I built a World Models LA 40 Racer last week. My plan is to use
it for training new students. I already have a World Models Ultimate 40 Bi Plane and
was so impressed with the construction and flight charactistics that I figured this would
be another well built ARF.
This is a simple to build, low wing, tail dragger that would make a very good first or
second airplane for a beginner or intermediate sport flyer. It is pre-designed for
the OS LA 40 engine. The cowling is even pre-cut to fit perfectly with this engine.
The LA 40 is no major powerhouse but it pulls this plane around with ease, is fuel
efficient and so far has been completely reliable. So far I have only used a 10 x 6
Master Airscrew prop.
The airplane went together in record time. The only epoxy I had to mix was to join
the two wing halves and to glue in the tail feathers. The elevator does not actually
call for epoxy because it is held in place with two long bolts that screw in from the
bottom through pre-drilled holes in the elevator. I did hoewever, use some epoxy
just to make sure it would hold through the snap rolls. All the hinges are actual
hinges (not ca hinges) and come pre-installed from the factory. The controll horns
install quickly through pre-drilled holes in the ailerons, elevator and rudder. I
was not tempted to replace any of the factory hardware as every part was top notch for a
model of this size and price. It requires five standard servos; two for the
ailerons, one each for the rudder, elevator and throttle. I chose the Futaba 3004
servos for their reasonably low price and good reliabilty. The receiver and battery
insert nicely into a pre-cut block of foam which, in turn, fits perfectly into the fuse.
You will find if you install each component where it is recommended and use the LA
40 engine, the CG comes out exactly where the factory recommends. Another nice touch
is that it even comes with a pilot.
How does it fly? Like a nimble trainer. It is very stable on take-off with
minimal rudder steering needed and climbs out easily at around 30 degrees of nose up
attitude. With the small amount of dihedral in the wings, it flys straight and level
with little correction. Stalls are recoverable by just slightly pushing the nose
down. It will do basic aerobatics such as ailoren rolls, inverted flight, inside
loops, outside loops and snap rolls with predictabilty. I was not able to enter a
spin do to the forward CG and relatively small throws of the control surfaces, although I
plan to experiment with a more aft CG and larger throws. Landing this plane could
not be much easier. Its stable low speed characteristics are as good as any model of
this size I have flown.
If you are looking for an economical yet well built ARF that is easy and fun to fly and
goes together a lot better than most, this could be the model for you.
The ARF kit runs $99.99. You can see more at:
http://www.airborne-models.com/html/productdetails.asp?ProductID=91
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