phillipmorris

Yikes now I'm only using the trainer 7.4 lipo, more ventures ahead if I ever have the courage to move up to the 11 lipo, also a video with this one, it zings abit more..hi hi...<>..

Excellent pilot in the two videos, make it look easy...dang...<>..

cbatters

The entire 7.4V lipo video was flown with the plane on the verge of stalling leading to several near crashes. The plane must be flown faster to provide axial and longitudinal stability. Flying this plane timidly will result in sudden nose drops (due to stalling) and rolls (due to stalling)

Worlds best gyro can't help if you do not have enough lift.

11.1V video demonstrated much more competent flying.




Clint

phillipmorris

Thanks for your super comments, very accurate... but will add....
Trust me on the 7.4V Lipo video, he's babbied the throttle...

I do like this video as some of the handling tho exagerated here, its all there, the wing tips easily, and she does rocket drops, this is all on your learning curve, yes more throttle certainly make things fly, but far above my mortal flying ability, as responses are then lightening and unforgiving...yes keep things flying, but within your grasp of flying ability...

Yep, your very correct on most of that, but as I'm currently flying this one with the 7.4V lipo however mine is flown abit over half throttle and its plenty, its not the battery, have no idea but for some reason the pilot babbied it during the flight, it will nearly zing with the 7.4V trust me on that and I'm way below full throttle...

But your main point is exactly on the money, it certainly needs airspeed to fly well, the trainer lipo will make it fly quite well, just alot more performance going to the 11 lipo, I'm not there yet...

Example when I go max throttle on even the smaller lipo, the nose gets in the way for my current level of flying skill, as she zings up and or down instantly, this is definitely my stick input errors, I just need more practice under the belt here, as anxious to move it up a notch..they are very correct on advising the 7.4V lipo for the start, its a handful even there...no stalling provided you simply go over half throttle...another point could give some downtrim on the higher speed, but wow, things respond even faster, so its later down the road for me, hi hi

It flew great this morning moments ago, my best yet, 6 to 8 MPH winds, not as gusty this time and flew with ease, my delema is the fast roll rate any input errors are unforgiving, minimal stick movement required with the stock set up, she's simply a blast todate, gads made it to round 14, I'm astounded, hi hi...<>..it acutally flew where I wanted, handling steadliy improving, again suggest you keep it abit close with some decent elevation, rolls again are increadible, nice crisp and fast like its on a spindle, winds now more steady today the deadstick landing was gliding in only had to keep giving a touch of down stick and the gyro handled the ailerons 100 percent all the way to a silky smooth landing, whole flight was very nice...<>...

Even a slowflyer as myself, needs something with more performance, defintely all here on this one at least for me, nothing like it, I'm pumped for another flight, where's the coffee, hi hi...<>..

cbatters

Sounds like reducing throw on servos would be appropriate for your current skill level - espcially if you find it very sensitive when flying faster and you feel like you have to baby the controls.

Much better to increase throws after you have mastered the plane and want more responsiveness. (as opposed to crashing due to excessive control)



Clint

Bill G

On the gyros, I remember when I first started flying and was ready to try elevator gyros. At this point hovever, it would be the last axis I would want to stabilize. The reason was that I did not invest enough time yet into simply getting planes balanced properly, with proper elevator throw/trim. Once done, most airplanes can be very stable in pitch and not roller coaster demons. On that note, the GWS P51 is not a good beginner plane for slow stable pitch response.

phillipmorris

I'll have to recheck the clevis setting, thought it was minimal but I could be wrong, again excellent advice there....

The flying is smoothing out each outing, what I like about this model is it pushes me abit for my current level of flying skill and reason its been a winner todate even with its unusual behavior, skilled flyer would have a much easier time with this one am sure...

On the gyro, its been done correctly with the ailerons for this little beast, tho it does have a lenthy fuselage with the extended nose, its far easier to correct any errors inflight compared to the tilty ailerons, so they are doing it right here, its stubby wings am sure reason for some of this tho it does otherwise make a very fun flyer...

The COG, adjustment other than placement is only needed on the smaller lipo, take heed and put the supplied washer(s) on the far end of the battery and towards the nose as shown in instructions, they give great detailed info here, so other than putting the battery too far back at the rear, I've found little issue on the correct balance...

