The Himax motors were my first thought, but at the price. It was a hard sell. Then factor the size I wanted to model and the lack of options to pour on the coals for this model... it was out of any sort of consideration. They have been selling those motors for some time now and honestly, I do not think they sell many.
The BoT is a neat bird. My DLG has persuaded me to find more interest in gliders and this one fits the bill well. It has been awhile since I've done an all-balsa build (over 2 years) but I'm sure it will be lie riding a bike.
I posted a short 15-second video on FB last night of a jittering servo. Totally meant as a joke and I seem to be getting some flak about not using $50 servos in this airplane.
First of all... a lot of people have NO IDEA what they are talking about. With the blunt statement out of the way let me go into some specifics. The picture below shows the progress I made last night. Simple stuff. Got the other wing's wiring channels and servo recesses carved out and servos in place. Capped the channels with foam and titebond. The aileron servos are 9g digital servos. I also want to note that if you look at the layout, I have intentionally placed the servos very close to the control surface. This will shorten the control rod and reduce flex and give better precision. Further still, I will be using the inner most hole of the servo to drive the ailerons with concealed linkage. This will give me the maximum amount of precision, from a digital servo and short control arm. The digital servo will hold its position more accurately and give better resolution throughout the throw. This should help the control movements be smoother and allow really fine amounts of trim.
Flap servos are 9g Dynam servos. Brand new and never used. Keep in mind that the flaps will not be used the majority of the time and will be deployed on landing. No need for exact precision, centering, or high torque.
To further drive my point home, I've built many MANY models over the years. Still, I continue to watch other builds to learn something new. In observing others I've learned that there is a line between over-building and building to fly. Every aircraft has an expiration date. It is a fact you have to face BEFORE the start of every build. I've adopted this thinking and while I understand that some folks think that pristine models require the very best (defined as most expensive) electronics, I disagree entirely. I have no misconception that this model will last for 30+ years. It will not. I build on the cheap but I do so in a way that will make the airplane adequately safe. It's a bit relative but my years of experience, combined with the years of experience observed of others, have told me that sometimes dumping more $ into a project will not yield the best returns.
Make no mistake, this will be going fast, but I have no intention on flying it all-out all of the time. I fly to relax from the build projects. Pucker factor is an adrenaline rush for other pilots. If my models fly, my adrenaline rush is over. This is just a little insight into my way of building and I fully acknowledge that it is not a common one. FWIW, I do not take joy in pleasing others in this hobby. It is my hobby, so I'll do it my way and I fully expect others to do the same. Therin lies the reason why I support other builders. They do it their way and it's different from me... and there is a possibilty for me to learn something.
The BoT is a neat bird. My DLG has persuaded me to find more interest in gliders and this one fits the bill well. It has been awhile since I've done an all-balsa build (over 2 years) but I'm sure it will be lie riding a bike.
I posted a short 15-second video on FB last night of a jittering servo. Totally meant as a joke and I seem to be getting some flak about not using $50 servos in this airplane.
First of all... a lot of people have NO IDEA what they are talking about. With the blunt statement out of the way let me go into some specifics. The picture below shows the progress I made last night. Simple stuff. Got the other wing's wiring channels and servo recesses carved out and servos in place. Capped the channels with foam and titebond. The aileron servos are 9g digital servos. I also want to note that if you look at the layout, I have intentionally placed the servos very close to the control surface. This will shorten the control rod and reduce flex and give better precision. Further still, I will be using the inner most hole of the servo to drive the ailerons with concealed linkage. This will give me the maximum amount of precision, from a digital servo and short control arm. The digital servo will hold its position more accurately and give better resolution throughout the throw. This should help the control movements be smoother and allow really fine amounts of trim.
Flap servos are 9g Dynam servos. Brand new and never used. Keep in mind that the flaps will not be used the majority of the time and will be deployed on landing. No need for exact precision, centering, or high torque.
To further drive my point home, I've built many MANY models over the years. Still, I continue to watch other builds to learn something new. In observing others I've learned that there is a line between over-building and building to fly. Every aircraft has an expiration date. It is a fact you have to face BEFORE the start of every build. I've adopted this thinking and while I understand that some folks think that pristine models require the very best (defined as most expensive) electronics, I disagree entirely. I have no misconception that this model will last for 30+ years. It will not. I build on the cheap but I do so in a way that will make the airplane adequately safe. It's a bit relative but my years of experience, combined with the years of experience observed of others, have told me that sometimes dumping more $ into a project will not yield the best returns.
Make no mistake, this will be going fast, but I have no intention on flying it all-out all of the time. I fly to relax from the build projects. Pucker factor is an adrenaline rush for other pilots. If my models fly, my adrenaline rush is over. This is just a little insight into my way of building and I fully acknowledge that it is not a common one. FWIW, I do not take joy in pleasing others in this hobby. It is my hobby, so I'll do it my way and I fully expect others to do the same. Therin lies the reason why I support other builders. They do it their way and it's different from me... and there is a possibilty for me to learn something.
I use/reuse a lot, so some of my models end up with EMAX 9g analog, and sometimes they end up with slim digital metal gear. It all depends on where they fit and what I have on hand. Only in my high-energy PSS gliders do I make a point of springing for nicer, sturdier servos. Even then though, they get reused as well (depending on the severity of the last "landing") 
