THE PYTHON Speed 400 Reno P-51 kit
by Montana Design came from
FlyingHobbies.com in Phillipsburg, New
Jersey. I have to warn you: if you’re
expecting one of those slick product
reviews that sounds like Ebert and Roeper,
you’re going to be disappointed! I’m just
an average builder, a decent pilot, and a
former rock-star wanna-be. (Really!)
I first saw the Python fly at the 2002
NEAT (Northeast Electric Aircraft
Technology) Fair in New York, and I even
got to pilot one for a short, rather unlucky
flight. Maybe someone was feeling sorry for me or
something along those lines, and I was surprised when
I was offered the kit to review!
I procrastinated for a few months before I started
the project. Model Aviation Aeromodeling Editor Bob
Hunt told me I needed at least a 2.5-megapixel camera
to take the pictures, so I used this review as a
justification for getting one. I got the camera and the
big stall was over; I had to build the kit.
Construction: I cleaned off the workbench, dug up
some waxed paper, and opened the box. Whoa! It was
a thing of beauty, with nicely laser-cut balsa, nicely
rolled plans, and a CD-ROM! I zipped over to my
personal computer and opened it up, and it was chockfull
of pictures, instructions, hints, and suggestions—
more than you could ever ask for to build a kit! There
was absolutely nothing left to question.
I followed the instructions; there were enough
pictures that you could build the model even if you
couldn’t read English. This is a fairly small airplane—
spanning 29 inches with 156 square inches of area—
so it doesn’t take a great deal of time to stick the parts
together. The hardest part is keeping your fingers
from getting glued to the parts because of their small
size.
The fuselage requires a pinch of care and the
ability to use a square (which is thoughtfully provided
with the laser-cut parts!) to keep things lined up
properly. Ample instructions are included for aligning
the tail feathers to the fuselage and the wings to the
tail, which is important if you expect the airplane to
fly straight!
The most effort on the fuselage goes into two
Joe Utasi
P r o d u c t R e v i e w
3440 Riverhills Dr., Cincinnati OH 45344
Montana Design Python
Pros:
• Instructions and photo/hints and tips
CD
• Kit engineering
• Flying qualities
Cons:
• Wood could have been a little better
(has been addressed by manufacturer).
Justin Moore, 5, gives you an idea of the model’s size. The wing shape and
long moments are evident here.
Looks fast, eh? Looks are not deceiving in this case. The Python is a smooth,
predictable electric-powered performer with the looks of an air racer.
Photos by the author
January 2004 61
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 12:29 pm Page 61
The author used Tower Hobbies TS-5 Nano servos for their
speed and centering qualities. This is a view from the top.
The aileron servo mounts in the center of the wing and requires
extremely short pushrods for actuation.
The eight-cell 600 mAh pack is shown installed. It’s a tight fit!
The author intends to try an 1100 mAh NiMH pack.
Designer/producer Andy Kunz of FlyingHobbies.com built this Python. He finished it in
more of a military scheme.
The battery pack is installed above the servos and pushrods and
is accessible through the removable canopy section.
62 MODEL AVIATION
areas: shaping the blocks around the
nose—outside and inside the fuselage, to
clear the motor. Fortunately the
instructions show exactly how to carve the
balsa to clear the motor.
The plywood nose ring is perfectly
laser-cut to fit a standard Speed 400 front
case, and the two mounting screws are
included. It’s a good thing because I’ll bet
they’re some weird metric thread that I
wouldn’t have had in my junk bin anyway.
The next task requiring some care was
matching the shape of the plastic
canopy/top-deck section to the top balsa
block without scratching it all up. I put
masking tape along the edge and blasted
away with a large 80-grit sanding block,
and I had it lined up in no time.
Check out the cool pilot! I stole it from
my girlfriend’s son’s toy box and sawed
off the torso. I showed the results to the
little fellow (who is 5), and he thought it
was neat that his “guy” was flying my
airplane!
The figure looks cool and is close to
the perfect size for a pilot in a P-51. (I did
extensive research on this in Jane’s
Encyclopedia of Aviation to make sure that
I had exactly the right size and uniform.) I
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 12:30 pm Page 62
64 MODEL AVIATION
just hate airplanes without pilots!
