HobbyKing Online R/C Hobby Store : Decathlon EP 48.9 inch ARF

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14/08/2010
hadirabie (32%)
i have been flying heli's for more than a year now..and i decided i should try a fixed wing. i bought this one and now im stuck with the installation of :
1- the rear wheel, its supposed to be conncted to the rudder ? how can i do so ?
2-the split elevators , how can i connect them both ?
3-the front wheels , how can i assemble them and connect them to the landing gear ?

the manual does not show how to do these steps , please guys , any help is appreciated.
thanks

29/07/2010
Panos (77%)
Hi, is 35-42C 1100Kv motor a direct fit on this aeroplane? Will I have to buy something more? What propeller do I have to use?

23/07/2010
Giba (39%)
My kit came missing pieces

23/07/2010
Giba (39%)
O meu kit veio faltando peas

23/07/2010
Giba (39%)
veio faltando peas

5/06/2010
Align38 (67%)
what you need to complete that kit ? (please give somes references :) )

Align38 (67%)
what spinner i need with ***********hobbycity****/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=8826 and ***********hobbycity****/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=7073 Thanks!

magnusEl (80%)
.hobbycity****/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=9078&Product_Name=Spinner_45diam_/_4mm_shaft

If I was going to use a spinner on my Decathlon ,I would use this one.

This customer was awarded a credit for their answer.

flying on (55%)
If you use a 4mm shaft spinner, don't forget you can't fit it on with the supplied motor mount.You need to run one of HK's adjustable alloy motor mount (smaller one)as the motor shaft will not sit out to put the spinner on.

réal bertrand (43%)
nice plaine i will tray white the s21 asp

6/12/2009
aei66 (50%)
Whether there will be lateral glasses, how in the original?

6/12/2009
aei66 (50%)
I have already bought model of yellow colour! Now I wish to buy in red registration!Whether will be on sale of model of other colours?

CHORT (80%)
For information, if you have to repare it, use the cyan-yellow (105) to cover it.

4/12/2009
mrdrifter (47%)
does anyone know the dimensions of the 2 front and 1 back wheels of the plane,so that i buy some foam-wheels replacements?

Thanks a lot!!

flying on (55%)
Front wheels are 45mm x 11mm and tail wheel
is 25mm x 11mm.The tail wheel works well but
you can fit a 55mmx18mm wheel in the pants
at the most. hope this helps someone. I wish I
knew when I purchase this plane

29/09/2009
HeyOB (79%)
My flight review as promised, better late than never.Finally finished the build and have had the last couple months too fly this Decathon. First off I want to thank the guys on the decathlon blog which was really helpful in the build, since the intructions are lacking a whole lot. Ran into the same probs as everone else ie the alum wing joiner tube, but with some grinding with an orbital sander it fit fine. Had a prob with the tail wheel, seems the factory left out the needed bend. All in all its a great well made quality plane. I'm using the Turnigy 35-42 along with a Turnigy 40 amp esc 4 hxt900 servos and a 10X4.7SF prop. I discarded the wheel pants and added larger foam wheels for grass use. I found I needed to trim the cowl approx 3/8 inch on the top edge where it meets the windscreen batt hatch so I could have enough prop shaft exposed to mount the prop adapter.I installed clear windows and using spectrum 2.4 ar6200 rec. For the battery I'm using a Turnigy 2200mah 20c. I can fly at 1/3 to 1/2 throttle and limit flights to 10min for safety but could go 14min with no problems. The plane flys really great and is super stable. It needs alittle speed for landing as I find It's not a floater. The landing gear is very strong and should not be a concern, as they have survived a couple good thumps early on. I recommend this really great fun plane, but not to a complete beginner by oneself

17/09/2009
tt-600 (66%)
can I give up the wings strouts?
becouse it makes the wing un detouchable!

22/08/2009
PowderCZ (92%)
Hi all.
Can someone please tell me what the color of the yelow coverage exactly is?
(eg. Solid mid-Yellow, Cyan-Yellow covering film etc. ...?)

Thx

19/08/2009
Sabrehawk (54%)
I now have a video of it flying in my build thread. Check the forums. Wasnt done as good as I'd like, but the youngster did the best he could.

