Stuart Z

Probably a wise move - the Irvine motor is generally quite powerful for it’s size. I had a full size Joker (70”) with an Irvine 61 and a mini pipe. Was good and in the vertical ! The Joker 40 is having it’s 30th anniversary this year, I paid the princely sum of £47.95 for it. S

Thanks Jeff That sounds fair enough then. I’ll look to the 4S then. At the moment I’m still battling with the kit. Probably the biggest challenge I’ve built so far with parts that look like they were designed for the 60 size and parts that need a lot of fettling. At the moment working on a tail plane that is 10mm thick to go into a 6mm slot. Aileron stock was actually TE stock. Hey ho, reminds me of the “good old days”. Bit of a shock for anyone used to 21st century ARTF! Thanks for all your help! S

Thanks Jeff I was thinking along the latter lines of swapping the motor along with the battery. Having looked at the motor sizes on 4-Max it will not be straight forward as I thought so it might be a case of going for the 4S and if it's lacking, well that's that. I would welcome Bruce's thoughts though as it looks like it's one or the other with no switch option if the 4S is not up to the job. There was me thinking electric would be simple and clean. Think I'd rather get oily. All seems so simple with IC! S

Jeff, Bruce, Words of wisdom I think. Yes a 5S setup is expensive but the 6S not much more. Having looked at the Bullet and the Moonglow they both use 4S setups. I'll try that and if it lacks the necessary, I'll upgrade to 6S setup. The cowl will accommodate both as far as I can see. Thanks to you both for the advice. A black art indeed! S Jeff - Thanks for the link!

Thanks Jeff, The Joker 40 is a deceptive name having a wingspan of 59" (if I don't mess with it). Looking at the 4-Max site it's more the Sebring Katana in size and weight albeit the wings are foam and not built up. So it looks like an expensive 5S set up is required. Puzzling, the Moonglow is also similar in size and weight but the specs for that are very very different. Beginning to make the OS 55AX on a pipe more attractive, just not at some of the clubs I go to. I can't find "Electricalc" but maybe that would help? S

Hi Has anyone any experience of electric setup in a DSM / Marvic Joker 40? Originally thought OS55AX but was wondering about electric setup. No experience of electric. S

Hi David I only used standard servos in my Joker and Calypso way back when. I suspect better servos will give better response, mine seemed fine at the time. S

I had an OS 61RF and pipe on my Calypso by Mod Tech and that was only about 3” extra span. So maybe similar. Certainly had serious vertical performance Any thoughts on that? S

All this exchange has motivated me to get my Joker 40 onto a clear bench. Looks straightforward as fuselage already done. Thinking OS55 with a pipe. Yet to assess fit and manifold position etc, etc, etc. At least now in the era of 2.4ghz I won’t be shot down like my last Joker ? S

Thanks Shaun Makes sense S

Hi New to electrics, should I be changing the ESC up to next size up, say 50amp, if I’m going to be upgrading similar to the above? Hope you can help S

Mine is a Marvic kit and does have a jig built fuselage. From memory it was DSM with the shop in York.

Hi Not sure that Marvin “took over” from DSM as such I seem to remember buying kits (Jokers & a Saphir) from both. At similar times. Luckily, I still have an unstarted Joker 40 to build. Not sure, but I think Marvic. As said there are no plans supplied. S

Hi I use the GT X2 which must be broadly similar to the X4, obviously 2 outputs instead of 4, but very happy with it. Had it a few years now and buying a second as storage charging is a wee bit slow at only 1 amp. I guess that is fairly common though for storage charging. S

Pet hate, you see it quite often. Transmitter is disconnected from lanyard and the lanyard left round neck. Then you’ll see someone stand in front of the prop to start the engine with the lanyard swinging perilously close to the prop arc, and guess which way the air is going……. S

Some years ago now, over 40, but I found my first trainer The Precedent Hi-Boy, a bit of a handful (read into that crashed a few times) Built a Super 60 3ch and a DB Mascot 3ch and I was suddenly flying happily on my own. Worked for me. S

Great thanks Just what I need S

Copy found on eBay Thanks S

Hi Thanks for the update Bob. I’ll see if I can find a copy S

Thanks for the continuing input folks. I know a power pod was the design option, it is illustrated on my instruction sheets. I wanted to hide the motor if possible. The article by Chris Williams sounds like it may be of help. Does anyone know where the Chris Williams article can be found? Many thanks S

Thanks Shaun I’ll take a look s

Hi Can someone help with where to get info on electric motors and lipo’s? Thanks S

Thanks Shaun Very good info, when my back let’s me I’ll try and get back in the loft to have a look and get some weight. Being ARTF it will be a good guide straight out of the box. I’ll also have to get into the maths of electrics. Used IC most of the time so what motor or battery works, I’ve never thought about. The size and space will probably allow a 3S set up but when I get it out I’ll get a better idea. I appreciate your help so far. I’ll revert in a couple of days. S

Thanks Shaun Good points. Was looking to use 9-12g servos similar to those specc’d for the RES Eagle. That is to use a 7.4 2S so thinking that may be a template. S

Shaun It’s back in the loft again but there’s a picture here giving an indication that it’s fairly spacious compared to many gliders https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?1910538-Vintage-EMP-Apex-glider-from-the-UK