'Park Flyer' mod Hobby King Me163 Komet maiden flight
Hobby King has produced a compact, EPO foam model of one of my favorite aircraft, the 1945 Messerschmidt Me163 'Komet', rocket-propelled interceptor. In its as-sold form, this model comes receiver-ready with all power system components and servos installed.
At first the 1000 watt, 3600Kv motor spinning a 4.1 in propeller sounded like lots of high-speed fun but at a very high ready-to-fly weight penalty. As small as this model is - 900mm wing span - the thought of the potentially high flight speed, high stall speed and minimal visibility made me decide on trying a totally opposite approach. Using an idea based on one of the forum posters on RCGroups, I went for a more 'park flyer' power level of roughly 150 watts, ligher weight and at the same time I also wanted to add an appropriate amount of real washout to the wings for the best possible low-speed handling. Mission accomplished! All requirements met and this is going to be one of my favorite e-powered models to fly.
More details and videos to come when time permits.