rongreg13

My Feedback: (129)

Here are some pics of the installation of my B&B G26 in the GP Super Stearman. I made some hardwood engine standoffs to space the engine out away from the firewall the appropriate amount. The prop is an APC 17x6W with a Tru-Turn 120-slot AT6 Spinner of 2-3/4" diameter (designed for the Midwest AT6). The cowl slides on and off easily and all I have to do is remove the fuel line from the fuel dot, and unscrew the kill switch. I'm planning on flight testing this weekend if the weather cooperates. The engine has been flown in another plane, so it will not be an issue.

rongreg13

My Feedback: (129)

I didn't like the idea of identical twins flying my Stearman--seemed kinda creepy. Since anything is better when mullets are involved, I decided to "customize" the instructor pilot in the back seat to give him a little "style".

crashland 73

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any pics without the cowl? I am putting this engine on too and need a bit of help. thanks

rongreg13

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Send me an email at [email protected] and I can try to help you out with any specifics. I don't have any pictures with the cowl off yet but I can take some when I get the chance.

Birddog-RCU

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Looks great Ron! I'm going to send you a link to a place where you can get a custom painted 18x6 prop that is red and white that would look absolutely great on this plane. I have a friend that has one on his Pacific Gee Bee Y and it looks really nice.

dhillfolk

My Feedback: (195)

Looks like a keeper Ron, I always admire a professionally planned & cut cowl having repaired so many that appeared to be chewed out by a trained beaver (four footed)
Look forward to flight reports

IowaSilvia

My Feedback: (97)

You didn't trim your bush just for that guys head did you? Looks good though man. pics of the engine stands please.

rongreg13

My Feedback: (129)

No, sadly his head of hair is all synthetic. Didn't want to put THAT much of a personal touch on the plane. The engine standoffs that I made are just pieces of 7/8" hardwood dowel rod from Lowes that are cut to the proper length. I then drilled a hole through the center of each. I used blindnuts behind the firewall and had to get longer mounting bolts than are included with the kit -- 1-1/2" if I remember right. One of the mounts will interfere with the triangle stock on the face of the firewall, but I just made a notch in it for the mount. Nothing too tricky, as I didn't want to invest too much time an effort in an ARF. The G26 is an easy engine to set up a cowl for. I just removed the muffler, spark plug, and carb and it fit totally inside of the cowl. I then just used a grease pencil to mark out the spots that needed to be cut and there you go. The velocity stack solves the problem of operating the choke--now I just use my finger over the end rather than the mechanical choke.

Tailwheel Pilot

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Looks great Ron-Let us know how the test flights went.I want this bird!!!Mike

rongreg13

My Feedback: (129)

Well, the weather finally cooperated and I was able to make several flights on my Stearman w/ G26. Mine took quite a bit of aileron and rudder trim to bring it to a hands-off neutral state, but once trimmed, it flew GREAT! I've got an APC 17x6W on the G26 which really allows the engine to rev up, but keeps the forward velocity down. The combo proved to be ideal for the airplane. I needed NO BALLAST and only had to move the 1200 mAh 6V NiCad back under the rear cockpit to balance out near the middle of the CG range. The plane takes off with very little runway, and is smooth and stable in all modes of flight. The G26 provided great power and most of the flight is spent at about 1/2 throttle. Full throttle will climb strong and then will slow to a hover that the plane will hold for about 10 seconds before pooping out. Knife edge was surprisingly good even with the CG set very conservatively. The plane would hold knife edge with a bit of reverse coupling that can be dialed out in a mix eventually. No knife edge loops with this one, but it will hold altitude at about 3/4 throttle in knife edge flight. The plane has very benign stall characteristics and REALLY slows down before stalling. It does not want to spin and you really have to force it to get any rotation. The plane likes rudder input in turns and I used quite a bit of rudder throughout the flight. Landings are an absolute no brainer with this plane. Throttle down on your base leg, and the plane descends smoothly and will settle into a float a few inches over the runway with ease. The landing gear and tires are SUPER springy, and no matter how easy I set it down, the plane always seemed to want to bounce back into the air! The Hitec 475HB servos on 6.0V are MORE than strong enough for the plane. Don't waste money on high end servos with this one as it just plain does not need them. Scale aerobatics look great and the plane looks oh so cool making low, slow passes with my pilot's hair waving in the breeze. Basically, there are no negatives to report about the flights. I made about 6 flights starting with a fairly strong 90 degree cross wind and by the end of the day winds were light and variable. Great Planes really did their homework on this one and it might just be a keeper!

lownloud

how much does that plane weigh ready to fly?

