Vermont Belle 1300

Review 9-Jan-2003	Patrick Plawner	Video Available	Follow the link
Motor	Jeti 30/3 Brushless	Servos	4 x HS-81
Speed Controller	NES 40 Amp	Batteries	8 cells from CP1700 to 8 cell NiMH 3000-HV
Channels	4 + motor	Flight Time	4 to 9 minutes
Propeller	APC E - 12x8	Gear Box	None

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Wingspan	51" 129.5 cm	Length	41.5" 105 cm	Empty weight	17.11 oz 485 gr	Max flying weight	48.47 oz 1374 gr
Wing Area	535 sq.inch 34.5 dm²	Wing load	13 oz/sq.ft 39.8 gr/dm²	CG location from wing edge	3.15" 8 cm

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Building	ARF, but someone with average level of experience will need about 5-10 hours of work to build it. It took me about 8 hours. The Box comes with all the parts needed to build the plane, except the electronics. The quality of the kit seems ok. To compare to the JR Diablotin Mini, the Vermont kit quality is below, as well as the way the plane is build. On the other side, the plane is very light. Only the battery compartment needs to be build, and this is not too easy, but everyone will find it's way. Details on the weights and performance sheet Pictures of the Kit, building Phases and on the Flying Field
Take-off	Very easy. Just turn on the motor, full speed. Will take-off in 1 or 2 meters (3 or 6 feet)
Flight behavior	Absolutely no bad behavior found. Stalling is just having the plane drop his nose and go on. No tip stall. Just I could not find anything wrong until now.
Landing	They are easy, slow, smooth. I used the Flaperon to see if it would help and it did, but they are not needed in most cases, as the plane can slow down enough. Using flaperons just reduced even more the stall speed, to land even slower
Crash Results	... Knock on wood (or balsa...)
Repairing	Balsa plane
Other comments	Looks as good as it flies. The Jeti 30/3 Motor is VERY silent, in this plane. Could almost not hear it. the 34 Amp used by the Jeti empties the batteries quiet fast, but you can fly at half throttle without any problem, if you like just an easy flight between stunt maneuvers. Also, using a 3000 NiMH is no problem and enhance the flying time significantly.
Interesting Links
FMS plane
Pictures	Pictures of the Kit, building Phase and on the Flying Field Manufacturer

Latest Update: Monday, 20 June 2005