Durafly Excalibur Post Build Thoughts (could have been better)
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 6 фев 2018
- Howdy, the build for the Durafly Excalibur was not as smooth as it could have been and in this video, we cover 7 niggles that I feel should have been addressed for this "Premium" model. Am I fair on these? Let me know YOUR thoughts below in the comments, Matt
IMPORTANT
================
So that we're ALL on the same page. I feel it's important to stress that this HobbyKing/Durafly Excalibur was bought out of my OWN money, for my own abuses and was NOT a "Freebie for Review".
Issues with the Durafly Excalibur
================
Keep in the back of your mind that this model was bought out of my model and I personally don't feel that for a premium model, I should have need to tweak or be left wanting for any of the following, especially considering that this model is a year or more old!
In absolutely no order of importance my niggles with the Durafly Excalibur are as follows.
#1 The Rear Servo Screws
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
These little things were a complete nightmare to get screwed in. One of them I threw across the room and then got a spare screw and used that instead.
The provided screwdriver is too big for the screw head and even with a smaller screw driver it just would not bite into the hole.
#2 Not Metal Geared Servos (ele/rudder)
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
The aileron servos are clearly metal geared, the tail ones.... they have plastic geared tops on them leading me to believe they are only plastic geared.
#3 Terrible Servo Connectors
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
WTF on this? Why was there not female servo connectors?
#4 No CG Marking
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Frankly unacceptable for a kit of this level.
#5 Had to File the Propeller Mount
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Maybe the mould is getting old now. I had to spend several minutes per side filing the prop mount enough to allow the free movement of the propeller blades.
This is so that they close easily when doing deep dives and we get maximum speed out of it.
#6 Not an Aluminum prop Mount
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
The EFXtra has a whole metal cone and costs less than this model. Frankly, it was disappointing to see plastic used here again considering the point above where I had to file the mount to make it run smoothly.
#7 Aileron control horn not centrally mounted
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Minor, but not expected on a kit of this level.
Your Thoughts!!
================
Am I being mean or unfair on any of these points?
Let me know what you think below, Matt
PS. We already know this model is a good one. It's why I bought it. It could just be that little bit better is the point I'm trying to get across :)
RagTheNutsOff FaceBook Group
================
You can join over 2,400 cool pilots like me & you over in the FaceBook group here: / ragthenutsoff
Support This Channel
================
If you've enjoyed this video or the RUclips channel as a whole, you CAN help SUPPORT this channel by using the links below before buying on any of these sites.
Banggood: bit.ly/rtno-bg
HobbyKing: bit.ly/rtno-hk
GearBest: bit.ly/rtno-gb
eBay: bit.ly/rtno-ebay
Amazon UK: bit.ly/rtno-amz-uk
AliExpress: bit.ly/rtno-ae
These, as can be assumed ALL links in this description are "affiliate" links, which means I will gain a small percentage of the sale which can be put towards more models, reviews, RC parts, dancing ladies and/or coffee to keep this channel going.
If you would like to know how I started this channel by accident, see this video to find out more: • How I started this Cha...
Matt
---
WANT MORE VIDEOS LIKE THIS ONE?
---
For more videos like this one, see my RUclips Channel here:
/ @ragthenutsoff
Would you like to SEE THE NEW VIDEO'S BEFORE they're published on RUclips?
---
I post the videos in the FaceBalls group BEFORE they go live on RUclips.
You can join the group here:
/ ragthenutsoff 
Спорт
I thought you were going to pick up on the THE only major issue with this model, actually I'll make that TWO major issues. 1) If you throttle off mid flight then try and add throttle again slowly you may find that nothing happens. WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT? The prop catches underneath the canopy as the recess isn't deep enough leaving said canopy slightly proud. I found out with insufficient altitude which leads me directly to my next gripe; 2) The fuselage is weak as ummm foam and only a slightly hard landing will snap it in half. To overcome issue 1) I simply added an elastic band over the canopy in order to "guide" the prop over it. This is only an issue if you throttle on gently (like for landing).