9/08/2009
Dangaras (51%)
I just lost my Decathlon this afternoon! Terrible crash. The split elevators held together by that single wire was the culprit & the HXT900 servo locked, would not move until I forced it free and now the gears are stripped.

I was in shallow dive, very much like a landing approach, when I tried to level out, nothing happened!!!!! {:-{

Boy was I stunned. The plane drive into ground at a 30 degree angle, destroyed the entire front section, bent the aluminum wing rod and twisted the landing gear to hell. I am surprised the motor, battery & wings came away relatively unscathed.

I am buying a replacement right now. But I have to find a better way to secure the elevators & maybe look for a stronger Servo.

Sabrehawk (54%)
So sorry to hear of your crash. But I dont see how the elevator can be blamed. Sounds more like your servo locking up that caused this.
Mine hasnt had any issues flying, and is a smooth flying aircraft with no bad habits at all.
A very strong airframe, and contrary to what some say, the landing gear is quite stout. Im lovin it.

Dangaras (51%)
I tend to agree that the 900 servo locking was the final straw for this camel. I was sooooooooo happy with this bird. Too bad, I hope the replacement flies as well.

Sabrehawk (54%)
Yes Dangaras, I feel your pain and I hope the replacement one arrives soon. I know how it is, been there myself. It's so much more painful to have a built up plane crash than a foamie any day. And yes I too am very happy with mine.
Now me, im using Eflite's S75 servos and also eflite motor(Park480) and ESC(40amp Pro). Batteries are from HK and am using 1500mah ones for now but have two 2200mah Flightmax batteries on their way to me.

29/07/2009
Phonic (62%)
Does any one know if you can use this one, or any other EP from HK with glow ingines...?

GEORGE (35%)
I FOUND THE SAME KIT IN EBAY WITH 2 DIFFERENT ENGINE MOUNTS.. ONE FOR GLOW .25 ONE FOR ELE...IT HAS ALSO THE WINDOWS..TO PUT IT ON ..THE PLANE..
I CHECK MANY TIMES MY MODEL AGAINST THE MODEL IN EBAY ..THEY ARE IDENTICAL..( FROM SAME MANUFACTURE..)
BUT /// MY 2 CENTS..YOU DONT WANT TO PUT IN THIS SIZE MODEL .. NITRO ENGINE.. ITS FINE FLYING WITH 2200 LIPO ...
VERY BEAUTIFULL ...WITH A LOT OF POWER.35-42C TURNIGY ....TRY THE 1100 KV///EQUALS.. IN 30-35 NITRO ENGINE...AND BECAUSE IS NOT SO BIG AIRPLANE.. YOU DONT HAVE TO WORRY FOR FUEL ..PLUGS.. THE ENGINE DOESNT START.. ETC..IF YOU BUY A 40 CLASS MODEL ./.YES YOU NEED A NITRO ENGINE BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ..ESC.. AND WHAT EVER IS GOING TO COST..A LOT/// BUT .25 CLASS AIRPLANES.. IS PERFECT AND CHEAP FOR EP !!!

KS photo (64%)
Hi George,
I like your thoughts just next time please lose the caps lock. *)

23/07/2009
Malonso (55%)
Does it have battery hatch? And, are the wings removable?, I mean, can you dissasemble both semi-wings or you have to glue both together?

22/07/2009
Freewind (84%)
What keeps me from buying one of these beauties are the high shipment costs #^&%^&(*(

KS photo (64%)
$40.00 shipping to Canada the slower way. $62.00 the quick way.$100.00 - $120.00 for a nicely built up plane is not bad. I would love to have all the colours HK has to offer of this product. It will be a future purchase.

6/07/2009
Dangaras (51%)
I am having issues mounting the Turnigy 28-30 motor. I have to mount it backwards inside the engine mount with the shaft protruding forward. The mount requires some additional drilling and dremmel work to make it fit correctly, however the prop adapter does not protrude far enough forward through the cowl to allow a prop to be attached.

