Durability Revolution in Power R/C Modeling

April 2007

Dear Mark and Joe,

Just wanted to drop you a line that I had placed 2nd in my first ever combat event at our local flying club, Palos R/C in the Chicago area last Sunday. I had just completed a Predator and it was a blast to fly and compete. I also really enjoyed the build as well. I had another club member maiden her the morning of the event and I had 1 short flight in just before the contest started. With it trimmed out for me and flying at ~1/2 throttle I managed to 'hang' in there round after round.

Thanks again for the fine product.

Best regards,
Bill 'Jaws' Jaworski
La Grange, IL

September 2004

This is what I came up with for a plane stand. I chose three planes with the thinking of "three in the stand and one in the air."

Please feel free to post this and pass it around.

Tony Alvarez
Carlisle, PA

July 2004

Here is a shot of my first predator. I call it the Burn'in In. It's powered by an HP .25 motor and has good performance.

Seb Benedetto
Middletown NJ
Jersey Coast Sport Fliers

February 2004

I attached a pic of my Pedator, I'm pretty proud of the way it came out, thought you might like to see.

Jeremy Messier
S. Dartmouth, MA

May 2003

Joe,

I just wanted to say WOW about your predator! It is my first combat plane and the first time I ever entered a combat event. I won all 3 rounds! Nobody could stay behind me. I even taunted one of the best fliers at our feild by flying level until he got behind me then, HAhAhAhAhHAHA, see ya'.

Thanks for a great product and a great time. I'm hooked!!

Billy Frost
Mobile Alabama

Hi Joe,

Do you currently have a Predator X in stock. I can't wait to try one out.

Last year, my Predator was my primary combat plane all season long. I flew combat at least once a week at three different clubs in Wisconsin. I got in midairs on average of probably twice a meet. Despite this, my Predator still lives and flies great. I have rebuilt it as it has gotten T-boned a few times. Over the course of the year, with the repairs, the plane gained a little weight, but it still flys great and is my absolute favorite plane. Just as advertised, it is my go to plane. If I need something to fly, the Predator is there for me. I have the utmost faith in the plane and have flown it in combat, fun flys, in the heat and humidity of summer, and below zero in the snow in winter. I have another Predator that will be ready for the season, and will be kept light. I'm shooting for 2.5 pounds max with an O.S. 25FX and Ultrathrust muffler. Ooh, that's going to be fun. Thanks again. An incredible product at a great price. Best investment I ever made in combat.

If you have an "X" in stock, I'll send a postal money order if that's ok. You don't need to publicize the above, but if you like, you are more than welcome to. I absolutely love the Predator. I've been selling off my conventional planes so I can fly more combat and mor Predators, and the new "X" Thanks.

-Eric Cayemberg
AMA 552623
RCCA 625-

Joe

I recently ordered a predator kit from you. I flew it today for the first time and I was surprised at how stable the plane was. After trying the PVC & plastic cardboard combat planes I was convinced that short coupled planes were "Too much of a handful" to fly. This plane is great! Flys well, it's very stable, and it will fly as tame or as wild as I want. It's already been thoroughly crash tested as it's tempting for me to test my flying skills. Only got a few scratches and broken bolts from my "tests." Thanks again for a fun plane to fly.

Jeff Julian
Salisbury, NC

Whew! Just got home from the Inagural NVRC Open Combat meet! It was a costly affair for everyone involved. My Battle Floyd practically exploded in a midair with a scratch built flying wing. Thanks to proper field setup, all the debris landed hundreds of feet from the pilots and spectators. I finally flew the Predator in the last round and all I can say is WOW... Just wish the engine was running stronger! It apparently was in need of a plug change. Joe Wozniak and I were duking it out until we met at the same point in the air. Superficial damage to the bottom of my wing. Joe's damage was a little more extensive, he had a broken motor mount. I will post some pics later...

Chris Shepherd
Stephens City, VA

Chris Shepherd is a high ranking pilot in the Radio Control Combat Association (RCCA, www.rccombat.com).

Chris has served the RCCA in several capacities, including President for the year 2001.

See his review of the Predator on the RCCA website: http://www.rccombat.com/sections/workshop/review_predator.htm

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the Predator Kit. Van got it on Friday and I came in 1st in Open Combat on Sunday. The Predator is the airplane of choice for Open Combat. Now I have one also.

Thank You,
Ernie Nikodem
Lockport, NY

Gentlemen,

It seems that I may have inadvertantly done some advertising for you guys at the Celina, Ohio event yesterday. After the scale event was over I asked if anyone had brought any open ships with them. Two guys brought SPAD Derelicts and we aggreed to put on a little demonstration. A guy with a Pica Corsair Joined in and all 4 of us were off and running. About 2 minutes into it, I bumped the Corsair. I hit him with the vertical stabilizer. It cut the Corsair in two. My Predator pitched up for a second, but was easily recoverable. I chased the two derelicts around until we all ran out of gas. I sustained a small rip in the Stab and a little of the covering holding one elevon ripped. One of the derelicts dead-sticked and didn't make it back to the field and ended up floating down a nearby creek. I felt guilty so I was the one who waded in after it. We were going to stop there but I convinced the guy with the other derelict to refuel and go back up. We mixed it up for about four minutes until I mid-aired him. The Predator went right through the PVC pipe fuselage. It turns out that if hit hard enough pvc pipe splinters and breaks just like balsa :) My Predator did two cart wheels, lost maybe 10 feet of altitude and then recovered. I made one or two low passes to prove I was still flight-worthy but the engine started acting up so I landed. It turns out I had his string wrapped around my prop. The mid-air further ripped my stab. After I landed, I walked out to get my plane. When I turned around, there was already a small crowd forming around my equipment in the pits. I fielded questions and let people "look over" my plane for the next half hour. They kept saying things like I can't believe how hard you hit that other plane, what is this thing made out of? How did it hold together and keep flying, etc etc. I don't really have a point to all of this except that everyone there was as impressed with the plane as I am. It's nice to have a plane that flys and survives as advertised.

Jim Bodnar modified his predator to accommodate his MVVS .26 rear exhaust engine.

Jim has done very well with this plane

Mark and Joe,

I wanted to extend a heartfelt thanks for your great support and a great flying airplane. This past season has been more successful than I could have imagined. Your Predator is everything you said it would be. I didn't start flying open combat until half way through the season, yet at my Predator's debut at the Combat Nationals in July, I had two 440 point rounds. I followed that up with a 340 point round in Minneapolis, Mn, followed by my best performance of the year in Kansas City, Mo where in six rounds I had two 200 point rounds, three 300 point rounds, and a 340 point round. I also won the Class C combat event in Kansas City, using my .26 powered Predator against .40 and .46 sized combat ships. Though I only flew open combat the second half of the season, I was still able to make it to third place in the Open Combat National Points Championship. Also, as a direct result of the great scores I was able to get flying my Predator, I attained my goal of being the overall RC Combat Association National Points Champion for 2000. The best news of all, I'm only on my second Predator, and my first one is repairable. Compare that to the 11 scale combat planes I've gone through this year. Not too bad for 36 rounds of sanctioned combat and about 50 rounds of combat practice. As always, feel free to publish anything I say. You guys have a great product and people deserve to hear about it.

Jim Bodnar
Kettering, Ohio

Jim Bodnar is a high ranking pilot in the Radio Control Combat Association (RCCA, www.rccombat.com).

He earned the title "Overall RC Combat Association National Points Champion for 2000"

Mark,

The Predator great combat plane. My first flight was a little rough. The plane went straight up about 35 to 40 ft. turned and came straight down an hit the ground full speed. Bent the motor mount and striped a plastic gear in the mini throttle servo. That was my only test flight, after a quick fix I was off to the combat competition at N.V.R.C. in northern Va. At the competition I was involved in 3 midair's, 2 causing damage to the other plane and my plane ended up with out a scratch. I finished first with 1000 points and 5 cuts and avoided getting my streamer cut in all 5 rounds. Again the predator is great.