John_RedSox

My Feedback: (75)

How did you get the radial engine and cowl over the muffler pipes? I can't seem to do it on mine.
John

Birddog-RCU

My Feedback: (62)

The red and white Biela prop would look fantastic on these Stearmans. Aircraft International sells them.

crashland 73

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good deal ron, would you mind posting some pics with the cowl off and some close up pics of the mounting that you did? thanks man.

rongreg13

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Not sure of the all up weight of the plane as I have not put it on a scale. I'm guessing mine is at the top end of the published weight range as I did not need to add any ballast, but had to move the battery (a 1200 mAh 5-Cell) back under the rear cockpit to balance.

My cowl slips right over the exhaust stacks and spark plug, and then I lower it down and get the crank through the opening before sliding it back into place. It is not an issue at all removing or reinstalling and I haven't even shortened the exhaust stacks yet! I'll eventually take the cowl off and take some pictures for everyone, although I probably won't have time to do so for a few days.

crashland 73

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here is how I am mounting mine....

AIRPLANENUTS

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Crash, is yours a G26 also?

crashland 73

My Feedback: (24)

Yes it is. I have bench ran it for a bit, I love it. This is my first gasser.

jcflysrc

My Feedback: (50)

That is a fine looking plane for sure. Glad to hear good things about it, as I am playing with the idea of getting one too. Hmmm.

twostroker

My Feedback: (37)

I assembled one for a club member with a G-26 and smoke system. I used the supplied tank and location for the smoke tank and added a 12oz tank in the fuselage for gasoline. It seems to be just about the right ratio of smoke vs. gasoline, because he can leave the smoke on for the entire flight, about 15 minutes.

I elected to keep the cowl as clean as possible for easy removal, so the only thing mounted to the cowl is the on/off switch for the engine. Also the velocity stack was removed from the engine to keep everything inside the cowling as much as possible. The only thing that sticks out of the cowling is the spark plug and exhaust pipes.

The fuel dots for gasoline and smoke are located in the front cockpit floor along with the switch harness/ charge jack. The only bad thing about that was there was no room for the front pilot unless he was put in sideways.

I also did not like the elevator set-up so it was changed to dual elevator servos.

The plane came out at 15.5 lbs. dry and is a pleasure to fly. No extra weight anywhere to balance.

P-40LUVR

Do those exaust pipes come with the engine?
What is that other pipe poking out the side?
B&B..is that the brand name of the engine or is that a Zenoah G26?(what kind of price)
I ask these questions because I have never built a "gasser" plane before but would like to.

dhillfolk

My Feedback: (195)

Have a nice hardly used G26 for sale but not posted---total run time was on a bench for about 5 min
$225 plus $10 ship
So as to not clutter this thread w/ this engine for sale----if you're interested---pls e-mail me @[email protected] thks
( Also have a NIB 26 for my GP Stearman & greatly appreciate the input to this forum on same)

Birddog-RCU

My Feedback: (62)

dhillfolk, Sent you email

crashland 73

My Feedback: (24)

twostroker,

How did your range test go? With the antenna down? Did you use pcm? If fm how far was you away in yds? Either one what was your range with the antenna down? Thanks.

twostroker

My Feedback: (37)

Antenna down, 50-60 yards no problem. Radio and receiver are JR SPCM. I take extra time twisting all extensions and servo leads to avoid range problems. Also all radio gear is 12" away from engine. Antenna is in the supplied tube that was in the plane.