When I saw Horizon had these on sale for $179.99 I HAD to get 1! Glad I did! Here's the maiden flight highlights.
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Maidened My Radian XL!
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I loved (past tense) my Radian XL as well. Had many great flights until one day I decided to get a bit "aerobatic" with the plane. I attempted to dive bomb straight down with the intention of pulling up 100' feet or so above the ground (a maneuver I love doing with my sport gliders) . As the plane was descending the main wing and tail started to flex and vibrate violently leaving me with zero elevator control. I don't know if I overloaded the tail servos or really what happened, but it was impossible to pull up and the plane crashed nose first into a grove of trees. Just a word of caution, be careful at high speeds.
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Originally posted by Marco Polo View PostI loved (past tense) my Radian XL as well. Had many great flights until one day I decided to get a bit "aerobatic" with the plane. I attempted to dive bomb straight down with the intention of pulling up 100' feet or so above the ground (a maneuver I love doing with my sport gliders) . As the plane was descending the main wing and tail started to flex and vibrate violently leaving me with zero elevator control. I don't know if I overloaded the tail servos or really what happened, but it was impossible to pull up and the plane crashed nose first into a grove of trees. Just a word of caution, be careful at high speeds.
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Did the same thing with mine , wing snapped right off. This plane is not to be used to do any high speed moves with. This was after having it for two years , I guess I got to comfortable with it.BVM Bandit, EFlite Carbon Z T-28, EFlite Carbon Z Cub, EFlite Promethus, FW Avanti S, FW A-10 ThunderBolt, FW P-51 Mustang, EFlite Convergance, EFlite Carbon Z Cessna 150, EFlite Habu, EFlite Styker Q-F27, HSD Navy Super Viper
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Reinforced the wings about half a foot from the center of the wing out on each side with white duct tape. All the leading edge with clear packing tape, one right at the edge and another strip starting the curve of the top wing. Placed another strip at the top center of the wing side to side. Yes, it may have added some weight, but can do hammerheads, loops, rolls, Immelman, Cuban 8s, etc. At the beginning they were sloppy and out of sync do to the large wingspan, but after a few batteries, they really looked smooth and graceful.
The wings do flex, but so far after one year of heavy flying, the wings in one piece. The one thing maneuver it does not like is a very aggressive dive perpendicular to the ground, if it catches too much speed the weak servos and small controls is not enough. When doing them, enough altitude, rudder and flaps ready.
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My left wing snapped off coming out of a big loop, plane destroyed. Now I own a FMS FOX 3000m glider, with stronger wings.BVM Bandit, EFlite Carbon Z T-28, EFlite Carbon Z Cub, EFlite Promethus, FW Avanti S, FW A-10 ThunderBolt, FW P-51 Mustang, EFlite Convergance, EFlite Carbon Z Cessna 150, EFlite Habu, EFlite Styker Q-F27, HSD Navy Super Viper
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I've had no problem with the wings or tail. Done loops, but I've done them at reasonable speeds. Coming out of a thermal, instead of diving I do a spin with the spoilers out (so it doesn't build up too much speed).
Knock on wood I guess!! I am not going to try a terminal velocity dive after reading post #2!
I use a 4-cell 1500 pack, I get much better climb performance. However, it does put a lot more stress on the plane and I have to be careful not to use full power. 2 years ago I was climbing out too aggressively, and the entire motor/prop broke out and flew right out of the nose! I was able to land the plane successfully but didn't find the motor & prop until a year later! (That model became spare parts for my second RXL, which I have been enjoying a lot.Marc flies FW & FL: AL37, MiG-29, T45,F4, A4, A10, F104 70 and 90, P38, Dauntless SBD, Corsair, B17, B24, B26 & P61, Lipp.P19, ME262, Komets, Vampire, SeaVixen, FMS Tigercat, FOX Glider & Radian XL.
Rabid Models foamies, including my 8' B17 & 9' B36... and my Mud Ducks! www.rabidmodels.com
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Originally posted by themudduck View PostI've had no problem with the wings or tail. Done loops, but I've done them at reasonable speeds. Coming out of a thermal, instead of diving I do a spin with the spoilers out (so it doesn't build up too much speed).
Knock on wood I guess!! I am not going to try a terminal velocity dive after reading post #2!
I use a 4-cell 1500 pack, I get much better climb performance. However, it does put a lot more stress on the plane and I have to be careful not to use full power. 2 years ago I was climbing out too aggressively, and the entire motor/prop broke out and flew right out of the nose! I was able to land the plane successfully but didn't find the motor & prop until a year later! (That model became spare parts for my second RXL, which I have been enjoying a lot.BVM Bandit, EFlite Carbon Z T-28, EFlite Carbon Z Cub, EFlite Promethus, FW Avanti S, FW A-10 ThunderBolt, FW P-51 Mustang, EFlite Convergance, EFlite Carbon Z Cessna 150, EFlite Habu, EFlite Styker Q-F27, HSD Navy Super Viper
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The new Fox Glider, is marketed as a aerobatic glider. I've never considered the XL as such and I've always avoided heavy aerobatics with it. Just inspecting the wing sections, you can see there is minimal structural reinforcements in it and I've always feared that it wouldn't take much g's.
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Originally posted by xviper View PostThe new Fox Glider, is marketed as a aerobatic glider. I've never considered the XL as such and I've always avoided heavy aerobatics with it. Just inspecting the wing sections, you can see there is minimal structural reinforcements in it and I've always feared that it wouldn't take much g's.BVM Bandit, EFlite Carbon Z T-28, EFlite Carbon Z Cub, EFlite Promethus, FW Avanti S, FW A-10 ThunderBolt, FW P-51 Mustang, EFlite Convergance, EFlite Carbon Z Cessna 150, EFlite Habu, EFlite Styker Q-F27, HSD Navy Super Viper
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Go to Horizon hobby site under Radian XL and that is where the update bulletin about the glue joints on the left-wing slide joints have to be corrected or your wing will snap off in flight.
Who knew to go there to look for this bulletin after you purchase the plane.
That's what upset at me so much why I bought a different plane.BVM Bandit, EFlite Carbon Z T-28, EFlite Carbon Z Cub, EFlite Promethus, FW Avanti S, FW A-10 ThunderBolt, FW P-51 Mustang, EFlite Convergance, EFlite Carbon Z Cessna 150, EFlite Habu, EFlite Styker Q-F27, HSD Navy Super Viper
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Originally posted by t33jetman View PostGo to Horizon hobby site under Radian XL and that is where the update bulletin about the glue joints on the left-wing slide joints have to be corrected or your wing will snap off in flight.
Who knew to go there to look for this bulletin after you purchase the plane.
That's what upset at me so much why I bought a different plane.
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Originally posted by fox flyer View PostActually more cycles on the airframe will make it more prone to failure. Hope that doesn't happen though!
This Fox, I'll likely fly the bag off it and do crazy stuff with it so it'll be interesting to see how long it'll last.
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