Durafly (PNF) Gloster Gladiator Mk1 Biplane Fighter EPO 1100mm (43")

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Really good flying plane...

Nov 18, 2024

I purchased this on sale a month or so ago. Had my eye on it for a while. To be fair, I never flew it with the stock motor. I installed a 3548 1100kv outrunner in it with a 60 amp esc and an 11x6 scimitar M.A. prop. This combo pulled about 58 amps fully charged on the ground. This gives the plane ridiculous power and speed. I had to clearance the plastic engine slightly where the motor protrudes but it looks good. There is room for the 60 amp esc in the stock location but just barely. I shortened the motor leads and lengthened the battery leads. The build is straightforward but very time consuming. The stickers H.K. uses are a pain in the A_ _ but look fantastic once you use a covering iron they lay down and seem to stick well. I did coat my plane with EZKOTE after the sticker install to help keep them in place. This really made the colors pop. I am not a fan of the stiff wire they gave us for the support wires. I am looking for an alternative. I discovered that the snap in struts just snap right out again with a little tug. This concerned me so I ended up gluing them in with CA. I think if needed I can remove both wings as a unit. First flight it took off no problems and I could tell it was trimmed very close with all control surfaces at neutral. Immediately went vertical like A missile! I really like the 4 linked ailerons as it gives it a nice crisp roll and is very axial. I did open up the elevator hole where the elevator binds at full deflection. Not really sure I needed to as there was plenty of movement anyhow. I don't like the look of the cambered in wheels so I straightened them. I figured it was scale but the gear is pretty narrow. I bent them so they are straight up and down. All in all I love this plane and how it flies. Not a hard plane to fly as easy or easier than any warbird! Gets a lot of attention at the club.

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Prop Base Plate- Follow Up

Nov 14, 2024

A follow up to my Nov 11 review: HK quickly filled an order for me with the correctly fitting parts.
Thank you HK Customer Service !

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Prop Base Plate does not properly

Nov 11, 2024

The prop base plate should merely slip on the shaft and over the hext nut "key". The fit is TOO tight. HINT: use the prop and prop nut to PRESS the base plate over the hext nut "key"' . All will be good until/if you need to remove it at some future date... to remove mine, and had to cut it out.
Other than this small problem, my build was 5 star.

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Awesome Biplane

Oct 08, 2024

Looks great and flew great https://youtu.be/SvV1YzeUaOA?si=zdSHk1YLUMLPZ7Lm Billy the president of our club took it up for me waiting for eye surgery looks nice in the sky

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Amazing Details

May 29, 2023

The model has amazing details. It is a priced model in my collection. Thanks HK

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Lovely model

Dec 04, 2022

Really am enjoying this model. I did a full repaint into a 1940 camouflage scheme. The plane has good power and performance. I do recommend doing the rigging with elastic thread as mentioned by Tom Hunt in the RCG thread on this plane.

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Great plane get it now!

Nov 09, 2022

I waited for 3or4months for the Gladiator to be available in the US, I was not disappointed. I saw Adam’s review on ModelAV8R and I was sold. If you like aerobatic scale biplanes youl love it on 4S 22or 2500mah batteries. Have fun, I am!!

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Gladiator

Nov 05, 2022

Easy assembly, great flying model.

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Great Classic Biplane

Nov 05, 2022

Love this plane. It flies well as a scale flyer and as a sport Biplane looks great in the sky!!

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Great plane, but shipping cost !!!!!

Oct 23, 2022

A great little plane. Easy to put together, flies well with a bit of rudder mixed in, and looks realistic in the air. The only problem was with the rigging wires as the holes in the brackets were all blocked or covered by the struts. Shipping costs to AU are very high, so be careful to check this.