Last flight only error made was venturing to far out for the landing, just remember to keep her reasonably close, and it comes in great...BEST...<>..

phillipmorris

Gusty winds early this AM but still took in a flight, the T-Bat went right up very well, gusts kept me busy on the stick, handled pretty well considering the conditons and my skill level with this puppie, just before landing it went out to my left and nose caught the wind before I corrected things, visual was abit low on light level just near dawn and lost it enough for it to dive downward, cut the throttle and she pulled out of it but not able to make a level landing she ponged in on this amazing durable nose, again no damages, simply had to pop an indent out of the long nose, snapped out to original shape, ticked I took her up again just enough to make the correct landing, slightly downwind cut the throttle, it started to dive abit but straight into the wind, let her drop and graduall leveled the nose for a nice landing this time, what fun, still more to learn flying this one but its been terrific todate...

Flew my new Radian Glider, what a difference in easy handling here and she held the wind rather well...

Amazing contrast here, the Jet Pusher followed by the excellent performance New Radian Glider, nothing like it...<>..hi hi...<>..

phillipmorris

Even more winds this morning just before the crack of dawn, dang all these cold fronts, was over 10 MPH perhaps 15 MPH and gusty, wasn't going to fly but suddenly it settled near 10 MPH, so off we go, was leary here as still learning to fly this one, but she went right out over 45 degree upward angle and gained safe elevation right away, only one aileron adjustment required as gyro does most of it here, but then with all the gusts needed loads of stick attention, no gyro for the elevator but its very predictable here, not needed, strong gusts at moments it nearly kited but any drop of the nose she showed her stuff went thru the strong breezes with authority all with the tiny training lipo...gads....my best description on flying this one is it feels like flying a rolling pin with the stubby wings, kept her up wind and close at safe altitude, few drops but never out of control this flight, was going to bring her in early but having too much fun, temp down to 39 degrees and wind sure it felt like 20 degrees, but so excited was not a concern...dawn broke and the wings lit up for improved visual, is this fun or what, slowly lowered her carefully but still some altitude, only slightly down wind for the landing, with all this breeze going on deadstick is a snap just touch the the nose up or down when required, don't recall doing much alileron as again the gyro does it here, just enough up nose to let her drop, loses altitude abit fast here but steady drop and landed only 5 foot past, landed very gently, wow, on the money, had to step aside as came right back to me...yep this is the one for me...and its still alive, hi hi...BEST ..<>...

Yep, recall during the deadstick landing did two aileron adjustments to zero it back to me, other than that it was nearly an automatic landing, couple of nose adjustments when needed, its a beauty..<>..

One other note, by mistake before launch had the throttle all the way up, she made very strange sounds and refused throttle even when I finally noticed it and lowered it down, wasn't till I unplugged the battery, lowered correctly the throttle on the transmitter, plugged the battery back in and she was up and running, possibly a nice safety feature here...<>..

phillipmorris

Just ordered the larger lipo for the ThunderBat, should improve the performance, believe I'm getting the feel for this puppie after around 20 flights and in winds..

Unusual experience with this one, found the craft to very durable as has taken some nose in knocks, most of the launches are easy with the help of the aileron gyro, just pay attention to to the nose, responds normal on the elevator, aileron is touchy but you do have gyro assistance, go easy on the controls and this one is a blast, keep her reasonable close helps alot, unless I drift away too far the landings are rather good to even gentle, it drops abit faster on a deadstick, simply keep it in the breeze raise and lower the nose when needed, gyro kicks in here only adjust for sudden gusts or targeting the landing...pure fun...<>...BEST ...

Wattage has a brand new version out Sea Vixen Pusher Jet $189 RTF, wings may be a tad wider, yet to receive this one, no gyro, anxious to try...

Wing comparison, T-Bat stubby 24 inch wingspan, Sea Vixen 33 inch wingspan, looks good, ...<>.

http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/128308.asp

phillipmorris

Terrible morining cloudy just before daybreak, took her off, winds up near 10 MPH but settled slightly, wanted to drizzle, so thought lets go....

Launched into the stronger breezes, abit gusty at times but went up as always, a slight more throttle as after all will be trying the larger lipo when it arrives, adjusted throttle for the gusy conditions and she still made good headway, nothing like this bird, still likes to roll and overhead a few dives but easy to pull her out, just keep her close and was nearly uneventful, wanted to keep climbings so downsticked her at times and she screamed down, few rolls are easy, its lightening on these, and as so cold, brought her home after around 6 to 7 minute flying, turned her near me but into the wind, deadsticked in, but went aways past, slight turn on the touchdown but still decent, whew have her down again intact, looked at my throttle setting and over 80 percent this time, whew no wonder she screamed, watching it cut thru the stronger breeze was pure joy, nice bird, still a strange ship, but gads its still alive...BEST ..<>..

cbatters

Might want to get in the habit of re-trimming elevator based on wind conditions. Not unusual to have to add a little down elevator to keep the nose down when it is windy. (Also useful to trim nose down to increase speed when flying in windier conditions to prevent accidental stalling when transiitoning to downwind run.)


