A View from Broadway

A ready-to-fly E6 built by designer Tim Hobbins. Tim Hobbins photo.

Building the E6 for Geezer-Bat

Yes Folks, it’s true. It's time to build one of the small electric Combat models described in my previous article about the new Combat event created by Tim Hobbins.

The E6 is one of Tim Hobbins' (United Kingdom) electric Combat models. Tim no longer distributing kits, so he has Steve Haley of Sky High RC models produce his design. If you have never built a Tim Hobbins kit, they all but build themselves.

The short kit is 39 pounds sterling, or about $50 including freight. While it does not have the leading edge, trailing edge and wing spars, most everything else is there. Full-size plans are not included, but can be easily obtained by contacting Steve or Tim Hobbins himself for a PDF.

Plan for the Hawk E6

If you don’t know Tim, his designs have increased Vintage Diesel Combat into a more modern era. I have several and they fly great.
I ordered my short kit on Feb. 4 and it arrived here in the frozen North on Feb. 9. That’s some kind of record for Canadian mail.

The packaging was superb and not a dent or wrinkle anywhere. The laser cutting was perfect with no nubs to sand off.

Planning

While having plans printed in the U.S is a simple task, here in Kamloops, B.C., it seems to be an art form. The plan is one AO (U.K. speak for full size) and must be translated to something else that makes sense here in Knuckastan, or the U.S. My set turned out perfect and pretty large.

Parts

Since this is my first toe in the water for 'lectric, I needed to get many additional bits and pieces to complete the project. Fortunately, Tim has included a list of everything needed to complete the E6, which includes costs from Aliexpress.

I am waiting for my 3mm carbon rod that the trailing edge is made from. While waiting, I discovered that I had a 4mm cf tube that would fit just as well.

Building

The building is straightforward, and the plane can be easily built just from the plans. Tim suggest you do not make the bellcrank mount from light ply as suggested in the plan set, but use a good quality plywood instead. I noticed a couple of ribs in the short kit that were not marked correctly, but was an error in the plans that was copied onto the ribs. It’s easy to find where they go using the plans though and corrections have been made as of this writing.

Performance

The assembled model should weigh in around 14 ounces and while it’s designed for Geezer-bat, or a beginner level Combat, it may be too docile for many of the wrap-and-bash flyers in the Great Northwest.

The speed is akin to a stunter, so no fuss, no slime to clean up and no spin-dizzies after flying it.

My personal feelings are that this is a good kit. I would however, expect, that it includes the little triangles required to firmly attach the ribs to the trailing edge.

That’s all for now, lil' geezers; build one or adapt the idea to your own design and try Geezer-bat on your own, and get some newbies into the sport.

I’m still waiting for the motor and other electronic parts to arrive, so the motor mount has not been attached. See you out there.

— Kenny-b

E-6 and electric Combat photos

The wing framed up. Ken Burdick photo.

Covered and waiting for motor mount. Ken Burdick photo.

Key components for the Hobbins small electric Combat planes: ESC, motor, mount, prop collet, batteries, prop. Below: RC boat transmitter starts and stops the motor. Tim Hobbins photos.