WacoNut

Bigger is always better
The only down side is that you will have to custom make all your fiberglass parts.
Anthony

codiddley

My Feedback: (4)

Yeah- well, there are fiberglass cowls and wheel pants commercially available from Fiberglass Specialties. The rest of the fairings and stuff are going to be custom made anyway. I have experience with glass, so I don't think it's going to be that bad.

I'm really going to build it around the power-plant I already have- well, technically it's my Fiance's but I don't think she's going to be needing it any time soon We still have some fundamentals to work on like the Basic IMAC sequences!

I'm just going to go 120" I know a guy that flies his 120" clipped wing cub with a DA-100 like... well, like this!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6giO...eature=related

Throw in another wing, and an extra ~10 lbs I think it will fly just fine!

codiddley

My Feedback: (4)

I got out two 6' folding tables to lay these huge plans out. The more I looked at it the more I felt the need to get out my yard stick and check the overall dimensions. I ended up with 99" for the top wing. Exactly the 1/4 scale wingspan. I got out my proportional scale and found that to get the 11-1/2" I needed inside the cowl I would need to enlarge it 111%. If I multiply the existing 99" by 111% I come out with 109.89". Close enough to 110" for me! By some savant move I guesstimated exactly the right size for my motor to fit inside the cowl.

I will be contacting the company I ordered these from to see what we can work out. I think they will be reasonable- we discussed the size before the order was made. This was probably a Monday job!

TomCrump

At this point, I'd look for a smaller motor. If you make the model larger, mobility and transportation will become an issue.

A Saito 450 should fit inside your cowling. You'd have to research it out, to make sure. Used 450's can be purchased reasonably, and the sound is awesome.

codiddley

My Feedback: (4)

That's a thought Tom.

I already have a 5'X8' trailer to transport my 35% 102" IMAC and freestyle airplanes. Their fuses with spinners are about 94" long, and almost 24" tall at the canopy/ vertical stab. My Fiance's Yak 55 is taller still (thats the motor I'm planning on using)! The Waco fuse is going to be under 90" with the prop shaft and spinner, and will be about 30" tall. The wings are going to be built in ~<5' panels, so I think everything is going to fit. Most of my competition are flying 42% 120" IMAC planes, and the main reason I have not sold my two 102" planes and bought one 42% is that I would need a bigger trailer, which would mean a bigger truck etc... The 110" will fit into my trailer just fine! I might have to reconfigure my rack, but if I'm going to be transporting this thing, I probably won't be bringing the others!

Here is a pic of the trailer with all three of our 35% 2.6M Composite-ARF's, with wings and stabs. It's tight, but they all fit! That Yak is a beast! Makes the extra's look tiny! You might think I'm rich with these three Compy's, but keep in mind I bought all of these used. So what I spent on all three models is less then buying and outfitting ONE new one!

codiddley

My Feedback: (4)

I'm geeking out tonight. Spent $11 at the hobby shop, dug through a pile of parts and came up with a few scale-ish details for my little ARF. This is my way of dealing with the fact that I don't have gear for this little airplane yet!

BHplans got a hold of me today- they are sending me a set @111" plans. Said I could return the ones I have if I want. I dont know what to do with them- except maybe hang them on the wall as art

Need a lot of wall space though!

TomCrump

Will your motor fit in the larger plans set's cowling ?

I see that you'll have no trouble transporting a big WACO.

My trailer is set up differntly than yours, and my models aren't as large. I can haul 5 Giant Scale models, with room to spare, but my rig is 4' longer than yours.

codiddley

My Feedback: (4)

Jealous!!!

You've got the 6X12 don't you! That's the size I really want, but all I have is my little Toyota Tacoma to drag everything around with. It's going to be a little tight, but I can get it all in there[8D]

Yes, the size plans I ordered with the 110" span gives me just enough room inside the cowl for the 11" wide 3W 106 and just enough room (about 1/2"-5/8") for right and down thrust. It's going to be close on one side, but its manageable. I figure I'm probably going to need all the weight I can get on this planes short nose!

