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What is it about
windy days and test flights of new models that always seem to go hand in
hand? It was just such a day when the time came to test fly the new twin
motored model from E-flite, the Deuces Wild. |
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This super
semi-scale model has had a lot of thought go into the design to ensure
that it provides enjoyable flight characteristics without any of the
drama that is normally associated with twin motored models. The contra
rotating motors are mounted relatively close to the fuselage and minimise
asymmetric thrust, the wing features two Selig airfoils and remains
stable throughout all speed ranges and finally the model can be fitted
with optional retracts to “clean” the model up and reduce drag. |
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| With fully charged Li-Po’s and the normal
pre-flight checks carried out; ie. range and correct control surface
deflection it was decided that despite the wind we would go ahead and
fly, so with the model lined up into wind and a gentle application
of throttle the model was soon tracking nice and straight down the
runway, full power and a touch of up-elevator had the model climbing
smoothly away, the gear was retracted and the model settled into the
circuit for an overall assessment. |
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So far so good and after a few circuits it was
time to see what the model
could really do. Rolls, loops and inverted flight
are all performed with ease
and quite convincing even at three quarter
throttle. On a lower throttle
setting with gentle back pressure on the
elevator it was possible to induce
a stall, but this itself was uneventful
with the nose rather than a wingtip
dropping, and this was easily recovered
from with the application of power. |
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Slow flight at altitude with reduced power
and the flaps deployed gave a good indication of what we could expect
on the landing approach and again this was uneventful and fully controllable.
So it was back to some high speed manoeuvres and while we had plenty
of battery left, some high speed low passes. It was during these passes
that the beautiful sound of two propellers in “sync” could be enjoyed
to the full. We didn’t time the flight duration but it was long enough
to get a full appreciation of just how good this twin really is. It
is fully aerobatic, it looks good in the air especially with the landing
gear tucked away and it has good slow speed handling. |
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| Time now for the landing. Turning downwind with the motors throttled
back it was time to extend the gear and apply just a little flap, turning
for base leg and finals and with further reduced power the model settled
in for a superb slightly nose high landing on the main gear and as
the ground speed bled off the model settled onto its nose leg completing
a perfect landing and with enough power to spare it was taxied back
to the pit area for the all important post flight checks. |
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To sum up then the Deuces Wild is an ideal
model for any
experienced pilot looking for something different and
it's the
perfect choice for any flyer looking for a hassle free twin
motored
model.
TG |
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