Tough Jets T-14
The Value Hobby 3S 2200 mAh flight pack batteries (above left) are a precise fit in the battery compartment and provide a seven-minute flight. Four inexpensive 5g micro servos (above right) are enough to control the T-14 but chatter under the pressure of the control surfaces. Use 9g servos per the
manufacturer’s specifications. Motor and propeller (below left) in place on the aluminum motor mount provided in the kit. Carefully measure and drill the
aluminum bracket when mounting the motor. The elevons (below right) require 5⁄8 inch of up deflection for level flight. This is important to confirm before launch.
of Coroplast™. The additional wire length from earlier provides enough length to run the battery connector through the fuselage and back to the belly of the model where the ESC is affixed using double sided tape or glue. All remaining electronics are attached to the underneath of the plane where you’ll want to neatly hide the small maze of wires and components. The manual recommends making incisions in the nacelles to tuck the wires but this will be ultimately up to the builder.
Flight characteristics
Wayne Roberts, pictured on the left, is the designer and kit maker for the T-14, and Tim Stephens, on the right, is the builder and author of this review model. Photo taken on an early test flying day, before the Federal Standard yellow paint arrived.
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How does it fly? The T-14 covers a spec- trum of flight characteristics with quick fly-bys or near zero ground speed. I wouldn’t call the flight characteristics “scale” but there isn’t a pilot out there who won’t come back grinning. Superb axial rolls and loops in its own length kept me entertained through multiple battery packs. The 1400 KV motor is a good choice because it will provide long vertical climbs and plenty of power to pull out of stalls and flat-spin maneuvers. Inverted flight is sta- ble and controllable. Stock 100% rates pro- vide adequate control but I’ve found that my control inputs are smoothed out by us- ing 5–10% of exponential.
I clocked the model at 47 mph using RC Speedo
www.rcspeedo.info for iOS and An-
APRIL 2013
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