Maiden Flight RTF Thunderbat Jet, wow..

[phillipmorris]

RTF version Thunderbat, yes also a PNP available as well..

Listed as a Jet Trainer, as mine survived, pehaps it is...<>..

I've had some experinece as example great flights with the Strker B, hard to find as discontinued, they have the Stryker C, but still abit peppie for my current level of flying...

Realzie this Jet is hardly a beginner plane, but newbies are always asking for the next ones to try, this one is at least 3 steps away after mastering the aileron models...

My maiden flight only moments ago, was too windy really for a new ship, but decided on trying it out as way to anxious to see if I could fly this one..out of the box RTF version is ready to go even with the gyro already installed, elevator was fine but the ailerons were off so leveled them with only slightest up as the way my Styker was set, perhaps more level is suggested but it worked fine at this setting as I was using lower throttles for first flight.

Comes with the lower 7 volt lipo, later the 11 volt will make this one fly even faster, not for me at the start, hi hi...full throttle was not needed with launch in the wind, it went right out and was abit fast, the supplied transmitter gave more throw than required at the start, bad piloting and mine came in but cut the power and the thump on the long styrene nose made it with no damages, whew...checked the throws now realizing to go easy on the stick, and launch with 2/3rds throttle was suffiecent especially with the winds going on, kept her level, winds could make it dive with the lengthy fuse, so was careful, paid off and had an enjoyable ride, well below 10 minutes but white knuckles was increadible, even did a nice roll, turns are snug on this one, keep some altitude but also close for a good view of things and its simply a wonderful trip...cut the throttle not to push my luck with the winds, with power off lets see if the gyro is working, yes wings leveled, tho slight stick at the landing near a flare and it came in nicely...Hah, going to enjoy this one !!

Note, the smaller lipo requires some added weight, this version even comes with washers for this, USE EM !!, as needed, check the COG Center Of Gravity balance very important, near the center of the indents where you hold the plane, a must to fly correctly, its enough to handle, hi hi..<>..I even scooted the battery forward to make the required balance...<>..



http://www.readytoflyfun.com/thxfrtfevpa7.html

Is a nice review, have to admit its pretty accurate...

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=788190

Check the 7 volt lipo video at the rcgroups site, also gives a clue on what to expect...
The 11 volt will put you over 70 MPH and more...

I'm not quite ready for the 11 volt upgrade for jet effect flying, but at the moment, am all smiles..<>...

Best

[Jaiwill]

Well that sounds like a handfull, not ready for that yet, havent even flown the Ultimate although it is ready.. Had fun with Pitts too photos on one of my threads can't remember which one...

Happy jetting

[phillipmorris]

Glad your having fun with the Bipes, my 2nd Flight on the ThunderBat today, was slightly windy by the time I reached the field, but not too bad below 10 MPH, still would like calmer conditions on this one at the moment...it flew great, held slightest up elevator only on release then she went right up with no issue, other than my overcontrols on the stick, she will roll easily on you, this way or that like flying a torpedo, hi hi, but not all that bad, the longer nose it rises right up in the winds so careful to keep things level, penetrated well in the stronger breezes, really zings especially downwind, had low throttle settings does better with higher but I'm not up to high speed ventureas as yet, the winds kept things flying majority of the time, it rolled with ease and loops galore, not my idea but there they were hi hi, some altitude saved things, after nearing 10 minutes of white knuckles for this slo Sunday Flyer, deadsticked it in, here's where its gyro's pay off, held steady all the way in not letting the nose get too high and in like a cream puff landing, yikes, it survived....lots for me to handle todate, its been quite an adventure with only couple of outings, nice ship indeed....now if I just don't get stupid with it...BEST ..<>..

