Durafly Tundra - REVIEW | Flite Test

[@AussieRCPlayground]

I swapped out the ESC on the Tundra to a Durafly 50amp (cost me $15 on sale) and it becomes a much more versatile plane. I run it on a 4S 2200mah and it's a total beast. Although, I'm not a fan of the flimsy landing gear as the springs continuously stretch and have allowed the prop to hit the ground on landings in the past. The CF prop has a thin hub that will crack as soon as the prop touches the ground. As a result, I've broken 3 CF props. Stronger springs on that landing gear is advised, or perhaps a limiter of some sort so the gear doesn't end up doing the splits after every half a dozen landings or so. Other than that, the Tundra is a must have. Fast, acrobatic, durable and versatile. Good for beginners and an ideal second plane as it is super easy to fly.

[@pavlosconstantinou9236]

hi. so the 3s recommended setup is not good enough? aaand ... stock motor just an esc upgrade and you are ready to go on 4s ?

[@taofledermaus]

Peter needs to get out there and mow the lawn.

[@hammer2787]

with the big rotor

[@savage101.]

and remove those stupid poles

[@squidlybytes]

No way! The poles are amazing for stress testing!

[@cine_motard]

Rc lawnmower!!!

[@wickedreelz5028]

hey im not the only long range shooting guy who is big time in to R/C that's awesome!!!

[@dlm5536]

Love this plane , from this video I bought one and still have it . Upgraded motor to 3648 880kv with 60 amp esc . Has everything I need but still wish I could fly like Josh . Always great to see this vid 👍👍

[@KeyBored101]

Finally, a true Flite Test video, the reason why I subscribed. Awesome seeing Andre, I listen to podcast all the time

All I can say is that Josh was a natural. I was terrified on camera ;)

[@Pijuli]

You did it fine! Cool airplane. Enjoy it!

[@joshbixler1261]

You did awesome brother. Thank you for coming down!

[@mpcscifigroup1]

I thought you did awesome André. :)

[@northernfpv9562]

Nah man you did great. It's easy to talk but when you're put in front of a camera everything changes!

[@jonbbaca5580]

Is this your first on screen appearance? I know your voice so well, but I had never seen your face! Well done Andre

[@aerospot2]

I love the support this group has for the RC community at large. Our hobby has changed extensively since my intro late 80's. I'm still fly'in my narrow band sport & fun fliers. My hope is retirement will afford me time to re-engage.

[@williamadventures]

Nicely done. Awesome to see Andre down in this area and on the show. Keeps us happy on the afterhours show! Great Vibes

It was a super weekend. Went by far too quickly.

[@ModyKhan]

I have yet to do a maiden flight on mine Black Orange V2 version due to heavy wind guts. I put the spring tension system on the landing gear and removed it as one of the tips provided by the manufacturer (If flying from a hard surface (tarmac, asphalt, concrete etc) it is recommended that you remove the spring system from the undercarriage to avoid excessive bouncing on landings)

[@dougwhichard77]

Great review of the Tundra. I've just started looking at the planes. Have a drone SYMA X5UW, got for Christmas and have had fun learning. Getting hooked. A late bloomer at 72. But having fun!!!

[@ReloaderJoe]

It's nice to see some flight footage from Chad's house again. Reminded me of the old days of Flite Test.

[@thebuz09]

Great last couple of episodes! Love the plain reviews and fun flies!

[@brookekathryn1980]

Crashed 1... ordered another that night! love this bird!

[@PeterWinnett]

Great review as always. How do you feel about the durability of this plane from the point of view of transportation. Can it be put together at the Flying Field and taken apart again each time you go flying? how long do you think it would last? the screw holes for the wing spars etc...Regards, Pete

[@testacorsa1]

Wow, what a nice review! Thanks so much for dropping the background music for the majority of the video. It really helped to mellow it down, and make it a much more relaxed viewing experience. I really like what you guys do, and I watched a lot of your stuff, but this is the first video I have seen in a long time, as the kind of hyper energy vibe the videos had (because of the constant elevator music) somewhat made me lose interest. This one was top notch, and my flight test appetite has been woken up! Hope you take this as a positive critique that it is meant to be. I hope you keep this format, and keep the nice videos coming :)

[@KofiAsare0]

Thank you for all you have done, because of you me a 12 year old saved up all my money to get a RC plane and now I love flying!!

[@yfutyfv]

Kofi Asare what do you have???

[@KofiAsare0]

Wow this was forever ago but at this time I was flying an ft nutball.

