Hello.
This is a review of HobbyKing Pitts EPP.
Pitts EPP is an electric aerobatic biplane, made of EPP foam which is very resilient to crashes and almost unbreakable, thus very good for beginners.
Packaging :
As always - HK does a very good job packing their models. All parts were covered with bubble-wrap and taped to the box so they won't move or break.
A you can see - nothing was damaged or broken.
http://www.efly.co.il/forums/attachm...1&d=1287273643
Whats in the box ?
- EPP wings,fuse and tail
- 2212 1400KV 50g brushless motor + GWS 8040 prop
- Linkage hardware
- Black Fiberglass reinforcement rods
- Landing gear + wheel pants
- Instruction manual
http://www.efly.co.il/forums/attachm...1&d=1287273643
What you will need to complete the model :
- 1000-1300 3S Lipo
- 3pcs of 9g servo
- 20A ESC
- 4CH RX and TX
- Building materials : CA glue, CA accelerator, Ruler, hobby-knife
The Building :
The instructions in the manual were very clear. Each step is followed by an explanation and a color photo. There are 60 steps. The building took 5 hours.
Any beginner can build this model with such detailed instructions.
So let's begin:
Step 1 - Fuselage reinforcement rod
By using a ruler, some tape and hobby-knife I install the rod into the EPP. Glued it using CA.
http://www.efly.co.il/forums/attachm...1&d=1287273643
http://www.efly.co.il/forums/attachm...1&d=1287273643
Step 2 - Firewall asembly
Make sure you put it together straigt
http://www.efly.co.il/forums/attachm...1&d=1287273643
http://www.efly.co.il/forums/attachm...1&d=1287273643
Step 3 - Tail servo's installation
http://www.efly.co.il/forums/attachm...1&d=1287273643
http://www.efly.co.il/forums/attachm...1&d=1287273643
Step 4 - Canopy asembly
You will need to cut holes for the servo arms
http://www.efly.co.il/forums/attachm...1&d=1287273643
http://www.efly.co.il/forums/attachm...1&d=1287273643
Step 5 - Tail asembly
http://www.efly.co.il/forums/attachm...1&d=1287273643
http://www.efly.co.il/forums/attachm...1&d=1287273643
http://www.efly.co.il/forums/attachm...1&d=1287273643
http://www.efly.co.il/forums/attachm...1&d=1287273643
Step 6 - Wings assembly
One fiberglass rod is enough because we will ad balsa supports later.
http://www.efly.co.il/forums/attachm...1&d=1287273643
http://www.efly.co.il/forums/attachm...1&d=1287273643
Step 7 - Glueing the airlions servo arm extension
I added string for better bonding.
http://www.efly.co.il/forums/attachm...1&d=1287273643
http://www.efly.co.il/forums/attachm...1&d=1287273643
http://www.efly.co.il/forums/attachm...1&d=1287273643
Step 8 - Wings X reinforcement
You need to reinforce the wings using X shape from fiberglass rods, one X in each side. This stiffens the wings very much.
http://www.efly.co.il/forums/attachm...1&d=1287273643
Step 9 - Tail skid
http://www.efly.co.il/forums/attachm...1&d=1287273643
Test Flight :
This motor has a lot of power. It hovers just over 1/2 throttle, and has a very good vertical power at full throttle. Takeoff from the hand is easy. Takoff and landing on the the runway is very fun - you can takeoff after 5 meters or let it ride and slowly pull up so you get a nice scaly takeoff.
Taxi is very easy thanks to the surprisingly efficient rudder.
The rudder, althogh looks very small for a 3D plane, does an excellent job in the air. The Alirons don't have enough throw so I will need to add a carbon stripe so all the ailerons will move and not just the part that is close to the horn. Also I consider changing to a 14g 2.5KG servo. The 9g 1.6KG servo I used can't move the 4 ailerons to their desired end-point.
I coun't attempt much 3D flight because of this, and after I fix this I will post a 3D flight video.
Just flying the model was great fun, very stable and easy to fly, thus suitable for begginers and medium-level flyers.
Landing this model on the runway is so much fun - take a look at the second half of the video.
http://www.efly.co.il/forums/attachm...1&d=1287273643
In Conclusion :
This is a very good model both for begginers and for experienced pilots who want a fun 3D park flyer. Building is easy and fast, the price of the model is low and its flying characteristics are very good.
Just need to fix the airlions problem and it will probably be a great 3D plane :).
