This Taylorcra certainly isn’t a one-trick pony. On low rates, it’s a great trainer. On high rates, it becomes a high-energy aerobat. It’s an eye-catching, Fun Scale, IMAA-legal model.
I’m occasionally asked for a recommendation of a fi rst model for someone new to gas power. There are several ARFs out there that will work nicely, but fi guring out what engine to match up to them isn’t always the easiest choice. The Taylorcraft Bind-n-Fly (BNF) from Hangar 9 looks to be the answer to this question. Although it’s not quite ready to fl y, most of the work is done for you and it even includes a Spektrum fl ight pack and Zenoah G-26 engine. The clipped-wing Taylorcraft is a great subject. Because it’s a Scale model, it grabs my interest right away. What’s more, it is also modeled after a specifi c full-scale model (N-number N6115 created by Jim Moss). The full-scale Taylorcraft makes a great air show performer, with stable and forgiving fl ight characteristics. Let’s put this Taylorcraft together and get it airborne! After unpacking the box and taking the parts picture, I took a moment to examine what I had. To my surprise, this kit is complete. With the exception of a few hand tools, a couple dabs of silicone, and some threadlocker, every other conceivable part, piece, and accessory is included. Yes, everything—all the clevises, control horns, hardware, fuel tank, tubing, engine, muffl er, propeller, aluminum spinner, wheels, pilot, and more. It’s all in the box, and nearly everything is preinstalled. The radio is installed and the extensions for the aileron servos are already in the proper place. All of the control hardware is in place, and the control surfaces are prehinged and installed. The few pieces that aren’t preinstalled have the proper holes and hardware ready to aid in assembly. Horizon’s design team must have worked overtime on the Taylorcraft BNF. The airframe is constructed from laser-cut plywood and balsa. Everything is covered in UltraCote iron-on covering that faithfully matches the full-scale Taylorcraft. There were a few wrinkles, so I took a few minutes with the iron to smooth them. Up front, the fi berglass cowl is prepainted and matches the UltraCote
well. There’s a lot of molded-in detail with all the scoops and louvers. Also, there are several precut holes that should align with protrusions on the engine. Sometimes a weak point in many kits is the landing gear. I don’t think that will be a problem in this Taylorcraft. The main gear is made from 3/16-inch steel and supported by a heavy-duty 5/16-inch spring strut on each side. It should handle rough landings without bending. The tailwheel is also beefy, with the main support molded from carbon fiber and incorporating a heavy-duty axle. The tires are rubber, so they should withstand a lot of use without developing flat spots as foam tires would. Other painted parts are the fiberglass wheel pants and the tail and wing struts. The wing struts come as a completed subassembly and are ready to bolt on. They are made from airfoil-shaped extruded aluminum. Rounding out the kit is an assortment of hardware bags, a carbon wing tube, an aluminum spinner, a propeller, and even a pilot figure! Construction I’m not going to go through all of the construction steps. If you’d like to see each of the steps, you can download the Taylorcraft’s manual. The link is listed in the “Sources” section. In the front of most manuals is a list of tools and adhesives that you need to complete the kit. I make a point to gather those first, but usually end up using several other tools during a build. This was not so in the case of the Taylorcraft. I cleared my bench of all tools and only used the tools the manual listed. I never needed anything else. Because the radio comes preinstalled, I took the time to charge the flight pack battery and bind the system to my DX18. One thing that is not included in the kit was a binding plug. This is a BNF model, yet no binding plug was included. Hopefully you’ll have one of these somewhere. There’s only one step where an item is “glued” to another item. This was in the first step where the main gear was attached to the fuselage. The molded fairings are held in place with silicone adhesive. All other steps require only a few drops of threadlocker to hold screws SPECIFICATIONSModel type: Semiscale BNFSkill level: Intermediate builder/intermediate pilotWingspan: 80.5 inchesWing area: 1,150 square inchesAirfoil: SemisymmetricalLength: 63.6 inchesWeight: 14 to 14.5 poundsPower system: Zenoah 26cc gas engine (included)Radio: Six-channel radioPrice: $1,279.99 TEST-MODEL DETAILSEngine: Zenoah 26cc gas engine (included)Propeller: 16 x 6 Evolution Radio system: Spektrum DX18 radio, Spektrum AR8000 receiver (included), six Spektrum A6000 digital servos (included), five-cell NiMH receiver battery (included)Ready-to-fly weight: 14.25 poundsFlight duration: 25 minutesPLUSES• Quick assembly.• No gluing necessary. The only adhesive used is a small amount of silicone to secure the landing gear fairings.• All radio equipment is factory installed.• The engine is included. It’s not premounted, but it bolts on quickly.• All hardware and accessories are provided, including the propeller and spinner.• The cabin door provides easy access to the interior of the fuselage.• Two-piece, plug-in wing with aluminum wing tube.• Clever engineering allows the entire tail section to mount to the fuselage using only four bolts.MINUSES• Location of the engine ignition cutoff switch.• Vertical fin struts snapped in flight.• A pilot figure is included, but it’s too big for this model.AT A GLANCE ...Above: A high amount of preassembly at the factory leads to a low parts count for the Taylorcraft. Everything you see here bolts together in just a few hours.Right: Included with the kit is the Zenoah G-26. All of the holes are predrilled and the fuel lines are preinstalled, so installation is a snap.50Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.com049
place. Because of this, assembly is quick for a model of this size. A case in point is the tail surface assembly. Only four bolts hold both halves of the stabilizer and the vertical fin to the fuselage. After bolting on the tail wheel assembly and struts, the entire tail assembly is together in a few minutes. The only other step is mounting the G26 engine. It mounts inverted and bolts in quickly. Attach the muffler, the preplaced fuel tubing, the ignition wires, and the throttle pushrods, and that’s it. This took only a few minutes as well. I took my time sorting out proper throw for the throttle servo. The throttle arm on the carburetor only moves roughly 1/4 inch from open to close. I choose to use the throttle curve on the DX18 to solve the throw, but also make the throw more linear for a smooth throttle transition throughout the entire stick travel. One note I’d like to throw in is about the ignition cutoff switch. It is a toggle switch, mounted on the port side of the fuselage. If I had the choice, I’d mount this in a different spot for two reasons. First is safety. The G26 uses a capacitive discharge system, which means it produces its own spark. If there’s any fuel in the cylinder, and the switch is on or accidentally bumped on, a simple turn of the crankshaft could cause the engine to fire. The other reason is cosmetic. It’s easy to get to, but I would have taken the time to make it less obvious from a Scale point of view. I should note that although adhesive isn’t used anywhere, you