I never intended to build this model! However, when I ordered the Genesis SL to replace my aging Zagi slope soarer, the wing panels supplied were for the electric version. The supplier replaced them but told me not to send the other ones back, commenting that 'they might come in useful sometime'. As it happened, I had what seemed to be a suitable motor in stock and also a pair of servos. I even had a bit of correx for the tip fins so it seemed a shame to leave these wing panels kicking around cluttering up the workshop. . .
As with the SL version, construction starts by joining the wings over the carbon spar (the first purchase needed to build this 'free' model), then the fitting of a ply reinforcing plate to the nose. This forms the floor of the pre-cut battery hatch.
The next job was the motor mount. Here of course, I had no parts at all, just the two slots cut into the foam panels. So, a ply and balsa box was constructed, slotted through the wing and into a ply plate on the underside. The pictures tell the story.
With the motor mount sorted, all that really remained was the taping and finishing and sorting out a battery hatch arrangement.
The instructions recommended a 2200mah - 2600mah 3s LiPo battery which seemed a bit over the top. However, a quick balance check showed that at least a 2200mah pack was indeed needed to achieve the recommended cg position so that's what I went with. It's a snug fit in the battery bay but, having ejected the battery from my Zagi during an outside loop on one occasion, a positive latching mechanism seemed like a wise precaution.
With an 8 x 6in folding prop (which necessitated slight trimming of the wing aperture), the motor drew some 13amps. Not likely to give ballistic performance but should be enough to get a feel for the model. The first flight went well enough. Loops were possible from level flight but the top speed was very modest and the model was a little lacking in zip. However, before I could really think about what might be done to improve things, disaster struck on the second flight.
A slightly limp launch saw the model not quite get away. However, I was still trying when it pancaked onto the ground with full power applied. For a near-indestructable foamie model, the damage was impressive! The prop was broken and the motor had been broken in two, the stator having torn free of its wires. More surprisingly perhaps, the clevises on both pushrods had broken, as had one of the elevon horns. Admittedly, these had been re-cycled from the old Zagi so were no doubt somewhat brittle. All of a sudden, this 'freebie' model, was needing a bit of investment!
Anyway, that first flight was enough to convince me that it was worth persevering so a Turnigy 2826 2000kv motor was ordered to replace the 1450kv Keda. The prop was dropped from 8in diameter to 7in so I was a bit surprised to find that the current draw had leapt from an admittedly modest 13a to 40a!
The effect on performance was, as you can imagine, dramatic. The model is nice and zippy and all vertical manoeuvers are now effortless. All of a sudden the 30a ESC, previously regarded as a bit OTT, is now more than earning its keep - it does have a 40a burst rating so, given that it is out in the fresh air, will hopefully cope with the load.
Another pleasant surprise is that, in spite of now revving at over 13000rpm, the model is still pretty quiet compared to others of this configuration - an important consideration, given that our electric-only site a somewhat noise-sensitive.
