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I have had a passion for electric powered models for sometime now , My multiplex twinstar being favorite , in fact it's got to the stage were questions are ask as to it's whereabouts if i go to the flying field without it , On eight Sanyo2400 cells the twin star is surprisingly aerobatic .

However following a visit to Chester MAC Electric flying event recently I was amazed at the Current state of electric flight ( No pun intended )

Large three metre " Hot liners " Climbing vertically at a tremendous speed almost from launch some of them on 24+ Cells , This short burst of awesome power was followed by some fast and furious aerobatics on the decent , Other more conventional sports models such as Sukoi 26

Cap and for some reason a lot of Ultimate Biplanes all flew very well .If it were not for the noise or lack of it you could be forgiven for thinking they were IC powered .

Deciding there and then to get more involved in this new age of electric flight my first call was to some of the excellent trade stands at Chester

I happened upon a stand run by John and Sandra Emms of Puffin Models who sell some most interesting Motors from Model Motors Czechoslovakia

The Model Motors AXI 2820/12

Having chatted to john for some time and received lots of advice I came away more knowledgeable though a little poorer financially having purchased a Model Motors AXI 2820-12 Brushless motor and speed controller . This motor is designed to run on ten to fourteen cells and is a low revving light weight motor that can turn a large prop without the need for a gearbox .

I had in mind to convert my Fun Keys Extra 300s ( This is the model seen on our Homepage ) . The model has an OS 52 FS fitted in this picture Later changing my mind I now decided to first gain some hands on experience by converting a Limbo Dancer. This turned out to be very straightforward , Having removed a OS40LA fuel tank and throttle servo I was able to make a suitable motor mount from 1/4 inch birch ply Downloading the motor manual from Model Motors web site you can Print out the mounting template and stick it onto your ply to aid cutting out an accurate mount .

Having completed the motor mount I moved on to trying to decide were and how to mount the twelve Sanyo 2400 cells I was to use , In the event it was decided to mount them slung underneath the fuzz held in place with large rubber bands and Velcro to stop them sliding either forward or back , Conveniently the "stick of cells " needed to start level with the firewall to achieve the correct C of G . If the unthinkable should happen the cells will move forward without smashing into the rear of the motor ..

The Limbo Dances first flight was quite a pleasant sup rise Taking off within a few metres and climbing out with great authority , The flight lasting around eight minuets before a smooth power on landing , I and others at the field were very impressed

Since the first few flights I managed to get myself disorientated and landed the model on it's nose ,Damage was minimal however I happened to land on a soft grassy area . The battery pack behaved as predicted IE it shot from underneath the model missing my expensive Motor and coming to little harm . The front of the motor mount broke again protecting the motor. It's all repaired and flying again as well as ever..

Due to the increased weight of the Limbo some aerobatic maneuvers are a little difficult IE stall turns are more likely to end up as tail slides unless you cheat a little by keeping a bit of forward momentum going into the maneuver . Rolls loops and inverted flight are as normal touch and go's however are liable to bend the undercarriage if you get them wrong . One unexpected plus is the ability to fly in quite blustery conditions when Electric flight would not normally be possible .Overall I am extremely pleased with the result of the electric conversion and would recommend anyone tempted to do similar to give it a go ..When you have finished flying for the day just load it into the car and away home No oil to clean off first Great Kilowatt Ken...

The Leccy Limbo Dancer a Clean Machine

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	EConversion Back To Home Page I have had a passion for electric powered models for sometime now , My multiplex twinstar being favorite , in fact it's got to the stage were questions are ask as to it's whereabouts if i go to the flying field without it , On eight Sanyo2400 cells the twin star is surprisingly aerobatic . However following a visit to Chester MAC Electric flying event recently I was amazed at the Current state of electric flight ( No pun intended ) Large three metre " Hot liners " Climbing vertically at a tremendous speed almost from launch some of them on 24+ Cells , This short burst of awesome power was followed by some fast and furious aerobatics on the decent , Other more conventional sports models such as Sukoi 26 Cap and for some reason a lot of Ultimate Biplanes all flew very well .If it were not for the noise or lack of it you could be forgiven for thinking they were IC powered . Deciding there and then to get more involved in this new age of electric flight my first call was to some of the excellent trade stands at Chester I happened upon a stand run by John and Sandra Emms of Puffin Models who sell some most interesting Motors from Model Motors Czechoslovakia The Model Motors AXI 2820/12 Having chatted to john for some time and received lots of advice I came away more knowledgeable though a little poorer financially having purchased a Model Motors AXI 2820-12 Brushless motor and speed controller . This motor is designed to run on ten to fourteen cells and is a low revving light weight motor that can turn a large prop without the need for a gearbox . I had in mind to convert my Fun Keys Extra 300s ( This is the model seen on our Homepage ) . The model has an OS 52 FS fitted in this picture Later changing my mind I now decided to first gain some hands on experience by converting a Limbo Dancer. This turned out to be very straightforward , Having removed a OS40LA fuel tank and throttle servo I was able to make a suitable motor mount from 1/4 inch birch ply Downloading the motor manual from Model Motors web site you can Print out the mounting template and stick it onto your ply to aid cutting out an accurate mount . Having completed the motor mount I moved on to trying to decide were and how to mount the twelve Sanyo 2400 cells I was to use , In the event it was decided to mount them slung underneath the fuzz held in place with large rubber bands and Velcro to stop them sliding either forward or back , Conveniently the "stick of cells " needed to start level with the firewall to achieve the correct C of G . If the unthinkable should happen the cells will move forward without smashing into the rear of the motor .. The Limbo Dances first flight was quite a pleasant sup rise Taking off within a few metres and climbing out with great authority , The flight lasting around eight minuets before a smooth power on landing , I and others at the field were very impressed Since the first few flights I managed to get myself disorientated and landed the model on it's nose ,Damage was minimal however I happened to land on a soft grassy area . The battery pack behaved as predicted IE it shot from underneath the model missing my expensive Motor and coming to little harm . The front of the motor mount broke again protecting the motor. It's all repaired and flying again as well as ever.. Due to the increased weight of the Limbo some aerobatic maneuvers are a little difficult IE stall turns are more likely to end up as tail slides unless you cheat a little by keeping a bit of forward momentum going into the maneuver . Rolls loops and inverted flight are as normal touch and go's however are liable to bend the undercarriage if you get them wrong . One unexpected plus is the ability to fly in quite blustery conditions when Electric flight would not normally be possible .Overall I am extremely pleased with the result of the electric conversion and would recommend anyone tempted to do similar to give it a go ..When you have finished flying for the day just load it into the car and away home No oil to clean off first Great Kilowatt Ken... .. The Leccy Limbo Dancer a Clean Machine Top Of Page