tenacious101010

My Feedback: (97)

I have Just purchased two 1/4 scale Bud Nosen Citabrias. I do not have any information on them as far as CG, throws, engine choices etc. If anyone can share their knowledge and experience in these planes, I would greatly appreciate the input. One of them had a G-26 on it but I am thinking it needs a bit more power. Even a G-38 may not be enough for this plane. I do have a G-38 with magneto, another G-38 with Electronic Ignition and a DL-50. I know the DL-50 is a bit big for this, but it is a lot lighter than the G-38 with magneto. I actually weighed the two, the G-38 with cup mount, bennet exhaust and starter totaled 4.5 pounds. The DL-50 with standoff mounts, bennett exhaust , electronic module without battery weighed 3.5 pounds.
Once I find out the CG for this, it may make the engine choice easier.
Any help wouyld be greatly appreciated.
Denny

All Day Dan

My Feedback: (5)

Hi Denny, If no one has the information from the plans, you can place the CG 30% of the wing chord behind the leading edge of the wing. That will give you a safe first flight and you can readjust it from there. I built a quarter scale Champ and it flies great with the CG at that position. Dan.

ahicks

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I wouldn't worry about your power unless it's heavy. I have one (16lbs or so) that's great on a ST 2500?

tenacious101010

My Feedback: (97)

Looks like I am going to go with a DL-50 for this project. I would like to strengthen the firewall to the rest of the fuselage. It doesnt seem to have a lot of structure tieing the firewall to the stringers and skin. I am going to have to shorten the engine standoffs by 3/4 in ch to get the engine where it needs to be. The carb will need a clearance hole in the firewall but that should be easy with a hole saw. I guess I can get started with the pull-pull tailwheel cables and get the servo tray made to get all the servos in the fuselage. I am still torn on paint jobs, I love the red and white factory color scheme, but I also found pictures of the Turkish Air Force color scheme of OD Green and red trim.
They used them for reconnisance. It would make a very unusual warbird. I will get pictures posted as I go along, maybe they will help someone else.
Denny

Bass1

A Saito 150 pulls mine around with ease with minimal cowl hackage. If you opt for the huge gasser you'll also need taller landing gear for prop clearance. Something to consider.

tenacious101010

My Feedback: (97)

Very true Bass, I mounted the engine after prepping the firewall and I measured 2 inches prop clearance with the fuselage sitting level. A 3 blade prop would give me even more clearance but for now I will go with a 2 blade. I removed the box for the fuel tank and installed a ply square to fill the opening and added a 1/4 inch ply firewall doubler which I used 30 min epoxy and screws to install. The biggest problem I have is the exhaust will not clear the cowl. I can run the engine the way it is now and can try my hand at making a custom exhaust for it. I installed the tailwheel mechanism, I just need to get different springs. I decided to go ahead and install the servos in the fuselage. I cut some openings in the bottom of the fuselage for the servos and added some hardwood to mount the servos. With the engine, exhaust, fuel tank, ignition module and prop installed the plane balanced when I put the battery behind the servos. I balanced it on the wing spar. I may need the CG even a bit farther back but it should just be a matter of moving the batterys farther back a few inches.
I should have the servos screwed down and be ready to start the engine when I get the prop drilled and installed.
Denny

planebuilder66

My Feedback: (8)

I opened my nosen kit and the plans say CG is 4 &1/2" back from the leading edge, control throws are as follows, not quite sure if they mean total throw or one way, but I'm guessing total deflection.

Alerions 2.5", more up than down
elevator 1" to 1.5" with 3/8" down trim
Rudder throw is at MAZ, yes it actually says MAZ, they ment MAX.
It also states that a good .60 size engine will fly it at 12 lbs Don't do that, nothing will happen except your plane running out of runway, if the 50cc is lighter and fits better, go for it. The G-38 will fly it very well too, the 25CC will fly it, but it will be very scale, you'll have to use inertia to exciute basic aerobatics. Other than that enjoy the plane, I here it flies very well. I look forward to building this one someday.

tenacious101010

My Feedback: (97)

Thanks for that great information. It will be a big help. I find it hard to believe that they would even recommend a .60 size engine for this thing. They stretched the truth a lot more than they do now. I had a choice between a G-38 with magneto, and a DL-50, so since the DL-50 was 1 pound lighter, that is it. I still have 2 inches of ground clearance with a 22 inch prop, I would prefer to have a 20 inch prop.
Denny

Taildragger726

With an aircraft of this caliber, please fix the instrument panel. ( I'm saying it looks like a really nice airplane! Except the instrument panel is not correct.)