[phillipmorris]

Brief 3rd ThunderBat Flight, winds but smooth, it went right up again use brief slightest held up elevator, winds helped on nice hand launch, made altitude, this one again loves to roll, easy on the stick it flew darn near normal, was ecstatic, perhaps at last getting some feel for this one, some quick turns but nothing unexpected, was easy to hold in the area of the sky I wanted, like to keep it fairly close, tho some altitude, was still using original battery charge near 10 minute flight so this was only perhaps a 5 minute round, power finally showed some deletion so went out for the deadstick zero throttle landing, again its strong here, gyro keeps her level and just watching the nose guide it home for another smooth landing, drops abit here but nothing abnormal at all, piece of cake...wow this ones fun..use a sizeable area for flying as have enough to deal with getting the feel, still fly it just over 1/2 throttle, needs airspeed for best handling as should be....recently on the review a party has one of these raw without example the gyro, wanting to know if its flyable that way, I'm not 100 percent sure on that issue, the gyro certainly works at the lowest speed especially during deadstick its a winner nearly flys by itself on landing, careful on the level of flight, gyro works with the ailerons only, this is where things can be touchy as found during most of the flights, he flys fast ships, believe he will be successful gyro or not, but my guess...its a neat plane...BEST ..<>..

Note the gyro might be an aid during the launch sequence, noted another beginner flyer never got his going, a version without a gyro, sounded like beginner blues, but all in all the gyro helps..<>.

[Jaiwill]

Good news with jets so far hope it continues for you..
Heres pic of Pitts after low level flying doing video for this site and to burn on dvd to send over to my father...She's all fixed now so nothing lost, love these foamies bit of glue and tape and off you go...



Will post video on its own thread with the sudden ending as well..

Not concerned with this one at all if it goes in it goes in. It's a good feeling to have as caution is thrown into wind and fun is had. The replacement airframe is cheap and not far off, really love this model now my perseverance has payed off large.. Big thanks to Spektrum gear...This thing snap rolls in a flash with everything in the corner love it immensely. Immelmans, stall turns all part of the aerobatic learning at moment. Not bad for a glider nut, was never really interested in power and aerobatics....Although loving it now, I'm finally home for my weeks RnR so A Flying We Will Go........

[phillipmorris]

Had a similar reconstruction going on with mine with the stupid error on my part flying in a tight area on the maiden, my cousin is a model builder of old, actually gave him the plane hoping to get him into flying rc, he did a terrific fix job on mine, yet to put her back up but sure she will fly..getting into tangents with other models at the moment..even recently picked up a Corsair, wanted to get the Parkzone one but ended up with an Art Tech version, looks really cool, yet to maiden still putting things together...

The T-Bat, wow, got her up the 4th time or so and actually was really flying it, alot more stable this time, its a bundle to handle for a Sunday Flyer as myself but what a ride, I still dislike speed so even launch was 2/3rd throttle, then lowered but enough to keep things flying, ThunderBat is the correct name for this bird, zips up down just like the real one, hi hi, but under control its looks very nice inflight, had to chuckle on the video on the rcgroups review with even the small lipo, the pilot gasps when it does an extremely tight drop on him, its so quick can hardly see this going on other than his outburst, amazingly he recovered immediately, I had to review the video to even spot the happening, its moments before his outburst and the plane is barely on edge of the video, flying this one know exactly what he meant, its a quickie, hi hi, fingers crossed its still in one piece...BEST ..<>..

Note again this T-Bat likes airspeed to fly correctly but it will slow down for you just don't go too slow as touch of speed required to keep things flying, later on its not really all that tuff of bird to fly, its short wing span was corrected by including the gyro for beautiful landings, rest take your time easy on things it will fly for you...<>..make sure those ailerons are flush, elevator level, again I use the slightest held up elevator on release, but don't over do it and its only very brief, when it rolls go easy to prevent overcontrol, watch that nose she also likes to zing down, now there you made it...hi hi...BEST ..<>..

[Jaiwill]

Yep same not really (or wasn't) into speed either. But slowly coming round to it. Haven't touched the Easyfly or J3 for a while now. I guess that is pointing in one direction....

Not that the Pitts is quick, but quick enough for me at the moment absolutely loving it. I guess iv'e said it before but really starting to get my moneys worth with this one..

Hey Warren seems your collection is getting large, any chance of a group photo

The Ultimate is ready, and i have a Cessna T-206 in the pipeline will get all the gang together for family photo and post...

It's surprising who comes out of the woodwork when you start talking about your hobby in different circles. Have a few flying partners now just need to get out at the same time for maximum effect...

