Hacker Hotwing 1200

Exceptional airplane if you don’t follow the instructions.

My first experience with the Evo 1200 was when a buddy who is an experienced RC builder helped me put the finishing touches on it.  We got it up in the about 80 feet  during the first five seconds of flight and it split in half.  It did a slow death spiral to the ground.  This is like being set up on a blind date and watching them have an acute heart attack during dinner.   I mean, where do you go from here?

I should be writing the most negative review about the plane right about now.  But I won’t. Instead I took it home, fixed it, and about a week later it split in half again about 700 feet up.   Then I fixed it yet again and it was dreamy.  I think the term “fixed” is a bit of misstatement.  I mean to say I hacked together the plane with enough glue and spars to make it stick together better.  Well enough to not fall-apart in flight, but  it wasn’t reaching its potential.  It wasn’t until recently that I was able to clean up the plane and bring it to an acceptable standard.

This plane is really fantastic!  I am not just saying that, I mean it.  Set up right it’s perhaps the most compelling $50 you’ll spend on foam this year.  The key is to set it up right.  And that’s where the problem lies.  You really have to go off script with the instructions.  If you follow the instructions you’ll have a limp, light plane that isn’t anywhere near it’s potential and may fall apart after a good crash.

This plane needs reinforcement

The reason my plane ripped apart in mid air was that I had too much wing load on it.  I was using a 2200mAh 3S battery.  The problem is that build requires a much lighter battery.  The lightest they suggest is a 1300mAh 3S Lipo battery.   That’s a fairly light battery for this airframe and the risk is a tail heavy plane or one that is very light and easily blown around in the wind.

However, it will stay up for very long periods of time because of how light it is.

Okay, let’s deviate for a moment.  When you go to Germany to get your new Porche you need to baby it for the first 100 miles or so.  Then you put on Du Hast by Rammstein and crank the music as you take it to the limit on the Autobahn.   If that doesn’t register with you, then just build this plane per the instructions and good luck to you!

Now for the rest of the us.

The Mods

Retro-Zagi

I’ve seen quite a few different mod ideas.  One is to essentially turn this plane into a Zagi by cutting off the elevons and replacing them with balsa wood. Then covering this plane with packaging tape.   What is required is to find the Zagi 400X pdf (found here https://zagi.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Zagi-400X.pdf)   and follow the instructions.

Packaging tape for plane covering does work. There was a lot of interest in making planes from Dollar Tree foam about five years ago and covering them with tape.  So, yes, it worked.  But today we’re more likely to use Econokote if you’re going to want a colored covering or lamination if you want a clear covering. If you do this you don’t need as much filament tape. I am also more in favor of more spars than what is suggested on this build.   

If you’re building a retro-Zagi you’re probably going to want some amazing 14g metal gear servos.  You’ll also will want to really get the plane reinforced with carbon fiber spars everywhere.  This is going to be a very stiff, rigid plane made for high speed action and stunts.  The choice of motors is up to you.   You’ll want something that can push a 5” or 6” prop.  A D2826/6 is a good suggestion.  It’s 2200KV which is plenty fast.    You can put on a 6x4 triple blade propeller and tear up the sky!  You will tear through your batteries fairly quickly so be prepared for flights around 10 minutes.

High n Dry build

One of my friends has a heavy 48” plane and has loaded it up with a 3000kv motor and 5” propeller.  When he flew it on the beach everybody within half a mile around could hear and see it.  I don’t have that kind of luxury where I live.  I get to fly my planes at my local park until residents decide that they don’t like me flying my planes at the local park.  Too much noise would certainly rub people the wrong way.  Therefore, I prefer quiet planes.   The High n Dry build is just perfect for my needs.

The idea is simple, larger propeller, quieter motors, light builds and long, long flight times.  The key is to put in a decent about of carbon fiber to secure the plane. I use the elevons that came with the plane  and I don’t go for high end servos.  But, all in all, it’s a very good build that stays of for sometimes an hour, and best of all, it’s very quiet.

My build is simple. It’s a BR2212 1400kv with a Master Airscrew triple bladed propeller.  There are extra CF rods on the edge of the wings. I use 2mm CF rods.  For the large cross piece in the middle I would suggest 4mm or 5mm cf rods if you’ve got em.  I didn’t laminate this wing, but you can if you want to cut down on drag.