should use threadlock compound on the bolts during assembly. Gas engines vibrate more and spending a little time adding the threadlocker could save your model later! After the engine is mounted, the cowl is fitted. It takes some wiggling to get it into position, but it fits snugly around the fuselage and the engine. All of the precut holes are in the right space for engine and muffler clearance. Also, there are two holes cut to adjust the carburetor needles with the cowl on. That’s a nice touch! Rounding out the kit is a little work on the interior and the wing struts. The interior work is cosmetic. I added a floor to the cockpit area, installed the seat which is held on with magnets, and fitted the pilot. The pilot figure is well made, lightweight, and nicely detailed; however, it’s too big for this model. When in position, its head pushes on the top window and the “view” would be obstructed by the wing tube. Keep it around and use it in another project. The wing struts are made from airfoil-shaped aluminum tubing. Each strut is preassembled, and requires slight adjustment by turning the threaded attachment point at the bottom of each strut. They lock into position with a jam nut. At this point, the Taylorcraft is ready to go. The weight was right on track and the CG was accurate as well. Assembly time was approximately two hours, but one hour of that was setting up for the review photos between steps. Flying Before I went to the field for the maiden flight, I took some time to start the engine for the initial run. Because the engine was new, it took quite a few flips before it popped. After the choke was opened, a few more flips had the G-26 springing to life. During this first run, I took the time to work over the throttle curve slightly more to get an even power distribution throughout the entire range of the throttle stick. A few days later, it was time for its maiden flight. The Taylorcraft assembles in just a few minutes, and requires no tools. The wing bolts can be tightened by hand, and the wing struts are held in place by small clips. It took a bit of flipping before the new engine came to life. After allowing the engine to warm up, I taxied around. I wish it could turn tighter than it does. The runway at my field is narrow, and The only problem I encountered was the failure of the vertical fin struts. Both broke in the same spot because the thin metal could not handle the engine vibration. I ground off the stock connector and replaced it with a crimp-on-style electrical connector. The piece is virtually identical and is made from much thicker stock. They were soldered in place, and then painted.Above: A nice design touch is this functional cabin door on the starboard side. It provides easy access to the radio, as well as the hidden, internal wing bolts.Below: There is plenty of room inside the cabin. Everything you see here comes preinstalled, including the control hardware. A floor, where the seat and pilot are mounted, is included to cover the radio area. The entire tail assembly bolts to the fuselage, and then is held in place with few support struts. Note the great checkerboard covering on the underside of the stabilizer and also on the wing.51Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.com049
the Taylorcraft took the entire width of the runway to turn around. It is no problem, but something to note. Throttling up, the Taylorcraft was easy to steer during the takeoff run and had no tendency to pop up into the air, which was nice. After getting up to speed, I gradually pulled up and the Taylorcraft gently lifted off and climbed out with authority. A few trim passes later, I felt at home with it, effortlessly buzzing the field for the photo passes. Feeling comfortable, it was time to carve up the sky with some aerobatics, and the Taylorcraft did not disappoint. If you’ve ever had the chance to see a full-scale, clipped-wing Taylorcraft at an air show, you’ll find that the Hangar 9 model has matching capabilities. It can easily perform loops, Split-S maneuvers, stall turns, and more. They’re simple to do because of the combination of the Taylorcraft’s stability and the G-26’s power. When it comes to rolls, you’ll really look like you know what you’re doing. This is a great model with which to learn point rolls and slow rolls that take the length of the field. Looking down at the timer on the transmitter, I had flown a good 15 minutes on this first tank, so I brought it in for its first landing. There were no surprises. It has a respectable glide slope and it slows nicely for two- or three-point landings. The controls are effective all the way down to the runway, so there are no excuses for sloppy landings! After taxiing back, I looked through the cockpit to see the fuel level and found that there was almost half a tank of fuel left, so it was time for more flying. This time I focused on some low-level, inverted passes and had a ball. It takes a slight amount of down stick to hold level and roughly half throttle for a nice, smooth pass. After a bit more flying, I decided to come in and complete the first flights. After taxiing back, I glanced at the transmitter timer, which showed 21:31, and I still had slightly less than a third of a tank of fuel left! Conclusion What a lot of fun this Taylorcraft BNF is to fly! Some might be put off by its $1,275-plus sticker price, but you have to think of what you’re getting. When you open the box, you have a complete airplane that you won’t need to spend another dime on for accessories. Most of the work is done and what isn’t finished goes together in a few hours. It’s almost as though you’re purchasing a mint-condition model from a friend who only flew it a few times. Having flown the model quite a bit now, I’ve found that it is great at many things. If you’ve never owned a gas-powered or Giant Scale airplane, it makes a great trainer; just fly it on low rates. If you’re looking for a unique, eye-catching Scale aircraft, it certainly has this covered. Even if you’re interested in a great-flying aerobat, the Taylorcraft does that too. It’s even International Miniature Aircraft Association (IMAA) legal! It’s truly a great design and a ball to fly. I can’t wait to finish writing the review so I can get back to the field! For anyone needing a picture for Fun Scale documentation, do a quick Google image search of “N6115 Taylorcraft” and you’ll have several pictures from which to choose. —Tom [email protected] MANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR: Horizon Hobby4105 Fieldstone Road, Champaign, IL 61822(800) 338-4639www.hangar-9.com SOURCES: Taylorcraft manualwww.horizonhobby.com/pdf/HAN4920-Manual.pdf Spektrum DX-18www.spektrumrc.com IMAAwww.fly-imaa.orgWhen completed, the Hangar 9 Taylorcraft BNF came in at 14.25 pounds ready to fly. You can go from opening the box to a completed model in approximately 2 hours. Photo by Jay Smith.The stabilizer halves slip into place using a system similar to removable stabilizers on larger aerobatic models. Two rods pass through the vertical fin to align the halves. Everything is held in place with four bolts.52Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.com049
Edition: Model Aviation - 2013/02
Page Numbers: 49,50,51,52
Edition: Model Aviation - 2013/02
Page Numbers: 49,50,51,52
This Taylorcra certainly isn’t a one-trick pony. On low rates, it’s a great trainer. On high rates, it becomes a high-energy aerobat. It’s an eye-catching, Fun Scale, IMAA-legal model.
