RC India

Got this from Mr Sai,

Unboxing

1. I got the  one with motor prop and other stuff , without the ESC [Since i already had one]
2. The Elapor is tougher than Multiplex Stuff (Since I own Parkmaster Acromaster and Funjet i can say that), appears more dense. Strength is a shade more than Multiplex stuff.
3. It came with all other hardware necessary (Minus Y Connector and Control Horns) incl prop saver (Is prop saver required for a pusher ?), anyway one more prop saver wouldn't hurt, (I wish he had given prop nut instead)
4. Horizontal and Vert Stab came in a separate pack (I dunno why)
5. Wing Joiner and Longitudinal CF Rod came with it. (Multiplex gives one plastic string, CF Rod is better)
6. I has elevator, Aileron and Rudder
7. Print quality of the manual was poor (Printed out of ink runout inkjet printer)

for the build quality and hardware supplied i would give 8 ★ out of 10

Edit
Not much, minor changes

Watch this space for build and fly log, may be FPV (If this platform proves itself)

I have also purchased the same.
But elevator and rudder were missing from my pack..... :headscratch:
However , i talked with rcforall and the parts are on way  :)

They should make a checklist of parts to be packed.

Prop saver is not a good idea, if it slips on the shaft it can rip out the motor mount and damage the tail boom.

I have also bought the same but only airframe. My package through DTDC unluckily came mauled by the courier chaps :'(.

The wing foam cover for the carbon fiber rod slot were missing and the Nose and tail of the fuse was also damaged.

However Mr Sai was very kind enough to send me a replacement. The replacement are on the way.  :thanks: to Mr Sai.

I agree with Winco on the quality of foam it is different and much better than any other foam I have seen till date. I am eagerly waiting for the replacement to arrive to add to the build log.

Dry Fit Shikra

1. Clarification :- There is no Y Connector, you'll have to buy one if you need one (I won't need because i will be putting them on different channel for Elevon, Crow and Flaps)

PS
Did you see the gorgeous beaver in the background, next build log and Fly log 'Thunder Tiger Beaver'

Coro Canopy ? the concept is unconventional and the achilles heels as far as shikra i concerned ,
for such a beautiful aircraft caro canopy ???, a wooden mold and hot blown plastic sheet would have sufficed ? may be Mr Sai was racing against time. Once going onto FPV, in any case , out goes the canopy

 :iagree:

All the AXNs come with prop-savers, and they do seem to work very well.

I had an incidence when one blade of the prop on my easystar broke in half, in flight. The motor mount came off clean and had severe damage to the boom. But then again i have never seen an AXN so may be i should :-X

Was not able to locate this model on Sai's store.. what are the specs and price?

I started the build, then realized there is no motor mount, the manual supplied showed BMI models so searched there and learnt , Shikra is reversed engineered BMI Models Arrow (http://www.bmi-models.com/#en/12630_-_Arrow/6/3893)

Nothing wrong with that, same Arrow in India would cost you a bomb probably, Since Shikra's manual is incomplete i am enclosing Arrow manual here (Size is big therefore only the link), meanwhile cutting out the bottom portion of the slowstick mount and trying to make a motor mount, so the build has to wait till Sunday, also trying our polyfix CA (Got it from VK for cheap, let us see if it works [i guess for 45 :Rs:]

Manual for Shikra can be found here (http://www.rcindia.org/myfiles/Shikra_Glider_Assembly_Instructions.pdf)

Complete Arrow/Shikra Manual can be found here (http://www.bmi-models.com/download/Arrow%20manual.pdf)

Manual that came with Shikra is a few pages of above mentioned manual

You can send me the manual, and I will make it available.  Even better, Sai should send the most updated one.

i'll email, this is what he made, he is in china as we speak, may take some time

Gusty sir i received my Shikra too but what about the mount the gws type stick mount has to  be modified i guess...

If its like easystar then you can mount it on an empty can of old brushed motor like the permax 400.
I've mounted an outrunner on my easystar like this (http://www.rcindia.org/electric-planes/upgrading-brushless-motor-for-easy-star/msg50338/#msg50338).

The Shikra will be sent from now in a hard corrugated box.
As for the canopy a bubble canopy is impossible to make for around 100 planes the cost is high , so I fell back on what I know best coro the versatile alternative  looks a bit wierd but having my origins in Coro I tend to be a bit poor on asthetics .
Sai

Mr sai, i made one transparent Canopy (Traveled to calcuttta to do it), will post soon, motor mount from RCD, should look good , smaller batt from VK just arrived. By Wed i should be getting her into air, Insah Allah

Gusty sir : I am also making the same. There were some issues with the glue i had (Bondtite) , and so had to reglue a couple of parts and so m behind on it. Could you please help me with the canopy ?