With the fuselage finished, I moved on
to the wing. If you’re an old geezer, this
wing construction might remind you of
the old Top Flite Schoolboy kit. Lay down
the bottom sheeting, glue the ribs, then
stick on the top covering. There’s nothing
to it.
But wait! The instructions (yes, I did
read them) mentioned something about
“washout.” Sure enough, there were lasercut
shims to put under the wing’s trailing
edge and tip to guarantee that you get the
washout built in and perfect under both
wings. It was way too easy.
It took some thinking to get the
sheeting and stuff to fit around that little
triangle-shaped front wing extension
where the wing meets the fuselage, and
this is probably where some of you might
scratch your head. Use your sanding block
and get creative here. It’s no big deal.
To put on the top covering I used a
slow-cure cyanoacrylate glue (CyA) to
make sure it would all be in place. The
wing is so small that you can use your
palms to hold it all in place until it sets.
Sand it to perfection and cover with your
favorite stuff.
As a first-time product reviewer I had
to find something wrong someplace,
right? The choice of balsa could have been
a little better. The fuselage had some soft
wood and the wing had some hard wood.
I spoke to Andy Kunz at
FlyingHobbies.com, and he agreed and
told me that the problem would be fixed in
production kits. He also surprised me
when he told me he’d send out another
plastic canopy piece that would be lighter.
I got the new one a couple days later, and
it was half the weight!
I put the airplane together, figuring
that it would be heavy since I used plenty
of CyA on the joints and made no effort to
do anything special. I put it on my postal
scale and it weighed less than 5 ounces!
That is amazing since it’s a rock-solid
airplane and doesn’t “feel” soft, mushy, or
delicate in any way. It’s definitely a
product of good design! I didn’t want to
weigh the model down in finishing, so I
used UltraCote Lite covering.
I got a 600 mAh eight-cell Ni-Cd pack
for the Python, and it works well. But
since I’ve flown the airplane, experts have
told me there’s a new NiMH 1100 mAh
battery of the same size that will give
almost twice the flying time. It figures;
I’m always the last to know.
I used Tower Hobbies TS-5 Nano
servos because they’re fast and they center
perfectly—something that is important on
a model that flies fast. An FMA receiver
and a Jomar throttle that mounts directly
to the motor-brush terminals round out the
equipment list. All put together, the
Python weighed just less than 16 ounces
ready to fly.
Flying: I knew from my former flight
experience with this model that the
controls would be “slow,” so I doubled the
control travels, put in approximately 40%
exponential on my JR radio, and asked for
a hand launch.
The hand launch was less than
graceful, and it ended up with the model
coming straight in on its nose from
roughly seven feet up. The wing broke
loose from the fuselage (it’s glued on!)
and the elevator servo gave up the ghost,
so back to the shop.
The next day I went back to the field
and decided to do the honors myself. I
checked the controls, and everything
looked good (or so I thought). I powered
up, gave the model a mighty heave-ho,
and it was up to approximately 15 feet and
inverted before I could get my hand to the
stick!
I was grateful for that extra control
travel as I crammed the stick all the way
over to correct. The Python rolled about
slowly as time seemed to stand still, and it
finally got upright as it neared the ground.
After the dramatics the model picked up
speed and headed for the sky with
authority.
It seems as though this airplane needs
roughly 50 feet to “pick up speed”—and
speed it does! Just when you think it’s
maxed out, it doubles again! Even with all
that control travel, this model wants to
groove and you literally have to force it to
turn. It’s not skittish at all.
After putting in a whole lot of trim, I
had the flippers all back to center and the
Python tracked straight as an arrow. I tried
some aerobatics: a loop and a roll. It can
do them, but this baby just likes to scream
from one end of the field to the other.
I rate this airplane “cool” and “fun to
fly,” especially if you want to go fast and
impress your buddies. I can imagine three
or four of these models fighting for the
low line as they round a pylon. MA
Specifications:
Wingspan: 29 inches
Wing area: 156 square inches
Wing loading: 14-17 ounces per square
foot
Weight: 14-18 ounces
Motor: 6-volt Speed 400
Cells: Seven or eight 600-800 mAh
Radio: Two to four channels
Price: Basic kit, $55 (includes all wood—
laser-cut balsa and plywood—clear plastic
canopy, and hatch). Standard kit, $65
(includes basic kit, all hardware, and
propeller).
