Votec 322 from Hobbyking
Name: Votec 322 (in the shop Votec 332)
Sold by: Hobbyking
Manufacturer: H2K Modells
Category: 3D aerobatic models
Material: Balsa semi-sheeted
Wingspan: 1.4m
Length: 1.4m
Weight: 2.2kg
Price: 150€
Link zum Shop: Votec 332
Sold by: Hobbyking
Manufacturer: H2K Modells
Category: 3D aerobatic models
Material: Balsa semi-sheeted
Wingspan: 1.4m
Length: 1.4m
Weight: 2.2kg
Price: 150€
Link zum Shop: Votec 332
The Votec is one of the lightweightest 3D capable models in the 1.4m class which are built after a real plane. Everyone who is flying 3D knows, that the lighter the plane is, the better it can be used for 3D. I only know the models from PA which are lighter in that size. According to the price I decided quite fast for the Votec and i was not disappointed.
Shipping:
Shipping will be done, like always, packed in a very small area and the engine cover was damaged through that. But it is not that bad and I can live with it, so I haven't donw any claims.
At first, the little weight of the fuselage is very impressive, you are going to throw it on the roof when getting it out from the box... Also all rudders are made very exact and the gap between them and the wings are very small. The coating was done very beatiful and also very exactley. Thats the way it should be. Also it is possitivley to say that the elevator is profiled, not usual in this size.
At first, the little weight of the fuselage is very impressive, you are going to throw it on the roof when getting it out from the box... Also all rudders are made very exact and the gap between them and the wings are very small. The coating was done very beatiful and also very exactley. Thats the way it should be. Also it is possitivley to say that the elevator is profiled, not usual in this size.
My setup:
Engine: NTM Prop Drive 42-48 650kV
ESC: SS Series 60-70A (not available anymore, alternative: YEP 60A w/BEC, I would suggest to use it without BEC, so just pin out the positive line on the connector)
Servos: Corona DS238MG Digital (2x ailerons, 1x rudder, 2x elevator)
Battery: Zippy Compact 2700mAh 5S 35C
BEC: Castle Creations BEC
Prop: APC 14x7
Receiver: OrangeRX R710
Power cap: Turnigy Voltage Protector
ESC: SS Series 60-70A (not available anymore, alternative: YEP 60A w/BEC, I would suggest to use it without BEC, so just pin out the positive line on the connector)
Servos: Corona DS238MG Digital (2x ailerons, 1x rudder, 2x elevator)
Battery: Zippy Compact 2700mAh 5S 35C
BEC: Castle Creations BEC
Prop: APC 14x7
Receiver: OrangeRX R710
Power cap: Turnigy Voltage Protector
Build up:
The Votec is finnished quite much, but the work that still needs to be done should not be underrated, you can plan 10 to 15 hours.
All rudders needs to be attached with fleece hinges, elevator and rudder needs to be glued in, the engine cover needs to be adapted and all linkages needs to be done to the according meassurements.
With my setup there are also two other things: The original engine mount is designed for a 35 size engine but I choose a 42 size. So the hole circle needs some work. The second modification is about the elevator servos. Originaly they are designed for 22x12mm servos, but everyone who is flying 3D will know that that size isn't enough for a 3D model. Luckily you can make the cut out bigger, but be careful, you only can cut it to the backside. So the elevator has a way of around 50° and you can put in a servo which can handle that. Also ailerons and rudder are around that figures.
In the internet you can read many times that the gears are crap. This I need to decline definitely. You need to know that you are flying a lightweight 3D model, and for that you need a good runway for start and landing. I had now more then 50 take-off and landings ithout any problems, the only thing I did was, to reglue all the balsa parts inside the fuselage. You should also do that with the engine mount. In this point I just don't trust the chinese guys.
But there is still one thing to claim: The original aluminium strut won't fit. The hole in the wings is just too small. I took a carbon strut with 12mm and grinded it down until it fitted perfect. Yes, that's a dirty and time consuming work, but it is definitely worth it.
Also I closed all rudder gaps with some sticky tape, this is also very time consuming, but on a 3D model it is also worth it.
The other things to build are business as usual and should not bring up any problems.
