Tower Hobbies Ultimate Bipe GP/EP ARF
Written by Terry Dunn Everyday aerobatics with two wings Abridged product review Photos by the author Read the full product review in the January 2016 issue of Model Aviation.
Bonus video
Specifications
Model type: Semiscale ARF Wingspan: 45.5 inches Wing area: 840 square inches Length: 50 inches Radio: Futaba 14SG 2.4 GHz transmitter; Futaba R617FS receiver; six Tactic TSX25 digital mini servos Needed to complete: Minimum four-channel radio; four to seven mini servos; .46 to .55 two-stroke or .72 to .81 four-stroke engine (if glow powered); RimFire .55 brushless motor; 75-amp ESC, six-cell 3,800 mAh LiPo battery (if electric powered); adhesives; and basic assembly tools Minimum flying area: Club field Price: $219.99 ARF airframe Power system: RimFire .55 brushless motor; 16 x 8 electric propeller; Great Planes Silver Series 60-amp ESC; Castle Creations CC BEC; FlightPower 3S 3,800 mAh 30C LiPo battery (two in series) Power output: 58.9 amps, 1,331 watts Flying weight: 7.2 pounds Flight time: Six-plus minutes Wing loading: 19.7 ounces per square footPluses
• Superb build quality. • Electric and glow power options. • Nice flight performance.Minuses
• Wheel pants required sanding to fit. • Wing removal is time consuming.Abridged product review
Sometimes numbers can be deceiving. When I first glanced at the specification chart for the Tower Hobbies Ultimate, I only noticed the 45.5-inch wingspan. This made me picture a smallish model in my head. That image was shattered as soon as I opened the box. The airplane is longer than it is wide, giving it a broad footprint. When outfitted with one of the recommended propulsion systems, it is powerful, too. This model of the Ultimate is a substantial airplane in every respect.The completed Ultimate is deceptively large. The wings can be removed to accommodate transporting it in smaller vehicles.
Assembling the Ultimate
The Ultimate is a balsa-and-plywood ARF. I found all of the components to be well built and finished. You can use either glow or electric power. I chose to use an electric power system, which included the suggested ElectriFly RimFire .55 brushless motor. Assembly of the Ultimate went smoothly. Modelers who have built a balsa and plywood ARF should have no trouble with this one. All of the parts fit together well and the included hardware is high quality. The only issue I had involved the fiberglass wheel pants. I had to grind away a small amount of material on both pants so that they would fit over the bases of the wheel axles.The Tower Hobbies Ultimate Bipe GP/EP ARF includes well-built components and a superb covering job. Parts for using nitro or electric power systems are included.
The Great Planes Silver Series 60-amp ESC can be mounted to the side of the plywood motor box. Note the beefy aluminum mount for the RimFire .55 brushless motor.
Two screws hold the canopy hatch in place. I’m sure this is a more secure method than magnets or spring-loaded latches, but it requires you to bring a screwdriver to the flightline. My biggest concern with this arrangement was that I would drop a screw in the grass and lose it. I mitigated this possibility by fabricating short tethers for the screws using thread and plastic sheeting. Although the Ultimate goes together with little fuss, there is a significant amount of work to do. Plan to spend several evenings getting the model completed and set up. The finished airplane is stunning.
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