lsjpeng

I received a Formosa-II pre-production sample from Mr. Lin (CEO of GWS) in iHobby show, LA in October. I finally got it done during the Thanksgiving weekend. Here are few pictures together with my other engine power airplane just for caomparison. The Formosa-II is designed for aerobatic-3D flight, but Mr. Lin wants me to expolre its pattern flight capability, so I will post my test results later.

The size is about the same as a 30 size glow engine power airplane, I don't expect it will be as sharp as those purpose-designed e-patternship, but I will try how far it can go.

Power is a Himax HC3510 brushless outter runner, Phoenix 25 ESC, 3S Li-Po, APC 10X5E. Any comments are welcome.

Adamg-RCU

Too bad it has that big rudder overhang.

J Lachowski

My Feedback: (46)

or is it a rudder hangover <g>

DT56

My Feedback: (18)

Nice finish job! Is that paint or decals? Looking forward to that flight report - with video I hope!

DT56

lsjpeng

It's Testors spray paint (3 Oz can) for plastic models (also works for styrofoam). It took more than 48 hours before I could apply mask tape for the next color.

Surefire

My Feedback: (1)

Luke - It looks good. Let me know when you are going flying sometime, I would like to see it in person.

Jon Carter

lsjpeng

Sure, I will call you. I fly e-plane at Rancho San Antonio, not Tomcats.
This weekend already booked by kids' activities, so probably next weekend. [8D]

RickC2009

My Feedback: (12)

So when will the formosa II be available?
Looks like a great plane!
rickc

lsjpeng

I believe it just arrived US, will be distributed to local hobby shops soon. There're lots of building thread in rcgroups.com, check here:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=422347

I heard some complains about those over-sized rudder and elevator, especially during low speed high angle-of-attack flight. I'm waiting my battery packs so I haven't flown yet. We will see.


Luke

lsjpeng

OK, finally got chance to fly this baby.

12/17/05

First flight

Initial settings:
Elevator: D/R 60%, EXP 60%, Throw +-1.5cm
Rudder: D/R 60%, EXP 40%, Throw +-2.5cm
Aileron: D/R 60%, EXP 60%, Throw +-1.0cm
Thrust: side 2 degrees right, down 0.5 degrees
Himax 3510 (250W) outer runner brushless, 25 Amp ESC, 2200mAh/12C Li-Po. APC 10x5 at 5800 rpm.

Elevator: a little bit too sensitive
Aileron OK, but need more EXP
Rudder response poor []
Not enough vertical for pattern contest
Longitudinal unstable at low speed
Able to handle up to AMA Intermediate class sequence except the vertical line no good

Second flight adjustments
Elevator: D/R 70%, EXP 70%
Rudder: D/R 80%, EXP 50%
Aileron: D/R 70%, EXP 75%
Both of pitch and roll are much better
Rudder seems still not enough []

Flight was inttrupted by a GWS Tiger Moth that crossed my flight path and......... The result was my 5th mid-air in 20 years. The Tiger Moth was chopped into pieces, I mean PIECES! [:@]

However, the F-II was much tougher than I expected, only few scratches on left wing leading edge...... still flyable! It took me 3 hours to paint it back like new (yah, I'm very picky...)

12/18/05
Third flight

New power:
Replaced by a Himax 3610 outer runner (350W), 45A ESC. But no new battery, still the 2200mAh/12C, so I had to reduce the throttle EPA to 30% in order not to over drive the battery. APC 11x7E turning at 6900 rpm. (we pattern animals never complain about too much power...)

Rudder: D/R set to 100%
Vertical: endless
Longitudinal unstable under 20-25 MPH wind
Rudder response still unsatisfied []

lsjpeng

I had more than 20 flights on my F2 so far. I was able to finish whole Master sequence with this ~$45 ARF, that really surprised me (although not so solid as my 140-size glow powered patternship).

I put ~$250 to upgrade power and some modifications, but still, much cheaper than a standard 120-size engine plattermship.

My F2 is powered by a Himax 3516 outer runner brushless (350W), APC 11x7E, 3S 2100mAh/16C LiPo, weighs 34 Oz.

Modifications:
1. Power upgrade to 350W
2. Replace the landing gear struts. Old is 2mm, new is 3/32" (~2.38mm) in diameter.
3. Enforcement of two elevator halves linkage so they won't twist in high-G maneuvers.
4. Add supports in mid of each push rod to reduce control tolerance.

In my opinion, the modified F2 is very competitive and up to the Intermediate class....... and it is cheap!

Overall, the F2 is a good aerobatic plane for entry level.

Aobid

My Feedback: (6)

That looks sweet, great job!!!

Much better than the stock photo.

rfmullig

I am considering the Formosa or Formosa 2. I have an E-Flight Park 370 outrunner needing a plane. Have any of you used this motor on the Formosas? How did it work?
Rob

C141FlyGuy

My Feedback: (1)

I had to build a Formosa II They look fantastic, and I got it for free from my brother. I am looking forward to better weather to fly it and put it through some paces. The paint job in this thread inspired me to take some time and make mine look good. Is there anyone out there who is using the stock reccomended power set up?

Chris-_-Memphis

My Feedback: (3)

where can this said airplane be found ....LHS?

lsjpeng

Try search from GWS's website.

http://www.gws.com.tw/english/dealer/dealer.htm

lsjpeng

For sports fly, the original twin-350 works fine. However, it is somewhat under power for advanced aerobatics.
I wrote an article about F2 that will be published in NSRCA newsletter "K-Factor". You may find it in NSRCA D7 website:
http://www.nsrca.org/d7/
Click on top left "Formosa II article". Hope it helps.

Chris-_-Memphis

My Feedback: (3)

Thanks... humm can you say "brushless"

Bailey808

So, whats flying like with this thing?

Is it capble of extreme 3D (hovers and torque rolls)? Or is it still a pattern plane?

SS2P

Build a bigger rudder. Use foam.. It is easy, I've done it many times on my old planes .

Good luck.