
This is a strange one. It is a Thunder Tiger Fun Extra, a profile fuselaged funfly. But while this configuration looks strange, it flies surprisingly well.
It is quite a heavy airframe compared to a typical funfly, such as your everyday Cougar or Limbo Dancer. But it will prophang, and the extra weight (no pun intended) actually makes it more stable.
With a decent motor, it would be brilliant. But this has to make do with a MDS 48 Heli engine, formerly of my Morley Maverick, which you may recall once revved to at least 50000 rpm when the gear on the clutch bell let go and all the load came off the motor at full throttle. It hadn't been run between that day, and being fitted to the front of this, but it had to happen sometime. The tank was filled, an APC 11X5 prop fitted, primed and flicked and she went on the third or fourth go...amazing.
Suffice to say it rattled a bit (an understatement) and the bearings really did have a horrible grinding sound. However, it flew very well, despite being heavy for it's type. It was very stable, capable of low slow inverted passes at walking pace with no problems at all.
It is great fun for a while, but you soon remember the benefits a lighter Cougar or Limbo Dancer brings, and it soon makes you want to go back to others, which is what I have done...for now. One day when I'm feeling bored though, I may well stick some gear in this and take it for a blast. Because it's worth it.
I have to thank my mate Phil (sorry mate, can't remember your surname) for this article,becuase I couldn't have it he hadn't "donated" the plane for the good cause (My model collection). Cheers Phil.