HSD vs. Aerofoam. Part 1 of 4 - on the Bench

Comparing the HSD 120mm EDF T-33 to the Aerofoam 105mm EDF MB-339.

[@bobturner3388]

Have it up and running! That is so correct, please HSD START CARRYING PARTS ON A RELIABLE WAY!

[@gabcwabc2491]

Thanks for not doing a LAME maiden flight video. It's nice to see information once people got a handle on them.

[@all_rc]

You can also watch the lame maiden flight video! Lol. But i do agree with you. Initial reactions and long term views are usually very different. Thats why i like to do both.

[@gabcwabc2491]

@@all_rc I'm sorry, I didn't mean it how it sounded. There are so many maiden flight videos which don't show what someone knows about an airplane or can do with them. I just try to find videos where people have some flight time and have a handle on what the airplane is and understand it.

[@all_rc]

We'll be coming back to feature our planes and how we are flying them after some time on the sticks. Agree flying around in circles isnt a good indicator of what the planes (and pilots) are capable of.

[@rccosplay3249]

All good foam some better than others but not for me. End of the day it's still foam! Composite, Plywood and balsa any day over foam.

[@Lithonion1]

Might just be me but for what these cost, you should have zero issues. I have almost purchased both of these but stop myself before I click the checkout button. lol I do have the HSD 182 and use SBUS into their computer for one plug connection. All their settings stock were spot on and I do enjoy flying it.

[@all_rc]

I don't mind issues. Anything with a bit of complexity has the potential for issues. It's how issues are resolved that is important. I'll still buy HSD because there isn't much options for that size foamies. But spare parts issues is sort of a thorn in the side of real great flying planes. Aerofoam seems to have a good selection of spares but they don't have the computer system that hsd has. Hopefully more manufacturers become available...

[@bobturner3388]

Ive been waiting 3 months for parts for my 80mm F16 from Horizon Hobby!

[@HelplessMammal]

I had the same thing happen with the Stabilizer on my HSD T33. I used carbon rods to reinforce the Stabilizer ends. Also I ended up having to beef up the Landing Gear Mains with hardwood and Plywood backing on the top of the wing. Flying off a grass field. The mains really need more support. Its a heavy airplane on relative tiny wheels. Other then that it is a great flying Plane.

[@all_rc]

Totally correct... its a little too fragile. The stabilizer is now fixed with a carved piece of balsa to replace the broken chunk. When I spoke to hsd about my servo issue, they also suggested that I reinforce the main landing gear. I show a couple of pictures on how I did that in Part 4 of this series.

[@HelplessMammal]

@@all_rc Interesting that they would admit that about the need to reinforce the main landing gear. At least they recognize this as a problem.

[@lmramos44]

I had to do the exact same thing, the retract pushed through the top of the wing. Hope HSD is listening

[@charlesrestivo870]

Nice review

[@MChronicleSword]

Between the denser AF foam and lighter HSD foam, is it safe to say the denser, heavier AF foam is better for preparing an aspiring turbine pilot for turbines? Asking because I'm deciding between the HSD F16 105mm or the upcoming AF F22 105mm

[@all_rc]

The AF models seem to have better construction and fitment. Panel lines and general production quality is noticeably better on AF models vs HSD. Should also consider availability of parts. HSD has been out of stock for the F16 for a long time. They dont sell KITS anymore. You can only get a PNP version. No replacement foam parts are available. They just have landing gear parts and some smaller items available for replacement. The AF F22 is new, so stock should be available for a while. But looking at how AF models have been getting discontinued on the BananaHobby site, theres no telling how long parts will be available.

[@yetanotherproject-ce2nm]

Both very nice

[@jeffjackson6358]

The flap servo is the same as the aileron servo for ordering purposes.

[@all_rc]

Yes, I found that out when I called HSD. They have servos listed for their F-86 which is the same for all their EDFs. Would be nice if they actually broke it down and stated what planes they go to with the proper servo wire length, etc. Now that I know that, should be no big deal ordering servos in the future.

[@lmramos44]

I have both those jets, the T-33 is a battery eater but an easy flier. The 339 is a glider and has a great flight envelope.

[@all_rc]

I run the 6300 smc batteries and they seem to last longer than even my 8000mah hoovo Batteries. Agree with your assessment of the T33 and the 339!

[@lmramos44]

@@all_rc I use either Liperion or Zee 6s 6000 100c….they work ok, but they are still just 3 minute safe flight time. Just assembled the Aerofoam L-39 in Arctic Camo, haven’t Maidened yet….