Earl Nester
Elkridge, MD

Earl "clipped" the wing of his plane after suffering a violent mid-air collision. He trimmed the other wing as well to keep it balanced.

Earl went on to win the contest with this plane!

Mark & Joe

Just want to give an update on how tuff the Predator is. On Sat. I flew it into a tree, it hit so hard the tree cut through the wing in two places to the spar. I could not pull the plane off the tree so I cut it down then cut it off and pulled the limbs through the wing. Patched the holes with packing tape and flew it the rest of the day. Today in Winchester Va.in the first round of combat I had a midair, lost about 5" off the wing tip. Took a hand saw and cut the other end of the wing off and flew it 5 more rounds. Finished in first place with my clipped wing Predator.

The Predator is GREAT!

Earl Nester

PS: First place prize was another Predator kit, Thanks for your support.

Hi Joe,

 Just thought I'd enclose a picture of my Predator with the decals you gave me. I've been flying it every chance I get. I've flown it at a couple of clubs so far. It sure is getting some attention.

Bill Tozer
Binghamton, NY

Hi Joe & Mark,

Yesterday I flew the Predator for the first time at 9 AM - got it trimmed and estimated the max elevator throws. The "Battle for Stillwater" RCCA Combat meet started at 10. There were 11 Open Class pilots. I won with the PREDATOR! The guy who owns one of the local hobby shops was very interested in what I had, as was every one else, especially after they saw it fly. I think you will get some orders. Only one glancing midair and no crashes or hard landings so I did not really test any of the "durability" features but it seems tough as nails. Zagi flying wings (electric) are really popular here and al lot of people are looking for a larger glow powered "tough" plane now that they see how much fun the Zagis are.

Easy Assembly, Flies Great slow and fast.

...
Well it happened. I was out doing really dumb stuff almost hoping I crashed the predator to see what would happen. Rolling inverted at about 50 feet and pulling up elevator did it. It did not quite finish the loop and met the ground. Nice soft ground, but ground. The engine separated as advertised and the throttle linkage let go as advertised. I spent 15 minutes cleaning the engine and 5 minutes reassembling the Predator! The only thing I did was straighten the engine mounts which had bent a bit and put new nylon bolts in. I flew it tonight and it flies like nothing happened. WOW! Great job guys. I almost feel bad that I do not need to buy another from you because this one is so good and may never break.

Keep up the good work. I am working on more customers for you.

Mark Cater
Eden Prairie, MN

Mark Cater is a high ranking pilot in the Radio Control Combat Association (RCCA, www.rccombat.com)

Mark,

I have been piddling around trying to learn how to fly for over a year. For awhile I would give it a shot then not try again for a month or two. Today I soloed with my Predator on full throttle. I am so thrilled!!!! My boyfriend gave it the push and off I went. The flight was maybe ten minutes then it was landing time. Landed that plane right on the runway nice and smooth.

As soon as we get the second one done I can start the combat lessons. I have flown quite a bit but never did it alone without a buddy box. Thank you for such a fun and smooth flying little plane.

thanks,
Jan Stout
Kissimmee, FL

Hi Mark,

My name is Mike Bohlmann. My dad and I sat with you and Joe at dinner at the Combat Nationals in Muncie.

I have been flying it for about 3 weeks and I really like it's durability. I have included a picture of it. It has already been involved in 3 midairs and there has been some repair work done to the wing.

Hope you you enjoy, I know I am.

Mike Bohlmann
New London, Wi

PS: The hook has gotten three cuts in the last 2 weeks. Got the idea from Andy Panocillo. He had a hook on his Predator when he attended our meet at the end of July.

Mark,

Built three have one on order and think it's a great plane.

The attachment is a picture of the last plane.

