Electric Predator 280 or T-Hawk 380 anyone have these???

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Darrylbar - 30 Jul 2004 15:00 GMT

Hello

I just purchased the August/September issue of Backyard Flyer and on page
39 there is an advertisement for two ready to fly aircraft the Predator 280
"new" and the T-Hawk 380.

I was wondering if anyone out there has had any experience with either
planes. In the pure "wow that looks neat" category I like the Predator over
the T-Hawk. But I am not welded to that choice given a negative report from
you folks out there in comparision to the T-Hawk.

Thanks for any comments and suggestions forthcoming!!!

Darrylbar

PS

I'm not a complete newbee but I've been away from the sport for about 15
years or so. My last planes were a gas powered wooden trainer (I built from a
kit) and a foam electric cessna-ish clone.

Darrylbar

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Bruce - 30 Jul 2004 15:55 GMT

My father-in-law frequently flies a T-Hawk and loves it. He is an old-time
flyer (well over 30years); is a member of a flying club (near Omaha, NE) and
the T-Hawk is something he can just load up and go out with easily and
quickly, and fly in a local park. A big plus for him is he has decided he
really likes electrics! The T-hawk is relatively durable (not indestructible
though) and comes with some spare parts (second wing, believe spare tail
feathers too). I might add he does use the radio too that came with it
rather than one of his other radios. So, yes, it might be a great way to
start up in the hobby again but it might also be a big dead end.

Some other considerations if I may: Where will you go with this? Just a
diversion and not full time R/C hobby? Will this be just a 3 channel
trainer to be used as a Sunday or Park Flyer? Do you think it will lead to
something more capable? Do you need to start off small? Will you be flying
with a club or at a local park/field? Do you want/need to go Electric vice
Fuel? Will you buy it sans radio and get a 72mHz band radio (with
mini-components) or use the 27mHz band radio that comes in the combo? (the
27mHz works but note it is a shared RF band including ground guys so
potential RFI is definitely something to consider). Decisions decisions
decisions! :)

I too recently reflected over these very questions myself as I also am
returning to the hobby after a 16year break. I decided that, considering
what I want to do in the hobby (which is mostly fun fly and in time kit
building), I should join and fly with the local R/C flying club and use
their field and expertise to help me get over the initial hump (again). I
also know that in the long run I want to use at least a 4 or 5 channel setup
and fly fuel powered planes vice Electric. Admittedly, the cost of all
this is many times greater than just starting up with the T-Hawk so I would
not necessarily rule that out. Do what your comfortable with. I ended up
with a Sig LT-40 ARF, powered by an OS .46AX, and a used Futaba 4channel
radio. Its assembly/construction is now complete and I hope to be able to
get it test flown this coming weekend (depends on the weather, my schedule,
and my trainer/test pilot's schedule. I might add too I rejoined the AMA
too.
Good luck!

Bruce

> Hello
>
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>
> Darrylbar

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Darrylbar - 30 Jul 2004 23:03 GMT

Hello Bruce!!!

Thanks for the information and the questions. To answer your major
question and concern, for the time being I'm just looking for a easy, cheap way
back into the hobby. I am about 2 minutes driving time from a good sized
community park (with both baseball and football/soccer fields) so I really want
a small electric park flyer. There are local clubs in the area sponsored by
local RC hobby shops, but I wanted to find something I could run solo with as
little difficulty as possible. I figured with my old skills, some current
flight sim time, a forgiving aircraft and a little luck I would be okay.

Again thanks for the information, I'm holding on a final decision until
I get some info on the Predator 280.

Thanks Again!!

Darrylbar

>From: "Bruce" brucedenman@hotmail.com
>Date: 7/30/2004 10:55 AM Eastern Standard Time
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>
>Bruce

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intheswamp00 - 31 Jul 2004 03:21 GMT

Hey, before you commit on anything check out the Multiplex Easy Star. Made
from elapor foam which is a very tough foam that can take lots of abuse.
The plane supposedly is very stable and "wants to fly". Great
beginner/re-learner plane. Click on this link to rcgroups.com for a lot of
messages pertaining to the EZ*:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/search.php?searchid=515458 . A discussion
thread in the "foamies forum" has been going on there for the last 3+ years
with several thousand messages pertaining to this plane, you'll know when
you see one of the threads because the title will say something like "
Multiplex Easy Star....thread 3"....it's actually up to thread 8 now .
There's also a lot of other threads pertaining to the EZ*.

The plane is somewhat of an electric glider...it's known to thermal well and
even slope well. It's also capable of aerial photography! Good thing about
elapor foam is that if something breaks CA/superglue it back together and be
back flying in 5 minutes! Lots of modifications and tweaks discussed and
implemented by folks in the foamie forum on rcgroups. Price for the 3ch RTF
version runs less than $200 including shipping, it's comes with a
transmitter. The kit version comes with only the motor...you supply
receiver, servos, electronic speed controller w/BEC, batteries, and a
transmitter. Price on the kit is around $65 plus shipping. I'm just
starting out and received my "box" via FedEx today. I opted for the kit
version. I purchased a Hitec Flash 5x to go with it. This way when the
time comes to move on to another plane I'll have some good hardware to
migrate to the new plane rather than some proprietary stuff that really
can't be moved well. I have a Spectra Select patiently waiting in the box
until I feel I'm "good enough" for it :) Be aware that going the "kit"
route will cost more money, but you'll have equipment that you can use
again.

Here's a good link for information, specs, pictures, etc., on the plane.
http://www.easystar.detract-online.de/

BTW, I'm a newbie starting on my own. I fly in a hayfield across the road
from my house. My main focus is primarily electric and gliders. I don't
see myself moving on to nitro. The only flying I've done so far has been
with one of those RTF $60 Shun Da planes you can get on eBay. They leave a
bit to be desired...heavy, weak-winged, odd transmitter setup, etc. But,
they are pretty tough...and patch up good with strapping tape.<g> What it
did for me was let me find out if I truly wanted to fly remote control
airplanes. It also has let me bang up a cheap plane...learning along the
way. I'm hooked and I've learned several things...I'm really looking
forward to getting the Easy Star in the air!!!

Best wishes on your decision, and remember....it's all about having fun!!!
Ed Welch
South Alabama

---

> Hello Bruce!!!
>
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> >
> >Bruce

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Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Air Models / July 2004

Electric Predator 280 or T-Hawk 380 anyone have these???