[@yfutyfv]

Kofi Asare thanks, I'm 12 so wanted to know what to consider

[@KofiAsare0]

Yes it is nice to know that some one is in this with me but recommend that you start with the ft swapable pack. store.flitetest.com/3-pack-swappable-speed-build-kit/

[@andrew543100]

Well done and welcome to the hobby that will stay with you for life!

[@agentbertram4769]

The best review that I have seen you chaps do. Well done sir!

[@nemonespider]

the tundra is my favorite plane atm..... but I need to order another because I'm just starting out in the hobby so I (beat mine bad) I fly it almost everyday at my park (base ball field) at the beach on floats.. , at the lake (on floats) and at my local flying field here in the Bahamas , it cost me about $400 bucks to get it here..I waited for months for it to come back in stock and it did a few days before my birthday . ..great plane and great review FT ...

[@dontall71]

Awesome video, I like the idea of people coming in with their planes and reviewing them, You guys do need to move those poles!

[@RCArsenal]

Nicely built plane. It's nice to see better built versatile RTF kits.

[@MrVerno1960]

Nice review guys!! I have been flying my Tundra for about 5 months and it is a great fun plane...Still have not tried the floats yet but looking forward to some water landings and takeoffs soon. One easy mod I would reccomend is to paint the tundra tires with Black Plastic Dip Paint as found at Home Depot. It makes the tires much more landing friendly and durable...Happy Flying.........

[@lloydprunier4415]

Hope to get one of these in the future, looks too easy with you guys flying. The dirt pile is getting closer and closer. You need to do a time lapse of the encroaching dirt glacier. Maybe they are elevating the land for the rising sea levels?

[@Texaswingman]

You guys are REALLY making me want to get back into this sport!

[@bluenightfury4365]

They're doing the same to me!

[@robertrubin6774]

durafly tundra y

[@TheAdkFlyer10]

I watched this episode on the 60" Vizio. Awesome! I too love the Tundra! Like you said, Josh, "a great workhorse." She also handles wind with ease! Cheers guys! Fergy

[@donbeissel2965]

I have one of these. It is everything that they say it is. One thing that they did not mention is that the manual is just wrong about battery placement. They say all the way forward with 2-3 inches back is best. It is really tough to land when nose heavy. You also need to beware of full flaps if it is your first plane with flaps. I hit full flaps, it stalled and I spiked it. The nose broke off, but I fixed it all up and it flies great. No motor damage from the spike and there is even touch up paint! I love this plane.

[@ajw61185]

Cool new idea for the review format guys. It's always good to see how people like a plane after they've had a chance to get to know it. If you're ever in the Bay Area, I'd love to fly with you and let you try out some of my VTOL and Star Wars creations. -Adam

[@Weazsel]

I just picked up an E-flite Valiant 1.3m. I feel like it's going to be very similar to the Durafly Tundra. Not sure if it's worth picking up since it seems like they will both have the same flying characteristics and capabilities. I have Timber wheels on my Valiant and am going to be ordering the floats. What will the Tundra do that the Valiant won''t?

[@wdave6944]

Looks amazingly like the FT Bushwacker, doesn't it? Any chance of a comparison?

[@okisub]

That screenshot title for the video = mint! I'd love a 1920x1200 JPEG of that (without the text) for a wallpaper.

[@ryanporter2492]

nice vid, much more of a plane person than quads so great to see you guys go back to your "old school" roots!

[@tomphillips805]

I want to purchase one but I'm unsure which servo to buy

[@badroosterrc]

Great video guys I always enjoy watching the videos you make and the fun that you have all your doing them. One question I have though in the latter part of the video you showed a gentleman soldering is LED lights for his quadcopter, they were in Knight Rider style and I have looked everywhere to try to find those particular lights with just that setting of the scanner mode. Any idea of where he got the lights and what he had to do to get them to stay in that style or scanner mode?

[@tonyriley4585]

Are there particular transmitters that you need to buy that are compatible to bind n fly this model? Recommendations, thanks in advance.

[@MkmeOrg]

Nice! Cool to see Andre in an FT video! Cheers

Thanks Eric.

[@MH53PaveLow2]

Great review! Looks like a great plane. In the future, I would love to see a review of the Freewing F-14!

[@ronaldquint]

Good job on this review. It looks good and makes the model and manufacturer look good as well. I have seen in the past reviews that don't paint a good picture of the product.

