Originally posted by themudduck
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Hey Guys,
I'd like to write a brief report about flying the B-24 with 3-cell packs. (everything on my model is stock by the way, I have Witchcraft)
I was flying mine yesterday afternoon, and started with the 4-cell 3600's that I usually use. As many of you know, the plane is a rocket ship. It will leap of the ground in about 10 feet and has absolute unlimited vertical. Of course that kind of performance is similar to my OS.45-powered stunt plane, but is a little (slightly) uncharacteristic for a bomber. To each his own - for me, it just doesn't seem right flying this plane at speeds that for a full-size Liberator, would be supersonic. So I tool around at low power and that makes me happy. Its nice to have that extra burst when you want it, and say to my friends "hey watch this" and watch their mouths drop.
So I've been wanting to try a 3-cell pack but I was waiting to gain some flight time (and some good weather) before doing that, and yesterday was the day. I used 3-cell Admiral 3600's. One placed in the tray all the way forward, the other one was on top and all the way up front to the foam bulkhead - which placed it out of reach of the strap, but the canopy locked it in nicely (the strap held the wires). I had to push the battery forward like that in order for the model to balance. ITs important of course, with smaller batteries that was my main concern. But everything checked out fine and my hypothesis was that the model wouldn't need as much power, since it would be lighter. Less power draw = longer flights. (I didn't weigh it).
Well I'm very pleased to report that it flew extremely well. I was surprised that with the 3-cell packs it still had plenty of power for takeoff, in fact it took off with authority (but somewhat more realistically). And I was able to cruise around at less than 1/2 throttle. The model still flew around at a pretty good clip - it wasn't like it was just plodding along - the only thing that was missing was that it wouldn't go vertical. At full power it would climb at a nice angle, say 45 degrees, but eventually would lose steam. I was able to loop from level flight without any problem at all (it did not need full power to do that). The best part was the landing, when I came in (full flaps on final) I was able to hold the nose WAY up and when it touched down, it started flying again. It was definitely "light on its feet". What a *****cat.
After landing, the batteries were at 3.8 volts per cell - that was a after a 5-minute flight, and its the exact same time and results as I got from my 4-cell pack. (I could fly longer I am sure, I just haven't pushed it yet)
I would encourage everyone strongly that you do NOT have to use 4-cell packs in this plane, its just not necessary. You can save some money and enjoy a terrific flying experience with 3-cell packs. The only thing you can't do is fly "3D style" or whatever you want to call it when you fly this plane like an Extra 330. Maybe with larger 3-cell packs (like a 5000mah) you could fly for a lot longer. Have fun, with whatever you decide to do!
I'd like to write a brief report about flying the B-24 with 3-cell packs. (everything on my model is stock by the way, I have Witchcraft)
I was flying mine yesterday afternoon, and started with the 4-cell 3600's that I usually use. As many of you know, the plane is a rocket ship. It will leap of the ground in about 10 feet and has absolute unlimited vertical. Of course that kind of performance is similar to my OS.45-powered stunt plane, but is a little (slightly) uncharacteristic for a bomber. To each his own - for me, it just doesn't seem right flying this plane at speeds that for a full-size Liberator, would be supersonic. So I tool around at low power and that makes me happy. Its nice to have that extra burst when you want it, and say to my friends "hey watch this" and watch their mouths drop.
So I've been wanting to try a 3-cell pack but I was waiting to gain some flight time (and some good weather) before doing that, and yesterday was the day. I used 3-cell Admiral 3600's. One placed in the tray all the way forward, the other one was on top and all the way up front to the foam bulkhead - which placed it out of reach of the strap, but the canopy locked it in nicely (the strap held the wires). I had to push the battery forward like that in order for the model to balance. ITs important of course, with smaller batteries that was my main concern. But everything checked out fine and my hypothesis was that the model wouldn't need as much power, since it would be lighter. Less power draw = longer flights. (I didn't weigh it).
Well I'm very pleased to report that it flew extremely well. I was surprised that with the 3-cell packs it still had plenty of power for takeoff, in fact it took off with authority (but somewhat more realistically). And I was able to cruise around at less than 1/2 throttle. The model still flew around at a pretty good clip - it wasn't like it was just plodding along - the only thing that was missing was that it wouldn't go vertical. At full power it would climb at a nice angle, say 45 degrees, but eventually would lose steam. I was able to loop from level flight without any problem at all (it did not need full power to do that). The best part was the landing, when I came in (full flaps on final) I was able to hold the nose WAY up and when it touched down, it started flying again. It was definitely "light on its feet". What a *****cat.
After landing, the batteries were at 3.8 volts per cell - that was a after a 5-minute flight, and its the exact same time and results as I got from my 4-cell pack. (I could fly longer I am sure, I just haven't pushed it yet)
I would encourage everyone strongly that you do NOT have to use 4-cell packs in this plane, its just not necessary. You can save some money and enjoy a terrific flying experience with 3-cell packs. The only thing you can't do is fly "3D style" or whatever you want to call it when you fly this plane like an Extra 330. Maybe with larger 3-cell packs (like a 5000mah) you could fly for a lot longer. Have fun, with whatever you decide to do!
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