Well im off to hobby room for bits and pieces...cheers for now

[cbatters]

I may need to do more reading to understand what role a gyro has in a fixed wing aircraft. (Fully understand gyro operation and value in helicopter but don't see how it applies to fixed wing.)

Couple questions:

1. Which axis do you think the Gyro is able to influence? (Roll or pitch?)

2. Do you think the gyro automatically adds elevator or aileron in response to changes not directed by the radio control?

Note: This would seem to be suicidal on the elevator. Nose drops because plane is stalling but Gyro adds up elevator to maintain attitude..further stalling the plane.

My best guess is that Gyro only applies to roll but even this feels very marginal.



Clint

[ministeve2003]

Gyro's on planes are generally put on the roll axis, to stabiliize the wings in wind, Although this is actually the first plane I've seen that comes with one rtf...

.................................................. .................................................. ........

phillipmorris

How well did this do with deadsticking it? did it stabilize the wings all the way to the ground even at slow speed? I've got a couple of those gyro's around, I might want to test that a little...

SK

[cbatters]

Trying to keep an open mind but I never had any problems with wind induced roll on either Stryker or EFD Miglet.



Clint

[phillipmorris]

Great questions there, having the Stryker and now the ThunderBat, yes the ThunderBat requires a gryro due to its shorter wing span its abit unstable in the rolling department, the gryo stabilizes on the ailerons, really does its stuff on the landing, it comes in even better than the Stryker deadstick when otherwise the T-Bat would be a real handful for a beginner at least to handle, into the wind it lands all the way nearly by itself only requires an occasional attention on the nose, it lifts up slightly like the space shuttle as my Stryker does on deadstick, really cool, inflight thats another thing, I may be wrong here but I get the feeling the gyro does better on the lower throttle tho the T-Bat is rather stable at high speed with good wind surface etc (unless you get some air flow ontop of its long nosed fuselage, she'll rocket down on a flash immediately, as mentioned even using thesmaller lipo the pilot gasps, hi hi can't believe how fast he corrected things almost invisible to detect other than his outburst), but I dislike the complete jet effect at the moment, except for brief times, as not into the faster planes...but loving it...

I'm using the stock transmitter on the T-Bat, not bad other than this puppie is highly responsive and with careful small movements it does very well, the newbie is going to overcontrol on maiden as I did, it would fair better with a comptuer transmitter with adjustments on easier throws, but now realizing how much stick is required its getting almost easy to fly now nearing only 6 flights, not a windy ship at least for me at the moment...

ON the pics, have to see what I can do there, my number of planes flying tho usually isn't a great number, hi hi, favored flyer the Trojan needs badly some landing gear attention over 100 flights on that one is a beauty for the first aileron experinece, its a true winner...

My newest addition the Art Tech Corsair, really looks nice, has issues on fastening the tail, supplied screws are too small, beginning to think I will simply glue things here, and you would think putting on a prop would be a breeze, even fighting that, back bolts don't lock, perhaps the glue fix again, its the small stuff that I'm weak on, hi hi, anxious to see this one fly, all the videos looked promising, it does have a weak wing issue especially if you put in a larger motor, will at least tape fix some of that but I'm usually easy on manuvers...

Last one, the Radian 2 meter glider, the video on that one is increadible, best video on a plane I've viewed for along time, is suppose to be arriving at the retailers today as we speak, really anxious on that one as gliders remain my passion...BEST ..<>..

[phillipmorris]

Gads low light level as sun yet to come up and uneven air tho not strong gave me a handful, my COG is slightly to the rear and really showed up on this AM flight, zinged downwind, wanted to kite with not quite enough nose weight, needs a slight adjustment here, but managed to do a nice snap roll, whew was quick, came in well but managed to brush the only tree branch in this open space, only 2 feet up not any delema at all tho landed inverted, hi hi, its fortunately a very tuff bird...

[Jaiwill]

Inverted landing lol, just need some more wheels no problem!!!! Yes the Corsair has long been a favorite of mine too, ever since the days of Pappy Boyington in Baa Baa Black Sheep.. Theres some reminiscing for you....