[@I_am_archie]

I'm interested in picking up this Tundra, also the Beaver on floats. I don't have a clue about what transmitters I should look at. Can you give me some suggestions? Thanks Bret

[@EnterpriseXI]

This plane is cool. In the future, could we see some more edf, warbird, and maybe some glow or gas planes? Keep up the awesome work Flight Test.🛩✈️

[@tylercurtis441]

i am a newbie to planes. iv flew a few times. what would be a goo radio to get to go with this that i can fly hellis with too?

[@phoeij]

Great vid guys! This is what we want to see. An airplane everyone is talking about, reviewed by the best crew out the. Maybe try the fpv pod too for an episode?

[@whidzee]

You guys should do an episode with TBRC Wings. These guys make amazing planes and I know that at least one of the guys got their start in the hobby because of Flitetest. I can't recommend them enough.

[@beargibson3100]

Can you guys do a comparison to the e-flite timber? This is the style of plane i'm looking for. I am curious how the stack up against each other. Any other planes like this one. really really want high wing with flaps

[@georgegesualdi432]

Great video, I just ordered the purple one and I knew you guys would have a great review as usual. PS-Your Canadian friend did a great video on the Commander I bought. You guys rock!!!!

[@matt79hz]

So cool. I've just ordered the V2. Any suggestions for a motor and battery upgrade ? I have spektrum 30c 2200 3s batts at the moment. :)

[@isoldemarangelis5096]

Great review, it has taken 10 planes in 3 years to finally find this perfect all rounder

[@walkthedank2368]

Do you have any tips for mounting a camera to a foam plane I'm getting one soon and I want to know everything I can so I don't fail

[@andythompson3528]

I bought the prime tundra a couple months ago and it’s a great flyer!

[@struss1120bs]

If you guys are ever in California for a weekend stop by Trabuco Flyers, it's an amazing airfield out here in Orange County!

[@garyvale8347]

I recently began flying this exact Tundra V2 model...my problem is the motor sometimes quits after appox. 4 min of flight time...I am using new 3S 2200mah 60C LiPo's and they are still fine after landing ( appox. 38% left ) .......I notice the ESC becomes very hot and it must be shutting down the motor ...I am using all the stock parts that came with it......the big carbon fiber prop , stock motor and stock 40amp ESC from Hobbyking ..what am I doing wrong as it's frustrating having to land dead stick so many times ?...thanks

[@dronesrule6194]

If your flying then you go down no more throttle, is it going do glide well

[@hectorcastro7978]

Andre or Josh, can you tell me, how much down elevator, you applied for flaps? Thanks for your time.

Hector it will depend on the radio, but 5-15%.

[@viktorc9682]

how many mins does it fly and does it fly ready out of the box ?

[@Boekan_Arsheetec]

I like the new series, people, communities and hobbies.

[@ThePTOV]

Please have Flite Fest South East

[@glend.spicer8204]

Great video. I like watching your videos cause you guys make it look fun and easy.

[@brettconv83]

Nice plane! Love that Alaska bush style airplane. We've all had landings like that, happens to the best of us. Did you land into the wind or with the wind behind you?

More a case of the grass which just had been mowed. I just had to laugh as I'd been flying fine all weekend. Put the camera on me and I dump it short on final. ;)

[@brettconv83]

+André Rousseau LOL Man well I think you did great! I've only been flying just under a year so I find myself coming in hot all the time still or dumping it in. But once in awhile I get a good landing.

Keep going. It took me a while to get comfortable landing on wheels. My first FT cub style plane really helped me along but I also love super slow approaches which can be a bad thing ;)

[@brettconv83]

+André Rousseau thanks man will do! I look forward to meeting you guys at Flite Fest 16?

You bet :)

[@wdave6944]

I hesitate to ask this but the curiosity just won't leave me alone. Did Andre have to register with the FAA, being from Canada and all?

[@weedsnager]

What battery were you using ?

[@Justin-id8sz]

could you guys do an update for the ft starter series build plans? btw love the content

[@RileyFM]

Can't wait for Flitefest!!

[@jacobdannhaeuser3932]

where can you get the bombbay?

[@triple7s]

Is the eflite timber the same plane?

[@Team-Fraser]

Hi guys, would you recommend this plane as a first plane? If not, which one would you recommend? Thanks

[@michaelfoxx4498]

hey guys nice flight, nice plane too hey guys i have one tundra plane and i crash it tried to fix it with a CA glue but i think CA doesn't bond well in this airplane. what kind of glue is the best to bond well with this durafly tundra epo?

