Piper Tri Pacer ARF
11-12-2013, 05:27 AM
#76
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Bill,
I'm the one who feels for you. You have put a lot of time into this plane. Something as basic and necessary as the placement of a motor mount should have been done correctly at the factory. So should have all the other problems you have dealt with. You have done me a great favor with this thread in that I won't be buying this model. I'll continue to follow along because I want to see the pics when you finally fly it.
Thanks,
John
I'm the one who feels for you. You have put a lot of time into this plane. Something as basic and necessary as the placement of a motor mount should have been done correctly at the factory. So should have all the other problems you have dealt with. You have done me a great favor with this thread in that I won't be buying this model. I'll continue to follow along because I want to see the pics when you finally fly it.
Thanks,
John
11-13-2013, 04:10 AM
#77
I was right in the assumption that the centering "cross hairs" laser etched on the
firewall were off, the horizontal one is correct but the vertical one was of by approx.
9/32". I laid tape on the firewall marking the horizontal line on it and then measured
from each side of the firewall to get my center, using a compass I preset the approx.
distance in and then kept adjusting to get dead center of the horizontal line and then
measured above and below the horizontal line 1 3/16" (half of the engine mount width)
to get my upper and lower line-up marks, clamped down engine mount making sure
the marks on the engine mount were on the centering lines. using my "dead center
hole locator", I marked the firewall for the new mounting holes. http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXK378&P=ML
BTW for all of you new guys, whether you are assembling ARF's, building kits or
scratch building, this is a must have in you shop tools. Had to do a little more surgery
on the cowl but now I fits correctly.
For all of you out there that purchased this ARF, I am sending my comments to Hobby People's
technical staff on this one so maybe the next batch of these ARF kits will be corrected. But all in
all this should turn out to be quite a nice airplane.
Also would like to thank my advisor and mentor for many years, Farley, for all of the advise and
support he has given when I have a problem and can't quite figure it out, he's my go to guy, just
a phone call away.
Will be posting pics this evening, have to pick up a new card for my 35mm digital camera.
Bill D.
firewall were off, the horizontal one is correct but the vertical one was of by approx.
9/32". I laid tape on the firewall marking the horizontal line on it and then measured
from each side of the firewall to get my center, using a compass I preset the approx.
distance in and then kept adjusting to get dead center of the horizontal line and then
measured above and below the horizontal line 1 3/16" (half of the engine mount width)
to get my upper and lower line-up marks, clamped down engine mount making sure
the marks on the engine mount were on the centering lines. using my "dead center
hole locator", I marked the firewall for the new mounting holes. http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXK378&P=ML
BTW for all of you new guys, whether you are assembling ARF's, building kits or
scratch building, this is a must have in you shop tools. Had to do a little more surgery
on the cowl but now I fits correctly.
For all of you out there that purchased this ARF, I am sending my comments to Hobby People's
technical staff on this one so maybe the next batch of these ARF kits will be corrected. But all in
all this should turn out to be quite a nice airplane.
Also would like to thank my advisor and mentor for many years, Farley, for all of the advise and
support he has given when I have a problem and can't quite figure it out, he's my go to guy, just
a phone call away.
Will be posting pics this evening, have to pick up a new card for my 35mm digital camera.
Bill D.
11-13-2013, 08:01 PM
#78
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if the firewall is built offset for thrust, the vertical line will not be centered on firewall, but off the left (driver side) so that prop hub will be centered with cowl opening
EDIT
I did read that you are aware of this on page 4, so just omit the above.
EDIT
I did read that you are aware of this on page 4, so just omit the above.
Last edited by nitro wing; 11-13-2013 at 08:06 PM.
11-13-2013, 08:09 PM
#79
The cowl is molded to compensate for the offset thrust built into the firewall,
hence the reason that the "cross hairs" for engine alignment being off. You
would have to be assembling this one and examine the cowl to see what I
am referring to.
