1/3rd scale Polen Special 11 Speed record holder Build
04-05-2014, 04:20 PM
#1
Thread Starter
1/3rd scale Polen Special 11 Speed record holder Build
Coming off a modified Spacewalker 11 build there is always a question of whats next, Until this morning I never had sights clearly set on the next one. A friend in our club saw my Spacewalker at a club meeting and figured he found the right guy to finish the Polen build, called me and asked if he could bring a plane over to see if I wanted to build it, little did I know if I said yes it was mine, I mean outright, the only condition was he wanted to fly it when I get it done and he is good at it. How do you turn down something like that.
The EAA proto type was started in 1967 and made it's first flight in May of 1972, the plane was inspired by the miget Mustang and completly redesigned and fitted with a turbocharged 200 HP IO-360 Lycoming engine and weighed 1035 lbs., it reached an official speed of 345 mpr. Anyway 6 composit 1/3rd scale fuselages were made as well as a full cockpit with every gauge and switch found on the real one and a custome full scale pilot, the detail is incredable. Wings and tail surfaces are sheated foam and has pneumatic tires on custome air retracts including tail wheel.
There is alot of work yet to do and some unknowns, there is no instruction guide or plans with it and much to figure out, the scale 3 views will be a big help. It is not known where the other 5 planes are or if any one on RCU even knows anything about this plane but there is always a chance and at this point I could use some help if there is any to be found.
With flying season upon us this will be a long term project as there is alot to round up and research to do, how many of you would like to see it built right here, my hope is to attract some composit and foam wing plane builders they surely could help address a number of issues that shurely will come up.
The EAA proto type was started in 1967 and made it's first flight in May of 1972, the plane was inspired by the miget Mustang and completly redesigned and fitted with a turbocharged 200 HP IO-360 Lycoming engine and weighed 1035 lbs., it reached an official speed of 345 mpr. Anyway 6 composit 1/3rd scale fuselages were made as well as a full cockpit with every gauge and switch found on the real one and a custome full scale pilot, the detail is incredable. Wings and tail surfaces are sheated foam and has pneumatic tires on custome air retracts including tail wheel.
There is alot of work yet to do and some unknowns, there is no instruction guide or plans with it and much to figure out, the scale 3 views will be a big help. It is not known where the other 5 planes are or if any one on RCU even knows anything about this plane but there is always a chance and at this point I could use some help if there is any to be found.
With flying season upon us this will be a long term project as there is alot to round up and research to do, how many of you would like to see it built right here, my hope is to attract some composit and foam wing plane builders they surely could help address a number of issues that shurely will come up.
04-05-2014, 08:06 PM
#2
04-06-2014, 06:57 PM
#5
Thread Starter
Steve and David there is alot of missing technical information on this plane and it's going to require alot of research on my part, there may not be much out there, there was only 6 composit fuselages made, the wings and tail control is sheeted foam core and has an unusual hinge line on all moving parts. Later on I will post some pictures of some of the concerns in hopes someone has any information on this plane. all that will take place on Giant Scale Airplanes under the name of Polan Special 11 build.
Leroy
Leroy
04-07-2014, 03:06 AM
#8
Leroy, I will help any I can. My giant super chipmunk was a composite with foam core wings. No instructions or plans and I just built it like I wanted and it came out great. I have an extensive build log on that plane if you want to check it out for some ideas. http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/kit-...short-kit.html
TB
TB
04-07-2014, 06:33 PM
#9
Thread Starter
Tony thanks alot for that offer, knowing your well detailed builds I'm sure that there is something to be gained from looking at a like kind one being built.
Steve there is so little known about this short kit,? if thats what it's called and I'm not having any luck finding anything on it but I'm still looking.
Who ever started building the control surfaces did some beautiful wood work and never got them finished. One thing bothers me, there is no indication that hard pionts for hinges exist let alone protruding mounts for attachments of the tail parts. Hinge lines are the straingest I have ever seen. Tape on parts indicate this plane has been in storage for a very long time, I get the impression that who ever started it had no idea how to finish it. There has been some pretty sloppy work on the fiber glass that indicates lack of knowledge working with it. All of that can be cleaned up however and the actual glass work in the making of the fuselage is quite good. There is a part line on the outside from the mold but none on the inside. Has one heck of a BIG engine box and the cowl is huge.
Landing gear is some I have never seen and the wing mounts for the gear would scare you to death, makes you wonder if this was being built as a static model only. Even the servo mounts leave much to be desired. It's sad that a $500.00 cockpit or more was put in it and the rest is such as it is, doesn't make sence all that I have seen so far and I'm not going to start pouring money in it until I get some answers. I will probe the wing to see if it even has a spar in it ?.
Hope someone will identify and or explain what you see in the pictures.