Distributor:
Montana Design
409 S. Sixth St.
Morris Park
Phillipsburg NJ 08865
(904) 454-6411
[email protected]
www.montanadesign.com/
PO BOX 141,
MILFORD, CT 06460
phone: (203) 877-1670
fax: (203) 876-2731
For Complete Catalog send
$5 (credited to first order)
www.davisdieseldevelopment.com
World’s Largest
Producer of Model
DIESEL FUELS!
DIESELIZE with Davis
Diesel... It’s Awsome!
Davis Diesel Heads
Over 100 Models from
.049 - 3.6 cu.in.
Transforms your:
.25 to a .40 cu.in.
.40 to a .60 cu.in.
.60 to a .90 cu.in.
.90 to a 1.20 cu.in.
★ 50% More Power
★ No Glow Plugs
★ Easy Starting
★ Doubles Flight Time
★ Low Noise
28
YEARS
MADISON COMPONENTS • 1-800-811-9135
1059 Valley Crest Drive, Birmingham, AL 35226
www.qualityrcproducts.com
•Fits most
transmitters with
a wire handle.
•The stand is made from
black acrylic.
•Clamps the transmitter
securely.
•Includes colorful,
adjustable neck strap
and all hardware.
transmitter not included.
TRANSMITTER
TRAY
only
$29.95
plus $4.95 s&h
Stop Holding Your
Transmitter!
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 12:30 pm Page 64
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/01
Page Numbers: 61,62,64
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/01
Page Numbers: 61,62,64
THE PYTHON Speed 400 Reno P-51 kit
by Montana Design came from
FlyingHobbies.com in Phillipsburg, New
Jersey. I have to warn you: if you’re
expecting one of those slick product
reviews that sounds like Ebert and Roeper,
you’re going to be disappointed! I’m just
an average builder, a decent pilot, and a
former rock-star wanna-be. (Really!)
I first saw the Python fly at the 2002
NEAT (Northeast Electric Aircraft
Technology) Fair in New York, and I even
got to pilot one for a short, rather unlucky
flight. Maybe someone was feeling sorry for me or
something along those lines, and I was surprised when
I was offered the kit to review!
I procrastinated for a few months before I started
the project. Model Aviation Aeromodeling Editor Bob
Hunt told me I needed at least a 2.5-megapixel camera
to take the pictures, so I used this review as a
justification for getting one. I got the camera and the
big stall was over; I had to build the kit.
Construction: I cleaned off the workbench, dug up
some waxed paper, and opened the box. Whoa! It was
a thing of beauty, with nicely laser-cut balsa, nicely
rolled plans, and a CD-ROM! I zipped over to my
personal computer and opened it up, and it was chockfull
of pictures, instructions, hints, and suggestions—
more than you could ever ask for to build a kit! There
was absolutely nothing left to question.
I followed the instructions; there were enough
pictures that you could build the model even if you
couldn’t read English. This is a fairly small airplane—
spanning 29 inches with 156 square inches of area—
so it doesn’t take a great deal of time to stick the parts
together. The hardest part is keeping your fingers
from getting glued to the parts because of their small
size.
The fuselage requires a pinch of care and the
ability to use a square (which is thoughtfully provided
with the laser-cut parts!) to keep things lined up
properly. Ample instructions are included for aligning
the tail feathers to the fuselage and the wings to the
tail, which is important if you expect the airplane to
fly straight!
The most effort on the fuselage goes into two
Joe Utasi
P r o d u c t R e v i e w
3440 Riverhills Dr., Cincinnati OH 45344
Montana Design Python
Pros:
• Instructions and photo/hints and tips
CD
• Kit engineering
• Flying qualities
Cons:
• Wood could have been a little better
(has been addressed by manufacturer).
Justin Moore, 5, gives you an idea of the model’s size. The wing shape and
long moments are evident here.