HAs anyone else run into this issue? Besides cutting down the engine mount, is there another solution?

runerally (55%)

see this link a lot of info

***********hobbycity****/hobbycity/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1685&PN=1

ryan (63%)
i had the same issue. motor mount and motor would not fit in cowl. ended up mounting a Eflite stick mount. works great. love the airplane

AlexinOz (87%)
I cut the engine mount shorter to fit my Turnigy 35-36C in there. Loaded it up with epoxy and it's as solid as rock :)

2/07/2009
ian (78%)
Nice quality , pretty tough as well ( dont ask how I know ). Not for the out right beginner though , requires to be flown all the way to the strip , if slowed to much will tip stall . Aerobatics are a breeze . Would buy another.
Cheers Ian

26/06/2009
CHORT (80%)
Be carefull with the landing gear (lg size: 140 mm / 20 mm) You need 4 servos (2 for the ailerons)Is flying very well but I think that it s not a plane for absolute beginner, ! It s very easy to change the battery removing the canopy.

6/06/2009
p.chats (55%)
Hi guys,
Can someone please tell me what the measurements of the shipped box is??
Thanks in advance... Paul

magnusEl (80%)

Box size is 76cm x 27cm x 19,5cm.

This customer was awarded a credit for their answer.

5/06/2009
diamondd7711 (77%)
What size is the landing gear for this plane. I want to get the carbon fiber landing gear to replace the stock one when I get this plane.

Freewind (84%)
How strong is the landing gear ? Al the little ep - ARF planes i bought have weak l.g's

AlexinOz (87%)
I bought a spare landing gear set - but not really needed. I haven't had the softest of landings but it has held up fine. Very ***py field where I am, no soft grass or tarmac to land on either.

2/05/2009
Richard (63%)
Is this a 4 channel airplane with ailerons? it does not say in the desciption.

speedy72vega (59%)
The plane in the picture certainly has aeilerons, so I would say yes.

AlexinOz (87%)
Yes 4 channels, you need a Y lead to connect the ailerons together (or mix in 5 channels)

1/05/2009
iansydbr (60%)
Where is the battery fitted and how hard is it to change?

ian (78%)
Nice quality , pretty tough as well ( dont ask how I know ). Not for the out right beginner though , requires to be flown all the way to the strip , if slowed to much will tip stall . Aerobatics are a breeze . Would buy another.
Cheers Ian

3/04/2009
RaWe (97%)
Couldn't resist huying this for my friends to get them started on the hobby. So lets see if it can do the job as a trainer for absolute beginners..

p.chats (55%)
and does it?

mwilhelm100 (65%)
How did it go as a trainer ?

GEORGE (35%)
NOT FOR BEGGINERSS...IT HAS FASTER APROACH SPEED THAN OTHER TRAINING PLANES... ( IT LOOKS LIKE A PIPPER CUB BUT IS NOT IT HAS AEROBATIC CAPABBILITIES..) MY FIRST AIRPLANE WAS THE FOAM CESSNA 5 CH WITH FLAPS ... THIS PLANE CAN GO SLOW AND BECAUSE IS FOAM .. HAS GOOD RESISTANCE I HAD 14 YEARS TO FLY PLANES... AND EVERY THING JUST WENT .. PERFECT FOR ME.. AFTER I FLEW THE CESSNA THEN I BOUGHT THE DECATHLON .. AND I HAS HIGHER APROACH SPEED..

AlexinOz (87%)
A great second plane - too pretty to crash when learning :)

GEORGE (35%)
HOW MANY EXTENSIONS YOU USED HOW LONG AND HOW MANY ?? ALSO THE MANUAL SAYS ABOUT 16 GRM SERVOS.. I HAVE 5 SERVOS 9 GRAM...