Howdy Paul, yea I snapped my EFXtra in half 😉😱. For the prop, yep I know about this and yes I should have brought that up as well. What I've done about that one mine is sellotape on piece of ID card to side, so it scoops over the side and misses the canopy. That should do the trick :) Matt
HI RTNO...DESPITE THE SHORTCOMINGS IT IS STILL ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLANES. I LOVE THE SPEED AND AEROBATICS AND IT HAS GOOD SAILING TIMES. YES, I LET HK KNOW THAT TWO OF THE SERVOS ON MY PLANE OUT OF THE BOX WERE JAMMED. THEY SENT ME TWO METAL GEAR SERVOS FOR REPLACEMENTS, I PUT THEM BOTH IN THE TAIL. I FIND THAT MANY FOAM AND PLASTIC PARTS AND METAL SCREWS DO NOT DO WELL TOGETHER A LOT OF TIMES IT IS HARD TO PUT SCREWS IN....MAGIC TRICK...A DROP OF VERY LIGHT SHAVER OIL...DOES THE TRICK AND WALAA THE SCREWS MANY TIMES GLIDE IN...NOT ALWAYS. I READ ABOUT THE PROP CATCHING ON THE CANOPY SO I PUT A GLOB OF EPOXY ALONGSIDE OF THE CANOPY ON THE FUSE AND HAVE NEVER HAD THE PROP CATCH THERE. HK MAKES A VERY NICE ALUMINUM SPINNER AND PROP MOUNT FOR THE EX ABOUT 6 BUCKS I BOUGHT IT AND IT MAKES THE PLANE LOOK SUPER NICE. SO FAR I HAVE CRASHED SEVERAL TIMES. HAVE TORN OFF EACH WING AND THEY WERE EASILY REPAIRED AND SERIOUSLY CRACKED THE FUSE. I WAS SURPRISED THE FUSE STAYED ON BUT THERE IS A SQUARE FIBER SHAFT THAT RUNS MOST OF THE FUSE. SO WHAT I DID WAS REPAIR THE CRACKS IN THE FUSE AND IMBEDDED THREE CARBON FIBER FLATS ONE EACH SIDE OF THE FUSE AND ONE ON THE BOTTOM...VERY STIFF NOW. THE PLANE IS HARD TO SEE MANY TIMES SO I PAINTED MOST OF THE TOP OF THE WING FLAT BLACK AND PUT IRIDESCENT TAPE ON THE BOTTOM...MUCH EASIER TO SEE. WHENEVER IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE THE PLANE I JUST MOVE THE WING LEFT AND RIGHT SLIGHTLY AND IT IS EASIER TO FIND. HOPE SOME OF THESE IDEAS HELPED YALL...CHEERS...!!!
Hi Johnny, you know that CAPSLOCK makes it impossible to read what you've written? Matt
HAHAHAH....IT'S A MENTAL THING...!!!
Filing the prop roots and spinner yoke is a common thing even on high end stuff. It is not such a bad thing as it allows optimum fitting. A detail often overlooked by noobs. BTW if you decide to replace the spinner/yoke take a good look at the original and the offset of the tynes. This offset is to allow the prop to closely hug the fuse when folded. Garden variety types will have radial tynes and these can't have the prop blades resting as flush with the fuze.
I'm liking this approach. In my opinion it's good to know the short compings and improvement places of models. If a model makes you feel that you can tolerate the faults and shor comings it is a good model.
Used to flying big petrol gas planes but I’ve had 3 or 4 Efextras and loved them so I bought this off a mate who had only flown it twice.....one of the aileron servos was getting stuck at full deflection so I replaced all the servos including the tail with 9g tower pro metal gear servos, had to do a few modifications to both the tail and wings as these servos were slightly bigger. Also replaced all the screws as I found that the original ones cross threaded very easily in the plastic...this was a problem as I planned on removing the wings on a regular basis. The issue with the prop getting stuck under the canopy I resolved with an elastic band not the most aesthetically pleasing but does the trick
Matt. Them servo extension leads. I have been there and done that. I put a tiny cable tie through the wires on both cables, and done that up. Tape is ok if it done get to hot and unravel. I like us all to share what tips we can. Help each other. 👍😉
Howdy Keith, yea they're shocking aren't they! I've used decent quality tape for them, they won't come undone. plus we're in the UK, we're unlikely to get enough warmth to melt that tape lol!
Cable ties... that's a good idea, thanks! I'll remember that one.
Would have been nice though if they'd used Futaba-style female sockets & servo plug locks, especially given the price of this.
