How's it going my fellow Squawkers? I recently had the pleasure of building and flying the P2, and I thought I would give you guys a brief overview of my experience.
Packaging:
In the box, all of the parts were individually bagged, and everything was very secure. There was nothing loose or moving around, and all of the parts were in pristine condition.
The Build:
I set all of the parts out on my protective blanket, and got everything organized. I was pleasantly surprised to find a very low parts and connectors count. The main landing gear attached with four bolts, and a dummy smoke extension was glued on, and that was that.
The rudder is not on the airplane out of the box, but the fabric CA hinges were pre installed in the tail, and attaching the rudder was accomplished with a few drops of super glue. The tail wheel slid into its receiver, and a plate was attached with two screw to secure it. The rudder linkage was then installed on the ball link that is pre attached to the rudder.
One of the two stab halves was put into the plastic receiver and secured with one bolt, then the spar was installed, and the other half slid over it, and secured with one bolt. The elevator linkage was put on with the pre installed ball link.
The lower wing spar was slid into one half of the lower wing and slid into the slot on the fuselage. The other panel was put on, and then the wing attached with two bolts from the inside of the cavernous fuselage.
The upper wing was a little more difficult, and required the assistance of another person to get it to come together and the bolts screwed in. It attaches to the central cabane strut that is pre installed on the fuse. I could not hold the halves together and put the screws in at the same time. It was a simple operation with help though.
The outer cabanes then attached the two wings together with a pin that slides through plastic eyes that are embedded in the wing and strut.
The propeller is on a friction collet, and the spinner is finished with two screws.
This completed the build on this beautiful plane.
Finishing, Battery, and Balance:
I set all of the control surfaces up per my usual 3D plane settings, 120% travel for all on Flight Mode 1, 80% travel for all on Mode 2, and 60% for all on Mode 3. There are no recommended throws listed in the manual.
I like a high gloss finish on my planes, so to top this work of art off, I put two coats of Beacon Hobby Coat on the plane and it just shines.
I am using two(2) Turnigy 3S, 6000mAh, 65C Graphene batteries connected in series for power, and at the recommended 5 and a half inch mark from the leading edge of the top wing, the plane balanced beautifully with the batteries about an inch back from the firewall.
The Maiden:
I had run out of hook and loop tape to completely secure the battery, so I installed them using the provided and installed battery strap in the plane, and tightened it down as well as it would go. I am rather impatient, and I wanted to see the plane in the air, and make sure the balance was good.
The plane lifted off after full power was applied, and just WOW!! Hands off the plane continued a shallow climb-out, and I made a left hand turn to come down the field. Reduced the power to 3/4 throttle, and the airplane held its track perfectly. I did not put a single click of trim into the plane. I made three flat circuits with her(mindful the battery was only strapped), set up for, and executed a beautiful two point landing.
Closing Thought:
Horizon and E-Flite have a real winner here. The airplane is beautiful on the ground and in the air it is stunning. Quick and easy assembly, with thought provided for ease of disassembly for transportation, ample room for a wide variety of batteries, and accessories (I have installed the MrRC Smoke System, but haven't flown it with it yet), and just a pure joy to fly. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a truly versatile and beautiful airplane.
Packaging:
In the box, all of the parts were individually bagged, and everything was very secure. There was nothing loose or moving around, and all of the parts were in pristine condition.
The Build:
I set all of the parts out on my protective blanket, and got everything organized. I was pleasantly surprised to find a very low parts and connectors count. The main landing gear attached with four bolts, and a dummy smoke extension was glued on, and that was that.
The rudder is not on the airplane out of the box, but the fabric CA hinges were pre installed in the tail, and attaching the rudder was accomplished with a few drops of super glue. The tail wheel slid into its receiver, and a plate was attached with two screw to secure it. The rudder linkage was then installed on the ball link that is pre attached to the rudder.
One of the two stab halves was put into the plastic receiver and secured with one bolt, then the spar was installed, and the other half slid over it, and secured with one bolt. The elevator linkage was put on with the pre installed ball link.
The lower wing spar was slid into one half of the lower wing and slid into the slot on the fuselage. The other panel was put on, and then the wing attached with two bolts from the inside of the cavernous fuselage.
The upper wing was a little more difficult, and required the assistance of another person to get it to come together and the bolts screwed in. It attaches to the central cabane strut that is pre installed on the fuse. I could not hold the halves together and put the screws in at the same time. It was a simple operation with help though.
The outer cabanes then attached the two wings together with a pin that slides through plastic eyes that are embedded in the wing and strut.
The propeller is on a friction collet, and the spinner is finished with two screws.
This completed the build on this beautiful plane.
Finishing, Battery, and Balance:
I set all of the control surfaces up per my usual 3D plane settings, 120% travel for all on Flight Mode 1, 80% travel for all on Mode 2, and 60% for all on Mode 3. There are no recommended throws listed in the manual.
I like a high gloss finish on my planes, so to top this work of art off, I put two coats of Beacon Hobby Coat on the plane and it just shines.
I am using two(2) Turnigy 3S, 6000mAh, 65C Graphene batteries connected in series for power, and at the recommended 5 and a half inch mark from the leading edge of the top wing, the plane balanced beautifully with the batteries about an inch back from the firewall.
The Maiden:
I had run out of hook and loop tape to completely secure the battery, so I installed them using the provided and installed battery strap in the plane, and tightened it down as well as it would go. I am rather impatient, and I wanted to see the plane in the air, and make sure the balance was good.
The plane lifted off after full power was applied, and just WOW!! Hands off the plane continued a shallow climb-out, and I made a left hand turn to come down the field. Reduced the power to 3/4 throttle, and the airplane held its track perfectly. I did not put a single click of trim into the plane. I made three flat circuits with her(mindful the battery was only strapped), set up for, and executed a beautiful two point landing.
Closing Thought:
Horizon and E-Flite have a real winner here. The airplane is beautiful on the ground and in the air it is stunning. Quick and easy assembly, with thought provided for ease of disassembly for transportation, ample room for a wide variety of batteries, and accessories (I have installed the MrRC Smoke System, but haven't flown it with it yet), and just a pure joy to fly. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a truly versatile and beautiful airplane.
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