Product Review - 2004/06

MOST OF YOU have probably built
kits, paying little attention to the
instructions—especially with ARFs. You
might refer to them in a critical area, but
most kits these days are self-explanatory.
Now imagine putting together one of the
more aerobatic models with no
instructions whatsoever. That’s what you
have with the Diablotin Mini from Esprit
Model.
The Diablotin Mini is designed to be a
fully 3-D-capable model that is specially
designed for aerobatic flying and funflying.
Its construction is extremely light,
and it comes precovered in a nice color
scheme.
First Impressions: When the Diablotin
Mini arrived, I wondered if it was a
semikit because the box didn’t weigh
what a normal ARF box weighs. When I
opened it, I was surprised to see that
everything was there; it was just
extremely light.
To put it in perspective, I weighed all
the parts before assembly and came up
with 25 ounces (just more than 1.5
pounds). The construction is of balsa and
a little light plywood in the strength-critical
areas.
The covering was surprisingly well done.
There were no wrinkles, dimples, or
problems at all. The model is eye-catching in
a brilliant-yellow and transparent-blue
scheme.
You can tell that the Diablotin Mini is a 3-
D machine by looking at the parts. It has a
thick airfoil; a long tail moment; large control
Esprit Model Diablotin
Mini ARF
Pros:
• 90% prebuilt.
• One-piece wing.
• Extremely lightweight construction.
• Nicely covered—no wrinkles.
• Spectacular 3-D capabilities for such
a small model.
• Great low-speed and gliding ability.
Cons:
• None.
If you’re looking for a small 3-D machine, this model will not disappoint. This airplane
will fit assembled into a Honda Accord.
When finished, the Diablotin Mini weighed 3.8 pounds ready to fly. That is significantly
lighter than most 40-size aerobatic models on the market.
surfaces; and a tall, thin fuselage. Most
hardware is included, but you have to
supply a fuel tank, an engine mount, and
engine-mounting hardware. It even
includes a Styrofoam pilot molded into the
shape of a devil. (I guess that’s where the
model gets its name!)
Construction: This is not a beginner’s model;
by the time you get to this level you should be
able to put this aircraft together with a little
planning. Included with the model are
instructions, a CAD drawing, and one lettersized
sheet containing drawings of basic
radio/engine installation.
Since the wing comes as one piece, the
only thing left is to install the ailerons, servos,
and control linkages. All this is
straightforward using the supplied hardware.
The hinges are not the “thin-cyanoacrylate-
72 MODEL AVIATION
Photos courtesy the author
David Adams
P r o d u c t R e v i e w
E-mail: [email protected]
06sig3.QXD 3/24/04 1:44 pm Page 72
glue” type that are common these days; you
should pin or epoxy them in. The hinge slots
are precut, and everything lined up well.
The cutouts for the servos are small, for
the lightweight variety. I didn’t have that type
available, so I ended up enlarging the holes by
roughly 1⁄8 inch to accommodate the
Airtronics standard servos.
As I mentioned, the fuselage is a long, thin
design. Because of this, the servos for the
elevator and rudder are mounted under the
stabilizer. You’ll need a couple 24-inch servo
lead extensions to reach up to the receiver
compartment. One nice thing is that the lower
part of the fuselage is covered in the
transparent blue, so you’ll be able to guide the
leads through the fuselage construction quite
easily.
The Diablotin Mini is mostly assembled when you take it out of the box. Its yellow-andtransparent-
blue color scheme is well done.
Shown during the initial flight, the Diablotin Mini proved to be capable. It has great
handling at any speed. The structure really shows in the air!
Snaps, spins, point rolls, torque rolls, hovering, and extended inverted flight can be
done easily and cleanly. This model really makes you look good.
After enlarging the servo cutouts and
installing the servos, I epoxied the stabilizer
and vertical fin into place. I know that’s
backward from what’s normal, but it was
easier for my large hands to operate that way. I
attached the elevators, rudder, and landing
gear. The main gear consists of two prebent
rods that are held in place with straps.
