Tsunami Build Project Gets a Motor and a Pilot
Posted on January 25, 2010 by aaronredbaron
At the 2010 AMA convention in Ontario, California I took some time to look for components I need for my Tsunami long term build project. With the fuselage nearing completion, I was looking for a few items to proceed with construction. I was not able to find suitable retractable landing gear, yet. There are several great options for electric retracts looming for release, but I was asked to keep details zipped by both sources. The wing is going to wait until I acquire a set of retractable landing gear, so I can make design changes from the start to accommodate them. I was, however, able to find a great motor option, and a fantastic looking pilot that is intended for RC jets.
Tsunami plus Scorpion should equal good times
Scorpion motors from Innov8tive Designs have gone from a few small offerings a few years ago to one of the major players in electric RC motors. With a wide selection to choose from and the man behind the scenes, owner Lucian Miller, at the trade show to speak with directly, I decided to take the plunge and go with a Scorpion S-4020-8 to power the Tsunami. The 4020 series is actually 48.7 mm in diameter (the 40 refers to the stator diameter), which is larger than I had intended to go, but Lucian assured me the S-4020-8 would be a great option for my 40 sized nitro power plane electric conversion. Innov8tive also offers the 4020 series in 10,12, 14, and 16 turn versions which provides a wide range of options for running different voltages and/or larger propellers. Using a motor calculator made expressly for the Scorpion motors, I was able to play with the same tool Lucian used to help me select the motor in the first place. (click here to go to the Scorpion motor calculator). The 8 turn motor is 790 kV, so with a 6 cell LiPo pack I should see about 100 mph with a 10×6 propeller spinning over 17,000 RPM. My concerns about the motor fitting my airframe were justified, but it just squeaked in there and I’m only going to have to make minor adjustments to the airframe to mount the motor.
Click here to see the Innov8tive web page for the S-4020-8 motor
Made For RC Jets
I wasn’t really in the market for a pilot figure for the Tsunami, but the RC Jets Direct booth caught my eye with their incredible turbine powered models. While the prices seem reasonable for what they are, the Jets are simply way out of my price range. But wait, whats this? They sell a pilot helmet meant to fit their super accurate 1/7 scale pilots (They even make a George W. Bush pilot so accurate you can’t help but laugh), it comes on an unpainted pilot bust, and its in my price range! Their normal retail price is $30. While it would be very cool to someday have a real turbine powered model, I am excited to have this cool little jet accesory on my simple little balsawood prop job.
