frankeldan

Here are some pics of my Pitts when it was being built. Gerry from Model Airplane News built the model as it appeared in the March 07 issue. These are some of his pics that were poted on another board. I have the G-38 for it , so it's not the Saito180 as pictured.

Dan

frankeldan

One More.

Dan

propwashed

My Feedback: (13)

Thanks for the pics frank, Looks very nice!
Asif, I think you measured the circumfrance...30"? Thanks, I saw a twin 40 gasser that may have been cool but wasn't sure if it would fit inside the cowl. Prob too heavy anyway.

Well My Pitts arrived today from Chief as expected! Box was very well packed and everything inside looks to be in excellent shape. The fuse was well protected with foam wrap and then plastic bagged. All other parts where in there own plastic bags. What I found to be very cool is The President of KMP Andrew Kondor's business card taped on the front of the box. Here are some pics of the kit as it arrived

* The fiberglass fuse looks to be well made and I like the bottom wing root joiner plates cast in the fuse sides
Ready to get started.

* I went ahead and ordered a BCMA SPC 40 (new version)w/pitts muffler for initial testing. I typically don't stray from the DA, 3w, ZDZ stuff but I figured I give one of these a try. I also upgraded the carb to a Walbro 6## (something) with the accelerator pump. For the money, if it works out, it may be a good match for this plane. We'll see

frankeldan

Prop,

Plane looks good. I love that Oracle red. I use Oracle in my daytime job. Great scheme.
The people at KMP are ok. I needed some parts and covering and they just sent it out to me. Paul in their sales dept. is top knotch. A bit overworked there.

I'm finishing up on my Wild Hare Edge 25% with a zdz40 and then I can start on putting the Pitts back together.

What are you guys using for the rudder servo? I bought the Hitec 645mg for the rudder and elevator, but know I'm thinking I should go with more power

SPECS: Speed: 0.24 sec/60° at 4.8V
0.20 sec/60° at 6.0V
Torque: 106.93 oz-in at 4.8V (7.7 kg-cm)
133.31 oz-in at 6.0V (9.6 kg-cm)

and Hitec 475 carbonite for the wing

SPECS: Speed: 0.23 sec/60° @ 4.8V
Torque: 4.4 kg-cm (61 oz-in) at 4.8V

Regards,

Dan

Magical_Merlin

Can someone post the website where you guys are getting this from? I looked at chief aircraft, but dont see the oracle. Am I even on the right site? Thanks.

propwashed

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http://www.chiefaircraft.com/rcmsec/...s/Pitts12.html

Magical, Go to Chief Aircraft/ Radiol control section/ Gas airplanes/ KMP/ Pitts 12 ARF They have One more Red Oracle scheme left as of Wed. Not sure on the other scheme. Call Larry to confirm . They have always had my stuff in 1-2 days Very Professional

Frank, Thanks. The plane does look great. As for the Oracle Decals they look good also But I do Custom Vinyl Graphics (many on this site)and I may go with a Honda F1 scheme They will be in white as well I'll design it on my software first to see how it will look.

1. Installed Landing Gear struts ( had to grind a 1/16" off the trailing edge of mounting plate for it to lay into the well without forcing in or cracking the paint) No Biggy. The srews are barely long enough to mate into the blind nuts and seem to be semi soft. I may replace prior to flight. Not a big deal either.

BTW I don't bash any Plane MFG. So dont take any of my reporting the wrong way. I'm very happy with this ARF so far and I don't sweat the small stuff. I'm always prepared to replace or upgrade hardware that comes with any kit for piece of mind or personal preference. Afterall, these planes are mass produced in a factory and at an affordable price. So we can keep buying,flying,crashing and buying.

2. Installed bottom wing allignment dowels, hooks and mated wing panels to fuse. Fits perfect! No sanding of tube sleeve required. Template worked great.

3. Hinged, all ailerons to wing panels (used the supplied CA hinges They seem to be of good quality)

4. Installed wing joiner, epoxied/,joined upper wing panels They line up perfectly at leading and trailing edges. (0 deg diehedral req.)

5. installed inner wing struts to fuse.

6. eating dinner, going back to shop.

Pics coming:

Magical_Merlin

Got it. Thanks.

Asif

My Feedback: (30)

propwash,
Sorry..... yes 30" is circumfrence..... my bad!!
Asif

Asif

My Feedback: (30)

I have completed the installation of both, top and bottom wing. I am very please with the way it has turned out. the alignment is perfect!!! Now I need to start radio and engine installation.... I am still thining whether ot instaal the CA hinge or not. They are of very good quality, but just not sure of it would be a wise choice on this model.
Asif

propwashed

My Feedback: (13)

Asif, My top and bottom allined perfectly as well. That's a good thing! lol.