Looks fast, eh? Looks are not deceiving in this case. The Python is a smooth,
predictable electric-powered performer with the looks of an air racer.
Photos by the author
January 2004 61
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 12:29 pm Page 61
The author used Tower Hobbies TS-5 Nano servos for their
speed and centering qualities. This is a view from the top.
The aileron servo mounts in the center of the wing and requires
extremely short pushrods for actuation.
The eight-cell 600 mAh pack is shown installed. It’s a tight fit!
The author intends to try an 1100 mAh NiMH pack.
Designer/producer Andy Kunz of FlyingHobbies.com built this Python. He finished it in
more of a military scheme.
The battery pack is installed above the servos and pushrods and
is accessible through the removable canopy section.
62 MODEL AVIATION
areas: shaping the blocks around the
nose—outside and inside the fuselage, to
clear the motor. Fortunately the
instructions show exactly how to carve the
balsa to clear the motor.
The plywood nose ring is perfectly
laser-cut to fit a standard Speed 400 front
case, and the two mounting screws are
included. It’s a good thing because I’ll bet
they’re some weird metric thread that I
wouldn’t have had in my junk bin anyway.
The next task requiring some care was
matching the shape of the plastic
canopy/top-deck section to the top balsa
block without scratching it all up. I put
masking tape along the edge and blasted
away with a large 80-grit sanding block,
and I had it lined up in no time.
Check out the cool pilot! I stole it from
my girlfriend’s son’s toy box and sawed
off the torso. I showed the results to the
little fellow (who is 5), and he thought it
was neat that his “guy” was flying my
airplane!
The figure looks cool and is close to
the perfect size for a pilot in a P-51. (I did
extensive research on this in Jane’s
Encyclopedia of Aviation to make sure that
I had exactly the right size and uniform.) I
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 12:30 pm Page 62
64 MODEL AVIATION
just hate airplanes without pilots!
With the fuselage finished, I moved on
to the wing. If you’re an old geezer, this
wing construction might remind you of
the old Top Flite Schoolboy kit. Lay down
the bottom sheeting, glue the ribs, then
stick on the top covering. There’s nothing
to it.
But wait! The instructions (yes, I did
read them) mentioned something about
“washout.” Sure enough, there were lasercut
shims to put under the wing’s trailing
edge and tip to guarantee that you get the
washout built in and perfect under both
wings. It was way too easy.
It took some thinking to get the
sheeting and stuff to fit around that little
triangle-shaped front wing extension
where the wing meets the fuselage, and
this is probably where some of you might
scratch your head. Use your sanding block
and get creative here. It’s no big deal.
To put on the top covering I used a
slow-cure cyanoacrylate glue (CyA) to
make sure it would all be in place. The
wing is so small that you can use your
palms to hold it all in place until it sets.
Sand it to perfection and cover with your
favorite stuff.
As a first-time product reviewer I had
to find something wrong someplace,
right? The choice of balsa could have been
a little better. The fuselage had some soft
wood and the wing had some hard wood.
I spoke to Andy Kunz at
FlyingHobbies.com, and he agreed and
told me that the problem would be fixed in
production kits. He also surprised me
when he told me he’d send out another
plastic canopy piece that would be lighter.
I got the new one a couple days later, and
it was half the weight!
I put the airplane together, figuring
that it would be heavy since I used plenty
of CyA on the joints and made no effort to
do anything special. I put it on my postal
scale and it weighed less than 5 ounces!
That is amazing since it’s a rock-solid
airplane and doesn’t “feel” soft, mushy, or
delicate in any way. It’s definitely a
product of good design! I didn’t want to
weigh the model down in finishing, so I
used UltraCote Lite covering.
I got a 600 mAh eight-cell Ni-Cd pack
for the Python, and it works well. But
since I’ve flown the airplane, experts have
told me there’s a new NiMH 1100 mAh
battery of the same size that will give
almost twice the flying time. It figures;
I’m always the last to know.
I used Tower Hobbies TS-5 Nano
servos because they’re fast and they center
perfectly—something that is important on
a model that flies fast. An FMA receiver
and a Jomar throttle that mounts directly
to the motor-brush terminals round out the
equipment list. All put together, the
Python weighed just less than 16 ounces
ready to fly.