I’m occasionally asked for a recommendation of a fi rst model for someone new to gas power. There are several ARFs out there that will work nicely, but fi guring out what engine to match up to them isn’t always the easiest choice. The Taylorcraft Bind-n-Fly (BNF) from Hangar 9 looks to be the answer to this question. Although it’s not quite ready to fl y, most of the work is done for you and it even includes a Spektrum fl ight pack and Zenoah G-26 engine. The clipped-wing Taylorcraft is a great subject. Because it’s a Scale model, it grabs my interest right away. What’s more, it is also modeled after a specifi c full-scale model (N-number N6115 created by Jim Moss). The full-scale Taylorcraft makes a great air show performer, with stable and forgiving fl ight characteristics. Let’s put this Taylorcraft together and get it airborne! After unpacking the box and taking the parts picture, I took a moment to examine what I had. To my surprise, this kit is complete. With the exception of a few hand tools, a couple dabs of silicone, and some threadlocker, every other conceivable part, piece, and accessory is included. Yes, everything—all the clevises, control horns, hardware, fuel tank, tubing, engine, muffl er, propeller, aluminum spinner, wheels, pilot, and more. It’s all in the box, and nearly everything is preinstalled. The radio is installed and the extensions for the aileron servos are already in the proper place. All of the control hardware is in place, and the control surfaces are prehinged and installed. The few pieces that aren’t preinstalled have the proper holes and hardware ready to aid in assembly. Horizon’s design team must have worked overtime on the Taylorcraft BNF. The airframe is constructed from laser-cut plywood and balsa. Everything is covered in UltraCote iron-on covering that faithfully matches the full-scale Taylorcraft. There were a few wrinkles, so I took a few minutes with the iron to smooth them. Up front, the fi berglass cowl is prepainted and matches the UltraCote
well. There’s a lot of molded-in detail with all the scoops and louvers. Also, there are several precut holes that should align with protrusions on the engine. Sometimes a weak point in many kits is the landing gear. I don’t think that will be a problem in this Taylorcraft. The main gear is made from 3/16-inch steel and supported by a heavy-duty 5/16-inch spring strut on each side. It should handle rough landings without bending. The tailwheel is also beefy, with the main support molded from carbon fiber and incorporating a heavy-duty axle. The tires are rubber, so they should withstand a lot of use without developing flat spots as foam tires would. Other painted parts are the fiberglass wheel pants and the tail and wing struts. The wing struts come as a completed subassembly and are ready to bolt on. They are made from airfoil-shaped extruded aluminum. Rounding out the kit is an assortment of hardware bags, a carbon wing tube, an aluminum spinner, a propeller, and even a pilot figure! Construction I’m not going to go through all of the construction steps. If you’d like to see each of the steps, you can download the Taylorcraft’s manual. The link is listed in the “Sources” section. In the front of most manuals is a list of tools and adhesives that you need to complete the kit. I make a point to gather those first, but usually end up using several other tools during a build. This was not so in the case of the Taylorcraft. I cleared my bench of all tools and only used the tools the manual listed. I never needed anything else. Because the radio comes preinstalled, I took the time to charge the flight pack battery and bind the system to my DX18. One thing that is not included in the kit was a binding plug. This is a BNF model, yet no binding plug was included. Hopefully you’ll have one of these somewhere. There’s only one step where an item is “glued” to another item. This was in the first step where the main gear was attached to the fuselage. The molded fairings are held in place with silicone adhesive. All other steps require only a few drops of threadlocker to hold screws SPECIFICATIONSModel type: Semiscale BNFSkill level: Intermediate builder/intermediate pilotWingspan: 80.5 inchesWing area: 1,150 square inchesAirfoil: SemisymmetricalLength: 63.6 inchesWeight: 14 to 14.5 poundsPower system: Zenoah 26cc gas engine (included)Radio: Six-channel radioPrice: $1,279.99 TEST-MODEL DETAILSEngine: Zenoah 26cc gas engine (included)Propeller: 16 x 6 Evolution Radio system: Spektrum DX18 radio, Spektrum AR8000 receiver (included), six Spektrum A6000 digital servos (included), five-cell NiMH receiver battery (included)Ready-to-fly weight: 14.25 poundsFlight duration: 25 minutesPLUSES• Quick assembly.• No gluing necessary. The only adhesive used is a small amount of silicone to secure the landing gear fairings.• All radio equipment is factory installed.• The engine is included. It’s not premounted, but it bolts on quickly.• All hardware and accessories are provided, including the propeller and spinner.• The cabin door provides easy access to the interior of the fuselage.• Two-piece, plug-in wing with aluminum wing tube.• Clever engineering allows the entire tail section to mount to the fuselage using only four bolts.MINUSES• Location of the engine ignition cutoff switch.• Vertical fin struts snapped in flight.• A pilot figure is included, but it’s too big for this model.AT A GLANCE ...Above: A high amount of preassembly at the factory leads to a low parts count for the Taylorcraft. Everything you see here bolts together in just a few hours.Right: Included with the kit is the Zenoah G-26. All of the holes are predrilled and the fuel lines are preinstalled, so installation is a snap.50Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.com049
place. Because of this, assembly is quick for a model of this size. A case in point is the tail surface assembly. Only four bolts hold both halves of the stabilizer and the vertical fin to the fuselage. After bolting on the tail wheel assembly and struts, the entire tail assembly is together in a few minutes. The only other step is mounting the G26 engine. It mounts inverted and bolts in quickly. Attach the muffler, the preplaced fuel tubing, the ignition wires, and the throttle pushrods, and that’s it. This took only a few minutes as well. I took my time sorting out proper throw for the throttle servo. The throttle arm on the carburetor only moves roughly 1/4 inch from open to close. I choose to use the throttle curve on the DX18 to solve the throw, but also make the throw more linear for a smooth throttle transition throughout the entire stick travel. One note I’d like to throw in is about the ignition cutoff switch. It is a toggle switch, mounted on the port side of the fuselage. If I had the choice, I’d mount this in a different spot for two reasons. First is safety. The G26 uses a capacitive discharge system, which means it produces its own spark. If there’s any fuel in the cylinder, and the switch is on or accidentally bumped on, a simple turn of the crankshaft could cause the engine to fire. The other reason is cosmetic. It’s easy to get to, but I would have taken the time to make it less obvious from a Scale point of view. I should note that although adhesive isn’t used anywhere, you should use threadlock compound on the bolts during assembly. Gas