Retro RC e'Sinbad the Sailor

Written by Jerry Smith As featured on page 67 in the April 2013 issue of Model Aviation magazine. Also featured in the Model Aviation tablet app with bonus video.

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Specifications Model type: Nostalgic park flyer Skill level: Intermediate builder; intermediate pilot Wingspan: 36 inch Wing area: 127 square inches Airfoil: Flat bottom Length: 20 inches Weight: 3 to 5 ounces Radio: Four channel with two micro servos ESC: Five amp brushed ESC Battery: Two-cell 300 mAh Motor: GWSEPD/50XC Price: $69.99 Test-Model Details Radio System: Spektrum DX8 radio; Spektrum AR400 receiver, two GWS micro 3.7 gram servos; GWS100C ESC; 300 mAh 2S battery. Ready-to-fly weight: 4.7 ounces Flight duration: 10 minutes (if you get it high and let it glide some) Construction: Laser cut balsa and ply Finish: Solite covering material Pluses • Accurate laser-cut parts • Plug in wing panels • Easy transportation • Good scale outline • Good written instructions Minuses • Instruction pictures too small • No radio installation information • Propeller hard to mount on motor shaft • Required tail weight

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These are the completed airframe parts before sanding. The parts were sanded with 220-grit sandpaper and then with 400-grit sandpaper before covering.

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With shaping completed on the hatch and nose of the fuselage, the hatch is held in place with two dowels in the back and a magnet in the front. A short dowel keys it in place.

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Small plastic guide tubes for the pull-pull linkage are placed to provide exit points in the covering. Sheet four of the instructions explains the routing of pull-pull lines and location of the tubes.

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Installing the radio shows how little room is available. Removing some of the bulkheads in the hatch provides room for the battery.

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The optional electric-power pod, included when you buy the e’SinBad the Sailor kit 36, is inserted on the wing joiner wires and sandwiched between the wings.

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The SinBad exhibits docile flight characteristics in the air, yet it is responsive to control inputs using rudder, elevator, and throttle.