UPDATED! THIS MODEL NOT RECOMMENDED! The $159 57" Motion RC Shrike - Setup and Fixes

UPDATE - On about my 10th flight the Shrike lost elevator control and crashed. All previous flights ended with perfect landings using SAFE to level wings before touchdown. Post-crash inspection revealed a bad elevator servo. Motion RC would not help out. Due to weather the short warranty period had expired. That was their right to do so. However, I cannot recommend a product with a servo failure after just a few flights. While it was flying it performed well, but I don't think the product quality is what I am used to from other vendors. Glad I do not do this for income. I have no qualms about being totally honest. Buy at your own risk. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Original review -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Looking for a Conscendo replacement, I stumbled across this little jewel of a sailplane. From Motion RC, the Shrike flies great but has a few minor issues that need careful attention. Firstly, mounting a receiver is not straightforward. The prop blades on the one I received did not fold back in flight. The supplied carbon fiber spar is too short for the wing tubes. Finally, the horizontal stabilizer is a friction fit with zero fasteners to keep it in place. Solutions are not difficult but are required. For proper balance you will need to use the recommended 2200 3S battery. Smaller batteries will result in a tail-heavy condition. There is little room forward of the wing to install any weights and that would defeat the purpose of a smaller battery anyway. A Spektrum 2200 3S resulted in a perfect balance and no need for power off elevator trim. Flaps deployment also has little effect on pitch. My fleet/hanger update is at the end of this clip. Also, I talk about a new RC field and club that I am in the process of launching this spring The Shrike comes PnP-only. I installed a spare Spektrum AR637T receiver. To get it working I had to unlock and re-program. It was my first time for that process and took a few hours to get right. See links below for how that can be done. The results of all the work are worth it. The Shrike maiden was almost problem-free. My only adjustment has been adding throttle/elevator trim. See the videos below for details on Safe and AS3X setup. Here are a few links that will prove helpful if you are interested in this model: Motion RC: https://www.motionrc.com/ The Shrike itself: https://www.motionrc.com/collections/... Shrike Manual (not supplied with the kit): https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/105... If you use the AR637T receiver (highly recommended): Unlocking the AR637T: You will need to the cable that connects the receiver to a Windows PC. You can buy that at a hobby shop or from Spektrum at: https://spektrumrc.com/Products/Defau... A video on the AR637T unlock process:    • How to UNLOCK your Spektrum AR637TA / AR63...   Videos on the AR637T setup using Forward Programming: Initial setup including AS3X:    • 1. Spektrum AR637T Setup - Basic/First Tim...   SAFE Mode Setup:    • 3. Spektrum AR637T Setup - SAFE   For more Miguel Alveraz radio setup videos:    / migglees   A very long but complete video on setting up the AR637T via Forward Programing:    • Spektrum Forward Programming Series | Live...   I do not receive any compensation for use of these links.