Thanks for posting pics of your setup- I like how your racks hinge out of the way!

TomCrump

Ya, the 6X12 work well for me. Don designed the swing away racks, which allow the trailer to be used for other things.

I'm glad that your new plans set allows you to achieve what you desire.

codiddley

My Feedback: (4)

I have been continuing the detailing of my little Waco, and in one of the YKS-6 threads over at RCG they mentioned that the Pilot-1 Waco YKS-6 was going to be made into a 1/4 scale 100" ARF.

I have experienced several emotional swings since I heard this rumor. Stages of denial, anger, sadness, guilt, and even a touch of yearning. I went to bed with an unsettled feeling, and woke up having had a vision. I remembered a picture of an old QDC- and went straight to Google @7AM. I found some very captivating photos of these beautiful, clunky cabin biplanes.

It's a little strange, but if I can go out and buy a ARF of the model I want in almost the exact same size as what I want to build, then I'm just going to buy the ARF. My real goal is to scratch build a cabin Waco that has not been... mainstreamed. I have loved these biplanes since the first one I waxed. I'm looking into the 1932 UEC. I love the bold lines, the ring cowl, the cockpit standing up and almost defying the air to get out of it's way. The big, slab sides of the cabin, grudgingly giving way to a graceful turtledeck. Long, elegant wings stretching from it's blunt features. The simple diagonal strut setup, same as the YKS, which is going to streamline assembly at the field, and make things more manageable in general. Looking into this airframe has made me appreciate how far Waco went in five years to refine their design, all while riding the coattails of the Great Depression.

Here's some pics- and by some strange fate, while looking for some 3-views making a few phone calls to the Waco Elite (it really does pay to know people) I have sent an e-mail directly to the owner of the plane I want to model. NC12471. With luck he will be willing to supply me with some detailed digital images. Fingers crossed!

It is so... beautiful!

don olsen

My Feedback: (2)

Nice choice of subject Cody. I like all the details, the covered LG, the 3 windows behind the cabin, louvers, a ring cowl, The standard cabin and wings give you a great starting place. This should give your grey cells a workout

codiddley

My Feedback: (4)

They have already been hard at work! Upon close examination, the general outline of the UEC is very similar to the YKS. The wingspan is the same within inches, and the fuse is about 1'6" shorter, but as far as I can tell, the difference is in front of the firewall. I took the 3-views of the YKS and ran them through photoshop to eliminate the differences, and sat down with a pile of pictures, and a mechanical pencil to modify them. Just behind the triangular windows it looks like the turtledeck is just rounded over. From the looks of it I can use the plans I ordered to build the wings and tail surfaces, and just modify the fuselage formers (a challenging proposition without real drawings ofthe airplane) to get the UEC shape together.

They aren't perfect, there is a small difference in the outline of the bottom of the fuse, but the wings block the view of the belly. As far as I can tell the wings are about the same with some minor differences at the root. With luck the owner of the airplane will get back to me and know where to get some real 3-views of it.

I would like to build a 50" electric version just to familiarize myself with the airframe, and get more familiar with what I'll be up against going 110".

In the pics below the airplane to the right is a QDC, just a little older, and with a stubbier nose. Far as I can tell the rear fuse is very close.

don olsen

My Feedback: (2)

Cody
The yks fuse was the "standard Fuse" there was a bunch of letters denoting the standard/custom fuse so(windows doors etc) your basis is correct except for what motor which applies for how long the dash deck is. way too much info for a daily flyer. Make it look like you want and go fly it !
Don
Btw I did a scene on Rcsb about the corrogations for the ailerons check it out in a while. Im doing lunch first

codiddley

My Feedback: (4)

You're right- I'm geeking out on everything. The drawings I made are way better than I need for the 50".


"your basis is correct except for what motor which applies for how long the dash deck is."-

I'm not sure I understand what you mean. I think the C in the UEC is for the custom fuse, I have the WACO mfg codes around here somewhere, just need to look at them. I wish I had a visual reference for the dash deck, and what its relationship to the motor is. I'm not 100% up to speed on all WACO products, so I still have a lot to learn.

