Konrad
Very Strong User
Hello Guys (and maybe Gals),
I've acquired $100 gift certificate from working the 2018 ISR from Soaring USA. My hope was to use this to pay for the shipping and taxes to buy a 60" MOM Racer. It pains me to say that Soaring USA only stocks one 60" plane I would want and at the same time risk MOM racing. For issues that don't amount to anything here, I got from Aloft Hobbies a Mibo Dart III for my 60" fix.
This still leaves that gift certificate un-used. I see where Soaring USA has a 40% off sale on some older (obsolete) stuff. These were the hot ticket when I left slope soaring around the turn of the millennium. I recall being in love with the Ascot, and Pike Precision. The only 3 meter (close) slope ship I've actually owned and flown was an FVK Brisk III (I still have one with an electric motor fuselage). What I'm looking for is a powerful F3F type "sport" plane. I'd like to ask what has passed the test of time?
As a sport ship the RCRCM Strega is looking like a good "value" at $700 for a sport ship. BUT...
I've noticed the RCRCM models are generally a far cry from the quality I'm use to from my FVK models. Many folks won't have an RCRCM model in their fleet unless it is advertised as a carbon lay up. This is because the epoxy used and the glass often make for rather "flexible" models. It is hoped that carbon might bring the airframe some needed stiffness (still not to current standards for a carbon ship).
The Stregas I've seen fly, all looked to NOT groove in the turns. (I've learned that RCRCM wanted the Strega to be an F3B ship and as a result really messed up the force arrangement for the airfoil being used. (most speed ships [modern airfoils] need little or no incidence at speed). Again trying to make the Strega something it isn't, the leading edge of the airfoil may have been grossly mistreated.
I'm thinking that resetting the stab by lifting the LE 2mm might help with the incidence induced ballooning in a turn. Not sure what the resultant raked hinge line will do. As to the airfoil I keep hearing Wayne telling me whenever I buy a moldie from him; "Don't be afraid to uglify the LE to make a better flying model". He was saying that it was beneficial to remove the LE part line even if the paint was some what disturbed. I'm wondering if I can uglify Strega's LE to gain back some of the F3F performance lost by the manufacture.
I'm leaning towards the Strega only because of its cost. Historically I've rarely been happy with this reasoning when making my purchases.
Are the other $2000 plus ships a good value at 40% off? Or at that price point ($2000 plus) should I step up to some of the current models. I love flying the heavy ships. I just know I'm not at the piloting level to extract the performance from a modern F3F ship. I can fly them just fine, just can't extract their full performance potential. This even goes for the Strega.
So what to I do with the Soaring USA $100 gift certificate burning a hole in my wallet?
Maybe just get a servo or two!
https://www.soaringusa.com/Sale-Items-30-OFF/
Edit; Yep I cleaned out Soaring USA's new old stock of Stegas'. As of Dec 6, 2018 Soaring USA still has parts for the Strega
I've acquired $100 gift certificate from working the 2018 ISR from Soaring USA. My hope was to use this to pay for the shipping and taxes to buy a 60" MOM Racer. It pains me to say that Soaring USA only stocks one 60" plane I would want and at the same time risk MOM racing. For issues that don't amount to anything here, I got from Aloft Hobbies a Mibo Dart III for my 60" fix.
This still leaves that gift certificate un-used. I see where Soaring USA has a 40% off sale on some older (obsolete) stuff. These were the hot ticket when I left slope soaring around the turn of the millennium. I recall being in love with the Ascot, and Pike Precision. The only 3 meter (close) slope ship I've actually owned and flown was an FVK Brisk III (I still have one with an electric motor fuselage). What I'm looking for is a powerful F3F type "sport" plane. I'd like to ask what has passed the test of time?
As a sport ship the RCRCM Strega is looking like a good "value" at $700 for a sport ship. BUT...
I've noticed the RCRCM models are generally a far cry from the quality I'm use to from my FVK models. Many folks won't have an RCRCM model in their fleet unless it is advertised as a carbon lay up. This is because the epoxy used and the glass often make for rather "flexible" models. It is hoped that carbon might bring the airframe some needed stiffness (still not to current standards for a carbon ship).
The Stregas I've seen fly, all looked to NOT groove in the turns. (I've learned that RCRCM wanted the Strega to be an F3B ship and as a result really messed up the force arrangement for the airfoil being used. (most speed ships [modern airfoils] need little or no incidence at speed). Again trying to make the Strega something it isn't, the leading edge of the airfoil may have been grossly mistreated.
I'm thinking that resetting the stab by lifting the LE 2mm might help with the incidence induced ballooning in a turn. Not sure what the resultant raked hinge line will do. As to the airfoil I keep hearing Wayne telling me whenever I buy a moldie from him; "Don't be afraid to uglify the LE to make a better flying model". He was saying that it was beneficial to remove the LE part line even if the paint was some what disturbed. I'm wondering if I can uglify Strega's LE to gain back some of the F3F performance lost by the manufacture.
I'm leaning towards the Strega only because of its cost. Historically I've rarely been happy with this reasoning when making my purchases.
Are the other $2000 plus ships a good value at 40% off? Or at that price point ($2000 plus) should I step up to some of the current models. I love flying the heavy ships. I just know I'm not at the piloting level to extract the performance from a modern F3F ship. I can fly them just fine, just can't extract their full performance potential. This even goes for the Strega.
So what to I do with the Soaring USA $100 gift certificate burning a hole in my wallet?
Maybe just get a servo or two!
https://www.soaringusa.com/Sale-Items-30-OFF/
Edit; Yep I cleaned out Soaring USA's new old stock of Stegas'. As of Dec 6, 2018 Soaring USA still has parts for the Strega
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