Clint

iflyrc1012

phil, if you can fly that t-bat in the wind, then your ready to get a stryker f-27c! it will fly an extremely wide flight envelope and i find them to be extremely durable also. not expensive either. or try a multiplex funjet.

phillipmorris

Well this plane has been a trip to say the least right at my current margin of skill to fly, needs quick stick at times and ooodles of fun, last decked it in enoght to stop the prop from spinning, it kind of virbrates like it wants to run but can't, but gads this puppie should have been dead long ago with my continual abuse on the learning cure, its a tuff bird...even if I can't find the fix will at least get the PNP version to continue the venture been nothing like this one...heck winds were gusting over 20 MPH right after the stupid landing, wasn't a thumper but not level...may take abit on decision on the fix replacement, but I'm not leting this one go...super...<>..

phillipmorris

Gads T-Bat lives, nothing wrong with the first one at all, simply unpluged one of the wires from the motor, good lord, anyway, received the PNP version as well, now have double the chance to learn to fly this puppie, its a panic, nothing like it...BEST ..<>..

phillipmorris

Yesterday 20 MPH peaks, too windy but had to fly the new PNP T-Bat, intresting it does drop slightly on launch at near 2/3'rds throttle, nothing major, simple up elevator she goes right up then stabilizes, landing wasn't as cool as I'd liked, brief flight with all the gusts and landing came in close but last moment turned abit on the nose, but not to my liking, however considering conditions turned out fine...

Today early AM 2nd launch on the newer bird and even tho slight uptrim was abit of drop then airspeed and as normal, another note it came nearly intrim with slight up raised right aileron, left this alone and seems to be fine tho even today was windy 10 to 15 MPH so need good conditions to see whats all going on, I may leave this setting etc....newer ship has some velcro to hold the nose, nice addition, before usually used wide tape at least on the top to keep the nose inplace...

My 2nd flight was perhaps my best ever even with winds, reaches altitude easily infact down stick on occasion to keep it from getting too high, but use elevation as this one dives with some applied downstick, actually like a rocket even with the smaller lipo, sure it easily hits over 60 MPH on a sudden dive or even more, so altitude certainly is your friend here...with lower gusts than yesterday landing much easier today and came in rather well, deadstick and nose down then easy on the flare she landed level at the last moment, nice..its still a handful but my favored flyer at the moment other than the newer Radian Glider, gads what a contrast, jet pusher then saillplane, the glide on the Radian is so long even with the winds had it completely at the other end of a sizeable field below tree top level, wind pushed it back, thought I'd need some brief throttle to make it home, but down sticked a few times to penetrate and landed just ahead of me all the way acroos the field, what a floater...BEST ..<>..

phillipmorris

Above 20 MPH winds were abit much for easy flying, had to wait till finally this morning, dang antenna end broke off somehow, not to be denied flew with things very close, was exactly what was needed to improve my handling, turning continually it flew great, few drops but enough altitude and kept things very close by, zings around back and forth, had over 2/3rds throttle at the start as want to use the larger battery soon, it did great and landed past me slight thud but safe...another flight under my belt with this awsome machine, next maybe the larger lipo...

phillipmorris

New larger lipo, just whats needed for it to start to really fly, the smaller lipo at 2/3rds keeps it above stall and gives the newbie a chance to learn the skill for flying this one, but the larger lipo she flys, I need more power down practice on landings, else its been a beaut, slightly windy this morning, but low light level as have to go to work etc, made for a challenge and nearly lost it twice, after all have to see the craft to fly, but keeping it close saved the morning flight...now if I can nail the landings, we have a super fun ship...BEST ...<>..

A sporty flyer use to faster speed start with the larger lipo, those just above trainer level and flying the slower planes (as myself) strongly advise the smaller lipo for feel of this one..quite an experience todate..<>..at just a tad over half throttle using the larger battery, its zipping well and a handful during the learning period, what fun...<>..

phillipmorris

Thunderbat graduating to the larger lipo, really flys now, lookout...

