithium-Polymer 3-Cell 11.1Volt 1900mAh Battery
10X7 prop.
I have to say the same about the landing gear...VERY flimsy. Let me know how the CF landing gear goes, I looked at those as well and wondered how they would do. This plane screams with the above setup, scary fast. I was having problems with the LV cutoff as well. See this thread (http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_1943048/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm).

[Tweet]

Poobear, I'll bet that was pretty fast and I can see why you would hit the LV cutoff. My setup would have worked fine with the 10x7 prop if I had used the Mega 16-7-8 rather than the 16-7-7.

[donjiskra]

Poobear,
Here's a photo of the 6.5" carbon fiber landiong gear as installed on my Stolp Starlet. I epoxied a 1/8" plywood panel inside the fuselage then drilled two holes for the two 6/32" machine screws to attach to the fuselage. Simple to do.
The gear tends to "bow out" as it is flexible, but I may correct this by installing a single axle.
Hope this helps?
Don

[poobear]

donjiskra, That looks like a great solution. I will have to do that mod as well. Thanks for the picture. Instead of a solid axle you could always use some fishing line to keep it from flexing (just a thought).

[Turbojoe]

I've always liked the looks of this plane as a .40 size. I've seen a few of the smaller parkies but never in the air. I wish they sold it as a kit. I'd be jumping all over it. My first RC plane 20 years ago was a Goldberg Eaglet 50 with a Super Tigre .25. I loved that plane. I hope to find a set of plans so I can scratch build one light enough for electric. Mainly for nostalgia.


Joe

[donjiskra]

Poobear,
Using fishing line to prevent the carbon fiber gear from bowing out is a great idea. Heading for the tackle box now.
Great idea!!!
Thanks,
Don

[Tweet]

Not trying to be a wise guy, but if you need the fishing line you might just as well get a different gear. I tried wire on the stock gear and it just bent below the wire.

[donjiskra]

Tweet,
The carbon fiber gear is very flexible and the fishing line suggestion is a good one. You're not a wise guy, all suggestions are welcomed!!!
Thanks,
Don

[abqnovice]

Model Avaition ran an article on modifying the landing gear. It used a piece of lite ply glued to the base and heavier wire. You might want to try it. I love my Tiger 400. It is my favorite plane. The stock motor and gear drive are not worth using after a few flights. I have a speed 400 with a MPJet gearbox 4:1 ratio and use a big prop (11x7) and a 11.1 3S lipoly. It has a lot of power and flies for 12 minutes. Because of the large prop I have to hand launch, but I can land it on the wheels. I am pushing 100 hours on this plane.

[donjiskra]

Yes that would work, but the wire would have to be braced (V-shaped) to keep it from bending. Thanks for the suggestion.
What edition of Model Aviation was it????
Don

[donjiskra]

I corrected the bowing out of the carbon fiber gear easily with thin aluminum wire. A hole was drilled on each side then the wire was inserted from the inside, wrapped around twice then re-inserted back through and then through the other strut, pulling the wire until the gear straightened until vertical was accomplished, then wrapped around twice again.
After reinserting back through the hole the loose end was wound tightly about six times on each side.
The wire is easier to work than the suggested fishing line, which is still a good alternative.

Thanks for all your comments & suggestions.
The model showing the installation is a HL Stolp Starlet but I will use this gear and method on the Goldberg Tiger when I get one.

Regards,
Don