Originally posted by Alpha.MotionRC
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I forgot I wrote all that... it's good info :) I'd qualify my earlier statement though, that I was talking about the A-4 having the tallest nose wheel of the 80mm *scale* jets. The 80mm Avanti doesn't count in that comparison... As a fantasy jet, the Avanti was purposefully sized for grass operations and we weren't as constrained by "scale fidelity" since with the Avanti there is none.
Another note about grass, as this comes up in every new product thread... "grass" is a wide term. We design aircraft for EDF size, which determines the aircraft's size. From there, we're limited on wheel size, simply as a matter of overall proportions and aesthetics. It can only get so big before it looks funny. Having 3"-4" tall wheels on this A-4 or another 80mm sized scale jet would soak up a wider range of what each of us consider "grass", yes, but aesthetically it would look ridiculous. We always try to find a reasonable balance between aesthetics and performance. My scale race cars can't run on grass as well as my dune buggy. Fact of life.
T.J., welcome to Hobby Squawk! I've flown our A-4 many times off of short grass, about an inch tall. We've also flown it off of grass/dirt mix, although like any model aircraft, watch out for gopher holes, they can be killers! In China we fly wherever we can, to evaluate a range of surfaces. Most are surfaces we'd never expect to see in a proper Stateside model airfield suitable for EDFs in this scale. But we try it anyway until things break.
Taking off with the A-4 is similar to the F-86. With flaps the rollout is shortened somewhat. I apply full power immediately from idle to overcome the initial rolling resistance and at all times am watching for bounces caused by bumps in the grass. If the model bounces up too steeply, too soon, I'm ready to push the elevator forward. After 3-4 seconds from idle, however, I'm in the air. After the flight, part of surviving grass ops with 80mm jets is based on keeping landing speeds low and approaches flat. I don't like carrier landing the A-4 too steeply because, although it looks cool, the nose strut will invariably see higher strain. Like death and taxes, we can't escape physics. :)
Thanks for your support!
Another note about grass, as this comes up in every new product thread... "grass" is a wide term. We design aircraft for EDF size, which determines the aircraft's size. From there, we're limited on wheel size, simply as a matter of overall proportions and aesthetics. It can only get so big before it looks funny. Having 3"-4" tall wheels on this A-4 or another 80mm sized scale jet would soak up a wider range of what each of us consider "grass", yes, but aesthetically it would look ridiculous. We always try to find a reasonable balance between aesthetics and performance. My scale race cars can't run on grass as well as my dune buggy. Fact of life.
T.J., welcome to Hobby Squawk! I've flown our A-4 many times off of short grass, about an inch tall. We've also flown it off of grass/dirt mix, although like any model aircraft, watch out for gopher holes, they can be killers! In China we fly wherever we can, to evaluate a range of surfaces. Most are surfaces we'd never expect to see in a proper Stateside model airfield suitable for EDFs in this scale. But we try it anyway until things break.
Taking off with the A-4 is similar to the F-86. With flaps the rollout is shortened somewhat. I apply full power immediately from idle to overcome the initial rolling resistance and at all times am watching for bounces caused by bumps in the grass. If the model bounces up too steeply, too soon, I'm ready to push the elevator forward. After 3-4 seconds from idle, however, I'm in the air. After the flight, part of surviving grass ops with 80mm jets is based on keeping landing speeds low and approaches flat. I don't like carrier landing the A-4 too steeply because, although it looks cool, the nose strut will invariably see higher strain. Like death and taxes, we can't escape physics. :)
Thanks for your support!
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