Still forced to fly it prior to dawn as sked, but another good flight with the larger lipo, only half throttle its a zinger, kept it close, flew rather well this 2nd flight, still not great on landings with this one, nose dived it rather hot and smoothed it out then some down nose just prior to touch down all deadstick at last worked, was some breezes but cut thru with no issue, heard a noises during early part of the flight, turned out the longer antenna somehow made contact with the prop and now missing several inches on the receiving antenna, as kept things close no problems, but will have to solder some wire to original length, lost between 1/3 and 1/4 length at least, hi hi, otherwise was a good ride...as I'm a slow flyer, still a handful of fun...BEST ..<>..

phillipmorris

Finally some decent light conditions as off today, with friend flew the Radian, Thunderbat, SkyFly, and his neat Great Planes smaller Corsair...

Some winds below 10 MPH but built up by the time we flew, did the trainer lipo on the Thunderbat for fun, used 3/4 or more throttle and behaved very well, nice landing for a change...Radian always does well, took abit for the SkyFly to launch with winds but after airborne flew very well, his landing abit downfield but fine...believe again this is the Great Planes smaller Corsair, nice little guy, flys with some authority, only his 2nd flight it performed near flawless, some dipping on the wings with gusts, but nice job even managed a roll, landing dang gusts socked in and guessing perhaps not enough downstick last moment broke a prop, else no damages so really great with conditions and only his 2nd flight, last the Thunderbat with full size lipo, dang transmitter battery beeping low but flew just over a couple minutes, really peppie now thru the stronger breezes, landing left some low power on and almost a winner but some overcontrol at the last still managed a level landing on the money, but close..a great day...BEST ..<>..

phillipmorris

Large lipo 75 to 80 percent throttle, its a winner...

Using mostly the larger lipo now, she really moves out abit, flys even better but now things are moving abit quickly, keeping it close does give a good visual, like to do early AM flights with least wind as been rather gusty several weeks but today was calm at last, just before dawn have issues when it goes low aways out so careful, should use a brighter sky, but off she goes went right out and up level with near zero stick inputs, nose up for altitude and turn quickly the flaged decor really shows up very well and great for orientation, it will nose down on wrong stick but speed really shows here, slightest upstick and responds level and back up for safer flying, I can now place it where I want in the sky, rolls are beautys, single one is blistering fast, several rolls a piece of cake, it usually will level by itself with release of stick, if its stops invereted usually responds with a 180 degree snap trun around then levels, normally is coming back to me as my previous inputs were usually flying away, altitude is indeed your firend, so definitely keep her up...but resonably close...as the sky brightened no errors inflight, was really fun...and the landing, kept some low throttle and she settled back towards me and just aways past dropped the throttle to deadstick, came in level slightest twitch but nice landing, I really liking this plane, put me above the trainer speeds near sport flying, its again not quite a rocket so will give the newbie a chance to figure things out without making a crater in the ground, its again tuff, can't kill either of my two tho certainly made enough errors to disentagrate any of the other less durable birds, hooooray....BEST ...<>..

Pssst, did the trainer smaller lipo yesterday, was 80 to 90 percent throttle, handled like a trainer compared to the faster flights on the bigger lipo, was easy now, but can stall with wrong inputs, but does indeed fly well with the trainer battery, if your new to speed, certanly use the smaller battery at the start, tho it flys better going faster, its your choice...<>..without it mine would not have survived by a long shot, I'm a slow sunday flyer...

Hints for complete newbie on this one...
Be sure you've made it to aileron planes, this bird is perhaps up couple notches, perhaps 5th plane
If your sporty in flying faster ships, this one will be rather easy, gyro assist helps on leveling things
Again the nose acts as an additonal flying surface, dives quickly - keep some altitude..
Launches are easy, even with trainer lipo, weak throw quck touch of up elevator..
Watch the wings for level, slightest imput, go easy, it at times requires continual stick but softly..
Likes to roll on you if you let it, so touch of correction but no overcontrol please...responds immediate
Landings were my concern, it drops fast with deadstick, touch of throttle helps else dive for airspeed
Gusy conditions add to the delma on landings, so if its too gusty wait for another day...
Will handle winds, flown this puppie at over 20 MPH, not suggested at the start, my landing was terrible
Good luck if you try this one, its been increadible experience for me, nothing like it, Wow...

Another pssst, to give an example how horrible flyer I am and difficuties currently having at this new level, proud owner of 3 other jets in the hopper, one refuses to make correction on ailerons, cratered the other two to pieces on maiden and they fly slooooow compared to the Thunderbat, so again with my horrific ability at this stage, the T-Bat gets the crown royally, what a bird...thanks...as you made it for me<>..

phillipmorris

This puppie is an extremely durable ship...

