Planejaw

My Feedback: (53)

Sounds like some great tips on the Fleet.

Had a chance to get four more 10-minute flights on my Fleet this past Saturday. I was trying to fly formation with another flyer flying a GP Stearman, with a Saito 150 GK in the nose. Evan at full throttle on the Fleet (which flies at the same airspeed at full or half throttle...with all that drag), the Stearman kept pulling away from me. Just goes to show you the difference in the scale sizes of aircraft.

Anyway, the silver-soldered brass exhaust tubes worked great...none came loose.

retransit

My Feedback: (18)

John, did you know that there is a requirement for video documentation? Just so you know.

Bob

Planejaw

My Feedback: (53)

Tried, but the video cards on the Sony were all full. Guess I didn't do such a good pre-flight on the video equipment. I'll do better and get some video in the next couple of weeks. Maybe we should start a "Fleet-Brotherhood" to keep everyone on the same page??

Fleet

I'm in

Ray W.

retransit

My Feedback: (18)

Count me in also!

Bob

Mein Duff

I'm in Also !! But who's gonna run this thing ??

knucklebutt

Ray: What wheels are you using on your Fleet ??



Denis

Fleet

Dubro 1/3 scale Cub wheels on the 1/4 scale Fleet.   Made small pot holes near invisable.

Ray W.

retransit

My Feedback: (18)

Ok, I'll ask the question. What requirements are necessary to get this thing started? Do we need to do a separate blog? Anybody know?

Bob

mangolo

Count me in for the Concept Fleet brotherhood,I have one of the last kits.


Waldo

Twin_Flyer

My Feedback: (4)

Waldo,
Last kits??

I beleive Concept Models is still around and list the large Fleet as available. They have no presence on the internet, but I have seen them advertise in MAN from time to time.

Hope that hasnt changed!

Bill S.

Jaybird

I have the smaller 1/6 scale Fleet with an old OS 42 four stroke. The plane was built by a modeler and pilot named Manny Hobbs up in Searsport, Maine many years ago. I was passing by a swap meet at a now closed hobby shop run by Cliff Piper and this was sitting on a table when I drove by. I was late for a meeting and couldn't stop so I drove back to the shop at the end of the day and it was only thing left! I bought it right then and have enjoyed it ever since. I contacted Manny and flew it at his local field a couple of years ago. It's made three trips to Rhinebeck for the Jamboree too. The second year there was an older couple who were hoping to see it again which was kind of fun. Although it's a different model than the full size one flown at Rhinebeck, it's the exact same colors. I flew it for a long time with an OS 46 two stroke but the 42 four stroke suits it perfectly for power and sound. It was recently displayed at teh Owls Head Transportation Museum's model festival and got a lot of compliments as well. The chief pilot there recognized it as i was bringing it in and said his father flew a full size Fleet for many years.

Jaybird

retransit

My Feedback: (18)

Bill,
As far as I know, the owner was sick and could not continue the business. I had ordered a kit about four months ago and my money was returned. That is why I decided to build one from the plans I had. I tried to get one from someone else and he wanted to include a set of wheels and a dummy engine with it. He wouldn't break it up. So I built my own kit.

Bob

Mein Duff

JayBird... I was up at Owl's Head last year... I was selling some land up in Bucksport area...One of the nicest aircraft Museums around, and the car collection is first rate as well... Nice looking model you have there.. glad she is serving you well.

geoardsog5

My Feedback: (31)

I'm in. 1/4 scale Concept Fleet Model 2. Quadra 42 for power. Covered with 21 century fabric. John R.

www.rcaircraftworks.com

retransit

My Feedback: (18)

OK John, here it is.

Fleet Brotherhood

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_11...m.htm#11231623

Bob

Twin_Flyer

My Feedback: (4)

Bob,
Thanks for the update.

Sad new....

Bill S.

103/17

Ray,

Is that a twin Enya I see under the cowl of your Fleet ? If so, nice powerplant !

103/17

Fleet

Yes it is. Power house once I got it figured out. Spinning a 20-10 , she had power to hold a good 45 degre pitch climb into the wind.

I also towed a 10 foot banner on a releasable tow hook just under the aft cockpit. The only hangup with the Enya 240 was NO CHOKE.

The manual directed the user to spin the prop with an electric starter until it fired off. I don't own a starter and , with a good thick glove, I never had a problem. Sooo... I closed the throttle, pushed some air via a tube in my mouth to pressurize the tank and flipped the prop through a few times.

Open throttle to start position and she would fire off on the first flip. Very cold starts sometimes involved a small fire from the fuel that dripped out the carb barrel.

Pix is before I installed the faux Kinner. The other photo is a close up of the faux Kinner.

Ray W.

103/17

Ray,

Good trick to chock it is to open the throttle, power OFF to the glow plugs, hold your finger over the exhaust so it cant expell anything through the exhaust pipe then spin it over with your starter for about 2 seconds. This will charge the tank and push fuel into the spraybar. Close the throttle, apply glow and it will pop right off......Works with all my Enya engines no matter how cold it is and we fly in NH in the winter. The v 240 is an awesome engine !

103/17

Fleet

My fingers would find difficulty in closing off both exhausts unless your techniqe works with just one exhaust.  If I'm able to buy back my 1/4 Fleet, I may learn that choke procedure of yours.

In installed new lifters in mine as Marven Mystery oil let me down and gummed it all up.   There used to be a shop up North that would overhaul and repair VT 240s.   Mine could use a good going through and I bought a front crank bearing yet to install.

24oz tank up front and just puttering around for 10 o 15 minutes would burn about 1/2 the tank.   I just can't get used to chain saw engines.



Ray W.

Kinner

I got my old Fleet back. Just as I left it so all the parts are fitting back. Newer 2.4 radio and the VT-240 got a seriously needed Major Overhaul by BJ Model Engines. Nice work he did and nice fellow to chat on the phone with.

All main bearings were rusted and he used all the parts I sent him. New rings and paint...looks new again.

Changed up the fuel delivery by reccommendation of Bill. Took some fiddling but I got TWO fuel pickups in the tank so each carb will have it's own delivery. Thus, one carb would not be affected by the the other.

First attempt and it leaked a bit after a soak of only a few minutes. Took it apart and siliconed it up in and out. It is now soaking with fuel and after 2 hours, no leaks.

Soooo... my 1/3rd scaler is on hold waiting for me to finish up the 1/4 scaler and better painting weather.

Ray W. aka E-Gap, aka Fleet.

Twin_Flyer

My Feedback: (4)

Looks like a piece of jewelry hanging off the front of the fuse!

Bill S.

D PAYNE

My Feedback: (22)

Hello All


I hope that maybe you can help me. I am working on a 24inch Fleet from a golden age free flight kit that I will be making RC. It is an early tail version 1-2. I would like to do the Red fuse and silver wings and tail color scheme. I have seen a few models in this color variation but I cannot find any photos of a real one for documentation. Would any of you know where I might be able to find pics of this scheme?


Nippaero I think that you are doing the Red and Silver scheme that I am looking for. Do you happen to have any pictures of the full scale? These are pics of your plane that I got from your post.


Thanks David
[email protected]

nippaero

My Feedback: (1)

David