I had also hoped to post a few more pics but a low battery in the camera
has made that impossible, will try again tomorrow......Stay tuned..........
Bill D.
Last edited by Bill Diedrich; 11-14-2013 at 03:53 AM.
11-15-2013, 06:28 AM
#80
Been trying to post photos of my progress for 2 days now something going on with
photo razor, RCU won't accept resized photos or regular ones from my card out of
the camera........so the bash and assembley is still ongoing, maybe I'll get this figured
out somehow this weekend.
photo razor, RCU won't accept resized photos or regular ones from my card out of
the camera........so the bash and assembley is still ongoing, maybe I'll get this figured
out somehow this weekend.
11-16-2013, 04:41 AM
#85
OK this is where I'm at the moment, will be finishing the landing gear fairings,
finish trimming out the cowl for the muffler exit, then onto mounting the servos
and covering the top of fuselage to finishing out, then on to the wings next week.
finish trimming out the cowl for the muffler exit, then onto mounting the servos
and covering the top of fuselage to finishing out, then on to the wings next week.
11-17-2013, 06:22 AM
#87
Bill D.
Last edited by Bill Diedrich; 11-17-2013 at 06:27 AM.
11-17-2013, 09:53 AM
#88
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I agree
am 43 now, started building and flying in 1989 - built around 60-70 kits probably 40-50 arfs and doing 4 scratchbuilds from plans now. There are not many ARFs that interest me at the moment, and its fun scaling up the size you want from plans and modifying it to suit.
some ARF's exceeding 500-800$ at that point I start really considering doing my own build. I have lots of planes to fly, so am not in a rush to get something built fast.
am 43 now, started building and flying in 1989 - built around 60-70 kits probably 40-50 arfs and doing 4 scratchbuilds from plans now. There are not many ARFs that interest me at the moment, and its fun scaling up the size you want from plans and modifying it to suit.
some ARF's exceeding 500-800$ at that point I start really considering doing my own build. I have lots of planes to fly, so am not in a rush to get something built fast.
11-23-2013, 10:21 AM
#89
Hey guys, for those of you following Tri-Pacer make-over, I have had to temporarily
shelf this project as I am currently in hospital undergoing treatment for a rather severe
case of "Cellulitis" in my right leg. For those not informed about this condition, it is an
infection of the soft tissue just under the skin, very painful, and if left untreated I could
not only loose my leg but also my life if "Gangrene" were to set in. My doctor says it
is by far the worst case he has ever seen. Will more than likely be here for 2-3 weeks
getting a total of 8 hours of antibiotic's daily.
Will get back to Tri-Pacer once I get back home, so stay tuned.............
Bill D.
shelf this project as I am currently in hospital undergoing treatment for a rather severe
case of "Cellulitis" in my right leg. For those not informed about this condition, it is an
infection of the soft tissue just under the skin, very painful, and if left untreated I could
not only loose my leg but also my life if "Gangrene" were to set in. My doctor says it
is by far the worst case he has ever seen. Will more than likely be here for 2-3 weeks
getting a total of 8 hours of antibiotic's daily.
Will get back to Tri-Pacer once I get back home, so stay tuned.............
Bill D.
12-06-2013, 04:19 AM
#92
Hope you both have had enough treatment to obliterate the disease, I am currently under the care of an
"Infection & Disease Physician" and will be under going home infusion for he next 6 to 8 weeks of 3 different
antibiotics to rid my system of this infection, went yesterday and had a dual port "Pic Line" installed in my left
arm, looks like all of my spare time in the evenings will be "hooked up" to an IV. But docs have cleared me to
return to work on Monday............So might get maybe an hour each evening and sometime on the weekends
to get this bird finished...............Stay tuned I'll get there eventually, really looking forward to the maiden in 2014.
Bill D.