engines vibrate more and spending a little time adding the threadlocker could save your model later! After the engine is mounted, the cowl is fitted. It takes some wiggling to get it into position, but it fits snugly around the fuselage and the engine. All of the precut holes are in the right space for engine and muffler clearance. Also, there are two holes cut to adjust the carburetor needles with the cowl on. That’s a nice touch! Rounding out the kit is a little work on the interior and the wing struts. The interior work is cosmetic. I added a floor to the cockpit area, installed the seat which is held on with magnets, and fitted the pilot. The pilot figure is well made, lightweight, and nicely detailed; however, it’s too big for this model. When in position, its head pushes on the top window and the “view” would be obstructed by the wing tube. Keep it around and use it in another project. The wing struts are made from airfoil-shaped aluminum tubing. Each strut is preassembled, and requires slight adjustment by turning the threaded attachment point at the bottom of each strut. They lock into position with a jam nut. At this point, the Taylorcraft is ready to go. The weight was right on track and the CG was accurate as well. Assembly time was approximately two hours, but one hour of that was setting up for the review photos between steps. Flying Before I went to the field for the maiden flight, I took some time to start the engine for the initial run. Because the engine was new, it took quite a few flips before it popped. After the choke was opened, a few more flips had the G-26 springing to life. During this first run, I took the time to work over the throttle curve slightly more to get an even power distribution throughout the entire range of the throttle stick. A few days later, it was time for its maiden flight. The Taylorcraft assembles in just a few minutes, and requires no tools. The wing bolts can be tightened by hand, and the wing struts are held in place by small clips. It took a bit of flipping before the new engine came to life. After allowing the engine to warm up, I taxied around. I wish it could turn tighter than it does. The runway at my field is narrow, and The only problem I encountered was the failure of the vertical fin struts. Both broke in the same spot because the thin metal could not handle the engine vibration. I ground off the stock connector and replaced it with a crimp-on-style electrical connector. The piece is virtually identical and is made from much thicker stock. They were soldered in place, and then painted.Above: A nice design touch is this functional cabin door on the starboard side. It provides easy access to the radio, as well as the hidden, internal wing bolts.Below: There is plenty of room inside the cabin. Everything you see here comes preinstalled, including the control hardware. A floor, where the seat and pilot are mounted, is included to cover the radio area. The entire tail assembly bolts to the fuselage, and then is held in place with few support struts. Note the great checkerboard covering on the underside of the stabilizer and also on the wing.51Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.com049
the Taylorcraft took the entire width of the runway to turn around. It is no problem, but something to note. Throttling up, the Taylorcraft was easy to steer during the takeoff run and had no tendency to pop up into the air, which was nice. After getting up to speed, I gradually pulled up and the Taylorcraft gently lifted off and climbed out with authority. A few trim passes later, I felt at home with it, effortlessly buzzing the field for the photo passes. Feeling comfortable, it was time to carve up the sky with some aerobatics, and the Taylorcraft did not disappoint. If you’ve ever had the chance to see a full-scale, clipped-wing Taylorcraft at an air show, you’ll find that the Hangar 9 model has matching capabilities. It can easily perform loops, Split-S maneuvers, stall turns, and more. They’re simple to do because of the combination of the Taylorcraft’s stability and the G-26’s power. When it comes to rolls, you’ll really look like you know what you’re doing. This is a great model with which to learn point rolls and slow rolls that take the length of the field. Looking down at the timer on the transmitter, I had flown a good 15 minutes on this first tank, so I brought it in for its first landing. There were no surprises. It has a respectable glide slope and it slows nicely for two- or three-point landings. The controls are effective all the way down to the runway, so there are no excuses for sloppy landings! After taxiing back, I looked through the cockpit to see the fuel level and found that there was almost half a tank of fuel left, so it was time for more flying. This time I focused on some low-level, inverted passes and had a ball. It takes a slight amount of down stick to hold level and roughly half throttle for a nice, smooth pass. After a bit more flying, I decided to come in and complete the first flights. After taxiing back, I glanced at the transmitter timer, which showed 21:31, and I still had slightly less than a third of a tank of fuel left! Conclusion What a lot of fun this Taylorcraft BNF is to fly! Some might be put off by its $1,275-plus sticker price, but you have to think of what you’re getting. When you open the box, you have a complete airplane that you won’t need to spend another dime on for accessories. Most of the work is done and what isn’t finished goes together in a few hours. It’s almost as though you’re purchasing a mint-condition model from a friend who only flew it a few times. Having flown the model quite a bit now, I’ve found that it is great at many things. If you’ve never owned a gas-powered or Giant Scale airplane, it makes a great trainer; just fly it on low rates. If you’re looking for a unique, eye-catching Scale aircraft, it certainly has this covered. Even if you’re interested in a great-flying aerobat, the Taylorcraft does that too. It’s even International Miniature Aircraft Association (IMAA) legal! It’s truly a great design and a ball to fly. I can’t wait to finish writing the review so I can get back to the field! For anyone needing a picture for Fun Scale documentation, do a quick Google image search of “N6115 Taylorcraft” and you’ll have several pictures from which to choose. —Tom [email protected] MANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR: Horizon Hobby4105 Fieldstone Road, Champaign, IL 61822(800) 338-4639www.hangar-9.com SOURCES: Taylorcraft manualwww.horizonhobby.com/pdf/HAN4920-Manual.pdf Spektrum DX-18www.spektrumrc.com IMAAwww.fly-imaa.orgWhen completed, the Hangar 9 Taylorcraft BNF came in at 14.25 pounds ready to fly. You can go from opening the box to a completed model in approximately 2 hours. Photo by Jay Smith.The stabilizer halves slip into place using a system similar to removable stabilizers on larger aerobatic models. Two rods pass through the vertical fin to align the halves. Everything is held in place with four bolts.52Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.com049
Edition: Model Aviation - 2013/02
Page Numbers: 49,50,51,52
This Taylorcra certainly isn’t a one-trick pony. On low rates, it’s a great trainer. On high rates, it becomes a high-energy aerobat. It’s an eye-catching, Fun Scale, IMAA-legal model.
