SKYARTEC WASP X3V RTF
REVIEWS
Helicopter pilot and MA columnist Mark Fadely contributed this review of the Skyartec Wasp X3V from Park RC Models. Here is what he had to say:
The Skyartec Wasp X3V RTF flybarless electric helicopter can get you into the 250-size category at a reduced price.
Inside the box you'll find the helicopter, radio, printed instructions, Clearview SE flight simulator disks, and the flight battery. The printed supplemental instruction manual is nice to have as you prepare the model for flight. It details how to turn on the radio and helicopter in the proper order and how to watch the indicator lights on the transmitter that signal "ready for flight" status. The manual is informative and complete.
The Wasp X3V RTF is truly ready to fly. Simply charge the flight battery with the included charger, install 8 AA cells into the transmitter, screw in the canopy standoffs, and you are ready to take off.
The helicopter is nicely built and well laid out with neat, organized component wiring. There are plenty of carbon-fiber and CNC aluminum parts. The speed control is mounted on one side of the lightweight main frame, and the three-axis receiver/gyro is mounted to the other. Both are loosely held with cable ties that isolate vibration.
It includes a powerful brushless motor with a gear drive to the main rotor, accompanied by a belt and pulley system for the tail-rotor drive. This little heli is built with some quality details that often are not included with kits at this price.
Ball-link fitment can make one helicopter fly great, and an identical one fly poorly. Helicopters rely on good ball links for precise control. The Wasp's links are tight with no slop, yet they smoothly move for excellent, precise control inputs.
The included programmable seven-channel transmitter has an LCD screen similar to upscale units.
The included flight simulator is a great addition and comes with a cable that plugs into a PC's USB port. The X3V is a great value with its $279 street price, the quality of the kit and its many "extras," and ongoing support from Park RC Models.
It is time to see what this 3-D Wasp will do in the air. A couple of clicks on the roll- and pitch-trim levers are needed to prevent drifting.
The collective response was snappy for an aircraft of this size. It was flown around in forward flight with transitions to sideways and backward orientations while checking the tail responses.
After my comfort level increased, the idle-up switch was flipped, triggering a faster rotor rpm and a shift to a fully symmetrical 3-D flight-pitch setting.
The model's tail began to wag, so I landed the heli and the gyro sensitivity decreased. At the same time, I adjusted the agility setting to allow more roll.
Back in the air, idle up was entered, and the heli was then flipped to check for inverted trim changes. It flew nearly identical inverted, so I tried several 3-D moves.
Product Spotlight
I have flown several 250-size helicopters and the Wasp X3V holds its own when compared with other models on the market.
The 250-size category is the logical next step for pilots when they graduate from smaller models. After you master flight with this capable aircraft, you will be ready to take on nearly any heli on the market.
Read the full review and see more photos at www.ModelAviation.com/waspx3v.
Park RC Models: Lapeer Road, Auburn Hills MI 48326; Tel. (248) 232-6130; website: www.parkrcmodels.com BMJR Models, Box 1210, Sharpes FL 32959; Tel.: (321) 537-1159; website: www.bmjrmodels.com
The Paul Bradley-designed Turnaround 325 is now available as a laser-cut kit from BMJR Models.
Intended to be flown in small areas such as parks, the model has a 43-1/2-inch wingspan with 325 square inches of wing area and a flying weight of 26 to 29 ounces with a wing loading of approximately 12 ounces per square foot. When powered by a three-cell, 22 mAh LiPo and a 180-watt motor turning a 10 x 7 propeller, the Turnaround 325 is capable of classic aerobatic maneuvers, although it's not designed for 3-D aerobatics.
The kit contains more than 240 laser-cut parts with a complete hardware package and illustrated instructions by Paul. The builder furnishes the power package, RC gear, and covering.
Turnaround 325 @ $94.50 + S&H from BMJR Models
CGY750 Three-Axis Flybarless System @ $269.99 + S&H from Hobbico, 3002 N. Apollo Dr., Suite #1, Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 637-7660; website: www.futabarc.com
One of Futaba's most popular gyros is now even better, with features that modelers want in a small, lightweight design.
With exceptional flybarless control, the CGY750 supports all swashplate types and is S.Bus compatible. The integrated governor provides a range from 1,000 to 3,000 rpm. In combination with the gyro it seamlessly integrates throttle and pitch commands. The CGY750 also features a dynamic gyro response range of plus or minus 1,200° per second. Flight modes allow the pilot to quickly get into the air.
Priced to fit any modeler's budget, the CGY750 has a large, easy-to-read OLED display and includes an all-inclusive, easy-to-understand instruction manual.
