Baracuda





Wingspan: 3 meters

Engine: Mega 22/45/3E electric motor plus
Graupner 13x7 and 3700mah 4s lipo

Type: warmliner







Description
Do you know the expression, 'In for a penny, in for a pound'? Well, the Baracuda was the first serious model that I added to the memory of my Futaba FF9, and the first really large glider I have owned. The programming capabilities of the FF9 are brilliant, but looking back on the situation it would have been better to have started with a couple of less complicated models. The result was OK, sort of, but in the end the only way to obtain clear, logical programming that worked as I wanted it to, was to clear the mess I had created and start all over again. The experience has been well worth it, but the Cuda spent rather longer on the bench than I would have liked.

It is a cross-over glider, half way between a thermal soarer and a hotliner, is very elegant, and is equiped with four servos in the wings for flaps and ailerons, and two in the fuselage for rudder and elevator. I had a lot of fun programming and flight testing the crow braking. At full deflection the braking effect is quite remarkable, and really slows the Cuda down to a safe landing speed. I can also droop the flaps and ailerons to increase the lift the wing section creates, to take best advantage of thermal lift. However, so far the weather has not seen fit to create any thermal lift when I have been out flying. Roll on the spring and summer.

The combination of the Mega motor and the 3700mah 4s lipo battery is another amazing thing about the Cuda. The motor spins the 13 inch prop fast enough to heave up what is a fairly heavy glider at 45 degrees or greater with ease and no lack of speed. I am sure that I am going to enjoy the Baracuda when there are thermals about, and might also fly her off the ridge at Butser or Watership Down where I can really test the speed range of this remarkable glider.



Score:
9 out of ten




Most exciting moment
None yet.


A moody picture taken at East Worldham on a cold winter day A slightly less moody shot!




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