Flying: I knew from my former flight
experience with this model that the
controls would be “slow,” so I doubled the
control travels, put in approximately 40%
exponential on my JR radio, and asked for
a hand launch.
The hand launch was less than
graceful, and it ended up with the model
coming straight in on its nose from
roughly seven feet up. The wing broke
loose from the fuselage (it’s glued on!)
and the elevator servo gave up the ghost,
so back to the shop.
The next day I went back to the field
and decided to do the honors myself. I
checked the controls, and everything
looked good (or so I thought). I powered
up, gave the model a mighty heave-ho,
and it was up to approximately 15 feet and
inverted before I could get my hand to the
stick!
I was grateful for that extra control
travel as I crammed the stick all the way
over to correct. The Python rolled about
slowly as time seemed to stand still, and it
finally got upright as it neared the ground.
After the dramatics the model picked up
speed and headed for the sky with
authority.
It seems as though this airplane needs
roughly 50 feet to “pick up speed”—and
speed it does! Just when you think it’s
maxed out, it doubles again! Even with all
that control travel, this model wants to
groove and you literally have to force it to
turn. It’s not skittish at all.
After putting in a whole lot of trim, I
had the flippers all back to center and the
Python tracked straight as an arrow. I tried
some aerobatics: a loop and a roll. It can
do them, but this baby just likes to scream
from one end of the field to the other.
I rate this airplane “cool” and “fun to
fly,” especially if you want to go fast and
impress your buddies. I can imagine three
or four of these models fighting for the
low line as they round a pylon. MA
Specifications:
Wingspan: 29 inches
Wing area: 156 square inches
Wing loading: 14-17 ounces per square
foot
Weight: 14-18 ounces
Motor: 6-volt Speed 400
Cells: Seven or eight 600-800 mAh
Radio: Two to four channels
Price: Basic kit, $55 (includes all wood—
laser-cut balsa and plywood—clear plastic
canopy, and hatch). Standard kit, $65
(includes basic kit, all hardware, and
propeller).
Distributor:
Montana Design
409 S. Sixth St.
Morris Park
Phillipsburg NJ 08865
(904) 454-6411
[email protected]
www.montanadesign.com/
PO BOX 141,
MILFORD, CT 06460
phone: (203) 877-1670
fax: (203) 876-2731
For Complete Catalog send
$5 (credited to first order)
www.davisdieseldevelopment.com
World’s Largest
Producer of Model
DIESEL FUELS!
DIESELIZE with Davis
Diesel... It’s Awsome!
Davis Diesel Heads
Over 100 Models from
.049 - 3.6 cu.in.
Transforms your:
.25 to a .40 cu.in.
.40 to a .60 cu.in.
.60 to a .90 cu.in.
.90 to a 1.20 cu.in.
★ 50% More Power
★ No Glow Plugs
★ Easy Starting
★ Doubles Flight Time
★ Low Noise
28
YEARS
MADISON COMPONENTS • 1-800-811-9135
1059 Valley Crest Drive, Birmingham, AL 35226
www.qualityrcproducts.com
•Fits most
transmitters with
a wire handle.
•The stand is made from
black acrylic.
•Clamps the transmitter
securely.
•Includes colorful,
adjustable neck strap
and all hardware.
transmitter not included.
TRANSMITTER
TRAY
only
$29.95
plus $4.95 s&h
Stop Holding Your
Transmitter!
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 12:30 pm Page 64
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/01
Page Numbers: 61,62,64
THE PYTHON Speed 400 Reno P-51 kit
by Montana Design came from
FlyingHobbies.com in Phillipsburg, New
Jersey. I have to warn you: if you’re
expecting one of those slick product
reviews that sounds like Ebert and Roeper,
you’re going to be disappointed! I’m just
an average builder, a decent pilot, and a
former rock-star wanna-be. (Really!)
I first saw the Python fly at the 2002
NEAT (Northeast Electric Aircraft
Technology) Fair in New York, and I even
got to pilot one for a short, rather unlucky
flight. Maybe someone was feeling sorry for me or
something along those lines, and I was surprised when
I was offered the kit to review!
