GlennO

Hi Guys,

I flew my new composite Arf 2.3 extra on the weekend and WOW!!!, what a great little plane it
is.
I have it set-up on the KS 1060 tuned pipe and header with a 23x8 prop.
The final weight came in around 19lbs which is around 3lbs less than Composite Arf states
on their web site.
I have no nose weight what so ever.I also used a tru-turn spinner with a backplate that has not been lightened.
The c of g is at the rear mark they suggest, but could go back a little.
The key factors I believe for success with the DA50 are:
Getting as much weight forward as possible. I have my throttle servo behind the firewall, I have the ignition
on the outside of the engine dome and the receiver battery is a 5 cell 2400 sub C pack mounted to a ply plate next to
the engine.
I also beleive the use of a carbon stab tube is very important it was at least half the weight of the supplied alloy tube which
was not used. Got mine from Frazer Briggs (pbg composites)
I have DS8511 servos on elevator and ailerons with DS8411s on the rudder.
I used the supplied rudder set-up but had to cut the bottom off it so the pipe could pass through.
The bottom of the rudder servos were quite close to the pipe so I made a sheild to out of scrap rudder tray laminated balsa
to shield them.
I also have vent holes on the bottom of the fuse to let any heat depart, these seems to work but it is winter over here, intresting to
see what happens when we are in summer.
As for the flying,I've had a 2.6 for the past 12 months with of course a DA100, the 2.3 does not have the vertical punch of the 2.6 combo, but what has??????????
We all seem to compare everything to the 100inc/100cc planes but even the 150 size planes can't beat the 100/100cc set-ups for punch
vertiacally.
I fly advanced in imac over here and would have no problem using the little 2.3 in a comp.
I'm still running the motor in,and it's still rich, with time it will get a lot better.
I hovered and t/rolled it, and it pulled out vertical with out any problem, I was amazed to see it do this.
As I said before, it's no 2.6 with a DA100 but still pulls out easy.
As for general flying I had 9% rudder elevater mix both ways for knife edge nothing required for ailerons.
I did some slow low knife edges simply hold in rudder and used throttle to manage the height.
Harriers are awesome, no wing rock and these little 2.3 can be spun around with a blip of throttle and full rudder with no signs of stalling.
Reminded me of my little shockflyer at slow speeds.
These are simply a very under-rated plane that once you've seen one fly you'll want one.
I love mine and can't wait to fly it again.
I have no photo's as yet but can take some if anybody's intrested.

A special thanks to Ian Howard at desert aircraft Australia (composite arf rep) for all the items required for this plane and helpful
advice.
regards Glenn Orchard
Mildura, Australia.

Shortman

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Sounds awesome, I know Rick P has one with a DA 50 and tuned pipe. About the only people I know flying them.

JohnVH

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Desert Aircraft also has a 2.3 with a DA50 on a pipe, I have vid of it, will be on our site tomorrow, so stay tuned!

GoeKeli

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Awesome Glen! I bet you get quite a bit more outta that engine after breakin!
Get some video if you can and share it!
That is great John. I have been waiting to see some video.!~)

Joe

Shortman

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Isn't that Brian Hueffmire's 2.3M comp arf?

krayzc-RCU

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sounds bad to the glass

JohnVH

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Yep, and Jason Shulman is flying it too

RickP

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Glen,
I pressed mine into service when I lost the 2.6 in a mid air. I only fly Basic but after some trimming the plane is rock solid now. My friend who also flys advanced flew it and he had no problems putting it though it's paces, it looked locked on when he flew it - I don't know what my problem is LOL.

I haven't done much 3D with it yet - mostly concentrating on sequence work, but it is an awsome combo. How do you like the snaps? Snaps awsome for me.

Did you make a front mount for the Pipe? I didn't and I had allot of problems. Cracked the header. I got a new MTW header (Larger diameter SS and it has a peice of flex pipe brazed on). With two mounts on the pipe I've had no problems.

Please get some pics if you can, check out my thread for some pics too.
RickP

RickP

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You can see the pipe and front mount here. Nice stuff....

krayzc-RCU

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wow u may have something or just started a trend with this deal i am drooling

JohnVH

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Just wait till you see the vid!! Be up within an hour!!

JohnVH

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here it is!!

[link=http://www.composite-arf-world.com/compositearfworld/httpdocs/videos.htm][/link]

GlennO

Hi RickP,

I supported my header pipe in a similar way you did yours in the picture.
I simply made a ply mount for the header to rest in, so far no signs of it breaking, it is
early days of course (8 FLIGHTS OLD).
I will take some picture of mine tonight and post them asap.
I have only one battery pack inside the cowl and it still maybe a tad tail heavy.
After reading your posts before I started on mine, I made sure all my installation was well forward, and also used
a carbon tube on the stab(very important) the supplied one is way to heavy!!!