Thunderbat survives a hard nose dive landing, again...

Dang, decked my favored Thunderbat in yesterday, suddenly refused to respond to any upstick and nosed in from about 100 feet, then thud onto the durable nose, was like an accordian but straigtened out, wasn't till today found the culprit, was the lead to the elevator is located on the bottom of the wing and pulled lose, on impact the elevator to the receiver also disconnected, gads no chance on recovery from that one...it happenend during flight, so best to check all conections prior to launch..definitely reinforce with some tape...

Flew moments ago and Thunderbat's still a winner, larger lipo zinged around beautifully and nice landing, so its still flys well despite the terrible impact, its a battleship compared to my other weak foamies, even my durable Strker C is in pieces from a faulty lead..

So check things prior to flight, as we should anyway...still flying, all is well..BEST..<>..

phillipmorris

Now using larger lipo...

No misshaps today, early AM with more light, easy task, winds down to rare near zero, piece of cake, she flew nicely at just over half throttle, finally kicked in for few minutes at the end of the flight with near 2/3rds and were off, more turning to keep in decent visual range, was steady flew straight as an arrow most of the flight, mutliple rolls nothing to it, sometimes it comes out abit side or inverted but levels by itself, need some altitude here for safety, did lower it on some screaming passes on the level...landing this time reduced throttle with nose down abit, let it keep airspeed and deadsticked at the very last with still some speed she nosed up nicely for a smooth landing...this puppies abosolutely great..BEST ..<>..

phillipmorris

Grey skys not the best visuals, flew this AM with authority Larger Lipo and screamed around, few moments catching the angle with the poor sky conditions, but close saved things, later flew the traner lipo as the larger was still charging, about full throttle is very docile easy to fly, just above stall speed handling isn't too bad, for me turned out to be the favored method as not jet speed so lets you get the feel of flight on this puppie...it still will zing down with some down elevator and catch your attention, was a by stander rather impressed with the slow trainer flight, she still can hum...

My best flight tho was last evening near sunset, as off work, winds picked up to 12 to 15 MPH as I walked away winds were pounding on my back, thinking twice if I should fly, but tossed her up and angled up over 60 degrees level and away for a fun flight, it penetrated the stronger breezes with no issues, fun to fly a plane that handles some wind, flight was short but loads of fun and landed slightly nose in but into soft snow, a treat...BEST ..<>..

Long nose, keep things level...
Caution, the longer nose as mentioned reacts even more in windy conditions and will dive quickly here, so elevation is your savior, also it will stall with the nose too far up but simply give some slight downstick, go soft and minimal on the controls and its super fun...<>..

phillipmorris

Now several dozen flights on the Thunderbat its really getting fun, only 5 degree temp outside but winds down to a breeze, flew the amazing Parkzone Radian for a brief flight due to the cold, then off with the Thunderbat, using regular lipo battery now, it goe up near 90 degrees with authority, what power, wings steady, easy on the controls, you just breath on them, responses are immediate, kept it very close turning with some safe elevation, she did dive abit more than I wanted twice but back up safely, keep her humming don't lower the throttle, she goes right up again with ease...even did a few loops, love to do the snap roll, choice of lightening fast or smooth and pretty, acutually both are amazing...levels easily with no issues, my hands stayed warm from all the excitement flying this one, came in for the landing out a ways, lowered throttle, then deadsticked lowering the nose for plenty of airpspeed, her nose came up correctly and picked up some icy snow tho gentle landing, quick shake ice slid off easily...what a day, really having fun...BEST ..<>.

phillipmorris

Yep, keep that throttle on, just might save the day...

Still above zero at 1 degree plus temp moments ago, up goes the Thunderbat, into a grey sky, not my liking as takes away some of the visual, even tho close managed to roll her over and she responded by screaming downward, somehow kept my composure and it leveled at the last moment less than a foot from the turf zinging over 50-60 MPH from the dive, yikes, it screamed back into the dismal grey sky, left 80 percent throttle thru the whole ordeal, recall a veteran pilot explaining beginners cut throttle soon as they are in trouble, unfortunately then things stop flying resulting into a crash, staying cool on the stick doesn't hurt either, worry about it later, hi hi...nice flight rest of the venture, lowered and upped throttle thru the flight, handles very well, what a ship, landing was smooth deadstick nose down for some airspeed, at the flare was fast enought to gain height less than few inches and settled in with the downward nose last pushing up the snowy ice, sigh of relief, back on with the gloves, amazingly she's still intact ready for another day..HI HI..BEST ..<>..