This is my Shikra assembled complete only the control linkages need to be connected and electronics rigged.

 Any guess the motor mount is made of what?

I did not receive the screws for the control horns too so some modification with 1.5 mm carbon rods there too.

The replacement fuse was also delivered mauled by DTDC, even though it was nicely packed in two layers of elapor foam. Therefore the fuse and the nose is slightly deformed even though repaired.

I have a 2805, a Turborix 2000 which is rewound after a burnout which is also now having close to 3000 KV, and a 5000 KV 200 watts motor. All suitable for 2S setup. I am unable to makeup my mind on which one to use.

Great build Sundaram sir! hope you soon would hit the Clouds. If you have a spare 2mm solid/6mm flat CF Rod, I would suggest you to re-inforce:

1. Belly of the fuse with 6mm Flat/2.5mm Solid CF Rod and put wide Fiber Tape over it.
2. The Tail plane with 2mm
3. Elevator with 2mm
4. reinforce leading edges of wing and Tail with Fiber Tape.
5. Cut the Ailerons and re-hinge with Scotch tape.

I have no doubt the Shikra is part by part compatible to AXN Floater/Clouds Fly. But looking at the motor mount, I feel that it would have been better that at least the original Motor mount of AXN was provided with the Shikra kit. But then this is the story with all 'Crash Kit' of all the famous models. You pay  through the neck for stupid parts, if at all they are available.

I am posting the pic of the motor mount. It fits so well like a glove on the motor Pod!! Great design to allow range of motor to be fitted!!

can it hold a 2200maH 3s1p , 25C lipo.......

Thanks Ujjwaana,

I was also planning on doing the reinforcement part as spelled out by point 1-5. I have a GWS stick mount, Then I thought why not improvise.

Beauty part is this foam is unaffected by solvent based glass paints also. I have done some sample paints on the pieces cut out from wing surface (foam injection burs) with acrylic, enamel, solvent based paint and solvent based glass paint. will update result after studying the adhesion and durability of all types.

If adhesion of glass paint is good it will give a shiny smooth finish and bright colour because of white background.

Is there any way I can use an existing 2s battery in this plane? Using a different motor, maybe?
Excuse the noobness, but may just look into getting into planes :)

@Ujjwaana if 2812/7 2200 KV Photographs posted by you, works fine then a 2812/6 2200KV also should work fine with 3S I suppose?

Divyam ,
The std I supply is a 2 S 1300 mah battery it works fine with a 2805 /2840 KV motor and when check with watt meter the draw is below 20 amps.

I found this combo is the best for beginners as the plane is docile and easier to control as compared to a 3 S.

Sai

As long as it is around 2200Kv (for a 6x4 prop or less) and draws around 20AMP, it should be good for the plane, provided your efficiency is not terribly wrong below 60% or less.

And beginners, even though this plane does not have high roll rates, it has a nasty tendency to do a tip stall at tight turns/while trying to loop/inverted. So for the 5-6 flights, fly at atleast 50-60% Dual Rates.

As Sai sir has specified, with a 2S, try to have a Motor with even higher KV, like 2800Kv+

Here it goes
2805 5x3 prop ( same setup as sandy)
Flew with 1000 mah 2s, 1300 mah 3s, 2200 mah 3s.
Flying time 20 25 & 37 mts soaring, less than half of that in extreme aeros.
Tried hover since aileron is out of prop wash torque roll was imminent, so could somewhat control It with low power setting tailsliding manouvre.
+1 on tip stall. This one surely is for intermediate soarers not for beginners.
Ht loss in a power off stall is 30 feet and stall is 6 degs( so don't give it to a novice he will stall it on finals).
Flew from 45 mm to 55 mm aft CG. at 55 slightly difficult to control.
As a FPV platform,? I doubt it. Cam can be mounted though.
Honest opinion
Between shikra and easystar, ? Easy star anyday, easystar is more forgiving and beter designed,

Once anwar bhai tells me how to upload pics from my iphone will upload some good pics of shikras in formation etc , presently online from my iphone4 only, no pc internet as yet

I don't think that is natively supported.  You can try AirMe to push them out to one of the photo sharing sites, and then link them from here.  There is also a non-free browser called iCabMobile, which claims to have upload capability.