"Infection & Disease Physician" and will be under going home infusion for he next 6 to 8 weeks of 3 different
antibiotics to rid my system of this infection, went yesterday and had a dual port "Pic Line" installed in my left
arm, looks like all of my spare time in the evenings will be "hooked up" to an IV. But docs have cleared me to
return to work on Monday............So might get maybe an hour each evening and sometime on the weekends
to get this bird finished...............Stay tuned I'll get there eventually, really looking forward to the maiden in 2014.
Bill D.
02-24-2014, 03:47 AM
#93
Well guys I have been cleared by the doctor to resume my normal
activities, so I'll be getting back out to the shop and getting a little done
on the Tri-Pacer each evening, looks like "Spring" is right round the
corner want to have it ready for it's maiden soon as this up and down
temps and rainy stuff comes to an end.
On another note I would like to thank all of those that sent me "Get Well
Wishes" during my battle with this Cellulitis, it was a long process with
several daily infusions over a course of the last 13-14 weeks, but we have
won the battle and the disease is gone...........again many thanks to all who
kept checking in on me through PM's
Bill D.
activities, so I'll be getting back out to the shop and getting a little done
on the Tri-Pacer each evening, looks like "Spring" is right round the
corner want to have it ready for it's maiden soon as this up and down
temps and rainy stuff comes to an end.
On another note I would like to thank all of those that sent me "Get Well
Wishes" during my battle with this Cellulitis, it was a long process with
several daily infusions over a course of the last 13-14 weeks, but we have
won the battle and the disease is gone...........again many thanks to all who
kept checking in on me through PM's
Bill D.
05-03-2015, 04:22 AM
#96
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Bill Diedrich Very nice work ! 
I ordered this model - it sure is cheap for this scale - bad the layout point is not to go !!
I think also change throughout the coating and make a deco Oracover + Custom stickers as you did, take the opportunity to reinforce the fuselage + TP support, change the shape of the fuselage and the wing servos built .... I makes a variety of colors of the time (1951), ......... my addiction for the last will of ivory and turquoise blue ......The wheels will be 3 1/25 inch - Problem is to make a correct landing gear for the front wheel .....night lights and landing light
MADISONMaster
I ordered this model - it sure is cheap for this scale - bad the layout point is not to go !!
I think also change throughout the coating and make a deco Oracover + Custom stickers as you did, take the opportunity to reinforce the fuselage + TP support, change the shape of the fuselage and the wing servos built .... I makes a variety of colors of the time (1951), ......... my addiction for the last will of ivory and turquoise blue ......The wheels will be 3 1/25 inch - Problem is to make a correct landing gear for the front wheel .....night lights and landing light
MADISONMaster
Last edited by MADISONMaster; 05-03-2015 at 10:24 AM.
05-03-2015, 07:44 AM
#97
Madison, I sure hope that you don't encounter the same problems that I had with this model.
Had to put way too much work into it to get to the stage where I felt that it would be air worthy.
For those that have been following this thread I finally gave up on the plane and put it away for
a while but have pulled everything back out again and will make an effort to finish covering it and
getting it airborne this summer. Had problems wit the elevator hinging and will have to re-do one
half as when flexing the elevator to stab hinges I cracked something inside the elevator, had to keep.
my temper in check of it would have been on the burn pile out back, but I gathered everything up
put it in a box and shelved it for a several months, will be getting back to it in a week or two. I'll post
the final pictured before the maiden and hopefully a successful maiden "still in one piece" pic or
a "bits and pieces" which ever it might be. Evidently Hobby People sold a bunch of them as they
were gone quiet quickly and the second batch also went very quick also, but have not seen anything
posted here or on RCG about this plane being "good or bad". Maybe everyone is waiting on me,
ha ha!!!!!!!!!!!
Madison in regards to the nose gear, if you look back you will see what I did to make it look like the
full size gear, but I don't think that a 3 1/2" wheel will fit the Robart nose gear part I used, memory
tells me that I think it was somewhere around a 2 /12" or 2 3/4" wheel was the largest that will fit
the mod I did to the nose gear, you could possibly make a custom piece to fit the 3 1/2"
wheel if that is the way you choose to go. However I would be very interested in seeing what the
Chinese manufacturer has done if anything to improve the assembly of the model, so if you would.
please keep in touch and let us all know through this thread what the Tri-Pacer is like when you.
receive it.
