Great Planes New 30cc Citabria
#27
Senior Member
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Planejaw, thanks for the mini-review, you may be the first person to do so as far as I know. You mentioned 2 3200 mAh Life batteries, was that for redundancy? Are you using a choke servo? What kind of prop are you using? Hope you are able to post some pictures soon. Thanks again.
#28
Senior Member
Hey Guys;
Big Brown just came and all I can say, I just Love It!!!!!
Planejaw, a big thanks for the mini flight review. I love to mix rudder and ailerons in all my planes.
Can not wait to start the build!!!
Sonny
aka
jet22b
Big Brown just came and all I can say, I just Love It!!!!!
Planejaw, a big thanks for the mini flight review. I love to mix rudder and ailerons in all my planes.
Can not wait to start the build!!!
Sonny
aka
jet22b
#30
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (53)
Great questions on the Citabria.
Yes, I use two 3200 mah Hobbico LiFe batteries. They wind up being just about exactly under the CG. I am not using a choke servo. I always run a pushrod through an aluminum bracket that I make, which is captured by the two mounting bolts on the left side of the engine. The end of the rod ends up right in the middle of the left side cowl air intake. I attach a wheel-collar so that you can easily push in the choke rod to choke and pull out to turn off the choke.
As for a prop, I use Xoar props on all of my gassers. On this one, I have an 18X8. I also use 18X6 props on the DLE 30's, if you end up with a little too much residual thrust at idle. You'll get a few more revs at full throttle, but you get a little more drag and it's a little easier to slow down on final. I'll attach a few photos of the airplane here, then add a few more of the interior details later this week. I didn't add the cockpit floor just yet, wanting to make sure I didn't have to make any changes after the first few shakedown flights.
I mounted a "Miracle" switch (two switches mounted in an aluminum housing for receiver and ignition) on the right side of the fuel tank, where you could mount a couple of servos for the throttle and choke. I also mounted the ignition LED right next to it and the optical ignition switch as well.
Yes, I use two 3200 mah Hobbico LiFe batteries. They wind up being just about exactly under the CG. I am not using a choke servo. I always run a pushrod through an aluminum bracket that I make, which is captured by the two mounting bolts on the left side of the engine. The end of the rod ends up right in the middle of the left side cowl air intake. I attach a wheel-collar so that you can easily push in the choke rod to choke and pull out to turn off the choke.
As for a prop, I use Xoar props on all of my gassers. On this one, I have an 18X8. I also use 18X6 props on the DLE 30's, if you end up with a little too much residual thrust at idle. You'll get a few more revs at full throttle, but you get a little more drag and it's a little easier to slow down on final. I'll attach a few photos of the airplane here, then add a few more of the interior details later this week. I didn't add the cockpit floor just yet, wanting to make sure I didn't have to make any changes after the first few shakedown flights.
I mounted a "Miracle" switch (two switches mounted in an aluminum housing for receiver and ignition) on the right side of the fuel tank, where you could mount a couple of servos for the throttle and choke. I also mounted the ignition LED right next to it and the optical ignition switch as well.
#35
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: ZarechnyySverdlovskaya oblast, RUSSIA
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Everybody knows that Citabria comes in one box. Can anybody wright the dimensions of this parcel?
I'm trying to find the post service to get this plane to Russia.
Thanks.
I'm trying to find the post service to get this plane to Russia.
Thanks.
Last edited by AkimRU; 09-17-2014 at 02:06 AM.
#36
Thread Starter
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Here are a couple photos. One is of the inside of the fuselage, showing the Miracle switch and ignition LED placement. The other is the choke rod, which is suspended by a home-made aluminum bracket captured by the two left-side engine mounting bolts. There is a grommet in the bracket that the choke rod runs through, to prevent vibration. A wheel collar is attached to the end of the choke rod. I have also made 90-degree bends in the choke rod, which works just as well.
#37
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Belton , MO
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UPS shipping weight was listed as 27 bs. call Tower Hobbies and ask them. I can measure the box when I get to work.
Tower Hobbies 1-800-637-6050.
Tower Hobbies 1-800-637-6050.
Last edited by drdoom; 09-17-2014 at 07:12 AM.
#39
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Join Date: Apr 2002
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UPS Charges Dimensional weight. Even it it weighed 1 lb, they charge Tower Hobby 27 lbs dimensional weight. you are right.
Mounting the cowl they way it comes is almost impossible. You can't approach the screws dead on. So you need a 15 inch ball allen. The first thing that happen is the lower T-nuts push off to the inside. it is not going to be easy to put them back. If you have yours still in place, glue them in place before you push on them.
Mounting the cowl they way it comes is almost impossible. You can't approach the screws dead on. So you need a 15 inch ball allen. The first thing that happen is the lower T-nuts push off to the inside. it is not going to be easy to put them back. If you have yours still in place, glue them in place before you push on them.
Last edited by drdoom; 09-17-2014 at 07:19 AM.
#48
Senior Member
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I just opened the box last night, still in the process of inspecting the whole kit and checking for damaged or missing parts, I really like what I have seen so far. You are right, I was surprised to find that even the top screws were set to be reached from the front (inside the cowling) unlike my other ringed cowl planes. Still, what you say about pushing the t-nuts to the inside has happened to me and it is a real pain putting them back in place since they are at the bottom of the fuse. I think I will turn around the top ones, the bottom ones still look hard to reach going from the inside.
#49
My Feedback: (17)
The big brown truck dropped off a big box this evening. I quickly open the shipping box, there was the airplane box, as I opened the box I was worried about the condition of the plane. I have been building RC planes, scratch & kits, for more than 30 year, this is my first ARF. I was amazed how well everything was packed, everything wrapped in bubble plastic and taped together. I spent the next 3 hours unpacking and inspecting the kit. Also I installed the servos in the wing for the ailerons & flaps. I read the construction manual on Tower site so I was ready when it came. I want folks to see how well the airplane arrived, if you have never had an ARF kit you will be surprised. Here are some pictures.
The work will begin tomorrow
Rich
The work will begin tomorrow
Rich
Last edited by jwrich; 09-18-2014 at 07:48 PM.
#50
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Join Date: Apr 2002
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I found them. Home made cheap hose barbs...Wrap with copper wire and solder it in place..Once you are finished with the solder. Chuck them up in a drill and spin them and touch a file or sandpaper. Do all 3 solder and spin before you insert them. than do the other end.
Last edited by drdoom; 09-19-2014 at 08:57 AM.