Recents events reminded me of the simple solution of sending the photos to someone via email, and them uploading it ;D

PS: Why do people tend to overcomplicate their lives ?  8-)

Over complicate ?  8-)

Anwar Bhai,

Some of the best photographs loaded on the forum is from my Phone directly. In fact of late almost all photographs are directly uploaded from my Phone.

Its only that my official camera man is all huffed and puffed since he is missing out all his flying and i am unable to get him to shoot. you know which little pilot I am talking about.

Further I have started to just enjoy only flying, so not cared to shoot.

May be just I should carry Ashta sir's patented Hat camera next time to get good video's.

Some of the gusty's Photographs I could extract from his FB.

Gr8 pics thanks, I was trying to call you to take it from fb and upload. My email couldn't upload easily, in fb I could upload easily, troubled santhosh finally, thanks to both of you. Hand is swollen and paining, high on 500 mg antibiotics, for two days off flying looks like, or could I try it with one hand ... Mmmm let me think about it.

Sad news is my 7C is missing, probably from the field ,

That is very sad. Even I remembered and was wanting to ask you if you had located 7C till now after seeing the last photo above. I am sure that you did not leave it on tarmac. you packed it in your Tx Case when it started raining.

I am hopping like hell you will locate it with someone or somewhere you went after you left tarmac that day.

In one option 2805 comes with it. Use 2 cell batt , if using 3 cell later might have to change your prop to 5x3 . However 2805 is designed for 2 cell 7.4 volt. 2822 is not a bad option either. Combo esc motor and prop available with RCD.

Avatar colour scheme to scare all eagle away  :giggle:

Love it!!
:goodjob:

 :thanks:

Sandy,
I see you.

  8-)   ;D

2805 motor that came along got burnt in midair, did a smokey landing at a picnic spot, changed to 2822 motor, will use 5x3 prop, or else will go with 5x5, for small hiccup please read (http://www.rcindia.org/electric-planes/new-arrivals-fpv-raptor-soaring-eagle-pheonix-indoor-mini-cessna-popwing/msg73900/#msg73900) and subsequent, response by mr sai,

Sandy has the same setup, same motor, his is working perfectly fine, may be I got a bad motor, ( it lasted for 10-15 flights though) , it was the third flight of the day with more than 1/2 gap between flights.

OMG !!!   >:D  (:|~  >:( :o  ;D  ;)

How come gusty's shikra turned out to be more beautiful than mine.

 ;D

What paint was used ?

It is alled the silk colors ,from fevicrl, not available these days easily, I love the peocock theme, tomorrow we are going to fly both my scratch built, yellow and white bird( please suggest a name. For it) and these shikras

My is Turuk Macto, the Rider of the Last Shadow.

The other day, due to Shikra doing flying which it is not supposed to, the wing dislodged in flight, uncontrolled spin, recovered it wading through the slush (Sandy and I),
anyways

Gusty

Please let us all know what it is/was supposed to do/be doing, if not "doing flying"? ;D

it did a flick roll, flat spin landing, let me see,  and pylon racing, for starters. will Mr Sai approve of it  :headscratch:

Mine is mix of fevicryl silk colours over solvent based glass colours and Gusty's is purely Solvent Based Glass colours. Interesting it is that EPO is totally not affected by solvent based colours and paints unlike any other foam which would have been eaten up with solvent based colours, EPO is just not affected. Infact water based glass colours tend to flake away on aberrations but not the solvent based ones. In Fact I tried using clear coat and plain colour glass colours as fixative and gloss. it works perfectly.

Gusty, That Reminds me I have to rewind your 2805 to a 2000KV so that we can do that formation flying again in near future.

got myself an another motor from Rcforallin for a 3s till you so. ;)

After so many flights with Camera etc, few points emerged.

(1) Consider fixing wings permanently, there is a danger of it coming off in the air

(2) 2805 came back on with rewound motor (9 Turn per pole, Thanks to Sandy and his electrical Engineering mind)

(3) be careful of down Thrust , adjust thrust line properly.