I’m occasionally asked for a recommendation of a fi rst model for someone new to gas power. There are several ARFs out there that will work nicely, but fi guring out what engine to match up to them isn’t always the easiest choice. The Taylorcraft Bind-n-Fly (BNF) from Hangar 9 looks to be the answer to this question. Although it’s not quite ready to fl y, most of the work is done for you and it even includes a Spektrum fl ight pack and Zenoah G-26 engine. The clipped-wing Taylorcraft is a great subject. Because it’s a Scale model, it grabs my interest right away. What’s more, it is also modeled after a specifi c full-scale model (N-number N6115 created by Jim Moss). The full-scale Taylorcraft makes a great air show performer, with stable and forgiving fl ight characteristics. Let’s put this Taylorcraft together and get it airborne! After unpacking the box and taking the parts picture, I took a moment to examine what I had. To my surprise, this kit is complete. With the exception of a few hand tools, a couple dabs of silicone, and some threadlocker, every other conceivable part, piece, and accessory is included. Yes, everything—all the clevises, control horns, hardware, fuel tank, tubing, engine, muffl er, propeller, aluminum spinner, wheels, pilot, and more. It’s all in the box, and nearly everything is preinstalled. The radio is installed and the extensions for the aileron servos are already in the proper place. All of the control hardware is in place, and the control surfaces are prehinged and installed. The few pieces that aren’t preinstalled have the proper holes and hardware ready to aid in assembly. Horizon’s design team must have worked overtime on the Taylorcraft BNF. The airframe is constructed from laser-cut plywood and balsa. Everything is covered in UltraCote iron-on covering that faithfully matches the full-scale Taylorcraft. There were a few wrinkles, so I took a few minutes with the iron to smooth them. Up front, the fi berglass cowl is prepainted and matches the UltraCote
well. There’s a lot of molded-in detail with all the scoops and louvers. Also, there are several precut holes that should align with protrusions on the engine. Sometimes a weak point in many kits is the landing gear. I don’t think that will be a problem in this Taylorcraft. The main gear is made from 3/16-inch steel and supported by a heavy-duty 5/16-inch spring strut on each side. It should handle rough landings without bending. The tailwheel is also beefy, with the main support molded from carbon fiber and incorporating a heavy-duty axle. The tires are rubber, so they should withstand a lot of use without developing flat spots as foam tires would. Other painted parts are the fiberglass wheel pants and the tail and wing struts. The wing struts come as a completed subassembly and are ready to bolt on. They are made from airfoil-shaped extruded aluminum. Rounding out the kit is an assortment of hardware bags, a carbon wing tube, an aluminum spinner, a propeller, and even a pilot figure! Construction I’m not going to go through all of the construction steps. If you’d like to see each of the steps, you can download the Taylorcraft’s manual. The link is listed in the “Sources” section. In the front of most manuals is a list of tools and adhesives that you need to complete the kit. I make a point to gather those first, but usually end up using several other tools during a build. This was not so in the case of the Taylorcraft. I cleared my bench of all tools and only used the tools the manual listed. I never needed anything else. Because the radio comes preinstalled, I took the time to charge the flight pack battery and bind the system to my DX18. One thing that is not included in the kit was a binding plug. This is a BNF model, yet no binding plug was included. Hopefully you’ll have one of these somewhere. There’s only one step where an item is “glued” to another item. This was in the first step where the main gear was attached to the fuselage. The molded fairings are held in place with silicone adhesive. All other steps require only a few drops of threadlocker to hold screws SPECIFICATIONSModel type: Semiscale BNFSkill level: Intermediate builder/intermediate pilotWingspan: 80.5 inchesWing area: 1,150 square inchesAirfoil: SemisymmetricalLength: 63.6 inchesWeight: 14 to 14.5 poundsPower system: Zenoah 26cc gas engine (included)Radio: Six-channel radioPrice: $1,279.99 TEST-MODEL DETAILSEngine: Zenoah 26cc gas engine (included)Propeller: 16 x 6 Evolution Radio system: Spektrum DX18 radio, Spektrum AR8000 receiver (included), six Spektrum A6000 digital servos (included), five-cell NiMH receiver battery (included)Ready-to-fly weight: 14.25 poundsFlight duration: 25 minutesPLUSES• Quick assembly.• No gluing necessary. The only adhesive used is a small amount of silicone to secure the landing gear fairings.• All radio equipment is factory installed.• The engine is included. It’s not premounted, but it bolts on quickly.• All hardware and accessories are provided, including the propeller and spinner.• The cabin door provides easy access to the interior of the fuselage.• Two-piece, plug-in wing with aluminum wing tube.• Clever engineering allows the entire tail section to mount to the fuselage using only four bolts.MINUSES• Location of the engine ignition cutoff switch.• Vertical fin struts snapped in flight.• A pilot figure is included, but it’s too big for this model.AT A GLANCE ...Above: A high amount of preassembly at the factory leads to a low parts count for the Taylorcraft. Everything you see here bolts together in just a few hours.Right: Included with the kit is the Zenoah G-26. All of the holes are predrilled and the fuel lines are preinstalled, so installation is a snap.50Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.com049
place. Because of this, assembly is quick for a model of this size. A case in point is the tail surface assembly. Only four bolts hold both halves of the stabilizer and the vertical fin to the fuselage. After bolting on the tail wheel assembly and struts, the entire tail assembly is together in a few minutes. The only other step is mounting the G26 engine. It mounts inverted and bolts in quickly. Attach the muffler, the preplaced fuel tubing, the ignition wires, and the throttle pushrods, and that’s it. This took only a few minutes as well. I took my time sorting out proper throw for the throttle servo. The throttle arm on the carburetor only moves roughly 1/4 inch from open to close. I choose to use the throttle curve on the DX18 to solve the throw, but also make the throw more linear for a smooth throttle transition throughout the entire stick travel. One note I’d like to throw in is about the ignition cutoff switch. It is a toggle switch, mounted on the port side of the fuselage. If I had the choice, I’d mount this in a different spot for two reasons. First is safety. The G26 uses a capacitive discharge system, which means it produces its own spark. If there’s any fuel in the cylinder, and the switch is on or accidentally bumped on, a simple turn of the crankshaft could cause the engine to fire. The other reason is cosmetic. It’s easy to get to, but I would have taken the time to make it less obvious from a Scale point of view. I should note that although adhesive isn’t used anywhere, you should use threadlock compound on the bolts during assembly. Gas