Greg Covey

E-flite has expertly re-created the rugged good looks and flight behavior of the full-scale Stearman PT-17 with this easy-to-assemble 15-size model that is a joy to fly. It comes out of the box constructed of balsa and light plywood and covered in an authentic early-WWII UtlraCote® trim scheme. Other scale touches include a painted fiberglass cowl, painted fiberglass landing gear fairings, and a great-looking 9-cylinder dummy radial engine. Assembly is remarkably simple thanks to the plug-in wings and bolt-on interplane struts. E-flite’s even included specially designed jigs that allow you to keep the upper and lower wing halves connected for easier transport and storage.

In the air, the [link=http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFL2950]Stearman PT-17[/link] 15e’s flat-bottom airfoils and light wing loading translate into exceptionally scale-like flight characteristics that everyone from intermediate to advanced pilots will instantly fall in love with. Originally used as a primary trainer for the U.S. Army Air Corps in the days leading up to WWII, the Stearman PT-17 had numerous post-war roles from crop duster to air show star, making it one of the most recognizable biplanes among the general public to this day.

Key Features:[ul][*] Can be assembled and flight ready in just a few evenings[*] Large magnetic hatch for easy access to electronics[*] Plug-in wings speed assembly[*] Includes wing jig for easy transport and storage[*] Realistic 9-cylinder dummy radial engine[*] Painted fiberglass landing gear fairings[*] Authentic pre-WWII UltraCote® trim scheme[*] Painted fiberglass cowl
[/ul]
Specifications:[ul][*] Wingspan:44.0 in (1120mm)[*] Overall Length:35.0 in (890mm)[*] Wing Area:608 sq in (37.5 sq dm)[*] Flying Weight:3.5–3.8 lb (1.5–1.7 kg)[*] Motor Size:Power 15[*] Radio:4-channel[*] Servos:JR SPORT MN48 (2)(JSP20040) and JR SPORT MC35 (2)(JSP20030)[*] Trim Scheme Colors:HANU875 Sky Blue, HANU872 Bright Yellow[*] Prop Size:APC 12x6E electric prop[*] Hardware Included:Yes[*] Speed Control :40-Amp Pro Brushless ESC (EFLA1040)[*] Recommended Battery:3200mAh 3S 11.1V Li-Po battery EFLB32003S[*] Approx. Flying Duration:12–15 minutes[*] Scale:yes[*] Approx. Assembly Time:6–8 hours[/ul]

Greg Covey

The parts are well protected in the box using custom compartments, sub-boxes, and bags. I did not find a single wrinkle on any of the covered pieces. The beautifully painted fiberglass scale cowl was additionally wrapped in foam in its own box, which also served to protect the delicate windows.

The pre-painted fiberglass landing gear fairings come already built with the wheels attached. The 32-page manual is loaded with clear photos and instructions, continuing the tradition of E-flite excellence!

Greg Covey

A closer look at the fuselage reveals the incredible detail in building it light and strong. The decals are already applied and the cockpit painted. The hatch is held in place by two strong magnets in the back portion.

Greg Covey

The power system components for the Stearman PT-17 include the following items:[ul][*] E-flite [link=http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFLM4015A]Power 15[/link] Brushless Outrunner Motor[*] E-flite [link=http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFLA1040]40-amp Pro[/link] Brushless ESC[*] E-flite [link=http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFLB32003S]3-cell 3200mAh 20C[/link] Lipo Pack[*] APC [link=http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=APC12060E]12x6[/link] e-prop
[/ul]The receiver and servos used are:[ul][*] Spektrum DSM2 [link=http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=SPMAR6200]AR6200[/link] 6-channel Receiver[*] Two JR Sport [link=http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=JSP20040]MN48[/link] Mini Servos for Rudder and Elevator[*] Two JR Sport [link=http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=JSP20030]MC35[/link] Micro Servos for the ailerons
[/ul]

theradioflyer

Hey Greg,
It's good to see you reviewing this one. I have 15 flights on mine right now and it's a beautiful thing! I often find myself just watching it as it floats by. Your going to love flying this plane. I found it to be the best build of an ARF in a long time as well.

One thing to note from experience~ I DO NOT recommend flying this plane at the furthest CG point of 3 3/4 inches. It flys around with it's tail down and the elevator is touchy. Most fly this plane @ 3 1/2 inches or forward.

This plane is an absolute winner!

Blessings,

Jay

Hellcat716

My Feedback: (2)

Glad to hear all is good with the E-Flite Stearman. Mine is due to arrive tomorrow, the 27th. Looking forward to the build. How much weight did it take to balance?

theradioflyer

Mine took 3.1 ounces but epoxied to the fiberglass cowl instead of the dummy cylinders.

Blessings,

Jay

Hellcat716

My Feedback: (2)

Thanks.

Greg Covey

Hi Jay,

Thanks for the tip. I finally got to start building mine after finishing some EDF jet repairs.

The first step of the assembly is to install the two JR Sport MN48 mini servos for elevator and rudder control.