7. Completed top and bottom wing install great fit!

8. Installed aileron servos top and bottom wing panels and routed wires to fuse.

9. Removed top wing and struts from fuse and set aside until fuse components are installed. (With this model it's much easier to disconnect the upper wing struts from the fuse rather than the wing panels.) It lifts off as one unit so no need for exposed wire connections in the struts. you will also have to disconnect the outer struts (bottom connection is easier). Once complete this model will remain assembled to and from the
field.

Next will be tail allignment. Also I notice the picture shows the pull-pull cables exiting the top rear of the fuse in the vert fin and the horns are mounted high on the rudder. I plan on exiting below the horiz stab and attaching to rudder near the bottom. Clearing the elevator control rods.

Another thought, depending on how much leverage the 40cc engine creates, is to mount the elev servo/servos? in the rear side of the fuse. If weight is needed in the rear (probably not) well see.

Servos:
Ail's (4) Hitec HS 5475HB Digital (76oz .18 sec @ 6v) plenty for this application
Elev (1) Hitec HS 5645MG Digital (168 oz .18 sec @ 6v) should be enough
Rud (1) Same as Elev unless rudder flattens out in knife edge flight
Thr (1) Hitec HS 625MG (94oz .15 sec @ 6v)

This will be my initial setup

Dan, You mentioned the 645MG's on the rudder and tail... Yes, I would try it if going analog and running a 6v batt, then also (4) HS-545BB's 76oz/.17 @6v for the Ail's that would be a good combo.

The rudder is always the big? On my 30% Yak the 5645 @168oz would not hold consistant rudder in knife edge so I replaced with a 5955TG (very strong) I think on this a 133-170 oz of tork should be fine. The other major concern is the elev if pulling hard loop exits it needs to hold shape. Everything depends on how aggresive one plans on flying. IMO

I hope everyone plans on runnig 6v min for they're Rx packs and/or servos These larger control surfaces will suck the juice out as well as 4 servos always moving on the ail's.

propwashed

My Feedback: (13)

Asif, I felt very comfortable on the CA hinges for ailerons and elevator once I received and started working on the kit. Just Slip them into the slots and stick a T-pin into the tappered edge of the ail to secure while joining together Push the ail tight to wing and fold to 30 deg. then wick Thin CA on to the hinge joint pause to let soak in then once more. repeat each hinge. return ail to flat position and work back and forth They will hold fine IMO. *Do not glue one side of the hinge first then the other. Not sure if you have used or installed this type of hinge before, if so apologize.

Asif

My Feedback: (30)

Propwash,
Thanks for the proceduce. Although I have installed CA Hinge in small aircraft, but this was not my procedure. I like your procedure better!!!!
I will install CA hinge on my pitts too. I also believe theyare thick and are of noce quality.

DO you think it would be better to epoxy half hinge first and then epoxy other half when it dries. I want to avoid CA and use epoxy since it is a large aircraft. Whats your comment?

Will post pictures of my pitts tomorrow

Asif

frankeldan

Prop,

Thanks for the info on the Servos. I'll go with what I bought.
Hey I like that "So we can keep buying,flying,crashing and buying."

That is so true.. Especially this year. I've done alot of that.

Still working on mounting the engine in the Wild Hare Edge. The zdz40 is a tough one to mount due to the rear carb. I cut the firewall and now I'm aligning the placement of the motor to the cowl.

I'll be getting to the Pitts build next week.

Ohh.. btw.. What size spinner are you going to use on the Pitts. The opening is very large. I'm temped to buy a 4" Dave Brown.


Later,

Dan Frankel

propwashed

My Feedback: (13)

Asif, I would not use epoxy on CA Type hinges. The epoxy can cause the hinge to become too brittle at the joint and could break. The way these work best is too allow the thin CA to wick back into the slots. Both ends of a single hinge at the same time. Do not over size the slots The hinge material and the wood slot need to be in contact with one another. There must be light friction for the wicking of thin ca glue to work correctly. The hinge material is like a sponge as is the balsa wood. If these are done correctly you would rip the wood out before the hinge would fail. If you have over sized the slots already, then I would choose a traditional type hinge or robart hinge point.