Leroy
Steve there is so little known about this short kit,? if thats what it's called and I'm not having any luck finding anything on it but I'm still looking.
Who ever started building the control surfaces did some beautiful wood work and never got them finished. One thing bothers me, there is no indication that hard pionts for hinges exist let alone protruding mounts for attachments of the tail parts. Hinge lines are the straingest I have ever seen. Tape on parts indicate this plane has been in storage for a very long time, I get the impression that who ever started it had no idea how to finish it. There has been some pretty sloppy work on the fiber glass that indicates lack of knowledge working with it. All of that can be cleaned up however and the actual glass work in the making of the fuselage is quite good. There is a part line on the outside from the mold but none on the inside. Has one heck of a BIG engine box and the cowl is huge.
Landing gear is some I have never seen and the wing mounts for the gear would scare you to death, makes you wonder if this was being built as a static model only. Even the servo mounts leave much to be desired. It's sad that a $500.00 cockpit or more was put in it and the rest is such as it is, doesn't make sence all that I have seen so far and I'm not going to start pouring money in it until I get some answers. I will probe the wing to see if it even has a spar in it ?.
Hope someone will identify and or explain what you see in the pictures.
Leroy
04-07-2014, 07:53 PM
#10
Well I must say, compared to the work that had been started on my Stinson, that looks mighty fine! That is to say at least on the wood work, it was kind of difficult seeing the glass work. Good luck Leroy, I hope you find someone with the info you need.
04-07-2014, 08:09 PM
#11
Thread Starter
Tony thanks for the Chipmonk build site, I just went through the whole build and you gave me many ideas and things to probe for now that I see how things are built. I have much to do with what I have, yours is a good guide. Your bird looks great, some paint and covering job as well.
What did it weigh when finished,?. The Polen fuselage is the only heavy part of it, not much weight in the rest of it, a Valley View 40 twin would fit in cowl nice, don't know if it has the gusto to fly it, may need a 60 twin. I have a long way to go if it flies at all, time will tell.
Leroy
What did it weigh when finished,?. The Polen fuselage is the only heavy part of it, not much weight in the rest of it, a Valley View 40 twin would fit in cowl nice, don't know if it has the gusto to fly it, may need a 60 twin. I have a long way to go if it flies at all, time will tell.
Leroy
04-08-2014, 03:43 AM
#13
Leroy, my chipmunk weighed 22lb with a DLE 30 it was very scale. I ended up putting a DLE55 on it and it came to life. I would think a 60cc would be great. Might want to look at the new 62 evolution with EFI!
as for the items you mentioned, all can be easily tackled. On the hinges there may be hing blocks but you have no idea of where and how many. I would layout the hinges, and cut in blocks, easy fix. The same can be done on the landing gear. With a foam wing you want the main gear tied into the LE and the spar. You can cut a trench and install a spar.
Anyways it looks like a fun project that is easily manageable, with your skills you will make a beauty of this neglected mess.
TB
as for the items you mentioned, all can be easily tackled. On the hinges there may be hing blocks but you have no idea of where and how many. I would layout the hinges, and cut in blocks, easy fix. The same can be done on the landing gear. With a foam wing you want the main gear tied into the LE and the spar. You can cut a trench and install a spar.
Anyways it looks like a fun project that is easily manageable, with your skills you will make a beauty of this neglected mess.
TB
Last edited by TonyBuilder; 04-08-2014 at 03:46 AM.
04-11-2014, 09:04 AM
#14
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Great project.
You might want to get a copy of the booklet "Homebuilt Airplanes" by Baron Wolman / Peter Garrison. It has a very interesting article and photos of the Polen Special. It details how Dennis Polen designed and built it. It was at the time very likely the fastest and highest flying homebuilt around. Certainly it was the best looking.
You might want to get a copy of the booklet "Homebuilt Airplanes" by Baron Wolman / Peter Garrison. It has a very interesting article and photos of the Polen Special. It details how Dennis Polen designed and built it. It was at the time very likely the fastest and highest flying homebuilt around. Certainly it was the best looking.
04-11-2014, 12:46 PM
#15
Thread Starter
Leroy, my chipmunk weighed 22lb with a DLE 30 it was very scale. I ended up putting a DLE55 on it and it came to life. I would think a 60cc would be great. Might want to look at the new 62 evolution with EFI!
as for the items you mentioned, all can be easily tackled. On the hinges there may be hing blocks but you have no idea of where and how many. I would layout the hinges, and cut in blocks, easy fix. The same can be done on the landing gear. With a foam wing you want the main gear tied into the LE and the spar. You can cut a trench and install a spar.
Anyways it looks like a fun project that is easily manageable, with your skills you will make a beauty of this neglected mess.
