The Sukhoi SU-31 is a single-engine aerobatic aircraft that is very popular in airshows. It is a lighter and more powerful version of the Sukhoi SU-26. The Sukhoi SU-31 is the most agile and powerful aerobatic aircraft in production today, and once other manufacturers add performance to their flagships, Sukhoi has usually already raised the bar with new design features or greater power. The full-size aircraft is almost all-composite, just like our model, since everything behind and outside the cockpit is composite rather than tubular steel, spars, and ribs.
CARF-Models has looked at the SU-31 for quite some time, especially since our Yak-55 SP has been so popular in all sizes. A new “round cowl” airplane was needed, and we just didn’t want to jump on the Yak-54 hype, doing another one of these, as non-scale (thus not quite pretty) as all the others out there. CARF-Models has gone a different route. We looked at the SU-31’s lines and came to the conclusion that with a slight stretch and a slight increase of side area behind the canopy, some repositioning of wing and stab, this plane could become even a better example of a perfect large-scale aerobatic creation - maybe the best one out there after all.
ARF KIT Features
The result is that the CARF SU-31 remains very small, even though several modifications to the full-size aircraft have been made. But we kept the characteristic details: the large, round cowl on the slightly boxy rear of the fuselage, the louvers, the large wing fillets... Just to make this airplane stand out from the masses. The CARF Models SU-31 is a real flagship aerobatic plane. It is a high-value airplane. So we do not stock too many of them in our warehouses. Most of our customers appreciate the fact that they can order custom schemes exactly to their liking, or simple Color swaps of existing stock schemes to their favorite colors. So, stocking standard schemes has proven not to be very efficient all the time. Please ask your Rep about the many options you have to order your very personalized CARF SU-31 today.
The fuselage itself is huge. A massive 41 cm (16") diameter in the front, a huge opening to work in, covered by a canopy frame with a long deck and a clear canopy, the canopy mounting tabs are factory installed. It's almost 3 meters (115") long with a matching spinner. Behind the canopy and within the vertical fin, crucial formers are installed to stiffen the rear fuselage against torsional loads. The wide rudder base also makes the tail area very strong. The gear mount is made from aircraft-grade plywood with layers of carbon fiber, holding up well even on uneven grass fields. A tank tray is included as a separate piece so you can decide whether and how to use it. It will be removable for easy access anyway. Of course, the large fuselage will provide room for any kind of silencers, even if you decide to go with a 4-cylinder engine and 4 independent full-length pipes. A pair of removable wing fillets completes the plane's beautiful scale look.
The large, round cowl comes in two pieces, making engine installation and baffling very easy. The motor dome is designed for one of the most popular 200 cc 4-cyl. engines would fit without moving the firewall, but if a 150- 170 cc 2-cyl. The engine is to be installed, and the included carbon fiber dome extension will be used to accommodate these precisely, too. Additionally, the cowl provides room for 250-300 cc four-stroke radial engines. The louvers are strong composite parts, made in press molds, fully functional, and painted to match the plane's scheme. By coincidence, the large carbon spinner for our P-51 Mustang fits this airplane perfectly.
The wing uses a well-proven airfoil, which has already been used in our line of Extras. Compared with the full-scale plane, the geometry is slightly adjusted to what we know works best. The huge ailerons are CENTER-hinged, a new feature we have introduced with this CARF 3m aerobatic plane. Deflections of 40 degrees or more are possible. 3 different aileron servo installation combinations remain for your choice. A word about the wing span: The CARF SU-31 is a huge airplane. Even though the wing span seems rather short, the gigantic fuselage makes for almost square span/length dimensions and gives the plane unbelievable tracking characteristics, which make the plane stand out from the pack. So, if you look at the CARF-Models SU-31 as a 118“ 3m airplane, think twice, the overall volume of the plane rivals rather with a 124“ Extra, if anything.
The stabs and elevators use the proven design techniques of the Yaks, with center-hinged elevators allowing a deflection of over 50 degrees. A second elevator servo per side can be installed, although with today's high-torque servos, it is not necessary. The SU-31 is not as CG-sensitive as the Extras with shorter noses. The massive rudder is also center-hinged and prepared for a pull/pull or direct-drive servo setup. Twin control horns are factory-installed.
The DA 200 has proven to be a fantastic power source for this airplane. Even with a larger 3-blade prop, there is still sufficient power for any aerobatic maneuvers within an unlimited sequence. For 3D, a smaller prop can be mounted to make the engine more reactive on throttle bursts. The DA-200 engine has become the most famous powerplant in the F3A-X scene worldwide, and we are confident that the plane will work very well with it. So far, any 170-220 cc engine will be suited for the plane. In terms of radial power, the Moki 250 5-cyl could be a great choice, too.
As usual, with our SU-31 2.75m, you get an extremely well-prefabricated airplane. It is super-strong, yet lightweight and well-engineered to withstand the stresses of competition flying. Made for 170-220 cc engines, it will also house four-cylinder engines, which many favor in this class.
For our SU-31 3.0m, we offer a wide range of accessories. These include DA engines, fuel tank, smoke tank, smoke pump, and power supply. In addition, we offer high-quality MacGregor servos in combination with our very own CARF-Models servo arms – perfectly matched to the model and the demands of a high-performance aerobatic plane.
