Remaiden SUCCESS!! WOOHOO! I was even able to bring it back home INTACT! (that is not a normal occurrence with my flights)
First important ProTip: Don't maiden a handlaunch racer at full throttle. 1/2 should do, then increase throughout the flight.
Just launching this at half throttle, and not punching it right out of my hand, that alone reduced the torque roll that I had to deal with on takeoff.
Don't get me wrong; torque roll is still there in power, but it's a lot more manageable at low throttle settings close to the ground.
The first flight of the day was on a slower 8x6 prop, not the 8x10 pattern prop. I dialed in a bit of right rudder trim, and by the end of the flight I added a little more. Other than a little rudder trim, this plane was incredibly well behaved! The tail moment is MASSIVELY long though, so I found myself on low rates for elevator and still didn't need it all.
ProTip #2: If it goes fast, you need a LOT LESS control surface throw than you may think.
The second flight was the exact same setup, except I swapped on the 8x10 prop; I wanted to compare the speed logs and amps between the two props. Unfortunately, for some reason, my pitot tube sensor didn't work properly. So I have zero numerical comparisons to make, but we CAN look at the videos.
Flight 1:
Flight 2
Based on all your calibrated eyes, do you think the 8x10 actually went faster than the 8x6? I'm honestly not sure.... But I'm happy I have an airplane that will fly again!