(4) 2805 5x3 prop is the best combo. with a 2s Batt ( For you Divyam), can use 3s at your own risk of course, Key is get airborne and climb with 70% power and fly at 50- 40 5 power with 3s

i haven't taken a flight yet ,thinking of a maiden this week end if weather permits also what about the canopy cover any suggestions ..me gonna paint the shikra metallic black with some detailed graffiti on them , let the kites/crows have a electronic lookalike  to chase  ;D

servo on the boom ??? you will require more nose weight as it is with 2s she requires some nose weight

iam fixing it with an edf lets see how it goes ,,have got a tunigy 4200kv  nd 64mm 5 blade edf with 2200mah nanotech

At last I got to load some random pics of my Shikra, With custom (pepsi bottle)  ;) canopy.

With some 'Red white and Blue' masking tape coloring scheme (missed picking up some paint... beside I don't have the brush talent like Gusty and Sandy)  :giggle:

Put some fishing lead as weight for CG at about 51mm from LE, Gusty thanks for help with my DX7 (DR and Expo)!!!

All the electronics from rcforallin. (Sai thanks for sending in Carbon fiber rods that got lost in transit)

Had few 'interesting' flights whenever I found some time...

 

Some more...

super joe, as good as you music skills, :thumbsup: i still feel you can re-route the esc properly , also blow some hot air :giggle: over those tapes, it will stretch and sit nicely

PS
painting skills is all sandy, i am a flier ;)

 :giggle: Yes Sir, HOT AIR from every where  :giggle:

Didn't think of that... will do it.. after the Esc remap!

cheers

Cool canopy  :thumbsup:

Could have used sprite/ thumpsup instead of pepsi. comes out more nice.  :)

Sprite will give it one more color too... will try and update.

I had a cart wheel at the last landing and the fuse gave way right at the spot where the carbon fiber rod finishes...

So took it apart, used this as the best opportunity to put the Esc inside, I cut a channel for the motor wires, tucked the Esc inside.
Then took a piece of Lead from my fishing box... Hot glued it to the fiber rod... made a similar hole on the other side... hotglued this and used Cyno for the rest of the Fuse....

Sandy, I got a green, smaller canopy...

Gusty, Hot air did good... lol!

more...

Currently, we are heavily practicing on FMS sim. I am realizing how important to practice on sim. Lest each flight would cost me a new plane.

I have done the necessary solders of Motors and ESCs with 4mm gold connectors. Where can I get following motor mount?? I dont want to experiment much.

http://www.rcindia.org/electric-planes/shikra-build-and-fly-log-from-rcforall/msg63227/#msg63227


Vishwas

Mr Sai AFAIK,is shipping motor mount also, so u dont have to look for it

Thanx augustine,

PM and mail sent to Mr. Sai.

Vishwas

No regrets at all, buying and flying Shikra

"Sai darjayega, ye log mere shikra ke saath kya kar rahe hai!"   :giggle: :giggle: :giggle: :giggle:

Did i say that ?

I am pretty sure!! :D

1. Which glue should I be using for Shikra?? I have read about cyano in this thread. Can I use Quickfix which is available in local stationary shop?? Any specific tips for glueing of Shikra??

2. Generally, I have seen, ailerons are controlled by a silgle servo. But in shikra, there is a seperate slot for servo on each wing. How to control both servos with a single channel? I have HK-T6A V2.

My questions may be very elementary but it is my fault that I can not dedicate enough time on the forum.

Regards

Vishwas

standard CA would do, dont use Quickfix, it eats foams slowly  ;D


for aileron use a 'Y' Cable, thereby connecting both servos to the 'Y' and the common end of the 'Y' goes into your aileron channel

Got the motor mount and Y cable from rcforall. I have everything except battery and Glue. I have already put an order to HK for the batt.

Dear Mr. Sai and all others,

The motor mount- as far as I can make out -is of slow stick. I have another problem. :headscratch: This does not fit on the plane. How to go about it?? any directions?? :help: :help:

I am little confused about glue. :headscratch: :headscratch: Augustine has mentioned about standard cyano. What is the brand name of  "standard cyano"?? How much minimum I should have??  :-\

Regards
Vishwas

Bump :help: :help:

you need to cut and file the mount or , read this thread in the earlier portions you will see some mod done for the mount, it is a pusher config so mount is not as crtical but the motor must be mounted flat on the mount for the thrust line,  CA(Cyno) you will find it in any hardware store for your info in mumbai these are the manufacturers, there is tele nos included call them first (http://www.grotal.com/Mumbai/Cyanoacrylate-Adhesive-Manufacturers-C45/)

i hope it answers your questions

Indian brands of CA glue are Anabond , Feviquick etc .
Search the threads for common names for products I remember it being there  somewhere in the material thread

Sai

Thanx Augustine and Sai,

I will use FEVIQUICK. It is available with me. I am a bit worried about refurbishing of motor mount due my inadequate skills. But I will give a try.