Just finished the Cessna T-206 got this one by chance too lipo, brushless version. A fellow flyer bought a few into Aus and at half the price couldn't knock it back... Was a mode 2 but with the RTF's i have was no prob finding suitable transmitter, Until i get spektrum receiver for it anyway...That's 5 models for me now and have been told that will probably do for now. But more than happy this, it will do me for now. Get some air time for all of them, will be very busy..

Cheers for now

[phillipmorris]

5 models, hi hi, well that souds like my current speed..I have yet to get a few going, anxious on the Corsair but so many errands needed lately been rather busy...going to adjust the T-Bat early this AM before the winds build, hopefully will get a better flight, it so far has been a trip...still waiting for the release of the Radian, suppose to have sent the first issues to the retailers yesterday, nothing heard as yet on my pre-order, really anxious on that one....

Less serious note, gave in and picked up the toy Air Hogs Jet, is a twin ducted fan version and yep really will fly, finally got her going between gusts with storm fronts moving around late yesterday afternoon, nose tips up, not to much throttle and it goes skyward, tricky to fly her straight but possible, zinged her around my head a few times was really amazing, flys ony about 5 minutes or more depending if you can work with the lighter breezes, just a toy but what a panic, gads a ducted fan, cutie....BEST

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index...ductId=2901097

Found mine tho at Walmart $39

youtube is loaded with Jetscream videos, liked this one as he loses it for a moment, as my flying, hi hi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFC8A...eature=related

[Jaiwill]

Yes, was reading another thread on the air hogs. This was a pusher i think good for beginners, was thinking of kids with this one near indestructible apparently. Want to get the kids interested just feeling my way at moment with who's interested and who's not....

Just opened a LHS near me so met him the other day look forward to business with him... Will push for club and designated spot for us. Lots of hobbyists here but just getting everyone together is the job.. Exciting times ahead i feel..

Wind will be calm i feel in morning so will txt my new flying buddy (bin into choppers for a while and moving into fixed wing).. Show him a few things and get him off and flying i hope..

The Cessnas he got are all Mode 2 as with the one i bought off him, so found myself a suitable mode 1 and one for him aswell.. all sorted now and its sitting in waiting..

With the change in weather here, warming up bit stormy at moment but lots of good flying time ahead... Can't wait

Cheers

[phillipmorris]

Great to have a local hobby shop, ours is abit away but not bad, lots of parts available, always giving there cards out for support, best way to go as any issues you don't have to send things back...

Yep the Ducted Fan Jet is slightly above easy level but not bad, I've flown Airhogs before, infact very reason I'm flying today, teaches you the orientation issue, all power driven but really fun flyers they've put out, all are light weight making them extremely durable, great....

Became so accustom to the earlier Biplane 10 minute flyer Airhog was able to toss it out on a turn around and right back into my hand for an easy catch, wow, what fun...they are an absolutely amazing toy(s)..<>..

Did manage to get in the early morning flight on the T-Bat moments ago, gusts dropped slightly still abit dark but off we go, this time put the COG slightly forward, huge difference, penetrated the winds, flew alot better this time, dang winds picked up again and short 5 minute flight, as it went down wind so decided to bring her home, cut the throttle for deadstick, came right in level slight thud but right at my feet, Hey Hey, things are improving...<>..battery needs taping as still can slide on you, and placed two of the small washers on the battery as suggested in the manual, also have two in the front fuelage battery compartment as well...what I've learned todate, place the COG over 1/4 inch ahead of the shown balance, at least on your maiden ventures...<>..less windy days simply slide the battery back at the suggested COG makes the best landings this way, noses up slightly and comes in nearly by itself, but again just adjust the nose when required...<>..gads maybe I'll be able to really fly this puppie, hi hi..<>..

[cbatters]

Originally Posted by phillipmorris

Great to have a local hobby shop, ours is abit away but not bad, lots of parts available, always giving there cards out for support, best way to go as any issues you don't have to send things back...

Yep the Ducted Fan Jet is slightly above easy level but not bad, I've flown Airhogs before, infact very reason I'm flying today, teaches you the orientation issue, all power driven but really fun flyers they've put out, all are light weight making them extremely durable, great....

