Sloping Off - March 2006
The Xtra 480
by Terry Antell
David Enticott won the Christmas Quiz. His prize was an Xtra 480. This is a small electric powered aircraft, 400 size. I bought the kit from David and fitted an Axi outrunner brushless motor up front. It’s a lovely little model and is quite aerobatic. The Axi motor was changed for a Kontronic Smile. This motor is smaller in size than a standard brushed 400. The model is a low wing type and spans 1 metre. Wings are all built up with a top and bottom spar and a D box front end. It has a fibre glass fuselage. I haven’t fitted the wire undercarriage to the wing, I usually fly off grass, and therefore, the wheels would just not work. Mind you, using it at Beaulieu means VERY careful landings (avoid tarmac).
The model comes all precovered, radio bays are ready for mini servos, the one piece wing is ready for 2 micro servos. The kit is available from South Coast Sailplanes. Yes, I like it and would recommend buying one.
After flying it, using a Kan 1050mah 8 cell pack = 9.6V, I changed to an Evo20, 11.1V 1800 mah Lipo. The little electric motor now spins at 25000 rpm driving a 6 x 3 folding Cam prop. I can comfortably get 6 minutes on full power using this set up.
