Top-Flite T-34
02-10-2013, 10:28 AM
#526
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RE: Top-Flite T-34
Hey Bob
Yes I would like a set of the plastic parts. By the way I found some programmable electric retracts for my 34 finally I have been waiting for Robart to come out with a set for a year now. I still have to use the Robart struts though. I have had all the bad experience with air. Air leaks or gear just not coming down ruin your whole day. LOL Send me the info to get in touch with you about the parts.
Thanks
Yes I would like a set of the plastic parts. By the way I found some programmable electric retracts for my 34 finally I have been waiting for Robart to come out with a set for a year now. I still have to use the Robart struts though. I have had all the bad experience with air. Air leaks or gear just not coming down ruin your whole day. LOL Send me the info to get in touch with you about the parts.
Thanks
02-11-2013, 09:04 AM
#527
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RE: Top-Flite T-34
Be patient on the Robart electric conversion, they are cautious to make sure we are getting a reliable product. I finished the E-Robart conversion to my TF Giant P-51, it was easy to do and they work great!! in flight they emerge from the A/C. They are really nice!! They add a more realism to your flutes..
02-16-2013, 07:43 PM
#528
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RE: Top-Flite T-34
Done covering, hinged, electric retracts mounted. All that's left is to mount the RX and wires, paint pilot, and to mount the canopy. So far the plane is 12.2 lbs. I have an OS FS91 w/ MAS 13x8. Runway is a polymer based asphalt. It should fly scale like. Shooting for next weekend.
02-26-2013, 08:36 AM
#529
RE: Top-Flite T-34
ORIGINAL: bobripley
Hello Carl,
Based on the testing that I did with my RCV 130 (2.1 bhp) mounted on a Great Planes 120 size Big Stick that I called the Red Mule your DLE20 will be on the low end of the power curve required to fly the T-34. I loaded the Red Mule up to a dry weight of 20 lbs and the RCV was able to fly it BUT it struggled. The Red Mule took a 700' plus take off run on grass to break ground. It could roll and do a very small and quick loop but a 1/2 reverse Cuban Eight was down right ugly. So for competition you would have a very limited list of flight options available and consider this. The GP 120 Big Stick and the TF T-34 have 80'' wing spans but the Big Stick has almost 50% more wing area and it's constant cord ''Hershey Bar'' wing is going to generate more lift then double tapper wing on the T-34.
I am afraid you may end up in the same boat that I was in and why I had to reengine my plane.
Bstussie,
If you scroll back to earlier pages of this thread you will see how others have configured their TopFlite Mentors for electric power and have successfully flown them at 17 and 18 lbs. The Information that they posted might help you with your decision making process.
Ripley
Hello Carl,
Based on the testing that I did with my RCV 130 (2.1 bhp) mounted on a Great Planes 120 size Big Stick that I called the Red Mule your DLE20 will be on the low end of the power curve required to fly the T-34. I loaded the Red Mule up to a dry weight of 20 lbs and the RCV was able to fly it BUT it struggled. The Red Mule took a 700' plus take off run on grass to break ground. It could roll and do a very small and quick loop but a 1/2 reverse Cuban Eight was down right ugly. So for competition you would have a very limited list of flight options available and consider this. The GP 120 Big Stick and the TF T-34 have 80'' wing spans but the Big Stick has almost 50% more wing area and it's constant cord ''Hershey Bar'' wing is going to generate more lift then double tapper wing on the T-34.
I am afraid you may end up in the same boat that I was in and why I had to reengine my plane.
Bstussie,
If you scroll back to earlier pages of this thread you will see how others have configured their TopFlite Mentors for electric power and have successfully flown them at 17 and 18 lbs. The Information that they posted might help you with your decision making process.
Ripley
I powered my with an OS MAx FS-95. It fit in the cowling and with the 90 degree adapter for the exhaust it all worked really slick. I'm a little worried about the first flight though and being under powered. I wanted scale flight type performance, but after reading your test setup on rcscalebuilder it's got me thinking now. Mine only weighs 14 pounds with everything though. By the way, the scale kit i bought from you sure was great. Thanks for all your help.
Brian
02-26-2013, 07:16 PM
#530
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RE: Top-Flite T-34
Hi Brian,
At 14 pounds your plane is pretty light and I think you will be OK with the OS 95 FS. You won't be able to do any 3D hovering but I bet it will fly very scale like. Consider the fact that TopFlite flew their 12 pound, Monokote covered, retractable landing gear, prototype with a OS .61 two stroke. Go easy on the test flight and run the engine on the ground for a while to make sure that it doesn't over heat.
Ripley
At 14 pounds your plane is pretty light and I think you will be OK with the OS 95 FS. You won't be able to do any 3D hovering but I bet it will fly very scale like. Consider the fact that TopFlite flew their 12 pound, Monokote covered, retractable landing gear, prototype with a OS .61 two stroke. Go easy on the test flight and run the engine on the ground for a while to make sure that it doesn't over heat.
