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Fleet Brotherhood

Old 04-16-2015, 02:01 PM
  #651  
ispirit99
 
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Please add me to "The Fleet Brotherhood Club." Would appreciate any advice on fabricating or buying a scale rear windscreen. My kit didn't have either the front or rear one. I covered the front cockpit with a hatch cover. I hope to post pictures when I finish covering her. Thanks, ISPIRIT99.
Old 04-16-2015, 06:28 PM
  #652  
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There were a lot of windscreen styles to choose from on the original. A little googling and you may find one to your liking.

Ray W.
Old 04-17-2015, 11:20 AM
  #653  
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Originally Posted by ispirit99
Please add me to "The Fleet Brotherhood Club." Would appreciate any advice on fabricating or buying a scale rear windscreen. My kit didn't have either the front or rear one. I covered the front cockpit with a hatch cover. I hope to post pictures when I finish covering her. Thanks, ISPIRIT99.
You are #30. What scale, what manufacturer, what engine?
Old 04-17-2015, 12:47 PM
  #654  
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Thanks Ray! I have the 1/4 scale Concept Fleet Model version with a QUADRA 40CC GAS ENGINE with magnito mounted on her. Never used this motor before but picked it up in almost new condition. It seems to suite this plane in weight and sound. Any recommendations on what size Wood Prop would give me the best results with this motor? I fly up in the mountains of West Virginia not at sea level and I find that makes a slight difference in our Prop choices sometimes. I also noticed wires on the tail feathers in some pictures. Are they necessary or just for scale? Either way, I think I will use them. Thanks again for this really informative build thread. I have been reading it with great joy.

Old 04-17-2015, 03:49 PM
  #655  
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I would suggest breaking in the motor with an 18x10 wood prop, then switch to a 20x8 wood prop.
Old 04-17-2015, 03:49 PM
  #656  
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I would suggest breaking in the motor with an 18x10 wood prop, then switch to a 20x8 wood prop.
Old 04-17-2015, 04:05 PM
  #657  
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Wires on the vertical and horizontal tail surfaces are a must.
Old 04-18-2015, 05:05 AM
  #658  
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I'll second the "must" on tail brace wires. My habit is to imbed hard wood where they will pass through the stabilizer and fin.

Ray W
Old 04-18-2015, 12:46 PM
  #659  
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ispirit99, welcome to the Fleet Brotherhood !..Attached are a few pics of my windscreen install..I didn't build the plane but the windscreen on this is bulletproof solid...
Looks like it was made out of 1.25 mm thick alu with small attachment tabs riveted to the lower frame part...if you made it out of brass you could solder these on naturally.
I don't have the template for it but shouldn't be too difficult to make a cardboard mock-up first and then jig saw the frame out of metal.
mine is also quarter scale...your Quadra 40 cc will be more than adequate for this plane.
Good luck and make sure to post some pics !!
Eric
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Old 04-18-2015, 02:23 PM
  #660  
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Thanks for the welcome guys and thanks for the advice on the prop, windscreen and the critical information on the tail feather wires. Gotta say I love this thread. Never knew there was so much detailed information on this Fleet Bi-plane. My eyes are still watering from reading it all in one sitting. I just couldn't stop. LOL! I will be posting some pictures soon. You guys have posted some beautiful work of your own that has inspired me. Thanks again for all your support. It's very much appreciated.
Old 04-19-2015, 05:47 AM
  #661  
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Nice work on the windscreens Eric (Mein Duff). Question: where did you find the tan cockpit combing?

Still working on my rebuild. Attaching gear so as it could be removable as I've some floats destined to be attached. I haven't yet ruled out a canopy enclosure yet. Just to decide if I want to go through the effort.


Ray
Old 04-19-2015, 03:34 PM
  #662  
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Ray... the combing is actually the black rubber stuff available from Proctor Enterprises for example...just painted with matte tan...so far its holding up well.
What do you mean by canopy enclosure ? a fully enclosed with glass type? or just a windscreen?....
Old 04-19-2015, 06:40 PM
  #663  
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I've got the black rubber variety available in different scales produced by ....DuBro? Ernst? or who ever

Something different it would appear as the RCAF enclosed the cockpits for winter ops.