Vishwas

When you fix a motor mount on a pusher you need to understand that it has to be angled in such a way that the thrust line intersects the vertical CG Line  about 1-1.5 cm below the CG  , this will create a resultant upward force acting in front of the CG thus lifting the nose up on take off  . This can be done using a scale in the case of the Shikra and getting a fair idea of the thrust line in relation to the CG .

The easy way to do this is to hold the fuse without the wing lightly suspended by two fingers at the CG line in a such a way that it is free to oscillate.
After fitting and powering up the motor , when you throttle up note the tendency of the nose and adjust the angle of the motor by giving packing at either the top or the bottom of the motor mount till the nose has a very slight pitch up or level  tendency this will ensure a smooth take off . I don't know how to better explain this in words .

Please note the angle should not be too high either otherwise the nose up tendency will be too high resulting in a stall.

Sai

Checked everything. Batt, ESC, Motor, servos, Tx, Rx. Everything working fine. Aileron servos connected. Initially I was a bit confused about the programming of ESC, but later came to know that there is no need to program it.

I am not getting fibre tape in our local market. Does anyone know a shop in chembur/Vashi?? Of course, I can purchase it from one of the online dealers.

Pushrod is thicker for servo arm/control horn holes. Can not connect with Z bends. So I am using nylon clevises at both ends. But there is some 'play' as locking is not perfect and some sideways movement is possible. will this pose any problem. I will upload photos by evening.

Regards

Vishwas

Hi all,

I have started to put together the parts.  As I posted earlier, the push rod is thicker and hence can not be used with z bends for servo arm and control horn. Hence, I tried to put clevises at both ends. But the movement was not very smooth.

I put an order to rcforall for push rod connectors and fit them as shown in the picture. Please tell me if I have done correctly. The problem I am facing is, the screw tends to become loose with movement and may fall off. What is the solution to this??


My other query is about the CF rod length for boom. It will be clear from the pictures that the CF rod is not reaching to the end of boom. Where I should put the CF rod?? At the end of tail or towards wings?? Other question is about the strength of part of boom not covered by CF rod.

I am a complete newbie and do not know much. This is my first plane and I seek a lot of guidance from everyone on this forum.

Regards
Vishwas

That is because your link connector should rotate about its axis (don't over tighten it it will bend the push rod and load your servo and the horn), the washer that's why goes below and you need to drop a little thread lock so that the connector nut doesn't fall off in flight.


..Thread lock


Neither, Could be in the centre, actually it is not required at all (Neither Easy star nor Sky surfer has any boom CF), [is it wing joiner cf tube ?)

any issues do post, don't be in a hurry take your time, do consult for cg issues

Thanks Augustine,


Can I put  little epoxy to lock the thread?? :headscratch:


It is not wing joinder CF tube. That is much longer and that I have put in correct place. From the slot in the boom, I could figure out that it is meant for boom.

I have mounted by motor. Pic here.

http://www.rcindia.org/electric-power/help-with-motor-and-its-mount/msg94115/#25

Please comment and give suggestions.

Regards

Vishwas

Dear all,

How about putting landing gear to Shikra?? Which one and how to fix?? I am afraid I may damage the bottom foam while landing. Has anyone tried before the landing gear on Shikra??

Regards
Vishwas

Dear rcpilotcacro,

What do you mean by too nose down?? Shall I reduce the motor angle??

Vishwas

You need to, go with the stock angle, it is perfect also you need to strengthen base of the motor pod

I will do that. Thanks for your response.

Vishwas

EDIT: I am putting a link of post with photos for everyone to comment and help

http://www.rcindia.org/wanted/motor-mount-for-shikra-glider/msg97614/#msg97614

---

Moderator Note: Unnecessary quote removed.

hi,

I want to plan shakira for my son to fly, so can i plan 3 channel or i have to go with 4 channel only

just want to reduce weight now

Shikra
For son is not a good idea, it is a very agile glider. easy star or sky surfer will be better.

sorry, i already bought it .

My son was able to fly a GWS beaver and also practices on SIM.

I beleive a 3 ch will be easy for him to handle.

dear all,

i did buy the shikra and put the fuse together,

Now i have some problems and need advise
1. Motor seems to point upwards
    - is the angle to the wing center line or the bottom line
2. How to join the wing
    - Glue  or not
    - Not able to understand how to configure the wing servo wiring. it is obstructing

need hhelp

Hi ,
1) Motor pointing upwards : there is a scientific reason for this motor position in the case of all pushers like the shikra ie the motor thrust line passing slightly below the CG will produce a resultant upward moment in front of the CG there by lifting the nose when the motor is on.
This is especially useful at the time of take off.
2) You can use anabond or feviquick to glue
3) I will post  photos for the aeilron servo mounting in a day or two as time permits
 
Sai

thanks

But do you think i should glue the wings or just keep them together with magnets
i prefer removable wings for transportation and storage

there is hardly any space for wiring of aileron to be connected with Y connector
, what is the best method of placement

Just cut a hole in the foam lower plate inside the slot for wing fitment for 'Y' cable.

Stick the wing with magnets that is OK.
I have the Y connector come out of the receiver into the wing cavity on the fuse and the two aileron servos connect to this.

Sai

hi,

i test flew my shikra today,

There was no dip on take off as expected from all these flyers.

But what i faced issue is that the plane has a high tendency to dip to the right and go in circles.
I still did not glue the wings or apply any wing retainer method of magnet/rubber band.
Also i did not setup the ailerons and wanted to try a 3ch operation on this plane
Rudder is perfectly straight

what could be the possible reason of plane dipping to the right
1. Wing : not 100% secured
2. Normally required to trim any plane with ailerons

So i need advise why the plane is turning right and the possible cure

where do you fly in delhi???

Turning right ... check
1. Ailerons are fixed ( since you have 3Ch operation) straight and no movement possible ( stick tape to ensure)
2. Motor shaft to point to rudder
3. Rudder to be straight
4.Balance and see if the right wing is heavier...

i fly near mayapuri flyer , there is a big park and takes park flyers very easily,

I am trying Shikra near the rajouri garden malls as space is very big.

hi,

again i want to share the beauty of flying shikra

My take on this bird
1. It is very stable flyer in the sky
2. I am using only 3channel, still flyable except that the rudder turn seems less professional
3. Make CG ahead of the carbon spar and it will fly stably

Pictures and video to follow  :thumbsup:

Some bugs needs expert advise  :banghead:
1. It is difficult to take off (Even with up trim & 60~70% trottle
This bird requires you to give good throttle and give a hard toss in the air, takes about 15~20 meters to get air worthy
Dont fly this in the evening as the air becomes thin and the plan will dip into the ground faster than you think
Is there a better way
2. Tried the Dip method to find if this is nose heavy or not
Result : Astonishing behaviour in the air, Dip the nose and close throttle
           Dips the nose & it comes back level, again dips the nose and come back level (Oscilates and slowly losses altitude
why this happen
3. You cannot crash it
This plane is a trainer plane and no matter how much you want it to crash, it will not. I have safely landed after loosing radio link 2 to 3 times
4. Why it does not fly straight
If it goes right , it keeps on going right , if you can the direction then it will keep on going left.
Why it does not fly straight (Is this related to CG)

1.  A very good Javelin Throw 30-40 degrees up (Real hard one) with 50-60% throttle is the only way. No up trim required. Let it follow attitude from 30-40 degrees up to level and then some 10-20 degrees down by this time it would have attained some speed now gradually pull elevator as well as open throttle gradually. Premature Opening of throttle before attaining speed results in it getting dashed to ground due to upward thrust angle. Pulling of elevator early also prevents in attaining speed faster (Uptrim).

2.   I am suspecting due to your uptrim not getting fully evened out. Or may be due to too light AUW if so make it further CG forward.

4.   Unlike an easystar the self leveling capability of shikra is slow. You should fly with aileron it is a pleasure to fly with it.

My all time best airframe too. On a 1300 mah I have glided for nearly 35-40mins.

Well my experience with it  has been in  our high wind conditions .
1) 75++ % throttle into a strong head wind gets her up fairly quickly by Shikra Standards but the take off is slow on low wind conditions.
2) The right turn I suspect might have something to do with the thrust line as you have ruled out other obvious reasons like ailerons etc , check if the  turn is opposite to the motor direction , if yes then it could indicate a slight torque roll , which could be rectified with a slight offset to the motor by a couple of degrees .
I have not experienced this but could be a possibility . The other possibility could be a slight angular   difference  at the polyhedral. Both these are valid possibilities if the roll indicated by you is in the same direction irrespective of the wind direction.

Sai