Great Planes Electrifly SE5a

[wattman]

Anyone else seen the Tower add for this new biplane ?


http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LNMSH7&P=G


This is the radio controlled, electric powered, almost-ready-to-fly,
ElectriFly by Great Planes S.E.5a WW1 Park Flyer Sport Scale Airplane

I am anxiously awaiting one of these

[WWI Ace]

I've seen this!!! Looks interesting. Maybe a good Allied plane to go up against all my Fokkers!!! Wonder if any more planes are in the works? Steve.

[Twmaster]

Oh darn them! I love the SE5a.

<insert grumble about buying more planes here>

It's a sickness man.

[WWI Ace]

I know what you mean!!! You convince yourself that you have enough planes and they come out with something better!!! Steve.

[WWI Ace]

I've also seen pics of a Fokker DVII done in Lt. Raben's colors that will be available soon!!!! Steve.

[wattman]

Yes I also saw the add at the LHS for the new Great Planes Fokker D VII
wow it just keeps getting better .......

[t. edwards]

Great Planes SE5a is now available at Tower Hobbies. Tom

[wattman]

I have here at my home the new SE5a , it is nice
Everything unpacked and weighed on my digital postal scale came to 13 oz , thats everything from in the box
The plane feels so light , nice packing for shipment , all covering smooth and laid down well , nice wheels and landing gear , the batt hatch is a perfect fit and held closed with magnets ....all installed already .
It is like both of the Super Sporters from GP , only better and lighter it seems , I am pleased , so far .
Cabane struts are flat painted METAL , also the interplane struts and the landing gear is flat painted metal , feels pretty strong , of course they could be bent if enough force was applied . The cabanes fit in strong box slots ........and are really , really , tight fitting , had to use a fingernail clipers fold out file thingee , to open the slots up just a smidgen , no need to glue them in ....they are tight .
I am anxious to complete and fly , but , it may be a little while
If the Fokker is like this , they both will be some nice WW1 birds for us

[rcers]

wattman - we need pics!

Mike

[wattman]

From the table here , just looking at the pieces...........................

[tommytorino]

My only gripe on this plane is the mount they use for the motor. Hey if thats the worst I can say it must be pretty good!

Saw one of these fly at NEAT, very nice indeed in dead calm conditions.

Enjoy!

Tommy D

[rcers]

Mine is almost ready to fly. Cabanes LG and ailerons are all I have left......

Hyperion 2213/20 motor spinning a 9x5 prop on 3s. About 140w so it should go with autority.

I am very close!

Mike

[rcers]

This is one of the best ARF's I have ever built - 6 hours ready to fly!

Well guys I flew mine this afternoon. I was worried, small bipes can be an HANDFULL. Well any of them can really.

Well no reason to worry. This is a fine flying airplane. CG was right on with the battery in the center of the tray. Use the control throws they recommend. Low rates make this docile and easy to fly.

It is remarkably fast with the Hyperion 2212/20 motor and GWS HD 9x5 prop....That setup on 3s draws about 14 amps. PLENTY of power. I was surprised at how well it carries speed, most bipes almost drop out of the air without power.

A keeper for sure....

Mike

[max-nix]

Here is a web site of the restoration of a SE5a with lots of pictures of the real thing (for all us "propellor heads)

http://storage.mfa.free.fr/SE5Auk.html

[rcers]

max - what a fantastic site, thanks for sharing!

Mike

[rcers]

My scale details are pending (Pilot, manifold, pipes guns etc....)

But thought you guys might like these shots Ronnie took this am....

[N3CLI]

Max

You made my day! Thanks for sharing buddy.

[vax6335]

Originally Posted by N3CLI

Max

You made my day! Thanks for sharing buddy.

Me too. Those are beautiful. Makes me want to get one. Anyone know what kind of E-flite motor would be a good one for this plane?

[rcers]

I am using the Hyperion 2213/20 motor a 150+ watt motor and I fly it at under 50% throttle.....

So I would say a 400-450 park outrunner would be great. The Hyperion I use is more in line with the 450.....

Mike

[Uncle]

I just got mine together and took it for it's first flight yesterday. There was a bit of a mishap due to (er-huh) pilot error... But after a short minor repair I was back up again. Man it is a sweet flying plane.

I built it with the recommended 'RimFire' motor and Electrifly ESC and it has nearly endless climbs rates.

I have a question for anyone who has come up with a drag tail for theirs - I see Mike has a good looking solution for him. With out a mod I find the rudder drags on the ground. I have a pice of wood taped back there now and it works, it's just not very elegant looking....

It is a great plane though - Will try and get some pictures later.

rich

[rcers]

It does need a larger tail skid - and one more "scale" shaped....

I will add to mine to get it to the correct shape.

Mike

[alienx]

Can we get a picture of the stock tail?

[rcers]

alienx - if you look above at the in flight pics you can see the green stock tail portion as well as the 3" or so length of CF rod stock I added to keep the rudder from catching.

The scale one can be seen at the full scale site, but in essence where the GP skid angles back towards the bottom of the rudder the full scale actually angles the other direction creating a skeg that drags on the ground. Easy to recreate, I will just add a piece of ply where you see air inbetween the CF rod and existing skid.

Mike

[alienx]

Oh, I see what you are saying. That rudder IS a low one!! And large from front to back as well. Doesn't leave a lot of room up the fuse.
Thanks.

PS. I'm looking forward to seeing someone's flight video. It looks like a nice flyer on the promo video, but GP videos are terrible if you are trying to get e real sense of the plane itself.

[rcers]

PS. I'm looking forward to seeing someone's flight video.

I know the review on eZone should be done fairly quickly - I can assure you it is a sweet flying airplane - MUCH better than I expected.

Mike