Ripley
02-27-2013, 07:22 AM
#531
RE: Top-Flite T-34
Thanks Bob, that sounds like a plan. It'll be a little heavier when I fuel it up, but that shouldn't be too bad with the 16oz tank. I was thinking I would be OK up to about 16 pounds.
I was a little worried about overheating, because the only exit air locations I have are the two 1" augmenter tubes, with an area of 1.57 in2. There is more input area than output area, so I may have to make some baffles like the full scale. I made the augmenter tubes the same way you did using the shower curtain rod from Home Depot. That was a good idea and really looks great.
Brian
I was a little worried about overheating, because the only exit air locations I have are the two 1" augmenter tubes, with an area of 1.57 in2. There is more input area than output area, so I may have to make some baffles like the full scale. I made the augmenter tubes the same way you did using the shower curtain rod from Home Depot. That was a good idea and really looks great.
Brian
02-27-2013, 06:46 PM
#532
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RE: Top-Flite T-34
Hi Brian,
I agree, getting hot air out of the engine compartment could be an issue and I am concerned about my plane too. I put baffles in my cowl to make sure that the incoming air goes through the cooling fins of the engine head and over the top of my muffler than out the exhaust ejector tubes. I hope it works.
Ripley
I agree, getting hot air out of the engine compartment could be an issue and I am concerned about my plane too. I put baffles in my cowl to make sure that the incoming air goes through the cooling fins of the engine head and over the top of my muffler than out the exhaust ejector tubes. I hope it works.
Ripley
03-18-2013, 09:26 PM
#533
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RE: Top-Flite T-34
My original plan of using the OS91FS was a bust. Too tail heavy. I ended up installing an OS120FS w/ 16x6 prop. Still had to add 400grams of nose weight. Final weight is 14.1lbs.
Question: a buddy of mine has the top flite T34 and he said the balancing point should be measured not from the center of the wing but from the most leading edge of the wing that meets the body ( the wing fairing blocks ). That brings the balance point (like) 1 inch forward. Does that sound correct to any of you guys?
Question: a buddy of mine has the top flite T34 and he said the balancing point should be measured not from the center of the wing but from the most leading edge of the wing that meets the body ( the wing fairing blocks ). That brings the balance point (like) 1 inch forward. Does that sound correct to any of you guys?
03-24-2013, 04:49 AM
#537
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RE: Top-Flite T-34
Hello All
My T-34 is now ready to take to the Toledo show next week, I took pictures yesterday with the recently completed static prop and antistatic wicks on the control surfaces but for some reason I can't upload pictures. The weight is 19 lbs but I have to add 10 oz of ballast to the nose to obtain the correct CG plus my pilot weighs another 6 oz so the all up dry weight when I maiden it will be 20 lbs. No light weight by any means. Ground testing of the engine within the cowl will happen when I get back from the Toledo show. If the Super Tiger 2300 stays relatively cool then the maiden flight will happen soon after.
Ripley
My T-34 is now ready to take to the Toledo show next week, I took pictures yesterday with the recently completed static prop and antistatic wicks on the control surfaces but for some reason I can't upload pictures. The weight is 19 lbs but I have to add 10 oz of ballast to the nose to obtain the correct CG plus my pilot weighs another 6 oz so the all up dry weight when I maiden it will be 20 lbs. No light weight by any means. Ground testing of the engine within the cowl will happen when I get back from the Toledo show. If the Super Tiger 2300 stays relatively cool then the maiden flight will happen soon after.
Ripley
03-24-2013, 01:48 PM
#539
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RE: Top-Flite T-34
Hi Bob,
I hope I get to see you at the show. I am driving in on Friday so probably will not setup up my plane until Saturday morning.
Looks like what issue with imaging loading has been fixed.
Ripley
I hope I get to see you at the show. I am driving in on Friday so probably will not setup up my plane until Saturday morning.
Looks like what issue with imaging loading has been fixed.
Ripley
03-25-2013, 09:23 AM
#542
RE: Top-Flite T-34
Hi Bob,
Boy that T-34 sure does look great! You are a master builder for sure. I hope you win.
A while back we had a conversation about the weight of our T-34's and I just noticed something when looking at the pictures of your T-34.
When you look at the head on shot of the airplane it looks like the main tires are low on air, which we all know isn't possible with these tires. Since you said you were at 20 lbs I got to thinking. I remember reading the instructions that came with my Robart brake system, and they said to make sure to use their foam inserts if you were using their wheels above 12 lbs. Here are the instructions:
[link]http://www.robart.com/catalog/secure/uploads/file/Instructions/Compact%20UniBrake%20Instructions.pdf[/link]
Here is a link that I found on Tower Hobbies for the material. This might reduce the rolling resistance thereby shortening your takeoff run. At $3.45 it couldn't hurt.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXMWL3&P=FR
Brian
Boy that T-34 sure does look great! You are a master builder for sure. I hope you win.
