The Phoenix RC Lysander 1/8 scale Version
This RC Lysander is made by Phoenix Models who are a Vietnamese company and have been in the ARF airplane business for 25 years.
I much prefer the balsa and ply models they supply, as compared to the more popular foam types that are currently available. The ARFs are far more durable, both from a finish and strength standpoint.
Phoenix models are now available from Tower Hobbies, who have been in business for a long time and have built up an enviable reputation for excellent customer service. Many spare parts are available.
PAGE CONTENTS
Features of the RC Lysander
- Construction: Laser cut balsa and Ply
- Covering: Ultracote
- Aileron control: Two servos
- Cowl: Fiberglass and finished painted
- Landing Gear: Two piece aluminum with wheel pants
- Motor Mount (Electric version): Plywood
- Engine mount (GP version): Two piece composite, injection molded
- Spinner: 3"(76.2mm) Diameter
- Wheels: 3"(76.2mm) Diameter
- Canopy: Clear with painted pilot
Specifications
- Wing span: 74.8" (1900mm)
- Length: 46.5" (1182mm)
- Flying weight: 7.5-7.9 lb(3.4-3.6 kg)
- Wing area: 678 sq. in. (43.8 sq,dm.)
- Wing loading: 26 ozs/sq. ft.(79 g/sq.dm.)
- Servo mount hole: 0/83" x 1.6" (21mm x 42mm)
- CG: 3.5"(90mm) back from the straight portion of the leading edge of the of the wing.
- Aileron throw (Low rate): 0.43" (11mm) up and down with 10% expo.
- Aileron throw (High rate): 0.55" (14mm) up and down with 10% expo.
- Elevators (Low rate): 0.47" (12mm) up and down with 12% expo.
- Elevators (High rate): 0.55"(14mm) Up and down with 12%expo.
- Rudder (Low rate): 1.18" (30mm) Left and right with 15% expo.
- Rudder (High rate): 1.8" (45mm) Left and right with 15% expo.
Westland Lysander Books
Included Parts for the RC Lysander
- Finished wing,fuselage and tail assemblies
- Motor mount ( Electric version)
- Engine mount (GP version)
- Spinner
- Fuel tank
- Wheels
- Canopy with painted pilot figure
- All hardware
- Full instruction manual (Written in GOOD English!)
Extras required
- Minimum 4 channel radio
- Servos required: Five standard size ( 2-ailerons, 1-elevator, 1-rudder, 1-throttle( If using GP version)
- Receiver battery: 4.8-6.0V 800-1200mAh NiMH
- Brushless motor( for EP version): Great Planes Rimfire .46-.55 or equivalent
- ESC: To match motor selected
- Lipo battery (EP version): 5-6 cells 4000-5500 mAh
- Engine for GP version: .46-.55 2-stroke or .52 4-stroke
Photo Gallery
Videos
The video below shows the complete build procedure and is well worth a look!
This video is an official Phoenix Models flight video and has some great shots that show the RC Lysander to good effect. It does show inverted flight which I am sure the full size has never done!
This last video is good because it gives a realistic view of flying the Lysander complete with a few mistakes and bumps!
The Manual
The manual is well written and easy to understand. It features nice 3D drawings and will take you through the build and set-up procedures. Click here to take a look. It is 48 pages long, which gives an indication of the depth of detail it goes to.
Pros
- Well constructed
- Beautiful covering (Much better than I could do!)
- Scale outline
- Easy assembly
- Good flight performance
- Fits into small space for transportation
Cons
- No flaps-looks difficult to add
- CA type hinges-would prefer conventional molded hinge
- Landing gear has no leg fairings and spats are on the small side.
- Pilot looks like a civilian rather than a military type and is too big!
- Nosing over, especially on grass
- Poor wing strut anchor.
Modifications
- Wing strut fixing on the wing is a wood screw into a ply plate. Use a 1/16" diameter drill and "tap" the thread, using the wood screw (CW and CCW rotation) into the ply. Drop CA into the hole to harden the threads.
- Have a high elevator rate (Large up elevator deflection) for taxiing, to help with nose overs.
- You could make landing gear fairings from balsa, but I think that is too much work for a sport scale model.
Purchasing
I include these links to the appropriate page on the Tower Hobbies site, for your convenience.
I do not receive any commission, so the price is no higher
Price=$169.99 with FREE shipping
Other Lysanders Avaiable
An RC Lysander is now available in 3 different models. Two are giant scale and one is a mid size. All are ARF airplanes (Almost Ready to Fly), constructed of laser cut balsa and ply and covered in Ultracote.
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