I have a 2.6 underway at the moment with a DA100 it should also be a winner!!!!!
Hate cutting out those grills.

regards Glenn Orchard
Mildura, Australia.

RickP

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Glen,
If you get a chance please show me where you mounted your rudder servo, See mine in the pic, too much tail weight at this location - I have to work on moving it. Plus I painted it so that may have made it slightly more tail heavy. I already have the CF stab tube .7oz compared to 2.3oz for the aluminum one. I have .4# of lead in the nose.


You also inspired me yeasterday to blow out of work early and get to the field. I had to try some 3D LOL. I figured after 4+ gallons it was time. You are right, rock solid in the harrier. It felt real comfortable and I had it down to no mistakes high pretty quickly in the first flight. It doesn't have the punch I'd like out of the TR, reminds me a little of the little train that thought he could - I think I can... I think I can.... But it does get the job done - vertical exit. After looking at the vid of Brians - he has much more punch. I imagine a 23-8 would be the way to go. Right now I have a 23-10.
RickP

didiwatt

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Brian:
Well done. I am just finishing up mine with the same set-up. Glad you chimmed in about a front mount on the header, will do it immediately. Did you get both the wing and tail tubes from Frazier? If I e-mailed him an order, can I just tell him it is for the 2.3 just like yours? Are you using just one servo per airleron?
Paul

Rick P:
I figured out a way to mount the rudder set-up in front of the wing tube and under the fuel tank. Will take a picture when I get it all set up. I am using just one 8611 but there would be room for 2 with this set-up.

RickP

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Paul,
Please, I'd love to see your set up. I am also using one 8611, please update with a picture when you can. When is the first flight? Also, Which header did you wind up with?
RickP

krayzc-RCU

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Edge540s
what r the main factors u feel to be so light i saw one at a imac a few weeks ago with a bme 110 at the flyer was so happy that he was 23 llbs with smoke, and plenty of carbon fiber goodies?

Shortman

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BME 110 in a plane made around a 50cc?

krayzc-RCU

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oops wrong size my bad

Shortman

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Going to say,I have heard of one guy putting a ZDZ 100NG in a 2.3M just for the heck of it. BME110 would be insane.

GlennO

RickP,

I would give a 23x8 prop a go, I am really happy with the performance with that size prop.
I used the standard rudder set-up with just a couple of mods.
The tray is higher, and is supported only by the rear of tank tray and the sides of the fuse.
It does not attach to the floor. That way the pipe can pass down the fuse easily.
I have all my radio, battery packs, ignition, etc in or in front of the engine dome.
That combined with the carbon stab tube, will have it balance just fine.
In fact I think I may even be able to move the 5 sell sub C RX battery pack back into the dome
away from the motor, as it may be a bit nose heavy now.
I will take some photo's today, will have them posted within the next 24hrs
stay tuned.

regards Glenn Orchard
Mildura, Australia.

krayzc-RCU

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edge 540 what kind of rpm for the 23 x 8 also is that a mejzlik?

GlennO

its a mejzlik,not sure on the rpm, can tach it next time and post it if you like.

regards Glenn Orchard
Mildura, Australia.

krayzc-RCU

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edge what other props have u tried?

GlennO

The 23x8 is all I have tried. Ian from desert aircraft here in Aus suggested this
prop on advice from Dave Johnston at DA.
It seems to be a good match for this motor/pipe set-up.
I fly imac here, and enjoy doing a bit of 3d stuff as well, I found this prop to be well
suited for both types of flying.
Hovering was good as was up lines in imac flying.
The motor is only 8 flights old and still a tad rich, it will get stonger with time i'm sure.
I am heading home now to take some pics of my set-up and will post them asap.

I'm sure this little plane will be a real hit once the word gets out.
I know of a guy who saw mine fly on Sunday and ordered one the very next day he was so
impressed with the flight performance.

I also found that once the DA50 had been ran, no further choking was required, I have never seen this before with the
DA100s.
I simply flicked it once and she ran.....awesome stuff from this little motor.
Another thing I found was the choke lever was hard to get an extention to and bring outside the cowl.
All I did was bend a piece of say 2-56 wire with a 90 degree bend and reach inside the front of the cowl to the choke
then remove the wire.
Nice and simple, no hassles.

regards Glenn Orchard.
Australia..