The Diablotin Mini calls for a .25- to .40-
size two-stroke engine (or electric power). I
used an O.S. .40 LA engine and mounted it to
the firewall using a Dave Brown Products .40-
.45 long mount. It lined up quite well with the
fiberglass cowl and required just a few cutouts
for the muffler, carburetor, and needle-valve
access. I used a Du-Bro Fill It fueling system
to hook up the Sullivan Products 6-ounce tank
to the engine.
I completed the radio installation by
installing the receiver, battery, and switch
harness. I moved the receiver battery as far
forward as possible for balance—under the
fuel tank. The only other thing needed was a Y
harness for the two aileron servos.
To complete the Diablotin Mini, I trimmed
the vacuum-formed canopy and glued it into
position. Then I cleaned the entire airplane and
attached the pressure-sensitive decals.
After everything was complete, I attached
the wing and checked the balance. Showing
quite tail-heavy, the model took 7.5 ounces of
nose weight to balance properly. Even after all
the added weight, it was only slightly heavier
than recommended. (With miniservos [Hitec
HS-85BB] in the tail, no additional nose
weight is required.)
Flying: With everything ready to go and a
good night’s charge behind me, it was off to
the field for some fun!
I used a three-blade propeller for two
reasons: the first was ground clearance with
the short landing gear, and the second was that
I am a fan and use them when I can.
I performed a quick range check, fueled up
the model, and started the engine. After a few
quick needle adjustments, it was time to taxi.
The Diablotin Mini taxis quite well on
pavement, but it will not taxi on anything taller
than a well-manicured golf green. Its short
gear and small wheels are designed for flat
surfaces.
Turning into the wind, I throttled up and
away it went. Takeoff was short
(approximately 40 feet) and climbout was
effortless. I needed a bit of left aileron and a
couple clicks of down-trim for hands-off
flight.
I performed a few patterns so I could get
used to the model and grab a few photos.
There were no surprises. After the photos, I
kicked in the high rates and it was time to see
what the Diablotin could do.
Holy cow! What a performer. Snaps, spins,
point rolls, torque rolls, and hovering were
easy to do and quite clean. This model makes
you look good. Inverted flight needed a touch
of down-elevator for level flight. Knife-edge
flight can go on for days. I could do anything I
wanted with the model except for a knifeedge
loop. This airplane is plain fun!
After my mini air show, I decided to bring
74 MODEL AVIATION
06sig3.QXD 3/24/04 1:45 pm Page 74
the model in for landing. The Diablotin Mini
slows nicely and seems as though it will glide
forever. It is fully controllable at these low
speeds, with no surprises. Landings were
effortless, and at a surprisingly low speed.
I have put many flights on the Diablotin
Mini since then, and it has never failed to
bring a smile to my face. I’ve refined the
throws and learned that high rates of elevator
and rudder at 45° and aileron at 40° are just
about right. Low rates are set at 50% of the
high rates.
Other than the lack of instructions, this is an
excellent airplane. It is a joy to fly and looks
great in the air. If you are in the market for a
good .40-size 3-D aerobatic model, I strongly
recommend the Diablotin Mini. It does
everything in the book and does it well. MA
Specifications:
Wingspan: 54 inches
Wing area: 600 square inches
Length: 50 inches
Recommended weight: 3.5 pounds
Review model’s weight (ready to fly): 3.8
pounds (Required 7.5 ounces of nose weight
for balance.)
Recommended engine: .25-.40 two-stroke
Review model’s engine: O.S. .40 LA
Recommended radio: Four-channel, five
servos
Review model’s radio: Airtronics RD6000
Sport transmitter, receiver, five 94322 servos
Materials used in construction: Balsa and
plywood with fiberglass cowl
Manufacturer/distributor:
Esprit Model
1114 Lynbrook St. NW
Palm Bay FL 32907
(321) 729-4287
www.espritmodel.com
Street price: $229
Products used in review:
RD6000 radio system:
Airtronics
1185 Stanford Ct.
Anaheim CA 92807
(714) 978-1895
www.airtronics.net
.40-.45-long mount:
Dave Brown Products
4560 Layhigh Rd.
Hamilton OH 45014
(513) 738-1576
www.dbproducts.com
Fill It fueling system:
Du-Bro Products
Box 815
Wauconda IL 60084
(847) 526-2136
www.dubro.com
O.S. .40 LA engine:
Great Planes Distributors
Box 9021
Champaign IL 61826
www.osengines.com
Master Airscrew 10 x 6 three-blade propeller:
Windsor Propeller Co., Inc.