engines vibrate more and spending a little time adding the threadlocker could save your model later! After the engine is mounted, the cowl is fitted. It takes some wiggling to get it into position, but it fits snugly around the fuselage and the engine. All of the precut holes are in the right space for engine and muffler clearance. Also, there are two holes cut to adjust the carburetor needles with the cowl on. That’s a nice touch! Rounding out the kit is a little work on the interior and the wing struts. The interior work is cosmetic. I added a floor to the cockpit area, installed the seat which is held on with magnets, and fitted the pilot. The pilot figure is well made, lightweight, and nicely detailed; however, it’s too big for this model. When in position, its head pushes on the top window and the “view” would be obstructed by the wing tube. Keep it around and use it in another project. The wing struts are made from airfoil-shaped aluminum tubing. Each strut is preassembled, and requires slight adjustment by turning the threaded attachment point at the bottom of each strut. They lock into position with a jam nut. At this point, the Taylorcraft is ready to go. The weight was right on track and the CG was accurate as well. Assembly time was approximately two hours, but one hour of that was setting up for the review photos between steps. Flying Before I went to the field for the maiden flight, I took some time to start the engine for the initial run. Because the engine was new, it took quite a few flips before it popped. After the choke was opened, a few more flips had the G-26 springing to life. During this first run, I took the time to work over the throttle curve slightly more to get an even power distribution throughout the entire range of the throttle stick. A few days later, it was time for its maiden flight. The Taylorcraft assembles in just a few minutes, and requires no tools. The wing bolts can be tightened by hand, and the wing struts are held in place by small clips. It took a bit of flipping before the new engine came to life. After allowing the engine to warm up, I taxied around. I wish it could turn tighter than it does. The runway at my field is narrow, and The only problem I encountered was the failure of the vertical fin struts. Both broke in the same spot because the thin metal could not handle the engine vibration. I ground off the stock connector and replaced it with a crimp-on-style electrical connector. The piece is virtually identical and is made from much thicker stock. They were soldered in place, and then painted.Above: A nice design touch is this functional cabin door on the starboard side. It provides easy access to the radio, as well as the hidden, internal wing bolts.Below: There is plenty of room inside the cabin. Everything you see here comes preinstalled, including the control hardware. A floor, where the seat and pilot are mounted, is included to cover the radio area. The entire tail assembly bolts to the fuselage, and then is held in place with few support struts. Note the great checkerboard covering on the underside of the stabilizer and also on the wing.51Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.com049
the Taylorcraft took the entire width of the runway to turn around. It is no problem, but something to note. Throttling up, the Taylorcraft was easy to steer during the takeoff run and had no tendency to pop up into the air, which was nice. After getting up to speed, I gradually pulled up and the Taylorcraft gently lifted off and climbed out with authority. A few trim passes later, I felt at home with it, effortlessly buzzing the field for the photo passes. Feeling comfortable, it was time to carve up the sky with some aerobatics, and the Taylorcraft did not disappoint. If you’ve ever had the chance to see a full-scale, clipped-wing Taylorcraft at an air show, you’ll find that the Hangar 9 model has matching capabilities. It can easily perform loops, Split-S maneuvers, stall turns, and more. They’re simple to do because of the combination of the Taylorcraft’s stability and the G-26’s power. When it comes to rolls, you’ll really look like you know what you’re doing. This is a great model with which to learn point rolls and slow rolls that take the length of the field. Looking down at the timer on the transmitter, I had flown a good 15 minutes on this first tank, so I brought it in for its first landing. There were no surprises. It has a respectable glide slope and it slows nicely for two- or three-point landings. The controls are effective all the way down to the runway, so there are no excuses for sloppy landings! After taxiing back, I looked through the cockpit to see the fuel level and found that there was almost half a tank of fuel left, so it was time for more flying. This time I focused on some low-level, inverted passes and had a ball. It takes a slight amount of down stick to hold level and roughly half throttle for a nice, smooth pass. After a bit more flying, I decided to come in and complete the first flights. After taxiing back, I glanced at the transmitter timer, which showed 21:31, and I still had slightly less than a third of a tank of fuel left! Conclusion What a lot of fun this Taylorcraft BNF is to fly! Some might be put off by its $1,275-plus sticker price, but you have to think of what you’re getting. When you open the box, you have a complete airplane that you won’t need to spend another dime on for accessories. Most of the work is done and what isn’t finished goes together in a few hours. It’s almost as though you’re purchasing a mint-condition model from a friend who only flew it a few times. Having flown the model quite a bit now, I’ve found that it is great at many things. If you’ve never owned a gas-powered or Giant Scale airplane, it makes a great trainer; just fly it on low rates. If you’re looking for a unique, eye-catching Scale aircraft, it certainly has this covered. Even if you’re interested in a great-flying aerobat, the Taylorcraft does that too. It’s even International Miniature Aircraft Association (IMAA) legal! It’s truly a great design and a ball to fly. I can’t wait to finish writing the review so I can get back to the field! For anyone needing a picture for Fun Scale documentation, do a quick Google image search of “N6115 Taylorcraft” and you’ll have several pictures from which to choose. —Tom [email protected] MANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR: Horizon Hobby4105 Fieldstone Road, Champaign, IL 61822(800) 338-4639www.hangar-9.com SOURCES: Taylorcraft manualwww.horizonhobby.com/pdf/HAN4920-Manual.pdf Spektrum DX-18www.spektrumrc.com IMAAwww.fly-imaa.orgWhen completed, the Hangar 9 Taylorcraft BNF came in at 14.25 pounds ready to fly. You can go from opening the box to a completed model in approximately 2 hours. Photo by Jay Smith.The stabilizer halves slip into place using a system similar to removable stabilizers on larger aerobatic models. Two rods pass through the vertical fin to align the halves. Everything is held in place with four bolts.52Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.com049
Edition: Model Aviation - 2013/02
Page Numbers: 49,50,51,52
This Taylorcra certainly isn’t a one-trick pony. On low rates, it’s a great trainer. On high rates, it becomes a high-energy aerobat. It’s an eye-catching, Fun Scale, IMAA-legal model.