GEORGE (35%)
I BOUGHT SERVOS OF 16GM FORGET THE 9GM SERVO....2 FOR AILERONS 1 RUDER 1 ELEVATOR.. YOU HAVE TO BUY 1 MTR SERVO CABLE AND CONNECTORS THE PROBLEM IS IN THE AILERONS,...YOU HAVE TO MAKE EXTENSIONS OF 30CM NO PROBLEM FOR ELEVATOR OR RUDER ,, IF YOU PUT IT INSIDE IN THE PLANE.. BUT THERE ARE POSSITION TO PUT THEM OUTSIDE.. IN THE TAIL ...(AS 3D PLANES SO YOU GO TO NEED MORE EXTENSION IT UP TO YOU ,)
MOTOR I BOUGHT,, THE 1000 KV TURNIGY 35-42D ( WITH 11X8 PROP) FLYIES PERFECT NICE WITH 50% THROTLE AND A LOT OF POWER TO DO ...WHAT EVER.BECAUSE THIS MOTORS RECOMENDS 12 PROP ..AND THE AIRPLANE IS BUILD UP TO 12 PROP ..(FROM 10 TO 12 ) IF SOME ONE BUY THIS KIT PUT THE 1100KV 3542 MOTOR!! IT WILL SWING THE 11 MUCH BETTER.. ESC 40 TO 50 I USE WITH ALL MODELS EXTRA BEC.AND NOT THE BEC FROM CONTROLLER.PERIOD!!!. I DONT WANT TO LOSSE MODEL FROM BURN ESC AND IS VERY CHEAP .. TURNIGY 3-5 AMP ... FEW BUCKS
I FLEW THE MODEL WITH 2200 3CELL TURNIGY 20C YOU HAVE FOR 50% THROTLE 14 MINUTES... BUT I BELIEVE THE BATTERY ... OF 4000MAH 3 CELL OR THE 3000MAH ITS JUST FINE.. I DONT RECOMEND IT FOR FIRST AIRPLANE..ITS NOT SO SLOW IN APROACH .. EVEN WITH FLAPELERONS ITS BALLONING IN SLOW SPEED.. BUT ITS NOT SCARY ...JUST NOT FOR SOME ONE THAT HAS NEVER FLY BEFORE...!! VERY BEAUTIFULL ALL WOOD.. AND IT CAN TURN VERY FAST IT HAS FAST RESPONSE.. AND BECAUSE THE WING AREA IS NOT SO BIG... CAN HANDLE WINDS MORE EASY ..THAN OTHER PLANES IN THE SAME CATEGORY ...I AM VERY HAPPY !!! AND FOR SO LITLE MONEY ....WOWWWWWWWW

GEORGE (35%)
MY 2 CENTS...IF YOU BUY IT BUY ALSO ... IN THE PARTS AND ACC TAIL GEAR OR0025-00601 FOR 3.91 US ALSO THE MAIN WHEELS ARE 50MM IF YOU FLY IN AREAS NOT SMOOTH YOU HAVE TO BUY BIGGER WHEELS 60MM OR 65MM AND TAKE OUT THE FARINGS ( BECAUSE THEY WILL BRAKE AS MINE. :p:p:p)

KS photo (64%)
Please lose the caps.

kyrre (16%)
Does anybody know how the wings are attached? I hope they dont have to be glued on.

KLEMEN (96%)
Hi,
there is only one screw on each side and reinforcement sticks which you can see on picture....so, no glue *)

AlexinOz (87%)
There is a fibreglass hole in each wing, and you get an aluminium pipe you slide the wings on to.

Mine was a very tight fit, needed a bit of sanding inside the wings. I leave my plane intact, it is too much of a pain to remove the wings each time because I'd need to remove the wing struts each flight as well then.

They don't need to be glued on, but I recommend you leave it fully assembled once you've made it.

elder (71%)
To the ones who bought it already: Is it really good looking and well finished as it's shown ?!

AlexinOz (87%)
Yep, after you cut the windows out it is great. I've flown mine a fair few times and it is an absolute joy. Handles superbly.

Felar Furlong (88%)
there must be a side windows, are they included?

Victor (68%)
i think you have to cut em out yourself.

Felar Furlong (88%)
for sure. but what about clear plastic parts?

scott (85%)
they are flat, go to walmart or an office supply place and get some of that clear over head projector stuff. it's the size of a sheet of paper. cut it to fit and use clear silicone to attach it.

Lunkentuss (70%)
Strange. I just built one of these but that one had tinted windows all ower.

KLEMEN (96%)
I think, that this is a model without windows, because the one I bought had holes already made and there was also plastic covers wich I attached them with glue.
So, this is just a plane with little less windows :)

HeyOB (79%)
I had an old three ring binder with a clear plastic cover pocket on it which I cut off and used for the window material. Using the cut outs as templates and making the clear windows alittle oversize I glued them from the inside of the plane with cockpit glue giving a nice clean look to the plane

Pisaneli (67%)
It makes me wanna buy you cause you're so beautiful.

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