Sterling RIMFIRE
#4
RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
Hi Chief,
You might also try posting in the classic pattern section here as well. As I recall the Rimfire was a sport pattern plane, the one pictured on the kit box was red with white & blue trim? Its been along time since Ive seen a kit...
Carlos G
You might also try posting in the classic pattern section here as well. As I recall the Rimfire was a sport pattern plane, the one pictured on the kit box was red with white & blue trim? Its been along time since Ive seen a kit...
Carlos G
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Foxfire Village,
NC
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
It is a different airplane, but an interesting one. The flat bottom airfoil, though, would seem to make it a much different flying machine.
ChiefK
ChiefK
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Foxfire Village,
NC
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
There was a kit available on e**y a day or two ago, but it went for a surprising $157.00. For that kind of money, I'd rather build from scratch.
ChiefK
ChiefK
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Foxfire Village,
NC
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
That's the one... I didn't remember that it only cost 27.95 for the kit! It did come with full size plans, so hopefully we'll find someone who hasn't tossed them.
ChiefK
ChiefK
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Foxfire Village,
NC
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
I agree with the "good looking" part. I flew mine ( photo several messages above ) a lot and it was certainly a great flying airplane too. Its demise was at a "fun fly", where after winning the "spins" event, was just flying around and lost it in a fog bank. Power was a Webra .40. If I build a new one, power will be a O.S. .55AX.
Since I now fly off grass, if I can find a plan, I'll build it as a tail dragger (and stay away from any fog). If you find a plan, please let me know.
Thanks,
ChiefK
Since I now fly off grass, if I can find a plan, I'll build it as a tail dragger (and stay away from any fog). If you find a plan, please let me know.
Thanks,
ChiefK
#13
RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
I have the plans somewhere and a kit also that I would like to duplicate but trying to figure how to cut the diamond shaped leading edges for the wing has stopped me so far.thinking of making a wedge to resaw some square stock on mt band saw with a rip fence
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Foxfire Village,
NC
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
I don't remember a diamond shaped leading edge ( it was about 30 years ago ). Was it not just something like a 1/2" strip turned sideways? Look for those plans! We need them.
ChiefK
ChiefK
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Foxfire Village,
NC
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
There's got to be an easier ( more straight forward ) way to do it. We'll know more when we get to see a set of plans.
ChiefK
ChiefK
#17
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Cedar City ,
UT
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
A friend of mine built one when we were both in the Army 73 or 74 it had a badly warped wing. I witnessed the first flight he was a lot better pilot than I and was able to get it back down in one piece. If I recall he pulled the engine and radio out after the first flight. I think even if the wings had not been warped it would have been a handful very thin airfoil and heavy but with lots of power.
Richard
Richard
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Foxfire Village,
NC
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
Any airplane with a badly warped wing is going to be a basket case, thin airfoil or thick. I'm surprised he tried to fly it that way. My original Rimfire was straight and flew great, I was a fairly new RC pilot at the time and don't recall having any trouble handling the airplane.
ChiefK
ChiefK
#19
RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
the rimfire is a great flying plane.I had an inverted webra .40 blackhead in mine it was fast and manuerverable like a paatern plane and it slowed down nice for landings with out any bad tendencies.One thing about sterling kits was they flew nice once they were built straight.some kits had heavy wood some had bad fitting parts but we overcame.
#20
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Foxfire Village,
NC
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
I agree 100%. I also had a Webra .40 Blackhead (side mounted) in mine. If I can find plans to build a remake, I'll put an OS .55AX in this one ( I no longer have a decent .40 engine ). I do have a possible lead on a set of plans. Not firm yet, but I'm hopeful.
ChiefK
ChiefK
#21
RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
Hi Chief,
A possible solution to your dilemma would be to take a Sig Kougar and "Bash" it a bit. The specs are pretty close to a Rimfire. The weight of the Rimfire is without the engine and radio stuff, while the Kougar I believe includes those items in its weight estimate.
You would just need to delete the plastic turtle deck of the Kougar, install a built-up deck instead along with a P-51 canopy , re-cut the tail feathers to those of the rimfires shape, and you would darn near have yourself a Rimfire clone.
Just a thought to stir the creative juices...
Carlos G
A possible solution to your dilemma would be to take a Sig Kougar and "Bash" it a bit. The specs are pretty close to a Rimfire. The weight of the Rimfire is without the engine and radio stuff, while the Kougar I believe includes those items in its weight estimate.
You would just need to delete the plastic turtle deck of the Kougar, install a built-up deck instead along with a P-51 canopy , re-cut the tail feathers to those of the rimfires shape, and you would darn near have yourself a Rimfire clone.
Just a thought to stir the creative juices...
Carlos G
#22
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Foxfire Village,
NC
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
Thanks for the thought Carlos. I've never given the Kougar a "look" before. Can't hurt...... another alternative I've just started considering is the Tsunmai. Kit can be had for $66.00!
ChiefK
ChiefK
#24
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Foxfire Village,
NC
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
I'm gonna keep it simple. Built up wing with fixed gear (taildragger) blown up to about 600 sq in. for my old Kraft .61. The whole airplane will be enlarged about 13%. One outstanding issue is the wing dihedral. The plans don't specify what that should be. I do like Carlos's suggestion for a P-51 canopy. I now see what you meant about the "diamond" leading edge. I'm not going to try to duplicate that. I'm just gonna use a NACA 63-015A airfoil ( it's a dead ringer for the original airfoil with just a very slightly softer leading edge ), with a regular 1/2" square leading edge.
My OS .55AX will have a new home in the Tsunami kit I have on order.
Have you made any decision about a Rimfire rebuild yet?
ChiefK
My OS .55AX will have a new home in the Tsunami kit I have on order.
Have you made any decision about a Rimfire rebuild yet?
ChiefK