Eliminator SR

reviewed by Mike Shellim

7 Mar 2007 John Stevens is no longer making the Eliminator SR, so contact details have been removed.

MS with Eliminator, Primrose Hill, LondonThe Eliminator SR is a two-function 60" pylon racer from John Stevens, well-known UK competition flyer and kit manufacturer.

The model is probably the most popular Pylon racer in the UK and has gained an enviable reputation for quality and performance.

Two versions are available with V- or conventional tail.


The parts

The Fuselage is glass/epoxy with extensive carbon and kevlar reinforcement. A servo tray is moulded in. A slip-on nose cone completes the package. Quality is excellent.

The wing

The RG15 Wings are pressed blue foam/glass/veneer construction. A carbon fibre leading edge is moulded in place. No surface sanding is required. Quality is first class. The Stab is cut and shaped from good quality �" balsa.

Assembly

There’s a fair bit to do, but if you follow the instructions you shouldn't have any problems. The instructions are brief but clear, the only niggle is lack of detail regarding the elevator linkage geometry. Other points:

Radio and ballast installation

The fuselage, showing carbon reinforcement under wing.

Fitting the optional ballast tube simply entails making a hole in the bulkhead and a smaller one in the servo tray for the securing bolt. Ballast slugs were made by melting lead into four sections of 15mm dia plumbers’ copper pipe.
The test machine was equipped with Multiplex Pico 4/5 receiver, two Volz WingMaxx servos for the ailerons, a Futaba 9601 for the elevator and a 450 mAH Nicad pack - 2/3AF size fits best.

Weight was 38oz, resulting in a wing loading of 13 oz/ft2. Ballast adds an additional 20oz upping the loading to just under 20 oz/ft2.

CG was set initially at the recommended position 70mm from the leading edge – two ounces of lead were required to balance. Control movements were set according to the instructions.

Adding a rudder

Rudder conversion

The photo above shows a rudder conversion I saw at an F3F meeting. Each servo drives one control surface - requires a computer Tx with a V-tail mixer. Note the ballast tube has been relocated down the centre line and has a ballast retaining cap which is secured by a bolt. Two mini servos either side have 1/4" push-rods which just squeeze between ballast tube and fuselage sides. Works well.

Flying

Summary

The model is a classic pylon racer – simple layout, handles well, flies fast and turns on a sixpence.

Sport/fun flyers will also enjoy its speed and good manners.

Aerobatic pilots will want to add a rudder control to extend the repertoire – I’d like to see some guidance for this in the instructions.

The price is at the higher end of the range for this class of model, however quality of materials and manufacture are absolutely first class. The important bits – the wing and fuselage - are likely to be very durable. It therefore represents good value for money.

Post Script: I’ve built two Eliminator SR's for the 1999 Pylon season, and both show the same excellence of manufacture. For example I've needed to mix and match different wing panels (because of mid-airs) and the sections have matched absolutely perfectly at the root. John Stevens also provides first rate service.

The only mod I've made is to the tailplane, replacing the M2 steel bolt with M4 nylon. This resists crash damage better - the nylon bolt sheers instead of pulling through the tailplance platform on heavy landings. I've also reinforced the stab with a full depth CF dihedral brace which makes it a lot stronger.