[@N2RIT]

Don't know why they won't stock parts. I had been waiting a while for a set of wings for a EDF viper. I contracted the sale rep from HSD direct he said shipping would be expensive, and said contract HSD dealer in the USA let them know and he would ship wings with there next container. Well after contacting HSD USA I was told they wouldn't do it. When the factory gave the ok to ship with there next order. Someone else said they needed part HSD told them to buy the kit for parts . The foam on the turbine is much harder then the EDF. I also have a HSD v3 viper turbine and its foam is much harder then Aerofoam L-39 turbine I have, but the Aerofoam foam isn't bad. If you buy HSD you better make sure you don't any issue cause your out of luck trying to get fuselage parts. You can get parts direct from the factory but your going to pay a lot for shipping. I like the HSD model I have like 5 of there planes. I'd like to get a composite model but not being able to get parts is a draw back. I also fly Frsky been using there radio about 8 years now. I run 2.4 and 900 in my models

[@all_rc]

Totally agree. I really like their planes. The ones I have, I really like the performance. I'm hesitant buying more of their planes since parts is an issue. When I talked to HSD USA, they told me that they can't get individual body parts from the manufacturer. Interesting that you say that HSD has parts but HSD USA won't stock them. Not what HSD USA said to me. Wish things were more transparent...

[@N2RIT]

@@all_rc Well I believe I still have the email the HSD rep replied to me. It was sometime last year. I have bought direct from the factory before and that was before the price of shipping went up. This is why the factory rep said to get in contact with the HSDUSA. If the rep was willing to ship the item with their container what's the big deal and there still making some money from it. Maybe they didn't like the fact that I was in direct contact with the factory A set of wings was going to cost me $89 and the shipping he quoted was $400 LOL go figure. At the time the kit was $499 lol.

[@lmramos44]

I also have the HSD ME 262 and the flap servo failed on its maiden

[@all_rc]

Yep... my flap servo failed on my 262 as well... not the best servos it seems

[@shelleibach20]

What is the jet noise overhead....how can you have a flying field under a flyway?????

[@all_rc]

Letter of agreement with the airport. Quite a few flying fields have them

[@shelleibach20]

good for you...next question is are you an AMA club and did they issue your club a FRIA?@@all_rc

[@Acestrex]

I wonder why he isnt running express lrs since he is running opentx!

[@all_rc]

I'm not running opentx. I'm running frsky Ethos. And I'm flying line of sight. I use 900mhz as redundancy for my 2.4ghz not for the range. I used to run Edgetx when I had a Radiomaster TX16s but after learning Ethos, I won't go back. The programming and setup is much more efficient.

[@Acestrex]

@@all_rc yes i know that. express lrs is going to make that setup way way better! you might need to look into what im talking about. as of 2024 they are making everyone else's products look ancient!!! just mentioning it since your radio can do that.

[@all_rc]

Express LRS is not fully supported on Frsky Ethos as of yet. Again, I'm not running Opentx or EdgeTX. You can install a module on the back of the tx and get it to work but full telemetry isn't working yet. So i can control the plane but any signal issues, rssi or frame losses will not be reported. Even if it was, I probably won't run it. I have had no range issues, no signal loss and no control loss with my current setup. I ran EdgeTX on a TX16S with frsky d16 protocol, Spektrum DSM and even Crossfire before and all of them had their own issues with signal. So on my expensive stuff, I only run Frsky Tandem. I might give ELRS a try but i cannot see how it would be better than what i am currently using in my particular situation. I don't care about long range as i am flying line of sight and I have never had any signal issues with my current setup. On some planes i log my rssi and vfr throughout my flight and on all my planes i show minimum rssi and vfr. Anytime 2.4 gets low, 900 is still locked on with strong signal. So for my particular use, i have no issues and it works very well. I know a few guys that love Spektrum and have never had any issues and I know a few guys that love Jeti. To each their own. Whatever works for them and whatever works for you is OK.

[@lucaspoole8866]

thats just a baddd glue job on the f86 tail lol when i glue a piece on a plane its alwayss twice as strong as it used to be

[@all_rc]

Yep, usually is. Most times the joint is stronger. I tried CA first and possibly the type of foam didn't take as well. Second time, i used foam tac. That worked better. The next time it actually broke in a different spot. My fault for letting that seat belt hit the tail over and over again, but still.... it's a very brittle foam. I'm more careful now when putting the plane in the car.

[@drmrjon]

Does the Aerofoam turn to a popcorn texture when exposed to heat from the sun??

[@all_rc]

In socal, so far no. I do have the plane under shade when I can. Inside the canopy, the black has popcorned though.

[@p3arljam26]

The fact that any of these brands dont sell parts is automatic no for me.

[@all_rc]

HSD sells the mechanicals like servos and gear. Body parts are "just by the kit for 600 bucks". Aerofoam sells parts. I've replaced one of the two lower fins on my Aerofoam MB-339 and Banana does seem to stock most parts.

[@MultiSkyman1]

Agree. When I started 15 years ago, I soon learned about the of no "spare parts" issue! A deal breaker for sure!

[@charlesrestivo870]

Have a friend 3d print you a tip

[@all_rc]

Did it old school with Balsa. Indistinguishable from original

[@charlesrestivo870]

@@all_rc or that Have a great day .

[@kazama6245]

Your car seems to be bad for jets!😕

[@all_rc]

Lol! Yeah. I don't have great luck transporting.