BTW my love for the Tri-Pacer goes way back to when I was somewhere around 13-14 years of age
and got my first airplane ride ever in a work friend of my Dad's Tri-Pacer, we even went back up and
he let me have the controls for a little bit, something that has made this little Piper gem dear and near to
my heart ever since that day. Plans are to build the Hostetler 33% one in the next couple of years, well
as soon as I finish a few other projects first.
Bill D.
Had to put way too much work into it to get to the stage where I felt that it would be air worthy.
For those that have been following this thread I finally gave up on the plane and put it away for
a while but have pulled everything back out again and will make an effort to finish covering it and
getting it airborne this summer. Had problems wit the elevator hinging and will have to re-do one
half as when flexing the elevator to stab hinges I cracked something inside the elevator, had to keep.
my temper in check of it would have been on the burn pile out back, but I gathered everything up
put it in a box and shelved it for a several months, will be getting back to it in a week or two. I'll post
the final pictured before the maiden and hopefully a successful maiden "still in one piece" pic or
a "bits and pieces" which ever it might be. Evidently Hobby People sold a bunch of them as they
were gone quiet quickly and the second batch also went very quick also, but have not seen anything
posted here or on RCG about this plane being "good or bad". Maybe everyone is waiting on me,
ha ha!!!!!!!!!!!
Madison in regards to the nose gear, if you look back you will see what I did to make it look like the
full size gear, but I don't think that a 3 1/2" wheel will fit the Robart nose gear part I used, memory
tells me that I think it was somewhere around a 2 /12" or 2 3/4" wheel was the largest that will fit
the mod I did to the nose gear, you could possibly make a custom piece to fit the 3 1/2"
wheel if that is the way you choose to go. However I would be very interested in seeing what the
Chinese manufacturer has done if anything to improve the assembly of the model, so if you would.
please keep in touch and let us all know through this thread what the Tri-Pacer is like when you.
receive it.
BTW my love for the Tri-Pacer goes way back to when I was somewhere around 13-14 years of age
and got my first airplane ride ever in a work friend of my Dad's Tri-Pacer, we even went back up and
he let me have the controls for a little bit, something that has made this little Piper gem dear and near to
my heart ever since that day. Plans are to build the Hostetler 33% one in the next couple of years, well
as soon as I finish a few other projects first.
Bill D.
05-03-2015, 08:39 AM
#99
This is the ARF that is produced by VQ and sold by Hobby People.
http://www.hobbypeople.net/index.php...uts-flaps.html
Shows they are currently out of stock...........
BTW "oneaew", I see that you are from Hemet, CA....next time you see my good friend Pat Smith say hi for me
haven't chatted with him a quiet some time.
Bill D.
http://www.hobbypeople.net/index.php...uts-flaps.html
Shows they are currently out of stock...........
BTW "oneaew", I see that you are from Hemet, CA....next time you see my good friend Pat Smith say hi for me
haven't chatted with him a quiet some time.
Bill D.
Last edited by Bill Diedrich; 05-03-2015 at 08:43 AM.
05-03-2015, 10:16 AM
#100
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Hello
I bought here (France)
http://www.flashrc.com/vq_model/1470..._vq_model.html
i think that the wheels will be 3 1/25 inch for the main landing gear and 3 inch for the nose to take off on a bad grass field
MADISONMaster
I bought here (France)
http://www.flashrc.com/vq_model/1470..._vq_model.html
i think that the wheels will be 3 1/25 inch for the main landing gear and 3 inch for the nose to take off on a bad grass field
MADISONMaster
Last edited by MADISONMaster; 05-15-2015 at 11:05 PM.