Precision aerobatics katana mx build.

Well I figured with the forum being pretty quiet at the moment that its time for a good old fashioned build thread.
It's taken months to decide on which proper plane to build. Eventually I narrowed it down to one of the precision aerobatics planes.
I wanted the extra mx in yellow but it wasn't in stock, so I went for the katana mx instead.
I went for the recommended ipa package with the motor, quantum 70a esc and prop adaptor, going to be run on 6s packs.
I'll be starting it in about a week once I have all the bits, and this being my first plane that isn't foam, any build advise would be most welcome.
In the meantime, here's a few unboxing pics.

With all that carbon bling looks like you've been spending megabucks

Not too bad mel, worked out at £228 for the airframe.
The instructions are quite impressive.

Nice choice Danny!
looking forward to seeing it fly

Me too Pete. Hopefully it won't be long now.

That Thrust motor looks suspiciously like a cheapo Keda motor in another skirt.
I have the Keda in a little Extra 300, and so far its performed OK - just got a bit bothered about its heat dissipation after a flight.
They are probably being a bit liberal with their claimed specs, so maybe best to prop down a trad from the largest suggested.
I also suggest you ensure plenty of cooling slots around the cowl area ( not forgetting suitably big exit holes for the warmed air ) as excessive heat will spoil the long term efficiency of the motor through magnet deterioration.

Thanks Tim,
I've just had a nosey round the cowl and there's 2 scoops made from clear plastic to cool the motor. I wasn't sure about an exit hole but on further reading there's a hole cut underneath where they say to cut the covering. Does this sound sufficient or should I add some more holes?

With the prop they recommend using a 16x7 or a 15x8, so I've ordered the 15 as it sounds like a good all round performer. It's the vox prop I've ordered.

Should I be looking at a different motor before starting the build?
I was going to go with an axi originally but kings Lynn offered the thrust at £70 instead of £95 if bought as a package.

Nah, I would try that motor, and just be sure the air exit hole is much larger than the inlets ;-)

Hi Danny, Unless you can be sure the way to do it is to measure the current being drawn by the motor with a power meter. The prop sizes suggested are generally just that - suggestions, and the current drawn can vary quite dramatically for a given size but different manufacturers. In this case the manufacturers have given recommendations for specific makes and for the Vox they describe the 15 x 7 as the perfect match url=http://www.precisionaerobatics.com/thrustmotors/thrust50.pdf]here[/url] so you might be better going down an inch on the pitch

They also emphasise the need for good cooling

Will do Tim, I'll post pics after each step in case I miss anything.
I'm hoping to learn a lot from this build.

Thanks Alan, it was my mistake I meant the 15x7. Everything so far is all their suggested setup. There's a pretty good list in the instructions so I'm slowly ticking off each item.
Just the servos needed before I can start, going to go with Hitec 5085's and probably use an ar600 for the reciever.

Any ideas on what spinner to use? I'm not sure what size I need.

Think I may use a "better" rx than a 600. Personally, I have always found them OK, but for a largish model like this, perhaps consider an AR7000 which has the satellite unit? Some folk have reported issues with the 600s.
Better signal diversity on the 7000 if you install it /them correctly.
Best bet for a spinner is to measure the front of the cowl, and get one to suit it - eyeball the front, and with a few dimensions too, you can choose one of the right diameter - be sure the fittings will suit the motor shaft.
I think a nice pointyish aluminium or blingy C/F one would suit that model - try a google search for images of the model, and see what others are fitting?

Look what I found :-)
http://www.macgregor.co.uk/pa/PRAKMXBL.htm

You know you want them.....

Ooh the bling kit, I've seen it on rc groups but didn't know they were available yet.
I've just clicked on availability and it took me to a shop called hobbyplastic.co.uk. Gonna give them a ring to check they're in stock.
Cheers for the reciever advise I'll order a 7000 at the weekend with the servos.
Getting quite excited now.

Just a quick question before I order a reciever. I've noticed that the ar6255 carbon fuselage reciever is on special at the moment. I was wondering which would be preferred between this and the ar7010 with them being around the same price?

I'd go with a Jeti Duplex R6 receiver.....

Or the 7 channel Spektrum one with if I had no other choice...

Thanks Andy, so you'd pick the ar7010 over the carbon receiver.
The decision is made.

Probably!

I doubt theres much difference 'tween em for your particular application Danny - and after all, the only difference with a so called carbon friendly rx is the fact that the aerials are on extension leads, to permit them to be external to the airframe.

And the aerials are monopoles, not dipoles. Not quite as sensitive

Andy

The point I was trying to make is that the only real difference in the CF versus Non CF friendly rx units is that they allow the aerial to be outside the RF shielding material.
Im sure that if you positioned a non CF rx aerials in such a way as to protude through small holes in the fuselage, they would morph into so called CF friendly receivers LOL
A lot of dosh extra just to have the active antennae on the end of a thin piece of co-axial cable.

Ar7010 ordered so servos next with that bling package. It is in stock.
Won't be long now.
I need to get an iron too. Are on of these good enough for the job?

http://www.kingslynnmodelshop.co.uk/Paints%20and%20Coverings_Covering%20Irons/c36_233/p2128/Prolux_Digital_LCD_Thermal_Sealing_Iron_with_Stand/product_info.html

Fine

Thanks Tim.