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Members => Build Threads => Topic started by: bignose13 on September 12, 2012, 08:56:18 AM

Title: Skywalker Condor
Post by: bignose13 on September 12, 2012, 08:56:18 AM
Hi
I was lucky enough to be picked by www.fpvmodel.com (http://www.fpvmodel.com)  to review the new 1880 Skywalker Condor  :D
A very good company as well and well priced products,
Heres a quick teaser vid,
a full review will be here very shortly so in the mean time watch the vid and enjoy
Skywalker Condor Maiden Flight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqGoKLm7AlQ#)
Title: Re: Skywalker Condor
Post by: g.collins on September 12, 2012, 12:43:19 PM
That flies great Simon, Skywalkers rock.
;) G
Title: Re: Skywalker Condor
Post by: Pr][nCe on September 12, 2012, 07:48:10 PM
looks like a fun bus to have :)
Title: Re: Skywalker Condor
Post by: bignose13 on September 13, 2012, 10:11:37 AM
Just to be completely open....
I received this model for review for free from fpvmodel.com
I paid import tax and shipping only.
Review is unbiased - no pressure from the guys there.
No relationship / emails / purchases prior to their offer for a review model



About fpvmodel.com....
First time have dealt with them. Good communications and very trusting to send the kit to me more review...!
I'd be happy to buy from them based on this and the other ones that have purchased with no issues.

What you really want to know.... What does it fly like?
Less self stabilising than the standard 1680 type wings with dihedral
More stable in wind / turbulance. Wing doesn't flex.
Turning with aileron it holds the angle much more like a real plane
Rudder helps quite a bit more in the turns
This one had a nice straight rear boom / tail. Hurrah!
Doesn't glide quite as well.
Didn't feel flaps were necessary for landing.
The bad - it burns noticeably more juice to stay up.
30 minutes ona 3s 5000 is still easily achievable
More enjoyable to fly as a pilot. More agile. More fun...

I like it.....

What you really want to know.... How strong is that wing? !
This black EPO appears more dense and heavier than my white 1680 one
The spar is pretty strong.
For normal flier - you will not need any strengthening.....
The whole wing hardly flexes in comparison with the earlier popular v3 models.
I fly gentle on the 1680 - conscious of the wing strength. I don't with this one... Happy.....

Other positives:
Big plus - wing is interchangeable with other models - one plane / two different flying styles...
A bit less flex than my white EPO one.
Wing mounting is stronger there rubber bands go over rear
This one is first one I seen without banana shaped boom!

Negatives:
The flight time is only significant one
Elevator EPO hinge is too tough to use. The wing ones are actually quite usable.

Future improvements I'd like to see...
The return of the old flat style cockpit canopy foam as well as This one. Easier to mount big cameras.
Optional bracing to top the tail/stabiliser flexing so much
Extra moulding inside fuselage to create an optional  component tray in the rear high area of the main compartment  area - keep the entire floor free for batteries
Maybe some alternative hinge solution - Something quick like multiplex style
More cooling airflow in the compartment many use for the ESC
Title: Re: Skywalker Condor
Post by: Coyote on September 13, 2012, 10:20:47 AM
Excellent write up Simon, well thought out. That answers basically all the questions I could think of asking as a noon or as a previous version Skywalker user :)

Shame it's flight times are reduced, that was one of its best points
Title: Re: Skywalker Condor
Post by: Pr][nCe on September 13, 2012, 09:25:38 PM
Nice review Sim.