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Old 04-20-2015, 07:40 AM
  #664  
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That would be very unique indeed...and a different tail configuration as well !
Old 04-20-2015, 09:46 AM
  #665  
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16B Finch mod. RCAF wanted additional fin and rudder as the plane was difficult to pull out of a spin. Added also, was an additional landing wire.

My new rudder and fin:



Ray W.
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Old 08-08-2015, 04:33 AM
  #666  
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My rebuild is complete. 2or so years past, I turned final on a very short runway and a case of "dumb thumbs" struck. I rolled the beauty on her back and ,if I had 10 more feet of altitude, I could have saved it. Alas... if went into a very soft cotton field. Pix shows the crackup and final repairs.

I added a few things, changed a few things but the over 20 year old airplane has a nice fresh annual inspection and is deemed airworthy once again.

Now, if the field temps moderate, I'll give her a new maiden.

Ray W.
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Old 08-08-2015, 08:09 AM
  #667  
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She came out beauty Ray...just chompin' to get back in the air....prolly won't git too high with that little prop though !!
Old 08-08-2015, 11:03 AM
  #668  
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Nice work, Ray. I haven't flown mine since last year. I've been working on Honda Trail 70's at the expense of model aircraft.

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Old 12-08-2017, 06:53 PM
  #669  
MikeGirdley
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Guys,
New to the forum. How do I sign up for the "Brotherhood" Currently building a 1/4 scale Concept Fleet and restorer/owner of a Fleet Model 2 -scale is 12"-1'
Mike
Old 12-08-2017, 07:39 PM
  #670  
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Mike, I have the roster. The next number is 31 and that will be your Brotherhood number. What do you plan to power it with?
Old 12-09-2017, 07:17 AM
  #671  
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Default Fleet power

Hey Bob,
Thanks for the response. I'm not sure about power. Biggest thing I have right now is an OS FS-120 and I am sure that is not going to be enough to get it off the ground. Quadra 35s are kind of old and probably hard to find parts for. Zenoah 38s seem common on eBay. Anything to watch out for there? Suggestion?. My spruce order just came, so I can get started :-))
Later,
Mike
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Old 12-09-2017, 10:06 AM
  #672  
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Mike, I would highly recommend the Saito 2.20 4 -stroke......very nice combination but hard to hide in a dummy radial engine if you go that route.
Not sure what your budget is.....
Old 12-10-2017, 07:57 AM
  #673  
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Does anyone have any thoughts regarding a DLE-20cc engine for the 1/4 scale Fleet? Stick with the Q-35? Tower has the DLE on sale right now. They seem to be comparable hp ratings 2.2 vs. 2.3 for the DLE. I would prefer the magneto ignition on the Q-35. Parts for the Q-35 concern me-may not really be an issue however.
Merry Christmas
Mike
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Old 12-10-2017, 08:23 AM
  #674  
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My recommendation would be a G-38 which is available as magneto-ignition. My Fleet has a Q-35 and I wish it had just a bit more power, The G-38, even though only a bit larger than the Q-35, is a stronger design.

Dave
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Old 12-15-2017, 08:43 AM
  #675  
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Hey Dave,
I have lucked into a new Q-35 with mount that will go into the airplane. I toyed with the idea of using the OS FS-120 but I was afraid it just would not be enough power, not that the real airplane was a power house. Came originally with a 90 or 100 hp Kinner. I put a 125 hp Kinner B5R in mine and it is satisfactory. I fly from the front seat. Sits you right on the center of pressure. The airplane just sort of moves around you. Windshields on mine are the original type with a curved windshield in front and a flat fold down, PT-3 type, in the back. I have started cutting wood on mine. That is a big airplane. Can't imagine what the 1/3 sized would be like. I will enjoy the build this winter since the big one is put away for the winter and won't be back out until about April.
Later,
Mike #31

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