I’m occasionally asked for a recommendation of a fi rst model for someone new to gas power. There are several ARFs out there that will work nicely, but fi guring out what engine to match up to them isn’t always the easiest choice. The Taylorcraft Bind-n-Fly (BNF) from Hangar 9 looks to be the answer to this question. Although it’s not quite ready to fl y, most of the work is done for you and it even includes a Spektrum fl ight pack and Zenoah G-26 engine. The clipped-wing Taylorcraft is a great subject. Because it’s a Scale model, it grabs my interest right away. What’s more, it is also modeled after a specifi c full-scale model (N-number N6115 created by Jim Moss). The full-scale Taylorcraft makes a great air show performer, with stable and forgiving fl ight characteristics. Let’s put this Taylorcraft together and get it airborne! After unpacking the box and taking the parts picture, I took a moment to examine what I had. To my surprise, this kit is complete. With the exception of a few hand tools, a couple dabs of silicone, and some threadlocker, every other conceivable part, piece, and accessory is included. Yes, everything—all the clevises, control horns, hardware, fuel tank, tubing, engine, muffl er, propeller, aluminum spinner, wheels, pilot, and more. It’s all in the box, and nearly everything is preinstalled. The radio is installed and the extensions for the aileron servos are already in the proper place. All of the control hardware is in place, and the control surfaces are prehinged and installed. The few pieces that aren’t preinstalled have the proper holes and hardware ready to aid in assembly. Horizon’s design team must have worked overtime on the Taylorcraft BNF. The airframe is constructed from laser-cut plywood and balsa. Everything is covered in UltraCote iron-on covering that faithfully matches the full-scale Taylorcraft. There were a few wrinkles, so I took a few minutes with the iron to smooth them. Up front, the fi berglass cowl is prepainted and matches the UltraCote
well. There’s a lot of molded-in detail with all the scoops and louvers. Also, there are several precut holes that should align with protrusions on the engine. Sometimes a weak point in many kits is the landing gear. I don’t think that will be a problem in this Taylorcraft. The main gear is made from 3/16-inch steel and supported by a heavy-duty 5/16-inch spring strut on each side. It should handle rough landings without bending. The tailwheel is also beefy, with the main support molded from carbon fiber and incorporating a heavy-duty axle. The tires are rubber, so they should withstand a lot of use without developing flat spots as foam tires would. Other painted parts are the fiberglass wheel pants and the tail and wing struts. The wing struts come as a completed subassembly and are ready to bolt on. They are made from airfoil-shaped extruded aluminum. Rounding out the kit is an assortment of hardware bags, a carbon wing tube, an aluminum spinner, a propeller, and even a pilot figure! Construction I’m not going to go through all of the construction steps. If you’d like to see each of the steps, you can download the Taylorcraft’s manual. The link is listed in the “Sources” section. In the front of most manuals is a list of tools and adhesives that you need to complete the kit. I make a point to gather those first, but usually end up using several other tools during a build. This was not so in the case of the Taylorcraft. I cleared my bench of all tools and only used the tools the manual listed. I never needed anything else. Because the radio comes preinstalled, I took the time to charge the flight pack battery and bind the system to my DX18. One thing that is not included in the kit was a binding plug. This is a BNF model, yet no binding plug was included. Hopefully you’ll have one of these somewhere. There’s only one step where an item is “glued” to another item. This was in the first step where the main gear was attached to the fuselage. The molded fairings are held in place with silicone adhesive. All other steps require only a few drops of threadlocker to hold screws SPECIFICATIONSModel type: Semiscale BNFSkill level: Intermediate builder/intermediate pilotWingspan: 80.5 inchesWing area: 1,150 square inchesAirfoil: SemisymmetricalLength: 63.6 inchesWeight: 14 to 14.5 poundsPower system: Zenoah 26cc gas engine (included)Radio: Six-channel radioPrice: $1,279.99 TEST-MODEL DETAILSEngine: Zenoah 26cc gas engine (included)Propeller: 16 x 6 Evolution Radio system: Spektrum DX18 radio, Spektrum AR8000 receiver (included), six Spektrum A6000 digital servos (included), five-cell NiMH receiver battery (included)Ready-to-fly weight: 14.25 poundsFlight duration: 25 minutesPLUSES• Quick assembly.• No gluing necessary. The only adhesive used is a small amount of silicone to secure the landing gear fairings.• All radio equipment is factory installed.• The engine is included. It’s not premounted, but it bolts on quickly.• All hardware and accessories are provided, including the propeller and spinner.• The cabin door provides easy access to the interior of the fuselage.• Two-piece, plug-in wing with aluminum wing tube.• Clever engineering allows the entire tail section to mount to the fuselage using only four bolts.MINUSES• Location of the engine ignition cutoff switch.• Vertical fin struts snapped in flight.• A pilot figure is included, but it’s too big for this model.AT A GLANCE ...Above: A high amount of preassembly at the factory leads to a low parts count for the Taylorcraft. Everything you see here bolts together in just a few hours.Right: Included with the kit is the Zenoah G-26. All of the holes are predrilled and the fuel lines are preinstalled, so installation is a snap.50Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.com049
place. Because of this, assembly is quick for a model of this size. A case in point is the tail surface assembly. Only four bolts hold both halves of the stabilizer and the vertical fin to the fuselage. After bolting on the tail wheel assembly and struts, the entire tail assembly is together in a few minutes. The only other step is mounting the G26 engine. It mounts inverted and bolts in quickly. Attach the muffler, the preplaced fuel tubing, the ignition wires, and the throttle pushrods, and that’s it. This took only a few minutes as well. I took my time sorting out proper throw for the throttle servo. The throttle arm on the carburetor only moves roughly 1/4 inch from open to close. I choose to use the throttle curve on the DX18 to solve the throw, but also make the throw more linear for a smooth throttle transition throughout the entire stick travel. One note I’d like to throw in is about the ignition cutoff switch. It is a toggle switch, mounted on the port side of the fuselage. If I had the choice, I’d mount this in a different spot for two reasons. First is safety. The G26 uses a capacitive discharge system, which means it produces its own spark. If there’s any fuel in the cylinder, and the switch is on or accidentally bumped on, a simple turn of the crankshaft could cause the engine to fire. The other reason is cosmetic. It’s easy to get to, but I would have taken the time to make it less obvious from a Scale point of view. I