I procrastinated for a few months before I started
the project. Model Aviation Aeromodeling Editor Bob
Hunt told me I needed at least a 2.5-megapixel camera
to take the pictures, so I used this review as a
justification for getting one. I got the camera and the
big stall was over; I had to build the kit.
Construction: I cleaned off the workbench, dug up
some waxed paper, and opened the box. Whoa! It was
a thing of beauty, with nicely laser-cut balsa, nicely
rolled plans, and a CD-ROM! I zipped over to my
personal computer and opened it up, and it was chockfull
of pictures, instructions, hints, and suggestions—
more than you could ever ask for to build a kit! There
was absolutely nothing left to question.
I followed the instructions; there were enough
pictures that you could build the model even if you
couldn’t read English. This is a fairly small airplane—
spanning 29 inches with 156 square inches of area—
so it doesn’t take a great deal of time to stick the parts
together. The hardest part is keeping your fingers
from getting glued to the parts because of their small
size.
The fuselage requires a pinch of care and the
ability to use a square (which is thoughtfully provided
with the laser-cut parts!) to keep things lined up
properly. Ample instructions are included for aligning
the tail feathers to the fuselage and the wings to the
tail, which is important if you expect the airplane to
fly straight!
The most effort on the fuselage goes into two
Joe Utasi
P r o d u c t R e v i e w
3440 Riverhills Dr., Cincinnati OH 45344
Montana Design Python
Pros:
• Instructions and photo/hints and tips
CD
• Kit engineering
• Flying qualities
Cons:
• Wood could have been a little better
(has been addressed by manufacturer).
Justin Moore, 5, gives you an idea of the model’s size. The wing shape and
long moments are evident here.
Looks fast, eh? Looks are not deceiving in this case. The Python is a smooth,
predictable electric-powered performer with the looks of an air racer.
Photos by the author
January 2004 61
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 12:29 pm Page 61
The author used Tower Hobbies TS-5 Nano servos for their
speed and centering qualities. This is a view from the top.
The aileron servo mounts in the center of the wing and requires
extremely short pushrods for actuation.
The eight-cell 600 mAh pack is shown installed. It’s a tight fit!
The author intends to try an 1100 mAh NiMH pack.
Designer/producer Andy Kunz of FlyingHobbies.com built this Python. He finished it in
more of a military scheme.
The battery pack is installed above the servos and pushrods and
is accessible through the removable canopy section.
62 MODEL AVIATION
areas: shaping the blocks around the
nose—outside and inside the fuselage, to
clear the motor. Fortunately the
instructions show exactly how to carve the
balsa to clear the motor.
The plywood nose ring is perfectly
laser-cut to fit a standard Speed 400 front
case, and the two mounting screws are
included. It’s a good thing because I’ll bet
they’re some weird metric thread that I
wouldn’t have had in my junk bin anyway.
The next task requiring some care was
matching the shape of the plastic
canopy/top-deck section to the top balsa
block without scratching it all up. I put
masking tape along the edge and blasted
away with a large 80-grit sanding block,
and I had it lined up in no time.
Check out the cool pilot! I stole it from
my girlfriend’s son’s toy box and sawed
off the torso. I showed the results to the
little fellow (who is 5), and he thought it
was neat that his “guy” was flying my
airplane!
The figure looks cool and is close to
the perfect size for a pilot in a P-51. (I did
extensive research on this in Jane’s
Encyclopedia of Aviation to make sure that
I had exactly the right size and uniform.) I
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 12:30 pm Page 62
64 MODEL AVIATION
just hate airplanes without pilots!
With the fuselage finished, I moved on
to the wing. If you’re an old geezer, this
wing construction might remind you of
the old Top Flite Schoolboy kit. Lay down
the bottom sheeting, glue the ribs, then
stick on the top covering. There’s nothing
to it.
But wait! The instructions (yes, I did
read them) mentioned something about
“washout.” Sure enough, there were lasercut
shims to put under the wing’s trailing
edge and tip to guarantee that you get the
washout built in and perfect under both
wings. It was way too easy.
