911hillclimber Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 Am I right you can only get this plane from HobbyKing? They are out of stock in the UK, some expects maybe mid month. HK site is very hard work, but I think I've managed to get an auto alert when they arrive, but really not sure. Anyway, are they the sole UK source? Graham. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 There is one going on EBay, pnf version, original model, new in box. Be aware, the original version need a bit of boom stiffening, a few minutes work. I’ve got one, lovely flier, but, I’ve stripped out the undercarriage. Too fragile, airframe, not the very good undercarriage units. Without the weight of the undercarriage, it is a much better flier, and makes for better flight times. Easy hand launch, , flat chuck, just let it fall from the launch, to get the speed up, and haul it off before it touches the ground. I don’t understand electric stuff, I’m not great at throttle management, so if he leccy specialists might give some leeway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 Isn't that the Vampire Don, not the Tundra? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 Graham, Durafly are Hobbykings own brand so only available from them. There are other very similar models from other suppliers that are available from UK shops, e.g. FMS Kingfisher and Arrows Hobby Bigfoot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
911hillclimber Posted May 7, 2021 Author Share Posted May 7, 2021 (edited) Good info, thank you v much! Will have a look now. Graham. ! And both out of stock! Is ALL of England learning the fly? Edited May 7, 2021 by 911hillclimber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caveman Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 Leeds Model Shop have 4 Kingfishers and 2 Bigfoots (Bigfeet?) In stock, so no shortage of choice! GDB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 2 hours ago, Ron Gray said: Isn't that the Vampire Don, not the Tundra? Idiot replying . Absolutely right Ron. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIMON CRAGG Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 16 hours ago, 911hillclimber said: Am I right you can only get this plane from HobbyKing? They are out of stock in the UK, some expects maybe mid month. HK site is very hard work, but I think I've managed to get an auto alert when they arrive, but really not sure. Anyway, are they the sole UK source? Graham. It might be worth having a look on Facebook marketplace, as they come up from time to time. Also put a "Wanted" ad on the BMFA classifieds?. We fly ours of water with the Durafly float kit;..............brilliant model! Good luck, it will be worth the wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
911hillclimber Posted May 8, 2021 Author Share Posted May 8, 2021 Seems the FMS Kingfisher is readily available but only with floats added, so £180 ish. Silly paying for something I won't use... Most models for sale are miles away and add the fuel to collect you may as well have bought new. The wheeled V2 is £140 and the floated etc Kingfisher is £180, V2 is £200. The difference pays for the Rx easy. Bit frustrating, patience is not in my vocabulary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 In stock and many have learned to fly with it. Riot Me included. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
911hillclimber Posted May 8, 2021 Author Share Posted May 8, 2021 After some 'debate' pulled the trigger on the FMS Kingfisher from Steve models. Paid the extra for the float model as no others in stock. Bought it because i like the design! Fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 Good choice! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 I had no choice as it was the only model in stock at the time, three years ago now.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
911hillclimber Posted May 8, 2021 Author Share Posted May 8, 2021 I'll be pleased if I can get my hand in with the flying of my classic Ben Buckle Buccaneer which is the long term goal. Need to get an Rx now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
911hillclimber Posted May 11, 2021 Author Share Posted May 11, 2021 Just a bit of feed-back: The FMS Kingfisher arrived this afternoon. What a lovely plane it is. The quality of the design and preparation has to be seen, and felt, as it all snaps together. 30 lazy minutes and it is all together just awaiting the Rx which is in the post. Really pleased with the investment, hope it gets me sorted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
911hillclimber Posted May 14, 2021 Author Share Posted May 14, 2021 The Kingfisher is all together, now with a new 4 channel Rx. Bound the tax and ex and eventually got all the functions to work and respond correctly having to reverse one channel but all ok. Being a 4 channel the flaps will be left out of the equation, and I now have a problem! I can't get the flaps level to the wings, they are down by about 10 degrees and I am asking here if anyone can tell me how to get them level. I can get them to work from level to down if I swop the channels around but I don't want to bother with them at this stage so need some advice how to set them to level and they stay there. Any ideas please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted May 14, 2021 Share Posted May 14, 2021 Shift the control arms of the servos so they are neutral at aileron neutral. The flaps were expected to go down, so the arm neutral is high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
