Dodger EP 3 Channel Thermal Glider 1980mm (ARF)

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Customer Rated

Aug 25, 2014

This glider is very fragile and mine did fold the wings at the carbon spar ending line. I strongly recommend to reinforce the wings.

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Customer Rated

Jun 07, 2014

I bought this glider and installed my Turnigy Park 450 1200KV motor and an 8"x6" Graupner folding prop. I moved the firewall back by 9mm to allow the motor to fit totally within the cowl. The model is super easy to assemble. Today I had the maiden flight, all I can say is that this glider is a real floater, what a lovely way to relax. The first flight lasted an hour in light winds and took less than 40pcnt from the 2200MaH pack inclusive of messing about with set up and motor runs yesterday, the motor ran for a total of 3 1/2 minutes for the entire flight. What more could you ask for. Stunning. I dropped a star on quality for a very minor warp in one wing panel which was easily resolved.

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Certified Buyer Rated

Oct 18, 2013

very very good glider!!!!

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Certified Buyer Rated

Jun 21, 2013

planeur simple a faire voler, le mien complet fait 860 grammes moteur 2830 1050 kv, accus en 3s de 1800 mahn helice 9x6, servo 9 grammes bleu, cest un planeur au vol calme sans grand vent derriere sinon cest embetant!!sinon, les trajectoires sont fluides!

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Certified Buyer Rated

Jun 13, 2013

i want to try using glider balsa 3 chanel radio.... i hope nice flight

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Customer Rated

Jun 03, 2013

This plane does well in low-pass though it can't climb much thanks to the self-stable wing design. Need to be careful when building the plane while the wood structure can be quite thin at some area. Used 2826-10 1400kv motor as per the recommendation of the others but the 3.15mm shaft of this motor can be difficult to find a folding prop to match. As per the experiences of other pilots, a lot of weight has to be added to the motor mount to get the CG right. 2200 3S battery can fit into the battery compartment very well. I mount my TX (FrSKY TFR6) underneath the canopy to help balancing the plane. Have uploaded a video for sharing. All in all, this plane is value for money but need to handle her with care and fly slowly. Cheers.

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Customer Rated

Apr 03, 2013

Sorry I got my motor size wrong and can't edit the post

My setup is Motor 2830 1000kv 8x6 folding prop and spinner 1800mah lipo. C@G set at 75mm as per plan seems just right.

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Customer Rated

Apr 03, 2013

Received the kit and impressed with the build and its lightness. Threw away the supplied clevises and controle horns to fit my own as the suppied ones were in my opinion not as good as I would have liked. Also fitted proper pinned hinges for rudder and elevator but other than this the kit goes together easily. I did though end up throwing away the supplied cowling as No matter how hard i tred I couldnot get it to fit correctly i built up the frount with my own ply and balsa sheet then sola filmed it all and looks fine.
Waited several weeks to fly but today was the day. Up she went like a rocket with my 2812 1200kv motor but the wind was all over the place but she handled it well and continued to climb even without power. Landed after 20 min due to my hands freezing, could have stayed up all day. A nice glider and on the right days will prove much fun climbing in those thermals. Higly recomended if you want a floater for those summer eavenings.
Malcolm in Barnsley Sth Yorkshire G4IHZ

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Certified Buyer Rated

Oct 09, 2012

wonderful aircraft well made simple and it flies great, very gentle loving it so much....

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Customer Rated

Sep 30, 2012

One problem noted after flying today... The wing joining spar is too flexible. It is 5mm hollow carbon fiber tube. Will replace with 5mm or 5.5mm solid carbon fiber rod. If unable will use 5mm or 3/16" music wire. My previous versions of this model (Great Planes and Carl Goldberg) had a stronger wing center section. Due to this I recommend upgrading the spar material AND limit elevator throw to very little travel to help prevent over stressing the wing. The D2826-10 1400kv motor works great
with the 30A Red Brick ESC and Zippy 40C 2200mah 3S battery. The plane needs this large battery for nose weight and will give flight times up to 30minutes at reduced power. HXT900 servos work perfect too. I used all harware from kit but had to drill the control horns open to fit the clevis pin.
40mm alloy prop spinner w. 3.17mm shaft fit motor shaft tightly and I used blades from the plastic folding propeller set 8 x 4.5" OR025-02403A. The 40mm alloy prop blade holders drilled to 1/8" to fit the blades.
With a stronger spar, this would be perfect but it can be fixed buying your own spar material.