Brodak Pathfinder ARF

I am thinking about getting one of the Pathfinder AFR from Brodak, just wondering if any of you have had experience with one. I am just about to attempt the last few scarry parts of the pattern and was thinking I might get another plane in the works if things dont go well. Any mods and flight set up would be greatly appreciated, if it seems to be a good choice. Thanks, Dave Markley

Although I have no experience with the Sig .25 sized Primary Force, I believe that the Pathfinder is the very best ARF to come along....I prefer barrel hinges and c/f pushrods, but the plane builds quickly and flys really, really well....

See Ya

Peabody

Seen one and watched it fly with an LA 46. Looked good except for no gear doors which is a real looks killer in my book. All seemed ok though with the basics. A hard to beat ARF, very capable of everythingm but be sure to use lots of power-it's a fairly large airplane with a thick airfoil-definitely not for a Fox 35. A good CG will require something in the OS 40FP or 40 or 46 LA range.
Now, to those who may have tried both, do you prefer the Pathfinder or Cardinal?
Myself, with one kit Cardinal, one kit Pathfinder, two scratch Pathfiners, I lean toward the Pathfinder.

Frank Carlisle
proud member of R.C.C.D.

i second peabody's opinion. i have a kit pathfinder i built and it works very well indeed. you won't go wrong with this one. i'm proud of it too.

Very pretty Frank and very patriotic as well. I did a similar scheme a couple of years ago. My posted pics are always terrible for some reason but maybe this one will come out-it's from a scan.
Hopefully, the full traditional cheek tripler will show. Seemed to make more sense to me since I was scratch building than the kit "pod" on the cheek which would seem to contribute little to nose stability.

This particular airplane was never a world beater for some reason. I sold it to a local new guy, saw him fly it and loop it a couple of times. Next trip to the field, I found it in the can, wheels, controls, pre bent gear legs and doors, adjustable leadouts, all the goodies. Stripped the remains so at least a part of it still lives.

Frank Carlisle
proud member of R.C.C.D.

nice job on the pathfinder jim. too bad it wasn't a worlbeater. that trike gear is great. i got a 40 point landing out of them in cleveland.

>nice job on the pathfinder jim. too bad it wasn't a worlbeater

Thanks Frank. Again this particular airplane just had a gremlin in it somewhere-bad alignment or incidence I would guess. The other two I have built were really, really good.
I did have to bend the nose gear for prop clearance on all(said to be not good by designer. Also, the rear fuse always seems to get skinned so I usually have put a ply skid there as well.
Jim

>....I prefer barrel hinges and c/f pushrods

Rich:
Please tell me why CF pushrods are superior to a well installed and flex free traditional music wire installation. I have never, repeat never had one fail or flex. Have used and am using some CF and no failures either but it seems the CF has equal possibilities, probably weighs more, and definitely costs a lot more.
Sorry for the thread hijack.
Thanks
Jim

Jim...
I believe that the pushrod wire that is supplied with the ARF (as well as the landing gear) is such that it is flexible (probably won't break) and I have been sleaving them with the small diameter cf tube, ala Dixon....

I don't place a lot of faith in KS branded music wire, either, FWIW, as I have seen several pieces of all sizes break where there has been no bend...

See Ya

Peabody

I do not have the ARF version, but have/had two from the kit. They, the kit version, tend to come out a tad tail heavy. The tricycle gear, as mentioned, sure does give nice takeoffs and landings. I use an OS .46 LA-S in mine. 11 x 5 prop. Once it is trimmed, and not too heavy, the pattern can be flown with ease. Assuming you can fly the pattern with ease. LOL A great profile.