need opinions

[rcski]

First off I'm new to this board, and would like to say hi. Now my question, does anyone have any knowledge about the WATTAGE MINI- MAX is it any good or is there a better one out there? this will be my first slow fly, but I have flown gas planes. Also is there any advantage between one with rudder or just having evelons for turning ? Thanx for any help.

[jimwalker]

Welcome Rcski!

I have no personal experience with the Mini-max, however I have read some posts about it. I believe it was supposed to be an upgrade to the Lite-Stik. It is much more powerful with the included speed 280 motor. The problems I've read concerning it are about the wings folding during mild aerobatics. I read that Wattage was going to improve the kit with carbon fiber wing stiffeners, but I don't know if this is true and if so, if it has been implemented.

I assume you are asking about "elevons". You typed "evelons". Elevons are specific to flying wings in that they control turning like ailerons and pitch control like an elevator. Thus the combo word elevon. You have to use a radio that includes a mixing feature to be able to fly flying wings. Flying wings are a breed unto themselves as far as flight characteristics and can be highly aerobatic.

Standard rudder/elevator control I think would be the better choice for the beginning pilot and builder. I think it is the most forgiving and easiest to learn with. The most common progression to my knowledge would be:

Rudder/elevator/throttle
then
Aileron/elevator/throttle
then
whatever you wish to learn such as
flying wings with elevons or full house planes with aileron/rudder/elevator/throttle or even a V-tail with or without ailerons.

Hope this helps and feel free to ask any questions....

[rcski]

Thanx Jim for the info, I'll have to ask them about the wing folding when I call to order.

[genebond]

I just finished the assemby of the Mini-Max. I started a couple of months ago with a Firebird XL.

It went together fine, the instructions were decent, but could have been a little more specific.

There is an addendum bag which includes an aluminum tube (which you bend to the right angle) and longer skewers for the wing brace.

It looks OK, but it's been too windy to try, since the temperature dropped here. I hope to get it in the air soon, will report back.

I decided on it, based on the information I saw here, and on the info at goflyit.com. The wing seems to be a much better design, and I'm even thinking of getting a litestik and trying a similar wing mount on it.

I say go for it, it's only about $5-10 more than the litstik, and seems much better. It will take 4-5 hours to build... Maybe 2-3 if it's not the first time.

[loumoll]

Well, how does it fly? I have one new in the box that I didn't start on yet.

[Fwilly]

The indoor club I fly with has three mini max flyers. I am currently flying my friends (he had me build it for him) and it flys pretty well. The newer kits have fiberglass rods for the leading edge. I replaced the white piece of plastic in the center of the wing with a couple layers of fiberglass(mainly because I couldn't get the white piece of plastic to stay down). Our next meeting is Tuesday and I will probably have to give the completed plane to my friend but it was fun while it lasted

[flyinhigh]

Hello rcski
And welcome to the board,dont know much bout the mini max but I have been wanting to try out some wattage products...If you do get it keep us filled in on how it performs and ease of construction..Ive kinda had my eye on the Sukhoi for a while now
happy flyin
MIKE

[CalmAir]

Hello flyinhigh,

I have not seen the mini-max in person, but my brother has the Wattage Fokker Eindecker. We were both very impressed with it's construction. Straight and a real nice covering job. Good construction for an ARF. Fly's beautifully. He is a glow power stunt flyer that is now flying electrics with me. He was really surprised with its performance.

I would imagine the Sukhoi is put together well also.

Regards,
Dale

[Zoomer]

Hi !! Welcome to the board. I am in the process of building my second Mini-Max. I'm just learning to fly, sometimes with an instructor and sometimes without, and I have to say I love this little plane.

It's a very stable plane to fly. It seems to respond very well to control inputs. I'm not skilled enough to try aerobatics so I can't comment on loops or anything yet.

I've flown my first Max many times and crashed several times too. It's very easy to repair, and for a foam airframe it's also pretty durable. I "pranged" it for the final time last week. I decided just to buy a new one. What Genebond said is true, they have improved the kit. It now has a wooden dowel that runs the entire length of the underside of the fuselage. It also has reinforcments behind the firewall. They changed the wing spars to carbon fiber instead of wooden dowels.

I like the new improvements. I'm sure it would loop with the new wing spars. My old wing with wooden spars is very tough. It's the only part that survived the last crash. Only a couple scratches. I'm going to use it on my new one, and save the new wing.

Overall, I love this plane. It's been a great trainer for me. I'd recommend it to anyone.