nicolas pietu

Hi guys,


I'm happy to present to you the SPUTNIK : http://www.topmodel.fr/product_detail.php?id=17132



The SPUTNIK is a mini plane of 1,10m (43" ) wingspan entirely designed in EPP for F3A aerobatics.
The geometry of the SPUTNIK and the airfoil of the wing, inter alia, were studied to approach to the maximum of the glide path and the piloting feelings of a 2 meters F3A plane - and this, even in a pretty strong wind!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-XKNAQTyBc[/youtube]


Have fun,
Nicolas

okelly

I would like one please

jim woodward

congrats! Is there a US importer for Top Model?
Jim

1bwana1

Nice plane, it should sell well.  Really liked the song, what is it, and what band?

nicolas pietu

Hi Jim,

Maybe to ask Skip MILLER : http://www.skipmillermodels.com/mercury.php
Skip imported Topmodel products but he stopped last year.

Since then we didn't have a serious importer... It's disappointing because Topmodel is now a major in Europe and they have many exclusive product.

[link=http://www.topmodel.fr/product_detail.php?id=17142]The KOSMOS[/link]:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1130154

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZPaUs3NwOY[/youtube]

The Viking:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=985113

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTIEmgTVsHM[/youtube]

The Saturn:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...aturn+topmodel


A foam motor (best seller in Europe):
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...ghlight=xpower


...


1bwana1, the band is "Eels" and the song "Souljacker".

nicolas pietu

Hi guys,


You are still undecided to buy your Sputnik. You can try now the Sputnik on AeroflyPro Deluxe


Go to the tag “simulator� on the middle of the page:
http://www.topmodel.fr/product_detail.php?id=17132


It's fun no [8D]
Nicolas

Si-F3a

Hi all,

For anyone interested inthe US/Canada interested in getting a Kosmos F3p plane that is shown above - http://www.topmodel.fr/product_detail.php?id=17142

I contacted Skip Miller ( [email protected]) and if he can get a minimum of 8 kits ordered, he is willing to bring them in www.skipmillermodels.com

Please contact Skip directly if you are interested in getting one of these kits.

Cheers,
Simon

FYI - I have no affiliation with Skip miller models nor Topmodel, just looking to see if there is enough interest so that we can get some of these planes.

FlyerGirl

My Feedback: (16)

I'm in!

lsky

Hi all,

I just finish my plane.

I took some extra time to build a carbon fixed gear for this plane and I tried to do it looking like a 2x2 F3A.

I'm satisfied of the result :







In flight, the plane is very neutral, knife edge is very easy to do like with an indoor plane. I fly with around 30 kph of wind, probably the hight limit for this plane of 785 g.

I use 4S 2250 hyperion. It's good for windy condition and permit to have a real good speed for schedules.

Loïc

wildpalms

I like your undercarriage Loic.

I have been flying mine a couple of weekends and am really pleased with it. The stock undercarriage is a problem as it is very short and stiff and although my landings have all been very good the backwards force landing on grass tears the foam as it tries to rip the gear off.

The CG given in the instructions is a little rearward for me, probably good for freestyle but a little rearward for pattern. Almost neutral elevator when inverted and a slight climb on a 45° inverted upline. Pitchs to the belly in KE which I think is also a sign of an aft CG.

Very little rudder required for KE and the coupling easily flown out so much so that you can do big vertical 8's etc in KE with ease.

It tracks very true and flies quite quickly. It certainly feels like a bigger model when you are pattern flying with it, handles the wind well but does get blown around a lot more than a bigger heavier model.

I have the Hacker A30-16M on 4S with a 40A ESC using an APC E 11x5.5 propeller and power is insane. Using the same Hyperion G3 VX 35C discharge 5C charge 2200 4S packs as Loic. Charging at 3C and they come off charger in just under 20 minutes.

As a plane for practicing F3A on occasions where a bigger plane is just impractical this thing is perfect. I fly an Angel 50 at Advanced level and find it is often impractical to fly it especially as it is my Sunday best pride and joy. Now I can get some serious stick time in.

I often judge a plane on whether I would buy another and the answer is yes for the Sputnik.

Paul_K

I have also flown mine a couple of weekends now.

I agree that the CG in the manual is too far aft. I started with CG at the position given in the manual, but have now moved the battery a full length forward. I like to push when inverted .....

I have also put a couple of rubber o-rings behind the motor to give some right thrust which was badly needed. Now it really flies well.

I use 3s 2200 mAh batteries and the power is very comparable to my 2m planes.

Best regards - PÃ¥l

nicolas pietu

Glad you like the Sputnik. Soon I will write an article on my personal Sputnik. As you, I did not keep the CG location of the building instructions.


Regards,
Nicolas PIETU

tmark65

Hello Nicholas,

Any idea where can I buy it in Greece ?

I'm flying your Saturn (3 of them) ...

tmark65

Or even send me one !!!

wildpalms

I'd love to know where others have ended up with the CG. I made an effort to play today with some stick on weights and am at 135mm instead of the 160mm in the manual. Think this is still a little tail heavy for my taste but reluctant to go too far.

tmark - I ordered direct from TopModel. Was pretty quick and they ship round Europe.

wildpalms

Spotted this yesterday evening: http://www.topmodel.fr/article.php?art_id=529

Setup appears to be different for English and French speakers but I'm sure Nicolas will fix that soon enough.

Taken me three weekends of getting used to it and playing with CG and strangely enough ended up almost in same place. Think I'm just over 135mm.

The spats look smart.

One issue Paul mentioned was right thrust. The foam for the motor mount is cut so it has left thrust if you mounted the motor square to the mount. I have quite short fuel tube on one side and quite a bit longer on the other.

nicolas pietu

All,

On the Topmodel website, tag « topics » on the left, you can find a description of my personal Sputnik. There are my settings and mixing. You can find as well some improvement.



Regards,
Nicolas PIETU

Paul_K

Hello

I measured my CG last night, and it's at 135 mm from LE. My all up flying weight with a 3s setup is 700 g.

Best regards - Paul

nicolas pietu

I corrected the topic: http://www.topmodel.fr/article.php?art_id=529
The good value is 8° with the rudder. I used only 5° but with the new schedule P11 isn’t enough for the figure M with the half integrated roll.


Regards,
Nicolas PIETU

nicolas pietu

Hi everyone,


On the Topmodel website, tag « topics » on the left, you can find a test of a CPLR’s T-canalizer with a sputnik: http://www.topmodel.fr/article.php?art_id=538




A drawing is available at the end of the topic.


Good flight,
Nicolas

nicolas pietu

Hi,

A video of my personal Sputnik on the P11
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfOk-yNcJ3E[/youtube]

Regards,
Nicolas