should note that although adhesive isn’t used anywhere, you should use threadlock compound on the bolts during assembly. Gas engines vibrate more and spending a little time adding the threadlocker could save your model later! After the engine is mounted, the cowl is fitted. It takes some wiggling to get it into position, but it fits snugly around the fuselage and the engine. All of the precut holes are in the right space for engine and muffler clearance. Also, there are two holes cut to adjust the carburetor needles with the cowl on. That’s a nice touch! Rounding out the kit is a little work on the interior and the wing struts. The interior work is cosmetic. I added a floor to the cockpit area, installed the seat which is held on with magnets, and fitted the pilot. The pilot figure is well made, lightweight, and nicely detailed; however, it’s too big for this model. When in position, its head pushes on the top window and the “view” would be obstructed by the wing tube. Keep it around and use it in another project. The wing struts are made from airfoil-shaped aluminum tubing. Each strut is preassembled, and requires slight adjustment by turning the threaded attachment point at the bottom of each strut. They lock into position with a jam nut. At this point, the Taylorcraft is ready to go. The weight was right on track and the CG was accurate as well. Assembly time was approximately two hours, but one hour of that was setting up for the review photos between steps. Flying Before I went to the field for the maiden flight, I took some time to start the engine for the initial run. Because the engine was new, it took quite a few flips before it popped. After the choke was opened, a few more flips had the G-26 springing to life. During this first run, I took the time to work over the throttle curve slightly more to get an even power distribution throughout the entire range of the throttle stick. A few days later, it was time for its maiden flight. The Taylorcraft assembles in just a few minutes, and requires no tools. The wing bolts can be tightened by hand, and the wing struts are held in place by small clips. It took a bit of flipping before the new engine came to life. After allowing the engine to warm up, I taxied around. I wish it could turn tighter than it does. The runway at my field is narrow, and The only problem I encountered was the failure of the vertical fin struts. Both broke in the same spot because the thin metal could not handle the engine vibration. I ground off the stock connector and replaced it with a crimp-on-style electrical connector. The piece is virtually identical and is made from much thicker stock. They were soldered in place, and then painted.Above: A nice design touch is this functional cabin door on the starboard side. It provides easy access to the radio, as well as the hidden, internal wing bolts.Below: There is plenty of room inside the cabin. Everything you see here comes preinstalled, including the control hardware. A floor, where the seat and pilot are mounted, is included to cover the radio area. The entire tail assembly bolts to the fuselage, and then is held in place with few support struts. Note the great checkerboard covering on the underside of the stabilizer and also on the wing.51Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.com049
the Taylorcraft took the entire width of the runway to turn around. It is no problem, but something to note. Throttling up, the Taylorcraft was easy to steer during the takeoff run and had no tendency to pop up into the air, which was nice. After getting up to speed, I gradually pulled up and the Taylorcraft gently lifted off and climbed out with authority. A few trim passes later, I felt at home with it, effortlessly buzzing the field for the photo passes. Feeling comfortable, it was time to carve up the sky with some aerobatics, and the Taylorcraft did not disappoint. If you’ve ever had the chance to see a full-scale, clipped-wing Taylorcraft at an air show, you’ll find that the Hangar 9 model has matching capabilities. It can easily perform loops, Split-S maneuvers, stall turns, and more. They’re simple to do because of the combination of the Taylorcraft’s stability and the G-26’s power. When it comes to rolls, you’ll really look like you know what you’re doing. This is a great model with which to learn point rolls and slow rolls that take the length of the field. Looking down at the timer on the transmitter, I had flown a good 15 minutes on this first tank, so I brought it in for its first landing. There were no surprises. It has a respectable glide slope and it slows nicely for two- or three-point landings. The controls are effective all the way down to the runway, so there are no excuses for sloppy landings! After taxiing back, I looked through the cockpit to see the fuel level and found that there was almost half a tank of fuel left, so it was time for more flying. This time I focused on some low-level, inverted passes and had a ball. It takes a slight amount of down stick to hold level and roughly half throttle for a nice, smooth pass. After a bit more flying, I decided to come in and complete the first flights. After taxiing back, I glanced at the transmitter timer, which showed 21:31, and I still had slightly less than a third of a tank of fuel left! Conclusion What a lot of fun this Taylorcraft BNF is to fly! Some might be put off by its $1,275-plus sticker price, but you have to think of what you’re getting. When you open the box, you have a complete airplane that you won’t need to spend another dime on for accessories. Most of the work is done and what isn’t finished goes together in a few hours. It’s almost as though you’re purchasing a mint-condition model from a friend who only flew it a few times. Having flown the model quite a bit now, I’ve found that it is great at many things. If you’ve never owned a gas-powered or Giant Scale airplane, it makes a great trainer; just fly it on low rates. If you’re looking for a unique, eye-catching Scale aircraft, it certainly has this covered. Even if you’re interested in a great-flying aerobat, the Taylorcraft does that too. It’s even International Miniature Aircraft Association (IMAA) legal! It’s truly a great design and a ball to fly. I can’t wait to finish writing the review so I can get back to the field! For anyone needing a picture for Fun Scale documentation, do a quick Google image search of “N6115 Taylorcraft” and you’ll have several pictures from which to choose. —Tom [email protected] MANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR: Horizon Hobby4105 Fieldstone Road, Champaign, IL 61822(800) 338-4639www.hangar-9.com SOURCES: Taylorcraft manualwww.horizonhobby.com/pdf/HAN4920-Manual.pdf Spektrum DX-18www.spektrumrc.com IMAAwww.fly-imaa.orgWhen completed, the Hangar 9 Taylorcraft BNF came in at 14.25 pounds ready to fly. You can go from opening the box to a completed model in approximately 2 hours. Photo by Jay Smith.The stabilizer halves slip into place using a system similar to removable stabilizers on larger aerobatic models. Two rods pass through the vertical fin to align the halves. Everything is held in place with four bolts.52Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.com049