Box 250
Rancho Cordova CA 95741
www.masterairscrew.com
6-ounce fuel tank:
Sullivan Products
1 North Haven St.
Baltimore MD 21224
(410) 732-3500
www.sullivanproducts.com
76 MODEL AVIATION
OTHER PME PRODUCTS*
P. O. BOX 3129 • CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78463-3129
ORDERS, INFORMATION & CUSTOMER SERVICE: (361) 814-6843
HOURS: MONDAY - FRIDAY, 11AM – 6PM CENTRAL TIME
WEBSITE: www.pme-rc.com • E-MAIL: [email protected]
GlowDriver for Multi-Cylinder (4 to 8 plugs) - starts at ............. $42.95
GlowDriver for Boats, Cars ....................................................... $32.95
PowerBackup .............................................................................. 36.95
AccessorySwitch (300 watt) ........................................................ 35.95
FlapMixer .................................................................................... 30.95
Exponential ServoDriver ............................................................ 28.95
AccessorySwitch, Low-Current ................................................... 24.95
SloServo ..................................................................................... 28.95
ThrottleSwitch w/BEC & Timer ................................................... 40.95
IgnitionUnit for Rocket Powered Models ..................................... 39.95
Single-Channel FailSafe ............................................................. 24.95
ManualServoDriver w/connectors ............................................... 37.95
PowerRegulator, 5-Volt ............................................................... 14.95
Other Specialized Accessory Devices and Custom Devices are
available - call for details and pricing
*Connectors available for Airtronics, Futaba, Hitec and JR - $2.95 each, installed.
PRECISIONMICROELECTRONICS
Add $2.50 per item,
max $5.00 for S&H.
TX residents must add
8.250% sales tax.
Complete systems and
other products available for
planes, cars and boats.
Call or write for details.
Makes starting easier and
safer. Keeps the glow plug hot
just when your engine needs
it the most. Connects between
the throttle servo and
receiver, and is reversible
with selectable “on” and “off”
points. Can drive two glow
plugs and automatically turns
off when transmitter is off.
Compatible with AM, FM and
PCM radio systems. Low
power consumption. Comes
with hookup wire. Less radio connector, power cell and plug clip. Size:
1.7” x 1.2” x 0.4”. Weight: 0.4 oz. Part No. — GD210A $34.95; $37.90
w/connector; $44.85 w/connector & plug clip; CALL for complete
single, twin-cylinder and twin-engine systems.
GLOWDRIVER
Gives older radios the ability to reverse the
direction of servo operation. Installations and setups
are easier and more convenient. Provides both
normal and reversed output without the use of a
Y-connector. It makes split elevator, two-servo
ailerons, or double-servo rudder installation supereasy.
Microprocessor controlled and 100%
electronic with no setup or fuss—just connect it
and forget it. Made in the U.S.A. and works with
AM, FM and PCM radio systems. Ultra-low power
consumption. Less radio connector. Size: 1.6” x
0.9” x 0.4”. Weight: 0.25 oz. Part No. — SR502U
$24.95; $27.90 complete w/connector.
DUAL-OUTPUT SERVOREVERSER
Gives standard radios the
ability to mix channels for
elevons, v-tails, flaps, spoilers
or aileron/rudder coupling.
Easy setup and installation.
Rugged microprocessor-based design is 100% electronic for high
reliability. Simply connect the mixer between servos and receiver.
Features two mixing modes, individual servo reversing and four different
mixing rates. These features allow you to tailor the mixer to the needs of
your model. Will not overdrive your servos, and all options are selected
with simple switches. Made in the U.S.A. and designed for AM, FM and
PCM radio systems. Very low power consumption. Less radio connectors.
Size: 1.6” x 0.9” x 0.4”. Weight: 0.25 oz. Part No. — EM310A $30.95;
$37.85 complete w/connectors.
ELEVONMIXER
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