10/27/08
I recently added a Sapac Eurofighter to my collection of foam jets. Although inexpensive, I can't really count this one as a "disposable jet" though. Unlike my Phase 3 EF-16 or Fly-Fly Mirage, this model allows access to the fan motor & ESC after assembly is completed.Chances are I would have acquired one sooner if not for thinking the receiver ready version was a little on the pricey side. After talking to William at turbofanelectics,com I found out it was also available as an ARF kit with fan & motor for only $120.00, so had him bring one out to me at the SRQ Scale Masters fly-in a couple of weeks ago.
The assembly guide is weak to say the least but if you have assembled a few it's not that difficult to wing it. I've also made a few notes on my photo page that could be useful. Built "stock" this could be a fast assembly but I took about a week on mine with the addition of a rudder servo and a little glass work on the wings & fuselage. William had told me the receiver ready version wasn't that great as it used a 3s lipo pack but by using the ARF kit you have a choice of ESC's to purchase seperately and the motor performs well on a 4s pack. I measured 565 watts on mine with a fresh 2100 ma 4s Lipo.
I used a Turnigy Plush 60 amp ESC for my build although a 45 would have been sufficient. At 565 watts my watts up meter only read a 39 amp draw at full throttle. A pair of Hi-Tec HS 65's were used for elevon servos and a HS-55 on the rudder. The original build also included another 55 on the nose gear but it has since been removed to allow for moving the 4s Zippy lipo further aft for a less nose heavy CG. The 1st flight, with landing gear had the balance point at 150 mm from wing leading edge at the wing root.
Likes: The canopy and cockpit came pre-cut to size. The interlocking design of the wings to fuselage joint are almost 100% goof proof. The servo extensions for the elevon servos are included and pre-installed in the fuselage. Reasonably priced for what it is. It looks good in the air, on the ground, and flies well, too.
Dislikes: The assembly guide leaves a lot to the imagination and doesn't give any reference to correct CG or control surface throws. The way the wings, canards and vertical fin look so good on one side with the other having all the casting bumps.
In hindsight, it would have probably been a much better performer without the added weight of the glassing. I've watched William do some pretty impressive high alpha routines with his that I haven't been able to duplicate yet. But, it still files well even with the extra weight. It hand launches easily with the landing gear removed, and CG at 170 mm from the wing leading edge. (That information is not in the assembly guide either).
The maiden flight as shown in the video was done with CG about 150 mm from the wing leading edge and it was NOSE HEAVY! I came very close to putting it in on the 1st loop attempt so didn't get too frisky after that.
As of this writing, it has had another 3 flights since the video and with the CG further aft performs much better. Even with the extra weight it will actually fly knife edge at full throttle with a little rudder compensation and can be slowed down nicely for landing.
I may have to break down and build myself another of these without the added weight. I just wish that Sapac would come out with a 90 mm fan sized version