Flight characteristics

I am not into FPV, yet. So, what I’ve done is put heavier batteries on this plane along with video cameras.  Just a couple of extra ounces changes the flight dynamics.  It tracks better but the flights aren’t as long.   So, how you build it and how you fly it is really up to you.   If you get aggressive with a Retro-Zagi this plane will feel completely different than a High n Dry build.  I’ve flown a similar plane to a Retro Zagi before and yes, it tears up the sky.  But it comes in hot  when you land it.    My High N Dry builds gracefully glide back to earth.

When I fly the High N Dry builds I want a super floating experience.   I can put it at around 30% throttle and get a nice angle of attack that will gradually get me up to maximum altitude. If I am in  hurry and can put the throttle to full and push the nose down a bit to find the right angle of attack.  It will find maximum altitude in a matter of seconds.   Once I am at maximum altitude I cut the throttle and let it glide back to earth over  a 3 minute glide back down.  When it’s near the ground I turn it back to 30% power and climb back up.   Perhaps this is too boring for most folks, but I enjoy watching a plane glide. People watch and get mesmerized.  Depending on the day these flights can last an hour if not longer.

Three things (Good and bad)

Nice color scheme graphics

The Good!

#1.  This is a hell of an airplane!

This is a plane I look forward to flying.  It never gets old, it never gets tiring.   Everybody has different flying habits.  I am into light planes that float well.   You can build this plane to float for extended periods of time.  In my latest build I put on a 1000KV motor being spun with a triple bladed 9x6 propeller.  It has great authority in the air, even better when my camera is mounted to it.  

#2.  Build it your way.

Though I do like planes that have the carbon spars installed in them suck as the Teksumo I do also like having the freedom for adding as much or as little carbon fiber as I care to add, in combinations of thicknesses and laid into the foam in a manner that pleases me.  You can fit the carbon fiber to the use.  If you want a light, floating plane then use 2mm carbon fiber rods fairly sparingly.  If you’re going to fly it hard and fast then more rigid Carbon Fiber will be required.  

This plane will accept anything that can mount a 16x19 crossbar.  That’s a lot of motors.  The real question becomes the weight.  So far, I’ve been very pleased with motor around 52g.  There are a lot of motors such as the BR2212 and D2826 that fall into this weight category.  I have not built this plane with a high speed motor.  I like larger props that spin slower.

#3    It’s a lot of plane for under $50.

I think this plane is an outstanding value.  It’s a compelling EPP foamie that has a wonderful glide.   When you look to see what else is available in this price range in a kit it’s usually EPO foam. EPP is more forgiving in modest crashes.  The Hotwing  also very easy to repair.   Now that the newest Teksumo is actually more expensive than this plane, yes, it’s an even better deal!

3 not so wonderful things about the plane

#1. Here’s what may break -

The main cores if you don’t reinforce them with your own carbon fiber rods.  I have firsthand experience with this.    I’ve had my plane break in half not once, but twice.  After I fixed it and reinforced it, it was a wonderful plane.  

The elevons are somewhat thin for this plane. So you have to be careful not to rip them off doing stunts.  They are also prone for flaking off in landings on the grass. Small bits and pieces come off, and usually can be glued back on without a problem.  

The winglets are too weak for this build.  The thin EPP foam  breaks easily  My next build I will forgo using them and put ones on the end in a more traditional triangle design. It’s not that the plane will fly any better, it’s just that  I won’t have to spend as much time fixing the winglets..

#2.  Crappy accessories-  I usually only use a couple of things that come in the kit.  This has been my gripe with many kits on the market. With $3 worth of better parts you can have a remarkably better plane.  Just make certain you have better control horns and connectors to the servo arm.

#3.  So-So instructions-  This plane comes from Eastern Europe. Some things were lost in translation when writing the instructions. If this isn’t your first kit you shouldn’t have a problem with it.  If it is, you may need to ask for some help.  I wouldn’t trust the thin spars they tell you to install in the instructions.

This all American design isn't available in the United States, yet.

Overall

  
I freaking love this plane!  It’s very stable in the air, and can take a bit of weight in case you want to add on some FTP gear.   I’ve been known to pick up extra planes when it goes on sale.   

I have other planes such as the C1 Chaser which is essentially the same size.   When that plane goes up in the air, it’s a different experience.  The C1 Chaser is much heavier and it does get my heart beating when I fly it, especially when it’s low to the ground.   The Hacker  is so light that  it’s not the same type of flying experience.    It’s carefree flying, without the fear of it falling from the sky if you happen to sneeze.  Without a doubt it’s the most compelling $50 you’ll spend on foam this year. Here's a video I shot from this plane.