New Pylon Racer From Great Planes-100+ mph?
#1

Hello All Race Fans!
Great Planes has just released a new electric "Sport/Pylon" racer, the G/P Rifle. Price is $109.99 + S + H..
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXYVZ8&P=7
This is an all-composite "400-Pylon"-style model made for 24mm inrunners.
The construction is injection-molded foam and fiberglass cloth. The recommended motor is the G/P AMMO 24-33-3180.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&P=WR&I=LXLWX2
But apparently 28mm inrunners will fit, also. On the RCG thread, one of the R+D employees for Tower, Tim (KRProton) has been answering questions and did manage to fit a 28mm AMMO motor in the nose;
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...1205161&page=2 Post # 22.
The Tower ad claims 90+ mph, and a video shows the model going 121 mph (measured with radar gun) on one pass. This is with the recommended motor, battery and 4.75 x 4.75 prop.
Model specs;
Wingspan 31"
Length 24.5"
Wing Area 112 square inches
RTF Weight 17-18 ounces
Wing Loading 21.9 oz/sq ft to 23.1 oz/sq ft
If the performance of the production models is as claimed, this is a very good value for the money. Most all-composite racers cost nearly twice as much for an ARF. It will be interesting to see how the model holds up in actual use, and with the inevitable "hop ups".
Go fast, turn left!
Ron
Great Planes has just released a new electric "Sport/Pylon" racer, the G/P Rifle. Price is $109.99 + S + H..
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXYVZ8&P=7
This is an all-composite "400-Pylon"-style model made for 24mm inrunners.
The construction is injection-molded foam and fiberglass cloth. The recommended motor is the G/P AMMO 24-33-3180.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&P=WR&I=LXLWX2
But apparently 28mm inrunners will fit, also. On the RCG thread, one of the R+D employees for Tower, Tim (KRProton) has been answering questions and did manage to fit a 28mm AMMO motor in the nose;
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...1205161&page=2 Post # 22.
The Tower ad claims 90+ mph, and a video shows the model going 121 mph (measured with radar gun) on one pass. This is with the recommended motor, battery and 4.75 x 4.75 prop.
Model specs;
Wingspan 31"
Length 24.5"
Wing Area 112 square inches
RTF Weight 17-18 ounces
Wing Loading 21.9 oz/sq ft to 23.1 oz/sq ft
If the performance of the production models is as claimed, this is a very good value for the money. Most all-composite racers cost nearly twice as much for an ARF. It will be interesting to see how the model holds up in actual use, and with the inevitable "hop ups".
Go fast, turn left!
Ron
#4
#8

If your willing to build, but on a lower budget, Stevens Aero has two models that are more or less in this same class.
The Adrenalin Rush is aptly named. Smaller than the Tower offering and as fast or faster on less power but the kit is only $15.
The Double Shot is a more normal Pylon racer about the same size.
http://www.stevensaero.com/Club-Racers-p-1-c-34.html
Of course, you have to build these from a KIT!!
The Adrenalin Rush is aptly named. Smaller than the Tower offering and as fast or faster on less power but the kit is only $15.
The Double Shot is a more normal Pylon racer about the same size.
http://www.stevensaero.com/Club-Racers-p-1-c-34.html
Of course, you have to build these from a KIT!!

#9

If your willing to build, but on a lower budget, Stevens Aero has two models that are more or less in this same class.
The Adrenalin Rush is aptly named. Smaller than the Tower offering and as fast or faster on less power but the kit is only $15.
The Double Shot is a more normal Pylon racer about the same size.
http://www.stevensaero.com/Club-Racers-p-1-c-34.html
Of course, you have to build these from a KIT!!
The Adrenalin Rush is aptly named. Smaller than the Tower offering and as fast or faster on less power but the kit is only $15.
The Double Shot is a more normal Pylon racer about the same size.
http://www.stevensaero.com/Club-Racers-p-1-c-34.html
Of course, you have to build these from a KIT!!



We have ARF's No need to build.


If gluing a foamy together is building I will build but all those tiny sticks you glue to end up with a plane in the end no thank you.
yes i am sure you need good reflexes's i got that the eye sight not so much when i was 12 yes now at 30 no
#10

Well, it appears the GP Rifle has some teething problems. According to this summary (post # 44) from Tim at GP, eight models have crashed due to (again, apparently) structural failure.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...205161&page=44
Some of the models were "souped up" but others ran the recommended equipment.
Wing failures- both folded wings and wing hold-down points, motor mount failures, and horizontal stab hold-down bolts not up to the job.
Some have been repaired, reinforced and are now flying sucessfully.
One mod has been C/F wing spar reinforcement.
Another is a complete re-gluing of the motor mount.
There's talk of a "V2" version addressing the existing problems, but no official word yet.
I'm going to hold off on buying this one. The RCG thread may be from a small percentage of the customers (of the models sold and possibly flown sucessfully), but it's enough to keep my finger off the PayPal button.
JMO,
Ron
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...205161&page=44
Some of the models were "souped up" but others ran the recommended equipment.
Wing failures- both folded wings and wing hold-down points, motor mount failures, and horizontal stab hold-down bolts not up to the job.
Some have been repaired, reinforced and are now flying sucessfully.
One mod has been C/F wing spar reinforcement.
Another is a complete re-gluing of the motor mount.
There's talk of a "V2" version addressing the existing problems, but no official word yet.
I'm going to hold off on buying this one. The RCG thread may be from a small percentage of the customers (of the models sold and possibly flown sucessfully), but it's enough to keep my finger off the PayPal button.
JMO,
Ron
#12

I see that Tower Hobbies has changed the date that they expect the kits, was June now July. Does that mean that GP's is working on the problems before they release the kit? My guess is yes as GP seems to be a great company.
Does anyone know if this is the case or are they just late with the release?
Does anyone know if this is the case or are they just late with the release?
#13

Hello Old Tin Man,
Well, I don't know whether GP made any changes yet, but here's a product review on E-Zone from Jon R. Barnes, of (apparently) the stock Rifle.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1243104
He used the recommended power system and made no airframe modifications. He seems pretty impressed with the performance and didn't have any of the failures mentioned earlier.
Different pilots, different results?
Ron
Well, I don't know whether GP made any changes yet, but here's a product review on E-Zone from Jon R. Barnes, of (apparently) the stock Rifle.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1243104
He used the recommended power system and made no airframe modifications. He seems pretty impressed with the performance and didn't have any of the failures mentioned earlier.
Different pilots, different results?
Ron
#14

Thanks for the link Ron, I was hoping to see one of these in the LHS soon but they keep pushing the date back on when they will get stock. I see that Tower Hobbies now shows mid September. I would like to get my hands on one of these.
On Edit:
I have been playing with a Stevens Aero Adrenalin Rush for the past week and am loving it. I have a new inrunner waiting for me at home. That should make this plane boogy. It just has a little 10 gram outrunner on it now so the speed is about 40 to 50. Looking for 70 with the inrunner. I am hooked on these little planes. And at 53 I can still keep up!
On Edit:
I have been playing with a Stevens Aero Adrenalin Rush for the past week and am loving it. I have a new inrunner waiting for me at home. That should make this plane boogy. It just has a little 10 gram outrunner on it now so the speed is about 40 to 50. Looking for 70 with the inrunner. I am hooked on these little planes. And at 53 I can still keep up!
Last edited by Old Tin Man; 07-06-2010 at 05:57 AM.