It took some thinking to get the
sheeting and stuff to fit around that little
triangle-shaped front wing extension
where the wing meets the fuselage, and
this is probably where some of you might
scratch your head. Use your sanding block
and get creative here. It’s no big deal.
To put on the top covering I used a
slow-cure cyanoacrylate glue (CyA) to
make sure it would all be in place. The
wing is so small that you can use your
palms to hold it all in place until it sets.
Sand it to perfection and cover with your
favorite stuff.
As a first-time product reviewer I had
to find something wrong someplace,
right? The choice of balsa could have been
a little better. The fuselage had some soft
wood and the wing had some hard wood.
I spoke to Andy Kunz at
FlyingHobbies.com, and he agreed and
told me that the problem would be fixed in
production kits. He also surprised me
when he told me he’d send out another
plastic canopy piece that would be lighter.
I got the new one a couple days later, and
it was half the weight!
I put the airplane together, figuring
that it would be heavy since I used plenty
of CyA on the joints and made no effort to
do anything special. I put it on my postal
scale and it weighed less than 5 ounces!
That is amazing since it’s a rock-solid
airplane and doesn’t “feel” soft, mushy, or
delicate in any way. It’s definitely a
product of good design! I didn’t want to
weigh the model down in finishing, so I
used UltraCote Lite covering.
I got a 600 mAh eight-cell Ni-Cd pack
for the Python, and it works well. But
since I’ve flown the airplane, experts have
told me there’s a new NiMH 1100 mAh
battery of the same size that will give
almost twice the flying time. It figures;
I’m always the last to know.
I used Tower Hobbies TS-5 Nano
servos because they’re fast and they center
perfectly—something that is important on
a model that flies fast. An FMA receiver
and a Jomar throttle that mounts directly
to the motor-brush terminals round out the
equipment list. All put together, the
Python weighed just less than 16 ounces
ready to fly.
Flying: I knew from my former flight
experience with this model that the
controls would be “slow,” so I doubled the
control travels, put in approximately 40%
exponential on my JR radio, and asked for
a hand launch.
The hand launch was less than
graceful, and it ended up with the model
coming straight in on its nose from
roughly seven feet up. The wing broke
loose from the fuselage (it’s glued on!)
and the elevator servo gave up the ghost,
so back to the shop.
The next day I went back to the field
and decided to do the honors myself. I
checked the controls, and everything
looked good (or so I thought). I powered
up, gave the model a mighty heave-ho,
and it was up to approximately 15 feet and
inverted before I could get my hand to the
stick!
I was grateful for that extra control
travel as I crammed the stick all the way
over to correct. The Python rolled about
slowly as time seemed to stand still, and it
finally got upright as it neared the ground.
After the dramatics the model picked up
speed and headed for the sky with
authority.
It seems as though this airplane needs
roughly 50 feet to “pick up speed”—and
speed it does! Just when you think it’s
maxed out, it doubles again! Even with all
that control travel, this model wants to
groove and you literally have to force it to
turn. It’s not skittish at all.
After putting in a whole lot of trim, I
had the flippers all back to center and the
Python tracked straight as an arrow. I tried
some aerobatics: a loop and a roll. It can
do them, but this baby just likes to scream
from one end of the field to the other.
I rate this airplane “cool” and “fun to
fly,” especially if you want to go fast and
impress your buddies. I can imagine three
or four of these models fighting for the
low line as they round a pylon. MA
Specifications:
Wingspan: 29 inches
Wing area: 156 square inches
Wing loading: 14-17 ounces per square
foot
Weight: 14-18 ounces
Motor: 6-volt Speed 400
Cells: Seven or eight 600-800 mAh
Radio: Two to four channels
Price: Basic kit, $55 (includes all wood—
laser-cut balsa and plywood—clear plastic
canopy, and hatch). Standard kit, $65
(includes basic kit, all hardware, and
propeller).
Distributor:
Montana Design
409 S. Sixth St.
Morris Park
Phillipsburg NJ 08865
(904) 454-6411
[email protected]
www.montanadesign.com/
PO BOX 141,
MILFORD, CT 06460
phone: (203) 877-1670
fax: (203) 876-2731
For Complete Catalog send
$5 (credited to first order)
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