911hillclimber Posted May 14, 2021 Author Share Posted May 14, 2021 Thank you! I was hoping for an electrical fix, but that will do nicely. I like simple solutions. Just need some dry weather now. Also need to find out if the stabilising system is activated... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim Taylor Posted May 14, 2021 Share Posted May 14, 2021 It's v v important to make sure that any stabilising system is working in the correct sense, i.e. if the 'plane gets rolled to the right, the correction put in by the stabiliser is left aileron. Ditto for rudder and elevator. You can test this by switching on / powering up (prop removed 1st) and with the stab switched on, roll the 'plane in your hands around its longitudinal axis, The aileron deflection should be in the direction the wing is moving i.e. if the left wing is going down, so should the left aileron, Repeat for all control surfaces. If the correction is 'wrong' you need to reverse it on the stabiliser. Reversing the servo direction at the tx will have no effect on the stabiliser 'sense'. I'm sure it's all covered in the destructions, but it's very easy to get wrong (ask me how I know!!) and it gets interesting when you try to fly it with the stabiliser corrections amplifying any turbulence. Sorry if teaching granny to suck eggs Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
911hillclimber Posted May 15, 2021 Author Share Posted May 15, 2021 Thank you v much, I know very little about this, so all very useful. The instructions are very lacking on this in the kit, but will do as you say, makes perfect sense even to me. Cant find any switching on the plane inside or out, there are 3 settings to use so must be in there somehow it can be flown fully on gyro, semi or off. will have a good look and also re read the small slip of paper that came with it from the devices supplier. all the electrics are a bit vague. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim Taylor Posted May 15, 2021 Share Posted May 15, 2021 I've never set one of this particular type up, but if it's similar to the Eflite or Lemon types, you'll need to assign a 3 position switch on your transmitter to a 5th channel, then the switching is done electronically within the stabiliser. Possibly.......... I'm sure it'll become clear when you study the instructions. The problem I find when doing things like this for the 1st time, is that the manufacturers tend to assume a level of knowledge which you don't have if doing it for the 1st time. I guess that's where t'internet comes in. Most important thing is to get it checked out by someone at your club who is familiar with stabilisers, not necessarily the most experienced or 'ace' flyer, who may have never used one. Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Manuel Posted May 15, 2021 Share Posted May 15, 2021 Hi @911hillclimber. Alarm bells are ringing in my head about how you are securing your flaps. If you have connected them to servos which are not connected to a receiver output, they will be free to move with a bit of force. All it will take is a slight knock or a gust of wind and you will be in trouble. The correct solution of course is to use a receiver with enough channels to support the flaps. It sounds as though you might be needing extra channels anyway for the stabiliser switching. An alternative to connecting the flap servos to the receiver would be to mechanically fix them in the right position. Rather than using the servo arm of the uncontrolled servos, which can move, try removing the arm and connecting to the central drive thread of the servo which can't move. Alternatively, (preferably) find a solid place on the wing to fix the end of the flap control to - not easy with foam wings. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
911hillclimber Posted May 15, 2021 Author Share Posted May 15, 2021 This is good help! Just got to the plane. Here is what I have:The orange box in the plane is by Reflex and is 'permanently' fixed in the plane. Connect the 3 cell battery and the plane goes through a quick system check, the ailerons and elevator twitch, motor understandably stays still. Rudder stays still. I have 'set' the flaps to level with the wing profile by simply gently moving them by hand, the servo allowing this and they sit firmly in place. The Tx is switched ON and quickly talks to the Rx. After a few seconds, the plane is silent and the controls are: Left stick throttle works up and down to off. Left stick side to side the Ailerons respond correctly for turning. Right stick, up down and the elevator is correct Right stick left/right and the rudder is correct response. If I pick the plane up and move it around the surfaces are all motionless, so i presume the stabilizer is OFF/disconnected. Not quite sure what to do now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lee Posted May 15, 2021 Share Posted May 15, 2021 Try briefly opening the throttle. Some stabilisers will not arm until throttle passes about 25% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted May 15, 2021 Share Posted May 15, 2021 (edited) The reflex system is described half way down this page Reading the instructions, you would be better off with a 6 channel receiver, ailerons, elevator, rudder, throttle, flaps and gyro mode. But it does have a jumper option to set the gyro mode too. Also it does have the option of Sbus/ppm single line input, what receiver have you got, if it has one of these options that would also work. Edited May 15, 2021 by Frank Skilbeck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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