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Wiki F3-RES 2m

Product Code: WIKI
 (5 reviews)

Price: $243.31

5 in stock
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Description

The Wiki F3L is latest fourth generation 2m balsa RES model from Tomas Hlavinka. It has had great reviews and competition success from pilots worldwide. F3L is the new names for F3-RES (Rudder-Elevator-Spoiler 2m pure glider built mosty from balsa) competition class.

The model was developed in collaboration and consultation with several top pilots and aerodynamicists and is one of the best performing RES models of 2023. The Wiki F3L draws on all the experience from four years of development and production, with much learned from its Kiwi predecessor, having incorporated customer feedback from competition and recreational pilots from all over the world.

The glider fuselage has a minimalist cross section for the least possible frontal drag. The front uses a good amount of balsa and ply for strength with the tail supported by a carbon tailboom. Unlike many pod and boom designs the pod fairs nicely into the boom, to minimise drag.

The wing airfoil profile is inspired by the latest molded F5J models and then modified for RES building capabilities. The design emphasis was on increasing the penetration, this lead to reduced maximum thickness and camber. The airfoil thus produces less lift and so the weight of the airframe had to be reduced. Due to the now fully exploited potential of conventional construction, a unique and previously unused geodetic rib design was decided upon. This method increases the required wing stiffness by an order of magnitude. The result is a lighter airframe with greater stiffness, a thinner airfoil for high penetration, and a shallower wing depth for reduced drag. Less wing lift and the required low weight for the opposite of high lift after takeoff. The distribution of the profiles along the wing's semi-span ensures maximum performance even at very low flying weight and stability when circling without the need for major control inputs.

Ballast boxes are built into the wings, allowing 120g of ballast to be added when using steel slugs. Ballast sets (steel and hard wood) with a useful plywood box is available as a separate kit.

Flight tests show that the Wiki F3L can keep up with the best performing RES models in light air thanks to its lower weight, despite the smaller wing area. In active air it is even better and more versatile thanks to its greater penetration. Circling is stable and without a tendency to tighten, rudder response is immediate but adequate and the model handles well over a wide range of attitude and centre of gravity positions, making it very versatile. The wing spoilers can be deflected without affecting the model's trim. Landing on point is therefore precise and there is no need for wild elevator corrections.

Overall the Wiki F3L is a thoroughbred RES glider, capable of winning competitions in all conditions and rewarding both competition and sport pilots.


Wiki F3L Specifications
Wing span 2.0 m 79 in
Wing area 34.0 dm2 527 sq in
Length 120 cm 47.2 in
Flying weight from 370 g 13.1 oz
Wing loading 10.9 g/dm2 3.6 oz/sq ft
Aspect ratio 11.7
Wing airfoil HP-RES 36-38
Dihedral (EDA) 12.0º
Centre of Gravity 85-90 mm from wing leading edge
Controls Rudder, elevator, spoilers


Wiki F3L Typical Weights
Bare structure 245 g 8.6 oz
Covering 50 g 1.8 oz
Total structure 295 g 10.4 oz
Receiver 6 g 0.2 oz
Rudder servo 5 g 0.2 oz
Elevator servo 5 g 0.2 oz
Spoiler servos 10 g 0.4 oz
Battery 40 g 1.4 oz
Noseweight 9 g 0.3 oz
Flying weight 370 g 13.1 oz


See this Photo Build Log for build info.





Reviews 5  


 Review by:

Superbly fast delivery.

Kit was well packed, with nice quality parts. As others have said, the only negative to the kit was the lack of building information. I've been building all types of models for 40yrs and there were some tricky areas to figure out with this kit. (Some I only figured out after construction was complete!)

Still, the model built to 364g easily and flies superbly. Looking forward to some completions this year!


 Review by:

Nice flyer

Wiki covers ground quickly with its clean lines. Keep the speed up a bit; too slow and it gets loose. I set the CG slightly forward of the recommended range and bumped up exponential. Low roll inertia from its light wing panels clearly signals air currents and helps the plane core itself similar to free flight models. This plane seems to know what it's doing and flies best with minimal stick inputs from my thumbs. Spoilers are nicely sized with a small amount of 'up' elevator mixed in when they're deployed. Makes for stable, predictable approaches.


 Review by:

Amazing kit.

I have not started this build yet, but have to say that it looks amazing. Most of the balsa is in one pack in the kit. I was astounded when i picked it up checking everything out. So light. I have built many many kits but have never had the opportunity to build with wood like this. It will be on the bench soon. Now if i can just get my hands on a mini Kiwi all would be right with the world! Thanks Neil.


 Review by:

Wiki Build

Just completed my Wiki build and the plane came in at 15.5 oz. It's a very clean design and I look forward to getting it in the air. I'm a serious, experienced builder but this one was more challenging than it needed to be simply due to a lack of build instructions. Some of the structure is a bit unconventional and written instructions would have helped clarify sequencing of the fabrication.

Two towhooks are included in the kit. I went with the plywood version since it looks bullet proof. The 3D printed hook is nice and I would have used it but the positioning nut easily rounded out its plastic slot. Since its inaccessible once the fuselage is closed up I didn't want the grief that would have ensued from a spinning nut. Use the plywood version.


 Review by:

Worth the Effort

This kit is very different from anything else I've built. It was more challenging than the usual hollow carbon spar design common on F3Res planes, but the result is a spectacular looking aircraft that flies as good as it looks. I would recommend getting the ballast kit as well, as the plane builds out quite light.


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