All rudders needs to be attached with fleece hinges, elevator and rudder needs to be glued in, the engine cover needs to be adapted and all linkages needs to be done to the according meassurements.
With my setup there are also two other things: The original engine mount is designed for a 35 size engine but I choose a 42 size. So the hole circle needs some work. The second modification is about the elevator servos. Originaly they are designed for 22x12mm servos, but everyone who is flying 3D will know that that size isn't enough for a 3D model. Luckily you can make the cut out bigger, but be careful, you only can cut it to the backside. So the elevator has a way of around 50° and you can put in a servo which can handle that. Also ailerons and rudder are around that figures.
In the internet you can read many times that the gears are crap. This I need to decline definitely. You need to know that you are flying a lightweight 3D model, and for that you need a good runway for start and landing. I had now more then 50 take-off and landings ithout any problems, the only thing I did was, to reglue all the balsa parts inside the fuselage. You should also do that with the engine mount. In this point I just don't trust the chinese guys.
But there is still one thing to claim: The original aluminium strut won't fit. The hole in the wings is just too small. I took a carbon strut with 12mm and grinded it down until it fitted perfect. Yes, that's a dirty and time consuming work, but it is definitely worth it.
Also I closed all rudder gaps with some sticky tape, this is also very time consuming, but on a 3D model it is also worth it.
The other things to build are business as usual and should not bring up any problems.
Flight characteristics:
Unfortunately the kit doesn't contain any instructions, but when you have build up a plane once before, you will not need them. The CG for the first flights should be around the area where the white stripes end at the underside of the wing.
First flight was unspectacular, 3/4 throttle, 3-4m rolling and then she took off on her own. Flying is as precise as expected and if you get off from the sticks, she flys straight on in that direction. Caused by her small weight, the speed range is quite big. Knife edge is she really liking with higher speeds, but for that she then does not need any aileron, only a little bit down elevator.
All 3D manouvers can be done without any problems and also classic aerobatics can be done, but there needs to be said, that when you are flying something like a big looping, you need to steer very much. Caused by the less speed and weight, this is a side effect of 3D models and more or less normal. She isn't liking knife edge spinning very much, you need to push her a little bit for that, but flat spinning she loves. You can push it that far, that you nearly don't loose any height.
landing is also not really critical, throttle down and sailing in until she touches the runway smoothly. Maybe you need some tow in throttle to let her touch down butter smooth with all three gears at the same time. The power of the engine also seems to be perfect and the battery lasts for something about 5:30.
here you can see an onbard video taken with my 808 #16:
First flight was unspectacular, 3/4 throttle, 3-4m rolling and then she took off on her own. Flying is as precise as expected and if you get off from the sticks, she flys straight on in that direction. Caused by her small weight, the speed range is quite big. Knife edge is she really liking with higher speeds, but for that she then does not need any aileron, only a little bit down elevator.
All 3D manouvers can be done without any problems and also classic aerobatics can be done, but there needs to be said, that when you are flying something like a big looping, you need to steer very much. Caused by the less speed and weight, this is a side effect of 3D models and more or less normal. She isn't liking knife edge spinning very much, you need to push her a little bit for that, but flat spinning she loves. You can push it that far, that you nearly don't loose any height.
landing is also not really critical, throttle down and sailing in until she touches the runway smoothly. Maybe you need some tow in throttle to let her touch down butter smooth with all three gears at the same time. The power of the engine also seems to be perfect and the battery lasts for something about 5:30.
here you can see an onbard video taken with my 808 #16:
This videow as also done with my 808 #16 but this time it was mounted on my Cap. The Votec is setup now already quite good and flys as you are expecting it.
Also Michael Wargo fle the Votec, here you can see a really beatiful video where you can also guess whats possible with that plane:
Conclusion:
Target group: Beginner (because of the easy flight characteristics), advanced and professionals
Finishing: middle
Flight characteristics: very good
Prics / performance ratio: perfect
This kit does have a quality you only get very seldom from china, so if you are searching for a good and cheap 3D capable model, go for it!
Finishing: middle
Flight characteristics: very good
Prics / performance ratio: perfect
This kit does have a quality you only get very seldom from china, so if you are searching for a good and cheap 3D capable model, go for it!