Greg Covey

The horizontal stab, elevator, rudder, and tailwheel all installed exactly as described in the manual. I had no problems following the detailed photos and descriptions. Thin CA was used to glue the stab in place as well as the hinge material. An Allen wrench is supplied to secure the tailwheel assembly.

theradioflyer

Greg,
I got a opportunity to get some pictures of Waldo Wrights flying Service's Stearman here at the Kalamazoo Airzoo. After I got some detailed pictures they set me up on the ramp to get some perspective shots of my E-Flite Stearman. They were so helpful and the pictures turned out great! E-Flite did a wonderful job on this plane making it very scale and also a wonderful flier[8D] Your going to love getting air under her wings

This plane flies so well that I have no problem fly it after putting so many scale details on it.

Blessings,

Jay

echoguydd

I was wondering if anybody had to use more than the 2-4 oz. weight for balancing this model. I used a little over 6.5 ozs. to balance it at the 3.5 inch reccomendation. She flys extremely well at scale-like speeds. I had the GWS PT-17 and it was a blast to just watch. I had been hoping that somebody would market a balsa ARF model. I am glad that E-Flite put this great model out.

theradioflyer

There are a few have used that amount to balance. No worries.

Blessings,

Jay

Greg Covey

Jay,

Very impressive detailing! I had to look twice to see which one was the E-flite model.

The rudder and elevator pushrod installation went according to the manual with a few minor changes. Use a 5/64" bit instead of a 1/16" bit to enlarge the servo arm holes for the pushrod. Also, the amount of turning to get the clevis in the correct position warranted cutting of 1/4" of the threaded ends of each pushrod.

All the hardware is included in the kit and the pushrods are already bent for the servo arms.

Greg Covey

The landing gear and cabane strut installation was very easy. All the t-nuts are pre-installed so you simply screw it together after dabbing a small amount of thread locker on each screw.

Hellcat716

My Feedback: (2)

Page 8 step 17 shows the tailwheel assembly flush with the bottom of the fuselage. I cut the bottom of the tail wheel rod down to accompolish this. That way the rudder hinges will not have to absorb the shock of a hard landing. Everything else went together real well.

theradioflyer

Hellcat,

I did the exact same thing as mine had about an 1/8 to remove so the fuse took the shock of the tail wheel. I took the Dremel to it and then made a new flat spot. Good call.

Blessings,

Jay

Hellcat716

My Feedback: (2)

What pilot do you have in your plane? Looks really good.

theradioflyer

He's Capt' James T. Kirk from Toys R Us. He fit the profile but his clothes needed a good paint job, LOL. The American flag patch came from a die cast SR-71 I had sitting on the shelf. I cut him using my scroll saw The headset is all hand made using balsa for the headphones and the strap across the top is a piece of stretched heat shrink tubing. The mic is a piece of strapping of the packaging holding James in place and the comm wire is braided fishing line wrapped tightly around a pin and then CA'd in place. I've been laid off since late April so I've had a lot of time on my hands

Blessings,

Jay

Greg Covey

The aileron installation uses two JR Sport MC35 Micro servos. The servos are first mounted to the hatch using the supplied blocks and then screwed in place on the bottom wing halves.

Strings are installed in the wing halves to help pull the control cables to the ends. The ailerons are secured using thin CA and the linkages are installed using the same technique as the rudder and elevator. The difference here is that the control horn screws do not go through the ailerons for a cleaner look.

The 5/64" drill bit was used again instead of a 1/16" bit to open the outer servo arm holes. Other than this drill bit size error, the manual instructions are flawless.

Hellcat716

My Feedback: (2)

Do you think it will be necessary to cut some cooling holes in the front of the cowl to cool the esc? In Las Vegas, it is very hot now days. I would also recommend you install the velcro battery strap before mounting the center wing. It is very difficult to get both hands in the battery compartment with the center wing installed. Just my opinion.

Greg Covey

The motor and ESC installation is also well described in the manual. The important areas here are to select the correct spacer lengths, as there are two sizes in the bag, and use thread locker on the x-mount screws and 1" Allen bolts to prevent them from vibration loose in flight.

The E-flite 40-amp Pro Brushless ESC is held in place using hook and loop tape. I used my own Industrial Strength Velcro here. The motor/ESC wires are then secured using your own cable ties.

Greg Covey

The fiberglass cowl installed easily using the paper strip guide technique in the manual. I cut the four strips needed from the backing on the E-flite ESC packaging. The cowl is positioned by hand and then marked for the exact hole placement.

Greg Covey

The wings are simply pressed into place and secured with 4-40 x 3/8" Allen bolts. Both top and bottom wings are supported by carbon tubes and aligned by pins in the center section.

The interplane struts (shaped like the letter "N") and pre-mounted metal lugs in the wing panels were already pre-drilled and tapped to accept the 4-40 x 1/4" Allen bolts. I used a single JR Sport (JSP98020) 6" Y-Harness to connect the two servo wires to the aileron channel on the receiver.

LNL

Greg, just completed my Eflite PT-17 Stearman. The Kit was excellent, instructions very clear. Kudos to the Eflite Staff for such a fine plane. My plane balanced out at 3.5 inches from LE and
did not require additional weight. I used the following materials:

1. Eflite Power 15 motor
2. Eflite 40 Pro Switching Bec Speed Controller
3. 3S 5000 mah lithium pack from Max Amps
4. APC-E 12 X 6 Electric Prop
5. 4 Hitec HS-82 Metal Gear servos
6. Hitec Supreme RX

This produces 102 watts per lb., and 76 ounces of thrust for a 64 ounce plane which gives 90 degree climbout if needed.
Cruising time of around 18 minutes. Have attached a few photos. Lee