stuk_at_work

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I recently picked up a bunch of planes from someone getting out of the hobby, and this cute little bipe was in the mix. It looks to be a "25" to 40" sized plane, with both wings measuring 48" with an 8" chord, and a fuselage length of about 35 inches. I'm pretty sure I can figure out what I need to get this up in the air, but I'm looking for a better model name to put in my computer radio other than "UnkYelByp"! All help appreciated!

I first thought this might be an RCM design (see decal on tail), but I couldn't find one in the plans index that matched. I could have missed it though. Some hints that might not be clear from the pictures: The tail is built up with an airfoil; the wings are held on with rubber bands, it looks like there was a single interplane strut on each wing (this may be a red herring though), and the ailerons are only on the bottom wing' and there is a large hatch on the top of the fuselage.

Thanks!

Image upload issue seems to be resolved. See images below!

WacoNut

RCU has been on the fritz since early yesterday, No Pic Posting.

HighPlains

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I think it might be a Chuck Cunningham design - the horizontal tail looks like a lifting section, and he did that on some of his designs if memory is not on the fritz tonight. I think it is his Sporty Ace design from February 1979.

iflyj3

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It looks like a Lazy Ace. However, 62" is the smallest Lazy ACE. This could be one that has been reduced. See this site:
http://www.kitcutters.com/RCM/RCMScale/RCMLazyAce.htm

Strat2003

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It's a Sporty Ace. High Plains is right, it's a Chuck Cunningham design, a .40-size takeoff on the much larger Lazy Ace. It has a semi-symetrical airfoil vs. the Lazy Ace's flat bottom one. I enjoyed flying one for several seasons in the early and mid 80's.

Scott

Strat2003

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Yes, it did have single interplant struts, secured by wheel collars on a short length of wire going through 90 degree nylon fittings screwed to the wings.
The original used a single aileron servo in the center section, it was designed before individual wing servos were used.

Scott

stuk_at_work

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I'm looking at the February 1979 issue of RCM, and I agree, it definitely looks like a sporty ace. Looks like the model name on my radio will be "SportyAce". I don't know how I missed it when I scanned the RCM index a couple of days ago. Thanks Guys!

stevegauth30

looks like it will be a fun little flier. whats it got for power?

stuk_at_work

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I'm figuring on an OS 40 FP I have laying around. They run great, are light, and seem to have more power than their modern day 40 LA "equivalent".

Strat2003

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I flew mine on a K&B .40, the model with the black Irvine carb. It had good, but not great, power. It would go vertical, but it wasn't rocket-like.

stuk_at_work

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I think this place was touted as being a "sport" plane, so I'm not expecting to "hang on the prop".  The reality is that I will probably put whatever 40 sized engine fits into the already drilled engine mount.   I'm expecting that to be a 40 FP based on my last "eye-balling" of the mount, but until I actually attempt to mount an engine, I won't really know.  Depending on weather, I might get to setting this plane up by this weekend.

stevegauth30

Interesting setup for the upper wing saddles. Kind of an odd looking bipe. But that don't mean I don't like it.

JimInCA

It's most definitely a Sporty Ace. I build one from plans right after it was published in RCM. I still have the plane and it still flies great. My only recommendation is that it can be a little squirly on the ground so add a little toe-in. That should make it track good on the ground. Then enjoy.
Jim...

Here's a recent photo of mine... (I don't know why it uploaded twice...)

stuk_at_work

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Jim,

What did you use to mount the Interplane struts? According to the build article, Cunningham called for "90 degree mounts". My plane just has screw holes where the mounts used to be. I can't seem to find this partr anywhere, under any name even though I'm pretty sure what they should look like. I was thinking of using control horns and pushrod wire with a clevis soldered at one end and a threaded clevis on the other end for "adjustments", but I don't think this would be as strong as the recommendation on the plans.

Unfortunately this project is now pushed off a couple of days. I picked up a H9 Aresti 40 in the same batch of planes as this one, and after replacing the fuel tank, de-gumming the engine and installing radio gear I though I was done last night and ready for a test flight this morning, only to discover that the previous owner must have had a leaky fuel tank and did a real nice job of "masking" the damage, until I went to install the wing and found out there was no structure to back up the slot in the fuselage where the leading edge of the wing plugs in. One outside loop, and the results would have been spectacular! I now have at least 2 (elapsed) days to get the front of the fuselage "air-worthy". One of these days, I am going to write a book!

JimInCA

Hello Stu,
What I remember is that I used a 90 degree nylon bracket. It had two holes in the longer side for the mounting screws and I needed to drill a 1/16 inch hole in the other half of the bracket. I then used 1/16 inch spring steel with a 1/16 inch wheel collar on either side between the strut and nylon bracket to hold the strut in place.
I did a quick search on Tower's web site and I didn't see the bracket that I used or I'd send you a link. But it might have been a Goldberg or Sig part which could be difficult to find these days.
Good luck and enjoy the Sporty Ace...
Jim...

stuk_at_work

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It is a Goldberg part #462. I did my initial look on TH too and found nothing. My search through my "parts box" proved more rewarding. Apparently TH no longer carries this part.

JimInCA

Good thing that you found them on hand for I have a feeling that Goldberg isn't producing their small parts any longer. At least they're not listing any small parts on their web site. I also checked Sig and I don't believe that they produce that part at all.
Jim...