Hi MattMy Excalibur also arrived today, though a few hours after yours as we’re at the end of the Parcel Force route. I’ve only given it a cursory once over but I too noticed the same short comings. Tail servos are indeed plastic 😡. The prop blades are initially a little stiff in the spinner however after working them back and forth a few times they have loosened up a bit. The rear servo connection is an obvious bodge job. I ‘spose when HK ordered the parts for manufacture they rx’d the incorrect genders and rather than rectify they bodged. I’ve yet to download the manual and do the build so can’t comment on the screws for the tail servos. As for the two plastic bits, these go either side of the canopy to protect the foam when the prop collapses.RegardsNidge.
Howdy NIdge, yea it's quite a list of annoyances. I'm sure it'll fly great though when it's time :) Matt
This actually is my favorite model. The rear servos can be changed with very little effort and at like 7 EUR cost. I have had two Excaliburs already. One with better rear servos (which I did not change - flying with no problem) and one with bad rear servos, which I changed. Concerning the CG --> if People do not look into the manual to check where the CG is, then it is better to switch to RC cars.
In my opinion the biggest draw back of the plane is the paint scheme. I could hardly see it when it was approaching me. I paintet the wingtips and V-Tail red + added black stripes on the wings + fuselage. And yes, the prop gets stuck - a bit filing of the spinner is required.
The plane is relatively easy to fly, offers excelent climb rates, good speed, good gliding performance and can be flown in almost any wind (30 kph is where the fun starts). at a very reasonable price for a warmliner - as mentioned: one of my favourite planes. I am not aware of any competitior in the warmliner range at this price point.
Basically, what you are saying is true - but i think the emphasis on the shortcommings is a bit exagerated.
Been looking at this lately and I agree with your sentiments, typical HK quality I'm afraid. And I'm saying that as someone who brought the ~£130 Voltigeur only to discover an aileron had been ripped off along the hinge and *glued* back on at the factory. Great QC Hobbyking!
Anyway w.r.t. the tail servos, I wouldn't worry so long as they've used quaility parts (why is the kit version always out of stock anyway? 😏). The tail has effectively two complimentary servos handling everything and provided they aren't worked too hard their gears _should_ wear slower than if they were metal.
Metal gear servos on the tail would probably make it tail heavy, rear servos should be on the fuselage maybe.
Howdy Pedro, I put a 1500mAh 4S in the nose, it was nose heavy!
Nice plane Matt and valid points based on the kits price.
Hoqwdy Brad, I missed one more, the prop catches the front canopy too. Will bring that up when it's maiden time, Matt
mine suddenly lawn darted into an ugly end after 3 minute maiden- i suspect all the CF on the model hid the rx antennas long enough for the spear -in
Morning, that's sad to hear. Not had an issue with models with way, way more carbon in them. Matt
Matt. Is it possible that the carbon/glassfibre rods in the ailerons and elevators actually pass through a hole in the control horns. Their placement would certainly suggest they could. Maybe not the pos horns after all.
Howdy Davy, yes that is quite possible. I had a pull on one of the control horns, they're not coming out in a hurry, yay! Matt
Hi Matt....The two elevator servos look like they have different screws holding the output arms on to me..?..It's a pretty model though and they fly really well....I would expect a machined aluminium folding prop hub for that money too, not plastic.
Howdy ET, thats right. As mentioned in the video I changed it over after throwing the original one across the room. As for the alu prop adapter, yup thats what I had been expecting using the eFXtra as the reference. Should fly OK though :) Matt
Looks like the front of the tail servo cover has cracked too.
Good spot Chris!
Thanks for the critical review
Cool plane! But quite a few issues.
OMG I wish I had a plane that flew as well as the Excaliber!
you have two different screws in the rear servos
I know, one of the bastard screws supplied would not fit!
Ohhhh... Matt.. all those faults must be what make up the extra B.S. shipping weight!!
Howdy Alasdair, actually I got free shipping on this one and I'm delighted about that 👌 Matt
Wow
You need to replace the stock servos they wont last very long.
I have only just got back in to model planes again after 30 years and I have bought a bit of gear from Bangood and so far most of it has arrived damaged or bits missing and it takes forever to get here. The packaging they use is just a joke a plastic bag with carbon rods no soft stuff or anything and the rod is all ruined when it gets here. John
This isn't a premium model. The Multiplex Funray at £400 is the premium electric foam glider. This is a third of the price.
Just a video of nitpicking. Not even a mention of the overly harsh brake or the unbalanced props shipped with some resulting in the nose tearing off.
pffft
wtf?? Hobbyking + free anything seems like a contradiction in terms..
well, great job then, I just think my trip around the moon may still come before HK ever get a cent more of my money..