Like all our airplanes, the SU-31 3.0m is no different. They boast meticulously applied PU paintwork, expertly executed in the molds. Explore a gallery of our stunning paint schemes in our shop, showcasing past projects, some crafted to match unique customer requests. If you're seeking a personalized touch, we offer color swaps and fully custom designs developed through collaboration between you and our skilled artists. Below are our Standard Schemes and a few standout examples:
Mainly due to its large fuselage, the CARF Models SU-31 3m maintains the same impressive appearance in the air as on the ground. This is perfectly underlined by the Sukhoi’s low airspeed. CARF has optimized the plane’s geometry to be perfectly prepared for high-ranking competitions without dropping the characteristic attributes of the full-scale SU-31. In particular, the short tail of the original has been stretched to optimize the flying characteristics. The final design features the same legendary neutral knife-edge performance, the same flawless roll behavior, and the same intense lift of the enormous fuselage as our Yak 55 SP designs and combines it with the advantages of the new wing generation, featuring a new airfoil and pocket-hinged ailerons. This makes the Sukhoi perfectly suited for all modern IMAC sequences and a very agile freestyle plane that can absolutely compete with the very popular Extra 330SC. CARF Models has optimized the surface areas based on long-term experience to enable roll rates at the limit for every pilot and crowd-cheering 3D maneuvers, while still using a moderate servo setup of two high-performance digital servos per aileron and one per elevator. Last but not least, this is a merit of the optimized airfoil of the wing and the stabilizer. Due to the superb rigidity and torsional stiffness of the ailerons, it is no longer necessary to place one servo close to the wing tip, since it has a significant effect on unwanted inertia.
Celebrate your challenging sequences with your CARF Models SU-31! The low minimum airspeed, combined with perfectly neutral flight characteristics and enormous lift in the knife-edge position, will underscore the Sukhoi’s unique appearance. Every kind of roll combination integrated into a circle or loop will be significantly easier because of the minimal rudder input required. The snap performance has been improved again due to the new airfoil and the aileron servos' position close to the center axis.
The Sukhoi’s unique appearance is also emphasized while performing your freestyle flights. The low airspeed does not negatively affect the plane's agility. Roll rates at the limit of every pilot are as well possible as all kinds of modern 3D maneuvers. The characteristic appearance is responsible for a very harmonious flying style, allowing the spectator to follow every maneuver with ease.
German Champion Alexander Raff flying at Faszination Modellbau Friedrichshafen
(Great young talent from the US, IMAC champion, Tucson Aerobatic Shootout Invitational Class)
"The Sukhoi is an incredible aircraft, I have around 20 flights on it, and it has been awesome every flight! There is very little coupling in the aircraft, which makes IMAC maneuvers very straight and true, and for 3D the Sukhoi just goes nuts! Tumbling maneuvers are excellent, sometimes you wonder how the plane can even do maneuvers like this! Harriers are stable, with very minimal wing rock, blenders are awesome, the center hinged ailerons really work well, the roll rate is just incredible! The plane is strong and true, and it will do anything you want it to, also important is the presentation in the air. The Sukhoi is a very scale aircraft, the lines are correct, and the shape is right, I’m not sure how CARF keeps upping the bar, but the Sukhoi is definitely the next generation in aerobatic aircraft! "
(3D-Showpilot from Germany)
"The Sukhoi is perfect for precise and clean sequence flying. You can integrate snaps very harmonically into the flight. To be honest, I had my doubts when I heared that CARF is coming out with a Sukhoi, because I haven't seen so many SUs with a scale appearance and good flight characteristics too often. But since I saw the prototype flying at the CARF Meeting and especially since I could fly the first rounds with her, the doubts disappeared totally. If 3D or pattern: You will ever enjoy the SU looking so good in the air. That plane has appearance! For sure it is one of the most impressive and biggest airframes available in the 3m-class currently. Because of the large, pin-hinged ailerons, there are also no limits in 3D. What really makes the SU-31 so attractive is the difference. The difference of any others aerobatic birds out there. You don't see it often on airshows, and this is a bonus for you. But let's see, perhaps that will change soon..."
(3D-Showpilot, several times German Acro Masters and Tucson Aerobatic Shootout competitor)
"When I heared that CARF is making a SU-31, I immediatly knew that I had to have one. I always have been a SU fan and so far, there was no Sukhoi available at the market, which both looked well or performed well in my eyes. I decided for the amazing flame scheme and this plane is in deed looking HOT! But not only that, if you're looking deeper, you will soon recognize that all experience CARF and their team pilots gained in so much years has found its way into that new secret weapon: The new pin hinged ailerons work great and let the SU perform perfect in sequence flying with excellent snap properties. In 3D the roll rate is so fast that you are not able to follow it with the controls. Amazing! The huge fuselage is not only looking impressive, but responsible for the excellent flight characteristics overall. This is the perfect plane for me!"
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118" (3000 mm) |
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110" (2800 mm) |
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41-46 Lbs (19 - 21 kg) dry |
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150 - 220 cc |
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8 - 11 high power digital servos |
