BJ Craft Strato, Texas Winter Project - progress update

Mounting of the motor has been completed along with the initial fitment of wings, wing adjusters, stabs, and canilizer wing.  Air inlet and outlet cutouts are done.  This was done using a Dremel tool as a handheld router with BJ's provided templates.  The main landing gear has been installed.  Like the Anthem, I selected gear by PT. They are longer, and lighter than the stock gear and fit the original cutouts without modifying. I've also fabricated and installed my DIY tailwheel assembly pictured below. This assembly is low-cost and robust.  It is made from common RC accessories and is fully serviceable and easily duplicated. Most recently the battery tray was made from carbon/lite ply sandwich panel and mounted in the fuse using Gator RC's removal supports.  As a safeguard, the tray is also anchored with a screw to the landing gear mount.  Rudder servo plus the D3 controller mounts have been created and installed.

Custom Cutting and Laser Engraving Solutions

Just received my customized transmitter case from Custom Cutting and Laser Engraving Solutions by Mike Bargman. The finished quality is fantastic. Mike is a good communicator, he shares proofs before engraving to ensure accuracy.  Mike can customize the inside of the case to meet your needs. I opted for a standard configuration that accommodates my 32MZ or 18SZ plus tools and batteries.  If you desire a quality TX case please contact Mike at Custom Cutting and Laser Engraving Solutions.

BJ Craft Strato, Texas Winter Project

In mid-December 2024, I took delivery of an early release version of BJ Craft's Strato. Like the previous BJ's ARC kits I built, the fit and finish, balsa quality, and prep work are very well done.  Given the recent low temps here in SE Texas instead of flying, I am making steady progress on the Strato. The plan is to outfit it using the same/similar products and methods that proved successful with other BJ designs I completed.

Here is a list of items I currently plan to use...

• Futaba
• 32MZ
• 7108rx (2) using PBR-12x
• HPS-704 aileron
• BLS173SV elevator
• S-A501 rudder (pull-pull) vs tail-mounted servo
• S.BUS
• SBD-3 decoder
• Power setup
• PCK 4-bld
• D3 controller
• Falcon carbon spinner
• Landing gear
• PT carbon mains
• Self designed tail wheel
• Central Hobbies Titanium axles
• F3AU removable battery tray
• Batteries
• TP 10s 5000mah/6000mah ProLiteX and FAI
• TP 2s 910mah ProLiteX
• Radio South hinges

Notable design differences compared to the Invitation, Epilogue and Anthem.

1. More narrow fuse
2. Taller fuse between the T-can and Fin
3. Flat bottom fuse vs rounded
4. Elimination of sub-fin molded into fuse
5. Smaller T-can wing

A few progress pics...