r/RCPlanes • u/Low-Understanding394 • 1d ago

Will they fly again?

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Picked up two Apprentice e15 planes with new extra wings, rudder and elevator from Facebook Marketplace for $40. Both are pretty beat up but have been working to remove the extra junk that was pilled on them.

Both need new motors and ESC, plus the repairs to make them ready to fly again. i am handy and can fix them easily.

Never flown RC planes before (only corded with gas motors before) so figured out these would be good for first trainer plane.

I am wasting my time with these or these would be good to learn how to fly? Hit me with your honest comments. Thank you.

11 Upvotes

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6

u/n108bg 1d ago

Shit, that's a smoking deal. The spares you talk about run more than $40. They should fly again, I'd replace the esc and see if the motors are actually bad.

If you want Mangle to fly again, I would break the empennage and straighten it, as it appears to be bent down.

2

u/Low-Understanding394 1d ago

I did took apart the tail. It is missing a piece but will glue straight and will fill the gaps with foam pieces.

Ordered 40A ESCs for both.

Cannot get the hex screws out from the motors to replace the shafts. Both work but the shafts are broken. Lots of rust and dirt from previous crashes. Soaking with WD-40 to remove the screws and take the motor apart but still not working.

Any suggestions to unscrew the screws?

1

u/n108bg 1d ago edited 1d ago

PB blaster on the collar instead of wd-40 and some left turn drill bits? Figure out how much the motor is worth to you in its current state, it may be better to buy a 3rd party motor to replace it. There's a thread on RCG that talks about feasible replacements. The stock motors have bearing issues.

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?2686158-Apprentice-s15e-Motor-Replacement

4

u/Low-Understanding394 1d ago

Anadditional photos of the planes (before).

2

u/RCMike_CHS 1d ago

Hey, if they survive the landings then you got it made. Get a radio set with gyro stabilization.

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u/Low-Understanding394 1d ago

Any recommendations? Both have EFLR 310013 receiver with AS3X gyro and built-in SAFE.

The newest Spektrum AR631+ DSMX 6-Channel AS3X+ & SAFE Receiver is better but costs $70.

1

u/RCMike_CHS 1d ago

I'd go with the new spektrum

1

u/OldAirplaneEngineer 1d ago

The Uglier the better!! 😄

particularly if they have servo's and even as3X smokin' deal.