lincolngkp
Junior Member
So I bought myself a HK Tuff Trainer as a first plane. What could go wrong right? Well after I bought the plane I found a bunch of threads about the problems with the machine. Well I have it now so I will persist with it for the time being. So I shall detail my experiences with it here.
First up the plane comes with a stupid little battery connector on the ESC. The recommended batteries come with XT60 connectors which to my mind seem far superior. So it was another order, and another lot of postage charges to get connectors. While at it I ordered a couple of extra batteries and a couple of spare props.
Next up I built the plane as per the instructions but with enlarging the battery bay forward to be large enough to take a 1300mAh battery. Because reports on the problems with the machine varied I decided to try a flight to see what it did before trying any of the suggested mods I found online. Having successfully got the thing into the air my first flight lasted about 10 seconds before the most commonly reported fault came to light. The plane banked right and nose dived into the ground. This broke the prop saved o-ring (no big deal) and cracked the foam from the rear of the battery compartment up toward the windscreen. The whole front was very near to coming adrift. Hmm, a little disappointing.
So, to the repairs. I have inserted BBQ skewers from above the firewall, through the battery bay and into the main body and glued them in. This should reinforce this weak area nicely. Next I have modified the motor mount to remove the insane down thrust it has as standard. Now I'm trying to decide whether to give it the often recommended 3 degrees right thrust. I also need to sort out a binding problem with the elevator linkage. It seems that the speed link is binding in part of it's downward movement.
Then I think it will be time to try a second flight.
Another recommendation I have seen is to remove the dihedral. I'd rather keep it at this stage it the thing will fly nicely with it.
To be honest I am pretty disappointed that something that is marketed as a beginner aircraft could be so problematic. My next will be one of the FT Quickbuilds made from foam I can buy locally.
Cheers
Lincoln
First up the plane comes with a stupid little battery connector on the ESC. The recommended batteries come with XT60 connectors which to my mind seem far superior. So it was another order, and another lot of postage charges to get connectors. While at it I ordered a couple of extra batteries and a couple of spare props.
Next up I built the plane as per the instructions but with enlarging the battery bay forward to be large enough to take a 1300mAh battery. Because reports on the problems with the machine varied I decided to try a flight to see what it did before trying any of the suggested mods I found online. Having successfully got the thing into the air my first flight lasted about 10 seconds before the most commonly reported fault came to light. The plane banked right and nose dived into the ground. This broke the prop saved o-ring (no big deal) and cracked the foam from the rear of the battery compartment up toward the windscreen. The whole front was very near to coming adrift. Hmm, a little disappointing.
So, to the repairs. I have inserted BBQ skewers from above the firewall, through the battery bay and into the main body and glued them in. This should reinforce this weak area nicely. Next I have modified the motor mount to remove the insane down thrust it has as standard. Now I'm trying to decide whether to give it the often recommended 3 degrees right thrust. I also need to sort out a binding problem with the elevator linkage. It seems that the speed link is binding in part of it's downward movement.
Then I think it will be time to try a second flight.
Another recommendation I have seen is to remove the dihedral. I'd rather keep it at this stage it the thing will fly nicely with it.
To be honest I am pretty disappointed that something that is marketed as a beginner aircraft could be so problematic. My next will be one of the FT Quickbuilds made from foam I can buy locally.
Cheers
Lincoln