Asif, click on far right white photo box for hinge detail

Dan, looking at these phots I think your right on the 4" it looks to be dead on the right size. About a 3rd of the area maybe 4.5" max

I think this plane size is around 23-25%. Has anyone done the math? Real plane has 21 ft wing span. 63" is 25%

This is a 1/4 scale model cool!

propwashed

My Feedback: (13)

Asif here is a detail:

Asif

My Feedback: (30)

Propwashed,
Many thanks, No I have not oversized the slots, and have left it the was it is. Will use your method for hinging the CA Hinge!!
Next, I got to install servos, pull pull etc...... Oh boy, still lots of work to do!!!!!!!!!
Thanks
Asif

propwashed

My Feedback: (13)

Heres some progress photos

frankeldan

Prop,

How long are thos extensions on the upper wing? what's needed on the lower wing too?


Dan

propwashed

My Feedback: (13)

Well I got the pull-pull installed where I wanted it, down low. To streamline the rudder horns I used a scrap piece of phenolic material and made a control horn that passes through the rudder It is epoxied in place. Also I only loop the wire and crimp at the horn location. (BTW, I do not recomend using the supplied wire. It is not coated and can possibley create signal interference). Especially if you plan on installing a criss cross setup for pull-pull. I do not run the criss cross for pull-pull anymore. I go straight back each side. There is no need for cable adjustment at the rudder horn, it can be done at the servo clevis. I built a simple, light but strong servo tray for the rudder servo. And fabbed an alum servo arm as well then mounted it just aft the wing tube. Once the engine is installed I can then determine if I can mount the elevator servos at the tail. If not, The rudder servo will be the only thing in the fuse directly behind the tube. Other than push rods, which I hate! lol

Now I'm pretty much on hold until the engine gets here. Hopefully in a couple of days.

Here's a couple pics:

propwashed

My Feedback: (13)

Dan, All you need is (2) 12" (1 each side) in the upper to get down into the fuse. The bottom does not need an extention. once in the fuse the left side upper and lower will then connect to a "Y" harness as well as the right upper and lower. Then they will both connect to another "Y". then to the receiver. unless you want to mix in a right and left side on a spare channel

(2) 12" Expert top
(0) bottom
(3) 6" "Y" harness Expert
(1) 12" rudder

Not sure yet on the elevator or throttle

Tripp

frankeldan

I'm not sure if I'll use the y-cables or just mix it in with the transmitter. I use the Futaba 9CAP, so mixing is pretty easy. Are you using that funky dowel/T-connection for the Elevators? Mine has it installed already but I might rip it out and use 2 separate servos and carbon fiber/fiberglass rods.

I would keep as much weight as far forward as you can. That's why they have the servo cutouts up front. This model is notorious for being tail heavy.


Here's a few more pics of the plane. Again, These pictures were taken for the article in March MAN. The action shots were taken by Model Airplane News and I take no credit for them. This is one sweet plane.

propwashed

My Feedback: (13)

Funny you mentioned the wood dowl. I'm going to pickup some Carbon fiber tubing as well to see what I can come up with. I'm hopeing that I can mount the servos in the tail. But doubtful. Waiting for motor to show up befor I commit to anything

frankeldan

did you check out that servo controlled tailwheel ? sweet huh..

Well I flew my Giant I-can't-do 3d yesterday. I put a brisn 2.4 in it. Had some trouble with the ignition but I got 1 good flight in.


I also put a 40 size World Models Super Sport in the ground. The wing sheerred off the mount and the fuse looked like a torpedo going down the flightline. so much for that model..buy, Build, , crash, buy build CRASH... what an endless loop.


Dan

propwashed

My Feedback: (13)

Dan, is this where your plane is far as assembly? If so your just about ready to go.

Airfield fun!!! Rule #1 Always take 2 or more planes to the field, just in case you "stick one in "! Rule #2 Never take more than one plane to the field or your odds are against you! The RC Reaper might claim one of them. Rule #3 Other than the initial "F" bomb that
un-controlably comes out of your mouth during the closing seconds of a crash, don't get too pissed off. It will happen again.

LOL! Got to love this sometimes unpredictable hobby

So what your saying is that you had a "Great Day At The Field" Nice.....

frankeldan

Prop,

My Pitts has a little bit of wing damage at the tips and on the cabane that I need to repair. Also have to mount the engine and beef up that fibergalss area by the engine mount. The previous owner thumbed it on takeoff and flipped it over. I bought it with the slight damage. I also need to put the servos, radio.. etc. in..take a look at my hanger on RCU.


No matter what.. any day at the field is a good day. I belong to the following clubs:

http://www.swampflyers.org/

http://www.whitehillseaglesrc.org/

Great clubs with nice fields .. typical Connecticut flying.

Talk Soon,

Dan