New E-Flite Turbo Timber 1.5m

February 25, 2019|FliteTest

Along with the Timber X, Horizon Hobby has just unveiled a version of the original Timber: this is the Turbo Timber.

In the beginning, there was the Timber. It was, and still is, an extremely popular model. Cub types always have been. They're easy to fly but remain good all-rounders - and the Timber was the best of them all. It's Easy handling but incredible performance made it almost unbeatable.

Then came along the UMX Timber. It was a scaled-down model (small enough to fly in your backyard) but retaining those easy-flying tendencies. It had larger ailerons, though, to improve on the roll rate of the original.

Just the other month, E-Flite announced their aerobatic 3D model of the Timber, the 'Timber X'. Check out the video on the Flite Test Tech channel. You'll see just how enhanced this thing is.

However, just a few days ago, Horizon brought out an even newer Timber. Its name is the 'Turbo Timber' and, as the name might suggest, it's basically the original with more power and more awesome features.

Quick Look Spec

For those in a rush, here's a brief look at the numbers.

Airfoil Shape:	Semi-symmetrical
Approximate Assembly Time:	Less than 1 Hour
Approximate Flight Time:	6 - 8 minutes
CG (Center of Gravity):	2.4" (60mm) +/- 0.20" (5mm) back from the leading edge of the wing measured at the fuselage
Charger:	Required to match selected battery
Completion Level:	Bind-N-Fly Basic
Control Throw (Flaps):	Full, 1.4" (35mm), Half, 0.79" (20mm)
Control Throw - High (Ailerons):	1.2" (30mm)
Control Throw - High (Elevator):	0.87" (22mm)
Control Throw - High (Rudder):	1.4" (35mm)
Control Throw - Low (Ailerons):	0.87" (22mm)
Control Throw - Low (Elevator):	0.63" (16mm)
Control Throw - Low (Rudder):	0.98" (25mm)
Flying Weight:	57 - 60oz (1.61 - 1.7kg)
Landing Gear:	Fixed main LG with steerable tail wheel
Length:	40.9" (1040mm)
Material:	EPO
Minimum Required Radio:	6-channel
Minimum Speed Control:	50A w/EC3 battery connector
Motor Size:	10 size, 800Kv brushless outrunner
Propeller Size:	11x7.5 3-blade
Recommended Motor Battery:	2200mAh 3 - 4S LiPo w/EC3 connector
Servos:	9g metal gear (6)
Stabilizer Tube Length:	11.8" (300mm)
Stabilizer Tube OD:	0.16" (4mm)
Transmitter Range:	Full
Wing Area:	559.5 sq in (36.1 sq dm)
Wing Loading:	13.45 oz sq/ft (14.04 g sq/dm)
Wing Tube Length:	12.8" (605mm)
Wing Tube OD:	0.39" (10mm)
Wingspan:	61" (1555mm)

New Features

The new Turbo Timber has a bunch of upgrades over the original, but let's start with the business end. There's a higher KV motor, a larger speed controller, and a scle 3 blade prop taken from the E-Flite Cirrus. Unlimited vertical should be no problem, but you can still fly scale.

An increased top speed means the wing had to be stiffened. Overall wing rigidity has therefore been improved; it's thicker and better equipped to handle twisting forces at higher velocities.

An obvious change is the new-look cowling with a turboprop style. It looks pretty rad, but you can easily mod it with an original cowl if you feel like it. It's worth noting that many of the parts of the original are compatible. Also, the original Timber will still be on sale for a while alongside the Turbo and Timber X.

Metal geared servos have been included (pre-installed) as standard which improves on the plastic gear servos used on the old model.

Floats are included in the box meaning you can get on the water without having to buy anything extra.

In terms of flight characteristics, the turbo has a similar wing loading to the original. There's not much of a perceivable difference, although you will notice the wing feels stiffer in the air. Clearly, you'll have a ton of power at your disposal, but really the whole aircraft is a straightforward upgrade that improves on the winning formula of the plane that started it all.