[@aarontrueblood4340]

Hey I wanted to ask/ tell you. I want to start a flying club at my junior high after school. I wanted to start it during the winter so we could build a couple of your planes. And then do a airshow at the end of the year for a fundraiser. Do like Friday night build nights. Also do Tuesday and Thursday as free flight and training for the airshow. What ideas do you have to help it get along.

[@freakcreep]

hi flite test what rc plane would you recommend for a beginner

[@B25BOMERLOVER]

question I got a letter from the AMA saying. if you build scratch build it has to meet FAA standards does anybody know those standards?

[@threephase33]

Hey josh we need some more let's fly with the podcast crew!!!! It's nice to put a face to the voice😀😀 Maybe a do a session with there famous radians . Keep up the good work guys thanks

[@RCFlightReviews]

woo andre! Stuck between the tundra and the eflite timber...

Tough call. Both planes are super.

[@northernfpv9562]

Just ordered a Timber

[@proffesionalretard]

+André Rousseau hi andré, nice to see you on actual flite test

[@malelonewolf80]

Excellent plane, but it has one flaw in my opinion. And that flaw is that the wing servoes connect to a circuit mounted connector on the fuselage rather than servo extension wires. Crashed it once and then the servo connectors were out of alignment with the circuit board connector on the fuselage. Solved it by ripping the circuit board with the connectors out of the fuselage and soldered on a servo extension wire which were easier to connect the wings servoes to.

[@donbeissel2965]

Yeah, if it lands hard, you HAVE to check control surfaces or you may end up in the air without control surfaces on one wing!

[@jasoncline6393]

Sort of a teaser to mention the mix for elevator to offset the ballooning from the flaps but not give us any details about how you set up your mix. I'm terrible with mixes so could use the info

It varies so wildly between the radios. In the case of flaps you add down elevator to help the plane not shoot up as the flaps deploy. First I set them up I got it backwards ;)

[@ZezoG-jg1he]

Could you guys make one episode about rc gyrocopters? or auto gyros

[@kalshnikovkid]

keep up the great work! just found the channel and I am loving it!

[@lavalegend7864]

Hey FliteTest your videos are the best. I have an idea for a video I need a video explaining all the electronics for every thing like how big the motor has to be for a plane and all the battery related stuff and what I need.

[@mpcscifigroup1]

I believe we already have that, in the beginner series

[@conradotero6334]

How can i buy the tundra

[@mr_6952]

hey what plane do you guys suggest for a beginner that is cheapish?

[@mpcscifigroup1]

Speed build kit wise Tiny Trainer. RTF Apperentice S

[@LogicZock]

I ordered the FT Tiny Trainer laser cut kit with a Power Pack A from the FliteTest Store as my first plane. I flew it on an 800mAh 2 cell lipo with the glider wing. It was quite an amazing experience. I went and got my own transmitter and receiver and paid just over $250 for everything. The FliteTest Store has all inclusive trainer pack that might interest you. You'll need a hot glue gun and a few hours of free time to build but it is really a great experience. store.flitetest.com/tiny-trainer-get-started-package/

[@mr_6952]

nice thanks guys

[@tobiasscharnberg2919]

Andre! In a FT review! Kewl!

Thanks it was a lot of fun.

[@lucidmoss4634]

can you do a video on the shuriken 180 race quad.

[@stephanerheaume2435]

this is great! to guys from my favorite channel!! i'm new to airplane and you and Andre are a reference to me!

[@Rex_Stuph]

I personally would like to see a head to head between this and the MPX Funcub.

[@recommit]

I have the Multiplex funcub. Looks identical in flight behaviour, but I must agree, the landing gear in the Funcub is a bit weak, otherwise an awesome work horse. But no....not a great first plane. Checkout the Hobbyking Walrus for a nice easy flyer.

I just handed my FunCub to my Dad. Can't wait for the 2 of us to fly high wing planes together.

[@cloroxbleach7386]

Can you do a review on the fx 802?

[@wtimber]

Where do they sell these?

[@ulaB]

Hobbyking.

[@ewanwai7971]

OMG!! It's Andre!!

[@joeylindblom9421]

Guys im a noob on these electronics. but what spec on a battery would give me more flight time with this aircraft?

3S 2200 65C. I fly off the Nano Tech A-Spec packs. A lower C rated pack will not do well in this plane.

[@joeylindblom9421]

SO what specific thing makes it longer flight time? and how long do you get out of it

Joel lindblom Throttle management. I've never done a milk run as I just love beaming the plane around. But the Tundra is fantastic at 1/3-1/2 throttle. Drop the flaps and just enjoy some touch and goes. I still manage 7-8 minutes depending on conditions.