Version 1.3x software is included so the pilot can enjoy high-cyclic gains, excellent piro compensation and superior rate control, and consistency between stationary and fast-forward flight.
EC3, EC5, T-Connector, and XT60 Paraboards @ $22.95-$24.95 + S&H from Common Sense RC, Box 3546, Chatsworth CA 91313; Tel.: (866) 405-8811; website: www.commonsenserc.com
Common Sense RC Paraboards take the waiting out of charging batteries! Six LiPo batteries can be simultaneously charged and balanced.
Each board contains EC3, EC5, a T-Connector, or XT60 plugs for the batteries' main leads. JST-XH balance plugs ranging from 2S to 6S are also included and plug into most 6S LiPo chargers, balancing chargers that have seven-pin balance ports with 2.5mm pin spacing.
Full-Body Scale Pilots @ $155-$175 + S&H from Esprit Model, 1240 Clearmont St. NE, Unit #12, Palm Bay FL 32905; Tel.: (321) 729-4287; website: www.espritmodel.com
Esprit Model introduces full-body scale pilots—the perfect addition to any scale project.
These European handcrafted pilots have a plush, adjustable scale body that can be rearranged to fit cockpit requirements. The pilots come dressed in handmade clothing, shoes, and hats.
The pilots are available in four different styles—Retro 1, Retro 2, Military, and Glider—and three different sizes: 1/4 scale, 1/3 scale, and 1/2 scale.
SAB Goblin 500-Series Battery Tray System Assembly @ $108.95-$131.95 + S&H from KDE Direct; email: [email protected]; website: www.kdedirect.com
The highly anticipated KDE Direct SAB Heli Division Goblin 500 Series Battery Tray System Assembly is now available!
With an ultralight and high-strength design finished in clear anodized, mirror-polish CNC, the battery tray system features an innovative and patent-pending locking mechanism, making LiPo installation and removal fast and hassle free.
The new assembly replaces the entire mainframe subassembly, making the helicopter stronger and stiffer. It also improves flight control and will protect the expensive internal electronics of the helicopter during a crash. No frame modifications are needed for an easy, drop-in fit.
For customers with multiple LiPo packs, KDE Direct SAB Goblin 500 Battery Tray Upgrades are also available. Save $2.95 when you purchase the Battery Tray System and the Battery Tray Upgrade together.
Sbach XA-41 300 ARF @ $189.99 + S&H from Sig Mfg. Co., Inc., 401 S. Front St., Box 520, Montezuma IA 50171; Tel.: (641) 623-5154; website: www.sigmfg.com
Whether you like to fly fast or slow, smooth precision aerobatics or 3-D, the new Sig Sbach XA-41 can provide the aerobatic performance for which you are looking.
The Sbach XA-41 features traditional all-wood construction, with a finish, accuracy, and performance that only balsa models can offer. The Oracover premium film color scheme is factory applied, with a beautifully painted fiberglass cowling, factory-painted wheel pants, and formed aluminum landing gear. The airplane includes a two-piece wing with a strong, aluminum wing joiner tube and a magnetic, removable canopy and top deck for easy access to all of the electronics.
With large control surfaces for 3-D slow-speed responses and dual aileron servo setup for precise control, the Sbach XA-41 comes with a complete pushrod and hardware package, as well as a photo-illustrated instruction manual. A four-channel radio with four microservos, a 700–900 Kv 600- to 800-watt brushless motor, a 60- to 75-amp ESC, and a 4S 2,500–4,000 mAh LiPo battery pack are required.
Inverza 33 ARF @ $519.99 + S&H from Horizon Hobby Inc., 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; website: www.hangar-9.com
If you’re looking for a pure flight experience even when control input is aggressive, look no further than the Hangar 9 Inverza 33 ARF.
Designed by Quique Somenzini, with the yet-to-be-built full-scale Jim Kimball Enterprises Inverza in mind, the 75-inch wingspan Inverza 33 ARF was developed to take advantage of the emerging 30cc gas engine and the 180-class outrunner electric power systems.
The balsa/balsa-plywood structure is strong and lightweight with oversized control surfaces and covered in an original UltraCote Micro Pecorari color scheme. The two-piece wing connects with a carbon-fiber wing tube, and ailerons and elevators are pre-hinged. Other features include an oversized hatch with a tinted canopy, scale instrument detail, factory-painted aluminum landing gear and fiberglass cowl, and matching wheel pants.
Engineered to fly upright, inverted, and knife-edge without mixing, the Inverza 33 is perfect for entry-level aerobatic pilots and Giant Scale fans. It requires a six-plus-channel programmable transmitter and receiver and five high-torque standard servos. The conversion kit for an electric power system and an optional pilot figure are sold separately.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