Became so accustom to the earlier Biplane 10 minute flyer Airhog was able to toss it out on a turn around and right back into my hand for an easy catch, wow, what fun...they are an absolutely amazing toy(s)..<>..

Did manage to get in the early morning flight on the T-Bat moments ago, gusts dropped slightly still abit dark but off we go, this time put the COG slightly forward, huge difference, penetrated the winds, flew alot better this time, dang winds picked up again and short 5 minute flight, as it went down wind so decided to bring her home, cut the throttle for deadstick, came right in level slight thud but right at my feet, Hey Hey, things are improving...<>..battery needs taping as still can slide on you, and placed two of the small washers on the battery as suggested in the manual, also have two in the front fuelage battery compartment as well...what I've learned todate, place the COG over 1/4 inch ahead of the shown balance, at least on your maiden ventures...<>..less windy days simply slide the battery back at the suggested COG makes the best landings this way, noses up slightly and comes in nearly but itself again just adjust the nose when required...<>..gads maybe I'll be able to really fly this puppie, hi hi..<>..

Have you tried just adding a couple clicks of up elevator trim on less windy days?

[phillipmorris]

Dang the winds lately, so many storm fronts going thru, have to patiently wait for calm conditions on the trims, sure they are close at the moment, good idea to keep adjusting them but the COG as most planes important but critical on the T-Bat, I'm only using the smaller lipo, not sure if I'll ever make the upgrade to the larger one for even more performance, hi hi...what I have to fight flyig this one with the stocked transmitter is simply overcontrol, its response is quick, and needs safe altitude incase the nose drops as dives extremely fast as well, but really not too bad, I'm getting there, only about 8 flights or more but its been increadible experience, if I can just keep it together...BEST ..<>..

Was flying just slightly behind the COG at the start, landing at that setting is beautiful, abit tuffer to fly but low or zero winds a winner, now set closer to the suggested COG and penetrates some of the stronger winds but I'm still getting the feel for this puppie, been fantastic..<>..

[phillipmorris]

Nearing a dozen flights now and its still a handful (for me) tho manageable if I'm careful, blessed with zero winds for the first time in a week at the crack of dawn, off work this morning so able to wait for better light as the sun broke the horizon...

Over half throttle up she goes went up nicely with no up stick, all responses here hard to re-call, anyway she still turns very quickly and loves to do a fast drop at the blink of an eye so made some elevation immediately, COG was about right important with this bird, still lifted its nose abit, so gave a small down trim, worked was level now, alright...zinged around, was able to make straight flights, rare todate for me on its dipped wing behavior, partly overcontrol with the coarse supplied transmitter, but getting the feel now, loved to drop the nose abit for nice speed, careful keep her up...wanted to make a low pass but not at my current skill level please, still flew beautifully, no major errors made on this flight other than I slightly held right stick and it was doing blistering rolls and starting to come down, what the heck, let go of the stick finally figuring out I was holding a control, gads, leveled fine so went up again...light on the stick please...excitement easy to do this...maybe it was the 29 degree temp finally reaching my bare fingers, wasn't cold tho till after the flight, my best todate, maybe I can fly this one....its a tuff one fortunately as I've broght her in on the nose more than a couple times but its held up amazingly well...fun ahead ?? Hopefully ...Hi Hi..BEST ..<>..

[phillipmorris]

Took the T-Bat out after along dry spell as enjoing the current Radian, nice by the way, anyway was gusty even tho early this morning, decided to fly anyway, it took off rather well, I keep saying don't over control, this again is highly resposive, at safer altitude showed her stuff, tho slowed in the strong breezes building I still use only just over half throttle, it zings down wind, flys steady for awhile then likes to do a quick drop, just be ready for it and no biggie, but suprised at times, kept it high for input errors helps but I don't venture out very far, lost it a couple times on that one, as I like to deadstick landings, with unveven gusts was a bad choice, it turned as coming in also dropped quickly but the gyro saved things and able to nose it up at the last moment near a building, and in with abit of a thud but it survived, gads...better stick to less windy conditions as learning on this one, its all adrenilin during the flight, nothing like it, just hope it makes it for another dozen rounds..its an addictive flyer, barely able to fly this one makes it all that more exciting...a hoot....BEST ..<>..