TB
as for the items you mentioned, all can be easily tackled. On the hinges there may be hing blocks but you have no idea of where and how many. I would layout the hinges, and cut in blocks, easy fix. The same can be done on the landing gear. With a foam wing you want the main gear tied into the LE and the spar. You can cut a trench and install a spar.
Anyways it looks like a fun project that is easily manageable, with your skills you will make a beauty of this neglected mess.
TB
Again thanks for your help, one question, what do you drill foam with that won't tear it up. Would a custom made hot blade do the same thing and just pick out the center for drilled blocks. There may be a spar under the wing skin, still haven't probed it yet. I also have both sides of the foam cores of tail parts and I can use them to cut out for hinge blocks and horn inserts. I have already learned alot from you, great having you around and willing to help.
Leroy
10-29-2019, 04:29 PM
#17
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Polen special
I have a 85.5 inch wing span Polen Special. It is all wood and was built by Mr. Moore over 20 years ago. It weight 23lbs and has a DLA 58 in it. He flew it with a 3W 48. It has been in magazines and photographed with the real one. Did you ever fly this one you were working on?
QUOTE=Leroy Gardner;11776409]Coming off a modified Spacewalker 11 build there is always a question of whats next, Until this morning I never had sights clearly set on the next one. A friend in our club saw my Spacewalker at a club meeting and figured he found the right guy to finish the Polen build, called me and asked if he could bring a plane over to see if I wanted to build it, little did I know if I said yes it was mine, I mean outright, the only condition was he wanted to fly it when I get it done and he is good at it. How do you turn down something like that.
The EAA proto type was started in 1967 and made it's first flight in May of 1972, the plane was inspired by the miget Mustang and completly redesigned and fitted with a turbocharged 200 HP IO-360 Lycoming engine and weighed 1035 lbs., it reached an official speed of 345 mpr. Anyway 6 composit 1/3rd scale fuselages were made as well as a full cockpit with every gauge and switch found on the real one and a custome full scale pilot, the detail is incredable. Wings and tail surfaces are sheated foam and has pneumatic tires on custome air retracts including tail wheel.
There is alot of work yet to do and some unknowns, there is no instruction guide or plans with it and much to figure out, the scale 3 views will be a big help. It is not known where the other 5 planes are or if any one on RCU even knows anything about this plane but there is always a chance and at this point I could use some help if there is any to be found.
With flying season upon us this will be a long term project as there is alot to round up and research to do, how many of you would like to see it built right here, my hope is to attract some composit and foam wing plane builders they surely could help address a number of issues that shurely will come up.[/QUOTE]
QUOTE=Leroy Gardner;11776409]Coming off a modified Spacewalker 11 build there is always a question of whats next, Until this morning I never had sights clearly set on the next one. A friend in our club saw my Spacewalker at a club meeting and figured he found the right guy to finish the Polen build, called me and asked if he could bring a plane over to see if I wanted to build it, little did I know if I said yes it was mine, I mean outright, the only condition was he wanted to fly it when I get it done and he is good at it. How do you turn down something like that.
The EAA proto type was started in 1967 and made it's first flight in May of 1972, the plane was inspired by the miget Mustang and completly redesigned and fitted with a turbocharged 200 HP IO-360 Lycoming engine and weighed 1035 lbs., it reached an official speed of 345 mpr. Anyway 6 composit 1/3rd scale fuselages were made as well as a full cockpit with every gauge and switch found on the real one and a custome full scale pilot, the detail is incredable. Wings and tail surfaces are sheated foam and has pneumatic tires on custome air retracts including tail wheel.
There is alot of work yet to do and some unknowns, there is no instruction guide or plans with it and much to figure out, the scale 3 views will be a big help. It is not known where the other 5 planes are or if any one on RCU even knows anything about this plane but there is always a chance and at this point I could use some help if there is any to be found.
With flying season upon us this will be a long term project as there is alot to round up and research to do, how many of you would like to see it built right here, my hope is to attract some composit and foam wing plane builders they surely could help address a number of issues that shurely will come up.
[/QUOTE]
11-03-2023, 07:03 AM
#18
So what's happened to this build, Sonny? A new customer purchased servos and out of curiosity I reached out regarding what they were for and he replied a Polen Special II and despite being a modeler for +50 years, the name surprised me. So I switched browser tabs and used Dr. Googled and was taken aback with the sheer beauty of the aircraft. Then when I saw an RCU-thread, I clicked. Realizing it's dated 2014, I began scrolling and the most recent post is 2019, and nothing from you after 2018 so I fear the worst.
Anyway, if you're still alive and kicking, what ever happened to this thing? And if you've flown west, may God Bless you!
Anyway, if you're still alive and kicking, what ever happened to this thing? And if you've flown west, may God Bless you!
