wlfk Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 I currently fly only helicopters, and I'm a competent sports pilot able to do light aerobatics: loops, rolls and stall turns as well as figures of 8 and the like. I would like to try flying fixed-wing and I have been looking at the multiplex parkmaster as an aircraft that I hope might be suitable for someone who already has some transferrable flying skills, but who at the same time doesn't want to buy anything too demanding. I currently have a spare 15A ESC knocking around, and I have lots of 850 mAh batteries for my T-Rex 250. I had been thinking of buying the Multiplex Parkmaster 3d but the price puts me off slightly. I'd be interested in people's opinions on whether the parkmaster would be a suitable first model for me, and whether it might be possible to fit it with a cheaper motor than the stock one which seems to come in at £40ish! I'd also consider alternative models that might be suitable for me and that could use batteries that I own already. Seems to me it would be really nice to search through models by battery size rather than by manufacturer, if any shop owners are reading! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken anderson. Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 hello wlfk----as reguards what gear you have i would say the GWS formosa would fit the bill--you could prob get a suitable motor from BRC/G-COD etc for a tenner..that would go with your 15A esc......if you really want the m/plex parkmaster 3d-i would go for it -but you'll prob need a 200-300 watt motor +i would think some where in the region of a 30 amp esc and a Bigger batt(1800-2200)...so if you want to be scrooge-go for the GWS...if you want to spend...go for the m/plex kit........me-i would go for the formosa...you wont be dissapointed....a 2/300 watt motor will be in the region of £15.00-£20.00...top's...forget about fancy names/brands and fancy prices-for your local club field..the above are more than enough.....hope this help's ... ken anderson......turnigy motor's for ever......ne 1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete B Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Don't rule the possibility of using two batteries in parallel, wlfk, which will give you 3S 1700mah, a better capacity for many of the 36"-48" span models. Y-leads are easy to make or only cost a quid or so. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Lewzey Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 RC Factory flash? Battery about mid size so it should be quite light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Smalley Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 the Jamara Minimod range of kits all use 3s 850 mah packs and they are pretty good quality for the low price they do an edge a yak 54 a SE5a and a fokker i think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon B Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 You don't need a 300w motor in a Formosa. 150w will be more than sufficient and will be cheaper too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken anderson. Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 2/300watt for the m/plex parkmaster-to clear up the post ...the tenner motor i refer to would be propably 80/100watt bell type to go with the 15 amp esc you have..... ken anderson.ne 1.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon B Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Ah ok I know some people like to massively overpower things and misunderstood.Edited By Simon B on 30/03/2010 22:05:01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NigelH Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 This motor is ideal for the Formosa http://www.brchobbies.co.uk/?page=shop&action=additem&item=101 I have also used it in a shocky (Fidget bipe) with a 3S 800 pack and it worked ok but they didn't last more than about five minutes. I'd not be wanting to use those packs in the Formosa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Gates Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 ARTF or something to build? If you want the latter, go for a Stevens Aero machine, I would suggest the RV4. Superb machine, flies brilliantly. Very easy and quick to build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Lewzey Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Posted by Nigel Hunter on 30/03/2010 22:13:34: This motor is ideal for the Formosa http://www.brchobbies.co.uk/?page=shop&action=additem&item=101 I have also used it in a shocky (Fidget bipe) with a 3S 800 pack and it worked ok but they didn't last more than about five minutes. I'd not be wanting to use those packs in the Formosa. imo this bell type motor design is outdated now. i think this type of motor with a much better prop adaptor and more solid design is better, if a bit more expensive (still only £10.99 ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlfk Posted March 31, 2010 Author Share Posted March 31, 2010 Thanks for all the suggestions... It sounds as if my batts are too small for the parkmaster anyway... which is a very useful thing to know. I'm very much tempted to go for the GWS formosa - like the look of it and the price is far better. I may just wait a while though - I see a new stronger-foam version will be coming out soon. In the long term, when I'm confident of my ability to fly without crashing, then I will go for something built-up as I grew up making balsa models and I like the craftsmanship. But I think I need to get some flight hours first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 The Formosa is a tried and tested great model - as for stronger foam, well its all bit academic TBH, if you crash a foam model hard, it will break, irrespective of the type of foam! Perhaps the exception here is the "solid" block type models such as V trainer, Prangster, WT etc..... any model which uses a hollow type construction for its main components like the fuselage will suffer crash damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon B Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 West Wings Pinto or Toucan would also be good trad models and are fairly simple to build (well i did it!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlfk Posted April 1, 2010 Author Share Posted April 1, 2010 Well, thank you all for your suggestions. I've put in an order for a Formosa. Should arrive at some point after Easter. I actually like the look of the Formosa much better than the parkflyer - and it suits what I'm interested in better too - I'm more a light aerobatics person than a 3d flier. Once I am satisfied I can fly it safely, I see a ducted fan, and maybe a large scale spit to use my 600 helicopter's batteries... But that can wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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