SebArt Katana 30E

Roger Chamberlain wrote on 06/01/2010:

Strengths: Very smooth flight, plenty of power from the Hacker motor.

Weaknesses: Undercarriage mounting not very robust. Gets bumped around on windy days (no surprise there, then!).

Overall: Great intro to electric aerobats for me - very enjoyable and easy to fly.

Andy Blackburn wrote on 20/03/2008:

Strengths: Very precise and easy to fly.

Weaknesses: Useless undercarriage.

Overall: A very nice aeroplane indeed, very neutral, very easy to fly, does exactly what it's told to do. It's at its best in calm conditions but it gets knocked around a bit in windy weather (i.e. 12+ mph). Flight duration is 6 - 9 minutes on a 2170 mAh pack, and 9 - 12 minutes on a 3300 pack. Mine is balanced right at the front end of the c.g. range and it's never dropped a wing even on a very slow landing. It is, however, let down by a truly useless undercarriage. The u/c mount plate is two layers of thin (circa 1/16") ply laminated together, but someone has seen fit to rout a lightening hole in one of the laminations so the plate will break at the slightest provocation. The spats have snagged on rough grass at least once, pulling out the undercarriage again. My advice would be to junk the spats and fit some bigger wheels (2"+). There's not much to be done about the undercarriage mount, but if you're prepared to do some pre-emptive surgery before assembly, try a proper ply u/c plate with the usual reinforcement and replace the mounting screws with plastic wing bolts. Would I buy another? No - it's too fragile for me.

Mash wrote on 18/03/2008:

Strengths: Well-designed and very lightweight structure. Goes together beautifully and flys well.

Weaknesses: Replace the tail wheel assembly because the metal-to metal contact can (and did in my case) cause nasty radio glitches. The pictures in the enclosed instruction book enclosed render poorly in black and white. Better to download the .pdf and view on screen.

Overall: Great fun!

Helidel wrote on 12/07/2007:

Strengths: Will fly at all manoeuvres thrown at it, not one click of trim on first flight! so pleased I've got 2! One with the Hacker set-up and the other using Hyperion.

Weaknesses: Only the normal weak undercarriage mounting for ARTF models.

Overall: A superb 3D or Pattern(on low rates) flyer. Now the importer holds spares, should you 35M fliers have a bad glitch!!

Mark Jones wrote on 12/07/2007:

Strengths: Looks fantastic,and built well. assembles quickly at the field

Weaknesses: Wheels seem to wear bigger hole,so they become wobbly.

Overall: Excellent aircraft really well built with good hardware. flys a dream and does exactly what you tell it to do. But beware as the review in RCM&E states-Dont stare in amazement at how slow it comes in to land because it drops sharply at the last minute, so bring it in with a little power and its a doddle.

David Ashby - Moderator wrote on 12/07/2007:

Strengths: light, easy to build, stable, will do any thing asked.

Weaknesses: Wont survive a heavy arrival.

Overall: A fantastic bit of kit, easy to fly yet it's teaching me how to prop hand and do a host of new things. quiet, smooth, powerfull ...quite a revelation. I'd buy another tomorrow if it became unflyable!

Kevin wrote on 14/06/2007:

Strengths: Very well built, strong yet light and a great colour scheme.

Weaknesses: The only down side is the covering, where the clear celethane has started lifting after only 6 flights.

Overall: The Sebart Katana 30 E with the Hacker 30/14 L and an APC 14/7 prop flies great. I get an 8 minute flight from my 3 cell 2100 lipo pack. Flying weight is 2lb 14oz. I can hover at just over 1/2 throttle, and pull out is fine but not super quick. Harrier's are a bit wobbley but inverted Harrier are rock solid, and general flight characteristics are very good. I am very pleased with this aircraft, and is well worth the money.