Bass1

How about a few photos of our Nosen Citabrias to add some color to this thread. Any excuse to show off mine

Truckracer

My Feedback: (19)

Nice looking airplane!

trooper-rat

My Feedback: (4)

She's not going to win a beauty contest, but I have always loved a model in the bones. Working on her when I can.

www.rcuniverse.com/gallery/galleryItem.cfm

tenacious101010

My Feedback: (97)

Glad to see others out there working on and flying this plane. I am still doing a little each day to get mine going. Looks like the biggest problem I have is an exhaust that will fit under the cowl. I believe my best option is to use a Bennet side muffler for a G-62 and modify it a bit. The origional DL-50 muffler is just too big to go under the cowl. One other thing I havent figured out yet is how to hold the wings on, the aluminum tubes are there to slide them into, but not sure how I will secure the wings to the fuselage.
Denny

trooper-rat

My Feedback: (4)

I have done a one piece wing. Two 1/2" dowels with a rear bolt wing setup. I plan on making a magnetic cover for the trailing edge at the fuse. Yeah, I know its gonna be a bear to haul around but I've also got flaps on this beast and did not want that hassle once I reach the flight line...if I can get it there!

I'll get a pic up of the wing soon.

chris heystek

My Feedback: (9)

I've read somewhere on this plane that you need to put a couple of degrees of positve in the stab, can anybody elaborate on this. I just started cutting my fuse parts out for this kit . thanks chris

planebuilder66

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The manual states 3/8" down trim on the stab, so I would assume your correct, it probibally does have a few degrees of positive on the tail.

ram3500-RCU

My Feedback: (221)

I have one of these NIB and reading this thread makes me all the more anxious to get started on her. I had hoped to build and finish it this winter. We'll see. Thanks.

tenacious101010

My Feedback: (97)

I think the information that is in this threat will be a big help to people with this plane. I would like to hear from those who have built, done the setup as far as CG, throws and have experience with the flying characteristics of this plane. I did some research and didnt find much on this kit.
Denny

trooper-rat

My Feedback: (4)

I think I have already searched the internet about 12 times (at least it feels like it). Here is an interesting thread that covers the Nosen build. Has some good pointers, check it out:

www.elliotfan.com/art/flight/citabria/cit_img_01.htm

chris heystek

My Feedback: (9)

real nice web site trooper-rat. The manual does say that, I plan on putting about two degrees in it. I will say the kit is going to be time consuming, but I do love to build. thanks chris

trooper-rat

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Thanks. I feel the "removable" horizontal stab is a bit much for the build but I do like the support system for it. I think the two biggest bearswiththis build are going to be the struts and covering/finish. I do not plan on a competiton scale appearence but more of a standoff scale.


I do like the opening door your model has! I will probably do a hinged top, magnetic bottom right side window for switch access without a completed scale cockpit. I may even use a slight smoked material for the side windows.

Here is the heart of the beast: www.youtube.com/watch It was built by Gary (Dr. Tune) out of Texas. He is a member of the RCU and is a real super guy!!

tenacious101010

My Feedback: (97)

What engine is that?

trooper-rat

My Feedback: (4)

A converted Homelite 30cc. Runs perfectly.

tenacious101010

My Feedback: (97)

It will be interesting to see how the different engines work out with this airframe. I had a choice between the DL-50 with electronic ignition or a Zenoah G-38 with a magneto. I weighed them both and the DL-50 was right at 1 pound lighter. I had a geeling it would be too heavy so I went with the DL-50. the plane balances great with no ballast just by moving the battery to aft of the wing. Thats balancing it on the main wing spar.
Denny

trooper-rat

My Feedback: (4)

I am concerned about the weight of this gasser. How much does the DA weigh?