Without exception, I've always fitted out my own F3F planes. However when you work 50 or 60 hours a week it means you want to spend what free time you have flying rather than building. So, when Jiri suggested trying their new RTF service I thought, what could I lose.
Well the Kyril (which was the original choice of name before Cyril came along) arrived yesterday and I can say without a shadow of doubt that it has been the most satisfying experience of any plane I have ever owned. The joy of ownership thing can't be explained - like an expensive watch, or your first Apple Mac. See the text next to the photos to get a flavour of what I mean.
The wings are fantastically strong and light. The leading and trailing edges are perfect.
The fuselage is a work of art - super strong, super light, enough room for the gear yet also very low cross sectional area.
It is absolutely slop free and centres perfectly every time. Loads of aileron movement and enough for around 70 degrees down flap.
They were perfectly centred when the arrived but the weird 4000 Tx set up meant I had to re-centre the flaps. No problem, less than 3 mins each to get them out, re-centre and pop them back.
They were perfectly centred when the arrived but the weird 4000 Tx set up meant I had to re-centre the flaps. No problem, less than 3 mins each to get them out, re-centre and pop them back.
Even lighter tail means even less nose weight.
Comes pre-drilled at the root for the aerial, see below.
Comes pre-drilled at the root for the aerial, see below.
Plugs pre-wired and glued in place.
Very neat balsa blocks in place to keep the wiring out of the way.
Very neat balsa blocks in place to keep the wiring out of the way.
Peek inside and you see the bulkhead, which is a work of art in itself.
Servos are the fantastically fast and accurate Graupners.
Even the clevis' are ground away to get full movement. And, the pushrod has a reminder to secure the clevis once you've screwed it to length.
The servo mounting is really neat.
Even the clevis' are ground away to get full movement. And, the pushrod has a reminder to secure the clevis once you've screwed it to length.
The servo mounting is really neat.
Comes with the battery that fits perfectly
The aerial is pre-installed and and comes with a joiner ready to solder to your Rx aerial.
Look at the top of the frame and you'll also see the battery connector comes taped up just in case.
Look at the top of the frame and you'll also see the battery connector comes taped up just in case.
The aerial is pre-installed in the fuselage and comes out at the tail in an outer that slides into the tail.
Summary
There is no doubt in my mind that Jiri Baudis is a genius. What he has done in a few years has been remarkable. His quality is second to none, his designs are fantastic and it arrives with that something extra you can't quite put your finger on.
Clearly the proof is in the flying but in terms of ticking all the right boxes before it gets in the air - RDS, strong, light and fuselage ballast with nosecone - the Kyril is unparalleled.