[@joeylindblom9421]

i mean id love to get into the hobby more, but 7 min is just nothing in terms of entertainment, atleast for me. i dont know the charge time but i bet its significantly longer then 7 min

[@brookekathryn1980]

I love Love Love my Tundra!

[@daltonstradtman7303]

Is this a good beginner plane?

[@slug182]

man I want one of those so bad!

[@MattacksRC]

HK does have parts support but the problem is often times they will only keep stock of those in the international warehouse.. so it you ever needed a larger part like a replacement wing you'll probably need to pay $40 or more just on shipping depending on the size for a big box to get shipped all the way from china.. often times this is well over the cost of the parts themselves... Im a huge fan of HK but it would be nice it they kept more spare parts like this in their US warehouses near where I happen to live. as for the smaller parts, I get them from the international HK warehouse too as the shipping isnt as bad for the small stuff.

[@Soulcommander]

That was fun! Thanks for sharing.

[@melcrose]

great idea ! and more gliders. If you put the right motor/prop on anything, it can be towed through the air.. but a glider? A glider FLIES. :)

[@xFunTomCZx]

agree, more gliders.. loved even the simple soarer episodes

[@melcrose]

Here is a thought: way back you could buy those air hog biplane twin-engine RC planes that sort of kicked the RTF into high gear. I ended up removing the bottom wing, and it flew even better. Then I removed half of the top wing: and it flew even better (glided better also!) .. transfer that into a game (cut more of the wings off while doing prescribed stunts or something.)

[@emjayw3018]

Looks like a sweet trainer/park flyer ... want one ... 👍👍

[@planesstevee]

Any news on full scale Fridays ??

[@joshbixler1261]

Full scale Friday's are coming friend. We are hiring more videographers so we can handle the extra content. :) JB

[@planesstevee]

Thanks josh and all the guys at flitetest love all your videos been watching since day one !! Massive respect for all the videos and everything you guys do. Cant wait!!

[@TheGrateWall]

So what I'm hearing is I'm not going to get bored of this plane? Because I want to buy it, but it takes me quite a while to save up the money for it

No. Very flexible plane. I flew it all winter long and really enjoyed having it in the fleet.

[@Cleeduss32]

I can't wait for mine.

[@themikeymikechannel2947]

can I pop a HJ 903052 BATTERY if it expands from being over charged by a higher charging voltage , etc.......?! ?!

[@hassaization]

bad idea. there will be flames

[@themikeymikechannel2947]

I'm going to KZbin it and let's see if your right.

[@themikeymikechannel2947]

+mikey mike - NYY holy fucking shit , never again will I do that , u r an rc guy I'll listen to you next time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@hassaization]

I call it FAL flame assisted learning

[@themikeymikechannel2947]

+hassaization , video in slow MO and in a safe place, safety gear on, and water bucket ready , DO NOT TRY THIS AT ALL , IF THEY SAY IT FLAMES IT FUCKING FLAMES INTO A BALL OF FIRE!!!! if the battery is expanded just throw the fucker in the trash!!!!

[@jamesgamer6578]

Could u plz review the park zone super decathlon

[@phrogfrog3623]

What do the flaps do? Make the plane lose lift?

[@jamessundance6690]

They create drag helping a plane slow, but furthermore, they create lift helping a plane take off.

[@phrogfrog3623]

+James Sundance Thanks, that explains why they use them to both take off and land.

[@jamessundance6690]

+Phrog Frog No problem. Happy to help :)

[@ulaB]

The contrary: Flaps increase the lift at a given airspeed. So if you have to slow down for a landing, you extend the flaps to have more lift at slower speeds. This basically reduces the stalling speed of the aircraft - the minimum speed at what a plane can be flown safely. You can fly slower than you normally could. But flaps also add a lot of drag, that's why they are retracted when they are not needed.

[@Destinationundetermined]

I wanna buy this for my first plane I'm big fan of bush planes but never flew rc planes what would you think of me buying this to learn

[@chrisr.3122]

I’d like to do the same thing? Ok for a 1st? On budget.

[@beekmanfpv9683]

nice airplane, the Hype You Can Fly is also a great trainer! And the Robbe grob 120 tp is also nice for realy nice arobatics!

[@nickjd9977]

Can anyone give me a link to any website that sells tundra?

[@ulaB]

Hobbyking does.

[@nickjd9977]

+Balu can u send me a link plz