A while back we had a conversation about the weight of our T-34's and I just noticed something when looking at the pictures of your T-34.
When you look at the head on shot of the airplane it looks like the main tires are low on air, which we all know isn't possible with these tires. Since you said you were at 20 lbs I got to thinking. I remember reading the instructions that came with my Robart brake system, and they said to make sure to use their foam inserts if you were using their wheels above 12 lbs. Here are the instructions:
[link]http://www.robart.com/catalog/secure/uploads/file/Instructions/Compact%20UniBrake%20Instructions.pdf[/link]
Here is a link that I found on Tower Hobbies for the material. This might reduce the rolling resistance thereby shortening your takeoff run. At $3.45 it couldn't hurt.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXMWL3&P=FR
Brian
03-25-2013, 01:50 PM
#543
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RE: Top-Flite T-34
Hi Brian,
I don't know about my chances of winning. There are plenty of things on my model that a judge could find for a down grade in points but I will let them find those.
I do have foam inserts in the tires. That's what 20lb of plane looks like sitting on Robart scale tires.
Ripley
I don't know about my chances of winning. There are plenty of things on my model that a judge could find for a down grade in points but I will let them find those.
I do have foam inserts in the tires. That's what 20lb of plane looks like sitting on Robart scale tires.
Ripley
03-25-2013, 06:21 PM
#546
RE: Top-Flite T-34
ORIGINAL: bobripley
Hi Brian,
I don't know about my chances of winning. There are plenty of things on my model that a judge could find for a down grade in points but I will let them find those.
I do have foam inserts in the tires. That's what 20lb of plane looks like sitting on Robart scale tires.
Ripley
Hi Brian,
I don't know about my chances of winning. There are plenty of things on my model that a judge could find for a down grade in points but I will let them find those.
I do have foam inserts in the tires. That's what 20lb of plane looks like sitting on Robart scale tires.
Ripley
I figured that as good a builder as you are, you'd probably have them in there, but I just wanted to make sure, in case it got overlooked. I thought even so, it might help some other builders out there that didn't get the brake kit. I don't remember seeming that instruction on the package that the wheels came in, but I could have overlooked it.
Now I know what 20 pounds of airplane looks like! I think it's more of an optical illusion in the photo though, probably not as pronounced in person.
Good luck at the show and let us know before the big day of the maiden flight.
Brian
04-12-2013, 06:53 PM
#547
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RE: Top-Flite T-34
Hello All,
It's been a week since I took my T-34 to the Toledo Show. I was shocked and thrilled when they called my name for third place in the non-military sport scale category on Sunday. Compared to other models in that group I didn't think I stood a chance. Mike Barbee's T-34 was the first place finisher in my category with a plaque and a check for $500.00. My plane may have been nice but his was drop dead gorgeous. Without a doubt he deserved first place.
Of course the star of the show was the "Bat Wing". Incredible achievement.
Tomorrow I run the engine on the airfame for the first time. Now I will find out if I have a cooling issue or not.
Ripley
It's been a week since I took my T-34 to the Toledo Show. I was shocked and thrilled when they called my name for third place in the non-military sport scale category on Sunday. Compared to other models in that group I didn't think I stood a chance. Mike Barbee's T-34 was the first place finisher in my category with a plaque and a check for $500.00. My plane may have been nice but his was drop dead gorgeous. Without a doubt he deserved first place.
Of course the star of the show was the "Bat Wing". Incredible achievement.
Tomorrow I run the engine on the airfame for the first time. Now I will find out if I have a cooling issue or not.
Ripley
04-12-2013, 07:12 PM
#548
RE: Top-Flite T-34
Bob Ripley
Its been a while since I've flown the T-34 (Amodel) but your cockpit was dead on.I may be wrong be I believe the Navy (B model)did not have the triangle fairing between the rudder and the tail cone.I just wish I had your building skills out standing model.
Its been a while since I've flown the T-34 (Amodel) but your cockpit was dead on.I may be wrong be I believe the Navy (B model)did not have the triangle fairing between the rudder and the tail cone.I just wish I had your building skills out standing model.
04-13-2013, 04:38 AM
#549
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RE: Top-Flite T-34
Hello nmav8,
That you sir for the kind comment. As I understand it the Air Force "A" models where sans the triangle fairing below the trailing edge of the rudder while the Navy "B" models had it on their planes. Regardless the owner of the full scale had it on her full scale T-34 and therefore I replicated it on mine.
That you sir for the kind comment. As I understand it the Air Force "A" models where sans the triangle fairing below the trailing edge of the rudder while the Navy "B" models had it on their planes. Regardless the owner of the full scale had it on her full scale T-34 and therefore I replicated it on mine.