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(9.8 cc - 10.0 cc 2 - stroke) .70 to .91 4 - stroke (11.5 cc - 14.9 4 - stroke) |
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The Hobbico SuperStar 60 is classified as a ARF high wing trainer. If features a flat bottom airfoil with a substantial amount of dihedral which gives the model a good combination of steady and self righting stability. The instructions are well written but the pictures could be sharpened and lightened as some details are hard to see. The package contains all the necessary parts to complete the model except the engine and radio. The kit contains the pre-assembled fuselage, separate left and right wing halves, horizontal stabilizer and vertical fin with all control surfaces mounted and glued with CA hinges. All of the parts are pre-covered with a plastic film in 5 colors. Certain original parts were replaced as noted below. Because of the large wing and final estimated weight of the model, it was felt that the main wing brace material was not substantial enough. A new wing brace was made from three (3) layers 3/16" high quality aircraft plywood and laminated together with 60 minute epoxy. As a matter of preference the wooden push rods with 2-56 wires which were included in the kit were replaced with fiberglass rods and 4-40 wires. Plastic links were replaced with metal spring type links. The original servo tray was made of light balsa and was replaced with a 5/16" plywood duplicate. The tray was screwed into two (2) 1/2" x 3/4" x 5" spruce blocks that were glued to the fuselage. The landing gear mounting block was reinforced with spruce blocks as well. For aileron servo mounting, the manufacture choose to use a light balsa cover with two (2) small balsa blocks. To insure that the servo could not pull out of the wing, the covering was stripped back and four (4) pieces of spruce hardwood were epoxied to the wing material forming a box. One side of the box was placed next to the main wing brace and two wood screws were used to screw the servo box to the brace for even more strength. Every wooden joint in the plane that could be reached was given a few drops of thin CA to strengthen the wood and to insure that any that were missed during manufacture were now glued, even though none were found. The firewall was reinforced with 1/4" trianglular wood. Because of the larger engine that was chosen the, prop would have to be around 14" in diameter. The front nose gear was too short to swing that size prop on a grass field so a new 2" longer front gear wire was used. It was also felt that the 2 1/4" wheels provided were too small for a grass field so new 3 1/2" main wheels and a 3 1/4" nose wheel were added. The engine mount that came with the model was made to fit a .60 size engine. A new .91 size mount was installed using 6-32 screws as opposed to the 4-40 screws that would have mounted the original mount. The instructions were very clear about mounting the fuel tank (friction fit), receiver, servos, push rods, etc. Throws were set as per the instructions and the model was balanced. Because of the larger engine, 3 ounces of tail weight were needed and 1/4 ounce in the right wing tip. The covering used in this kit is of very low quality. It punctures easily and heat has no effect on it for tightning. The manufacturer should use one of the new high tech heat shrinkable coverings. I had my instructor take the plane up and trim it. It took off very well and controlled nicely. No trim adjustments of any kind were needed The plane is rock stable and very easy to see and fly. The SuperStar 60 is a very nice trainer and would also make an excellent fun fly plane when you just feel like relaxing. I believe that this model could be built and flown without making any changes whatsoever using a smaller engine but as with any ARF or kit, weak spots can be found and improvements can be made. The Hobbico SuperStar 60 is a good first airplane. |
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