[cbatters]

Originally Posted by phillipmorris

Took the T-Bat out after along dry spell as enjoing the current Radian, nice by the way, anyway was gusty even tho early this morning, decided to fly anyway, it took off rather well, I keep saying don't over control, this again is highly resposive, at safer altitude showed her stuff, tho slowed in the strong breezes building I still use only just over half throttle, it zings down wind, flys steady for awhile then likes to do a quick drop, just be ready for it and no biggie, but suprised at times, kept it high for input errors helps but I don't venture out very far, lost it a couple times on that one, as I like to deadstick landings, with unveven gusts was a bad choice, it turned as coming in also dropped quickly but the gyro saved things and able to nose it up at the last moment near a building, and in with abit of a thud but it survived, gads...better stick to less windy conditions as learning on this one, its all adrenilin during the flight, nothing like it, just hope it makes it for another dozen rounds..its an addictive flyer, barely able to fly this one makes it all that more exciting...a hoot....BEST ..<>..

How did Gyro save the plane if it dropped quickly and you had to nose it up at the last moment.


Clint

[phillipmorris]

Gyro is placed exactly where needed on the ailerons, any questionable behavior pattern on this one is defintely here, has very short wings but cuts thru stronger breezes with ease, like that...

Pssst watch the video closely and catch the wing tips on launch, its also a bundle to fly this one straight but possible, it likes to turn on you without warning, ThunderBat is very accurate describing its flight habits...

Trust me the gyro saves things tho they just work on the ailerons, yes you still need to keep things level with the nose, but this puppie is like flying a bowling pin with either wing dip and either tip dips very FAST, nose issue is far easier to control, yes the gyro is a lifesaver, no way this one would be alive todate...turned out my other part of the early flight delema was simply irregular wind gusts, winds still building later in the afternoon and had courage for another flight, with winds steady now it was alot easier, was nearly flying it this time, hi hi, I'm really loving this querky flyer, steady winds now and it landed beautifully deadstick, drops abit but easy, its a nail bitter but really amazing fun...<>...I can't get enough of this bird, just hope she stays together for me...

It behaves best with some speed, so over half throttle is about minimum..

On launch she goes right up at about 2/3rds throttle, but watch those tips and don't overcontrol..

Make altitude soon as you can for any input errors..

Has a lengthy nose, likes to catch the wind so watch it here, simply keep things abit level...else can suddenly rocket down on you...

Keep her reasonably close, majority of my delemas occured when it ventured too far..

She will deadstick very well let the nose come up abit but not too far, it drops quickly not a glider here, if she needs airspeed simply lower the nose slightly..

When the winds are steady the gyro on the ailerons show there stuff especially on a deadstick landing, minimal control may be needed, but it nearly lands by itself, very nice..

The snap rolls are blinding speed, somehow manged to do only one, as multiple rolls the norm, its impressive here.

Even with its bad habits, I love this one..forces you to fly with frequent adjustments on the stick or it won't last more than a couple seconds, hi hi...

However some of its good features, yes the gyro, level she handles rather well, will penetrate the winds for you, tho only 10 MPH winds she zinged around with little effort, at altitude I felt nearly comfortable flying it, well almost, hi hi, if you want something different, this could very well be the one for you....

Its pure fun...<>...

[cbatters]

Pssst - What video?

hihi

[phillipmorris]

I had a friend witness my last flight this afternoon, I usually never say this but asked him to be quiet and ask questions after the flight, I tend to be talkative so this isn't the norm for me, anyway at altitude was getting some feel for this bird and I was already starting to talk to him, finally he replied, you know Warren, I don't feel nervous at all....during the blinding single snap roll he caught it and responded - WOW, it ended with my best flight todate, hi hi...<>...

[phillipmorris]

Some of its habits show in the 7.4 lipo video, listen for his audible WHEW, sadly part of its off the frame, but look real close just prior to his outburst, gads he recovered fast...

Ooops mentioned earlier in above info but here she is, scroll down to the 7.4 lipo vido, also listen for his WHEW, She drops like a bat in blinding speed, the norm for this beast, hi hi..

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=788190