Kyosho Minium and some tape

[HF-Phil]

Some time ago an acquaintance was talking of RC flying with quite some gusto. Several days later I had a couple of the x-twin models, followed after a month or so by a Kyosho Minium. Having now purchased and Built a Blade EPP Im hooked!

So, anyway, there is a point the Minium is now no longer my most treasured RC plane. As such its time to fiddle with it and see if improvements can be made.

Its always flown in the garden, thus wheels are somewhat irrelevant and cumbersome so there arent any now. (Though having seen the steering mod for the front wheel, they may go back on)

A mod far more effective than the diet, has been to add some tape to the rear of the elevators and rudder to extend both by about 5 mm. This results in a ~ 20 to 30 % increase in area of both control surfaces and because its clear tape you cant tell by sight when its flying.

Its much more nimble and now loops without having to use full elevator! Flying it upside-down is still tricky though

So I have a question - has anyone else been modifying them? I've had a search and only found the wheel mod...

[steve honour]

Hi HF Phil Welcome to the forum.
LOL Didn't even think you could mod them

[HF-Phil]

After playing with the Minium for a while, the temptation to enlarge the wing area started to nag...

Resulting in some more tape and an increase in cord of 10 mm (20 - 30%) this time (two bits of tape back to back rather than folding one in half). It's dark outside so no test flight yet. Though it did glide happily across the lounge - and then into the sofa! Staying up the right way and everything

Must say though, it's very fiddly trying to get the tape to have a straight edge and roughly the same curve as the wing.

Hopefully it'll be able to fly a little slower now. Will post again when I find out. Maybe a picture too if it isn't a disaster.

[HF-Phil]

It flies fantasticly. Perfect for the small area of the garden that isn't filled with tree.

Photos to follow...

PS: Seem to have increased the dihedral on the right wing somewhat by crashing it into the patio table. Still flies but actually requires the glue and tape this time..!

[Bamber]

Sounds fun - will try the tape on mine when I get a chance. Aileron mod would be ultimate though ....

[cyclicscooby]

I love my Minium.. its the most peaceful RC 'anything' I own..
I've got a Certerbria or whatever it called.. I wanted a Cessna, to match the 64" one, but none there..
Its crashed numerous times, even into me.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOkWrmkXI-E and even had the tail chewed by kittens, but it still flies...

I jumped at the 4channel when it came out, buying the Piper for £130, only to get it home and be very dissappointed..
Its alot heavier and barely climbs..

I want one of the Edge 3ch's now, but these E-RC spitfires are tempting at £20 less for a complete set..


Luv
Chrisie... xx

[cyclicscooby]

I tried the tape trick on my Citerbria, and you're right..
Elev N Rudd are ALOT better now..

Plus, I got a 3ch Edge540 plane set at WestonPark (£45 ) and it IS BRILLIANT..

Way better than the Citerbrai AND the 4ch Piper.. Loadsa power, goes vertical for a couple of secs b4 running out.. Roll's like my big Extra.. [} but still has a bit of a diherdral, so I haven't managed inverted yet...

Now I have 3 of them, I'm gonna have a play with the 4ch ( the useless one) and see if it can be improved..

Thanks for the tips Phil..


Luv
Chrisie... xx