Type: Giant-Scale RC Model based on the XF5U Aircraft Scale: 1:4 Length: 2.2 m (7.21 feet) Wingspan: 2.50 m (16.40 feet) Weight: 44.1 lbs / 20 Kg Engine: Electric powered. Suggested 2 X T-Motor U15 II (KV80) class, 11.5 hp (counter rotating) Propeller: 2 x 4-blade, 48" Electric system (suggested): 1 x 12S 22,000 mAh LiPo. Two T-Motor U15 II KV80 counter-rotating motors operating at 44.4V nominal ~97A per motor at operational power, ~194A total system draw, ~8,600W combined output. Peak system draw at full power: ~300A / ~17,000W. Battery rated at ~1,000 Wh. Full-power endurance: approximately 6 minutes at the limit. Max battery temp ceiling: 80°C. Real-world numbers will depend on how hard you push it. Performance/Limitations:Maximum speed: arounf 77 knots / 89 mph / 143 km/h (sea level, full power, straight and level). Estimated Vne: 85 knots / 98 mph / 157 km/h.
Channels:
Throttle
Rudder
Elevator
Ailerons
Control modes (Full, Dual-Rates/Expo) - Mandatory for full-range test flying.
Gears
Pilot Notes:
The XF5UX is the most exotic aircraft in RCE Vol.1. There is nothing else like it in the fleet, or anywhere else in RC simulation (real-physics XF5U simulation).
The VSKYLABS XF5UX was designed as an authentic 1:4 scale testbed, highly engineered and built around scale-diameter propellers and matched electrical motors consistent with the original design intent. Most real-world RC models of the XF5U use conventionally smaller propellers to reduce structural complexity and simplify the aerodynamic effects of the enormous propwash. The VSKYLABS RC XF5UX does not take that shortcut. The result is a powerful, heavy, and exceptionally draggy model that behaves as closely as possible to the physics of the original design demands.
The all-body wing planform combined with the massive propeller discs makes this aircraft a 'drag machine'. It is heavy for its size and loses energy rapidly at moderate to high AOA and in low power settings. Controls are positioned in the flow of the enormous propwash, making them highly effective particularly at low speed and high power settings where propwash authority is at its peak.
Ground Operations and Takeoff
Always taxi with full pitch-up input. Propeller ground clearance is minimal and a prop-strike requires no more than a moment of inattention.
Takeoff is not of a conventional tail-dragger process. Advance power gradually while keeping the tail wheel on the ground with sustained pitch-up input. Ease the pitch input progressively as power increases until the aircraft adopts a nose-up attitude and lifts off in its natural three-wheel configuration. It was not designed to accelerate on its main gear and rotates at flying speed. The XF5UX lifts off in its ground attitude, so work with it, not against it.
In Flight
Flight is predictable but the model feels lazy and sluggish throughout. Fly wide patterns and maintain higher power settings than feel necessary as low power means immediate and significant airspeed loss as the enormous propeller discs generate drag that the wing cannot overcome without thrust. This aircraft does not glide (requires high speed for gliding).
Stall or excessive AOA close to the ground are unrecoverable. There is no margin and no warning time at low altitude. Keep the energy up.
Landing
Maintain a slight-high nose attitude throughout the final approach. Touch down on all three wheels simultaneously. Power management on final is straightforward and the drag profile makes the approach slope easy to control with throttle. Fly it all the way to the touchdown, including power management.
Controls: Dual rates and/or expo for scale flying and high speed passes. Switch back to full control authority when turning onto final as the approach and landing phase requires maximum control effectiveness.
Real world reference video (notice the switch to conventional props during flight operations):
*The following video shows a real-world reference for the model. It is provided for informational purposes only. It is not produced by or affiliated with VSKYLABS. All credits belong to the original content creators. Various design features and other characteristics may vary, when compared to the VSKYLABS model in X-Plane.
VSKYLABS RC Elements Vol. 1 screenshots - X-Plane 12:
