Small Pitts
09-22-2005, 02:46 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Small Pitts
I'm starting a new project. It's not 1/2A, but it is SMALL, so I thought I'd do the build thread here.
I have a .30 four stroke that is looking for a home, so I'm building a small Pitts with a 34" span.
I'm going to do it in an early biplane trainer style colour scheme.
I have a .30 four stroke that is looking for a home, so I'm building a small Pitts with a 34" span.
I'm going to do it in an early biplane trainer style colour scheme.
09-22-2005, 10:46 AM
#3
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RE: Small Pitts
What? No wing rib plans???
Sounds like a cool build though. I always wanted to build a biplane, maybe.... this could be...nahhh, the wife would kill me. (well, maybe....shhhhh)
I've got one on the bench, and two half finished in the corner.
Jack
Sounds like a cool build though. I always wanted to build a biplane, maybe.... this could be...nahhh, the wife would kill me. (well, maybe....shhhhh)
I've got one on the bench, and two half finished in the corner.
Jack
09-22-2005, 02:00 PM
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RE: Small Pitts
Where does the smoke oil tank go...? GRIN! Looks very cool...would like to see the ribs, though. I have the free demo version of Compufoil, about to buy most of the modules so I can start drawing a few myself...already have TurboCAD 3D, too.
09-22-2005, 02:53 PM
#7
Thread Starter
RE: Small Pitts
Yes, I know it's a stretch. Me, building a biplane.
It's basically a scaled down, simpified version of my Bulldog Pitts and yes I do have wing plans, but no ribs. I don't usually build wings that way.
If it flies OK, I'll make the plans available.
It's basically a scaled down, simpified version of my Bulldog Pitts and yes I do have wing plans, but no ribs. I don't usually build wings that way.
If it flies OK, I'll make the plans available.
09-23-2005, 08:45 PM
#13
Thread Starter
RE: Small Pitts
Thanks. It looks similar to the Herr free flight rubber power model.
http://www.iflyherr.com/cgi-bin/dpsm...Kits_2ehtml_01
What I'm building is a scaled down, simplified version of the .40 sized "Bulldog" Pitts that I designed a few years ago.
http://www.iflyherr.com/cgi-bin/dpsm...Kits_2ehtml_01
What I'm building is a scaled down, simplified version of the .40 sized "Bulldog" Pitts that I designed a few years ago.
09-25-2005, 10:18 AM
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RE: Small Pitts
I think I recognize that color scheme.... Sig Liberty Sport biplane?
(I've had two of those in the same scheme.... one sport scale (with a .46 and monokote), and one totally scaled out with a .60 and cloth/paint)
phil in georgetown (and denver)
(I've had two of those in the same scheme.... one sport scale (with a .46 and monokote), and one totally scaled out with a .60 and cloth/paint)
phil in georgetown (and denver)
09-25-2005, 12:19 PM
#15
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RE: Small Pitts
Yeah, the Liberty Sport scheme is the inspiration. I saw a picture of a Pitts done up like a Curtiss P6 Hawk (green instead of grey) that looked pretty good. Biplanes like the Boeing F4B-4, Curtis P6 Hawk, Grumman F3F and even the Beechcraft Staggerwing were done in similar schemes for the US Navy.
09-25-2005, 02:56 PM
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RE: Small Pitts
Bipe,
I thought I had heard some buzz about someone offering the .40-sized Bulldog S-2S as a kit or something? Sure would be nice to have someone kit a Pitts. Anyone... [
]
The little S-2S looks sweet! What a perfect home for a .30 FS!!!
-Wayne
I thought I had heard some buzz about someone offering the .40-sized Bulldog S-2S as a kit or something? Sure would be nice to have someone kit a Pitts. Anyone... [
]The little S-2S looks sweet! What a perfect home for a .30 FS!!!
-Wayne
09-25-2005, 04:03 PM
#17
Thread Starter
RE: Small Pitts
I used to offer the Bulldog and a few other planes as a short kits, but it really took too much time and I was making about $5 an hour. Ultimately, my real job and the hassles with the post office put an end to me selling kits.
Both Great Planes and Cermark make giant scale ARF Pitts and Wattage makes a small electric about right for a .15.
Both Great Planes and Cermark make giant scale ARF Pitts and Wattage makes a small electric about right for a .15.
09-25-2005, 05:28 PM
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RE: Small Pitts
I guess I should be glad that I have two Midwest Pitts S-1 kits on hand, and the Steen drawings for the full-scale S-1C & SS. I'll have to draw my own one of these days!
The GP Pitts (S-2S) and Cermark (S-2B?) are nice, but I'm surprised there aren't any kits or ARF's for the S-1. I don't know what the Wattage is supposed to be, I'm not familiar enough with it. There's a fella in Germany (I think) that sells a 1/3 scale kit of the S-1, but it's upwards of $600. Whoooo!
Too much for me!
Anyway, I didn't mean to hijack the thread. Back to the little Pitts!
-Wayne
The GP Pitts (S-2S) and Cermark (S-2B?) are nice, but I'm surprised there aren't any kits or ARF's for the S-1. I don't know what the Wattage is supposed to be, I'm not familiar enough with it. There's a fella in Germany (I think) that sells a 1/3 scale kit of the S-1, but it's upwards of $600. Whoooo!
Too much for me!Anyway, I didn't mean to hijack the thread. Back to the little Pitts!
-Wayne
09-25-2005, 06:13 PM
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RE: Small Pitts
Please, do put the rounded wing tips and tail sections on the plane. And, I suppose, while I'm wishing, how about a round cowl, to make an S-12???
Just wishing, do what you wish...
phil in georgetown (and Denver)
Just wishing, do what you wish...
phil in georgetown (and Denver)
09-25-2005, 06:32 PM
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RE: Small Pitts
ORIGINAL: Bipe Flyer
The wing cores are sheeted with 1/32" balsa and Polyurethane glue.
The wing cores are sheeted with 1/32" balsa and Polyurethane glue.
I'm curious as to your sheeting process with p/u glue. I assume you spread it on the sheeting and scrape off almost all of it to get it as light as possible?? Prolly doesn't take much.
09-25-2005, 06:56 PM
#21
Thread Starter
RE: Small Pitts
Phil,
Yes, it will have the rounded tips. It's an S2S. Well, consider it a home built S2S where the builder took some liberties. Actually, it's surprising how much variation there is between different builds of the same model. Some have the usual Pitts gear, some don't, some have rounded tips, some have square tips, some have a cutout above the pilot, others don't etc.
Milton,
Yes, just run a bead down the centre of the balsa sheet and use a playing card to spread a thin coat; just enough to look wet. The sheets don't need to be joined before sheeting either. Just coat the sheets and lay them over the foam, tape the seams, mist the entire wing with some water, put them back in the foam saddles and lay a board on top with about 50 Lbs over night. The glue will foam into the seams and can be sanded flush the next day.
Here are 2 close up pictures showing the difference between a tight seam and one that has a slight gap. The polyurethane fills it for you.
Yes, it will have the rounded tips. It's an S2S. Well, consider it a home built S2S where the builder took some liberties.
Actually, it's surprising how much variation there is between different builds of the same model. Some have the usual Pitts gear, some don't, some have rounded tips, some have square tips, some have a cutout above the pilot, others don't etc.Milton,
Yes, just run a bead down the centre of the balsa sheet and use a playing card to spread a thin coat; just enough to look wet. The sheets don't need to be joined before sheeting either. Just coat the sheets and lay them over the foam, tape the seams, mist the entire wing with some water, put them back in the foam saddles and lay a board on top with about 50 Lbs over night. The glue will foam into the seams and can be sanded flush the next day.
Here are 2 close up pictures showing the difference between a tight seam and one that has a slight gap. The polyurethane fills it for you.
09-25-2005, 09:43 PM
#23
RE: Small Pitts
This is going to be a nice plane for that engine! It will be interesting to hear how this plane compares to the .40 sized one. What do you look for when you are picking out 1/32" for wing sheeting? Most of the stuff that I've ever seen at the LHS is tough and stringy.
09-25-2005, 11:46 PM
#24
Thread Starter
RE: Small Pitts
When picking balsa sheeting for wings, if it ain't light, it ain't right! Whenever I go into the LHS, I search through the bin and pick out the best few pieces of 1/32 A grain balsa to add to my stock. When I get home I weigh and label each sheet. Up to about 12 grams for a 4X32" sheet is good for wrapping around the leading edge and up to 16 grams is OK for the flatter portion going back to the trailing edge. I've seen sheets vary from 8 grams to 30 grams, if you can believe it.