Thanks again......................Rick

Rick Bohlmann
New London, Wi

Here is an article which appeared in University of Florida, UF/IFAS News:

Mujahid Abdulrahim, an aeronautics engineering student at the University of Florida, checks the underside of his Tuff Light aircraft, Tuesday-Dec. 13, 2000. After many crashes during takeoffs, the craft finally took to the air and flew over the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences farm fields, one of the few open spaces suitable for model plane flying on the Gainesville campus. (AP photo by Milt Putnam, UF/IFAS)

Excerpt from R/C Report Magazine, September 2001 issue
TufFlight Predator product review :

"The TufFlight Predator was designed primarily as an Open Class R/C Combat plane, but can easily double as a sport flyer's flying wing.

For those unfamiliar with R/C Combat, the objective is to carry a 30' crepe paper streamer behind your airplane, and then try to cut another pilot's streamer by flying through it, all while trying to protect yours from being cut. This event typically has four to six models in the air ant once, so there's a lot of action going on.

"...If you've flown combat before, you've likely learned that combat is hard on airplanes. The event objective requires several airplanes to get into as small an airspace as possible, to give each pilot ample opportunity to attack and cut another pilot's streamer. What happens is that frequently two planes try to occupy the same airspace at the same time, and that typically spells disaster to one or both models. Fortunately for us combat pilots, TufFlight has already figured this out, and has spent a lot of effort trying to give their customers something of an edge. The result of all that hard work, and the resulting 'edge', is the Predator!

That statement suggests the ruggedness of this design, and for those who fly R/C Combat, and want a better than even chance of surviving round-after-round, there isn't a much more durable combat model available. But for those not interested in chasing streamers, the Predator's resilience is still a worthwhile attribute, since we all make an occasional bad landing. Either way you fly it, though, the Predator is built to take a lot of punishment, and it does its job well."

"...Building takes a bit more than a week of evenings, but if you're proficient at it, I suspect it can be built a lot faster.. But no matter how long it takes, the Predator is worth it. It's tough and durable, it performs well at any speed, and best of all, combat or not, it's a blast to fly. Now that means good value!"

Pete Rundel : monthly columnist : Combat Ribbons
R/C Report Magazine

I've attached a picture of my predator. You guys have done an awesome job designing such a fun and durable airplane. I must admit that it was quite a rush flying, and dog fighting with you and Mark. It was truly a riot. I'm going to have to figure out a better way to attach my streamers next time. They always seemed to "fall off" during combat :-) My kids are still telling everybody how good you and Mark are and how bad you guys "killed" me during combat. I guess I'll just have to practice more.

Nick Angelakos
Sterling Heights, MI

I finished up the Predator and got a test flight in Friday afternoon. It flew great with very little trim change, very stable and predictable using your recommended settings. I increased elevator throw on Saturday a little to tighten up loops during the combat match, haven't reached snapping out of a loop yet, then I proceeded to win the contest with it. My second ever combat match, each round I became more comfortable flying it. Myself and one other pilot flew Predators at this contest, each of us had midair's with other airplanes and flew right thru them, a small piece of foam missing from one wing was discovered after landing on his Predator. I have two more on the building board, I'm sure you're gonna sell a few more in our town soon. Thanks for the email support.

Mic Williams
Tucson, AZ

Note the main gear, rudder with steerable tail wheel, Saito 50 4 stroke and 10x6 three blade prop. It flies great and lands like a pussy cat. I do have to say the take offs are a hand full and I am not always certain what direction I will get airborne at. As you can see, it has had it's share of combat and mid-airs. I also have another with a .40 and tuned pipe that does scoot.

Don Koelfgen
SCCMAS San Jose, Ca

Hello Mark

Test flew my first Predator today and it flew perfect right off the board. It required no trim, but had a little too much up elevator so that it would snap. I reduced the travel and that took care of that. Another guy in our club also has one, not finished yet. Looking forward to some combat when his is complete.

How do you get decals for the plane? Plan to fly again tomorrow and will take some pictures and send them to you if you like.

I am the President of the Tri-County Wingsnappers and each month I try to have a topic of interest as part of the meeting. We currently have about 100 members. Since there will be two Predators in the club that the guys can see this may be an interesting topic.

Hope to hear back from you.

David Renninger
Reading, PA