I am excited to see what you did with the ailerons. I have been working this out in my head, and I have a good idea how to mold them in glass, but really the idea has been there the whole time it just took me a while to see it. I'm going to bounce over and see what you've done!

Hope you guys don't mind all the pictures-

don olsen

My Feedback: (2)

The dash deck I was speaking of is just how much fuse sticks out in front of the widscreen. I dont think there is any two the same
No fair you have no snow !!!!!!!

don olsen

My Feedback: (2)

these pics should give you ideas wasnt as hard to do as I thought it would be

WacoNut

Don that looks really good,
I am going to have to make corrugated panels for my 33% YMF-5. I may have to give that a try.
Anthony

don olsen

My Feedback: (2)

Hi Anthony
I used a piece of Maple as the base block and press block, routered 3 grooves of what I thought was the proper size. I used a drill bit in my drill press as the routering tool, then cleaned it up with a round file. I then put a stop against the backside with a hole the size of the music wire tool. I tried a couple different ways of pressing the groove, but in the end a 4lb hammer and wail the tar out of it was best. Takes about 5-6 hits to get it down nice. Im going to put another stop on the backside so the pressing block will stay in line better. I used flashing from the local home improvement store. Its thin enough and soft enough to work ok Took me 4hrs to make the tool and parts so it was time well spent. If you have accsess to a bearing press it would cut down on the noise
Don

codiddley

My Feedback: (4)

I saw your thread, nice looking work! Sorry to hear about the struts, but it happens to the best of us. I would have replied there, but I need to pay to play

Those ailerons are going to look sweet hanging off that airplane before it's painted- just like the real thing!

codiddley

My Feedback: (4)

Yippeee! The owner of NC12471 has made contact, says the airplane is in winter storage. He also said that seeing as I live in Colorado I could come out and get the information I'm looking for first hand! I have NO idea where he lives, or where his plane is stored, but it sounds like he's not too far away. Seeing that plane in person would be like MY version of visiting Graceland!

Maybe I can talk him into a ride

TomCrump

I doubt if you'll have to do too much talking, Cody. If you pay the man a visit, I'd bet that he'll invite you to take a ride.

Don brought one of his corrugated panels, for me to see. They look like exact copies of the originals, only smaller !!!

I've known Don for nearly 20 years. His imagination, inventiveness, and skill still amaze me !!!

codiddley

My Feedback: (4)

Looks like he lives in KS city. I guess it's about six hours from here. I'm thinking of flying out, heavens knows it will probably be cheaper than driving.

I am moving forward with the 50" electric- had some modified 3-views blown up 632% to get the 50" span. They are little more then help getting everything laid out, but they sure do look neat.

In other, somewhat less exciting news I got my new set of enlarged plans from BHplans today. I decided to go ahead and pull them out to see if the 110" span looked right-

They still seemed small, and once again I kept thinking "120" might be the size I need to go" but something still didn't feel right, so I took out the trusty 'ole Lufkin and here's what I came up with. 99"... again... I now have two sets of the same plans to return. I guess third time's the charm, right???[:@]

codiddley

My Feedback: (4)

I seem to have met an impasse with the plans distributor. He's telling me to take them somewhere else to have them blown up. For Kinko's to do it I'm looking at about $100 to enlarge a product I thought I had already paid for. [:@] [:@] [:@]I know there are probably cheaper places to do it, but its the place I know.

I'm a little miffed, but as a retired airline pilot once told me "The important thing is not to give a s***." I get a little wound up sometimes when things don't work out. But in my own business I am accountable for my actions, and will pay for my mistakes. Its difficult for me not to start flaming this guy...

I just talked to a friend- he works for an engineering firm and has access to a big scroll printer. I'm going to see if we can just get a .PDF from the guy, and print them ourselves.

Moving on-
Anyone know anything about drawing some of this stuff in CAD? Last time I used that program was about 15 years ago in High School. And that was more of an overview. I am *this* close to just creating a CAD file and having the formers and ribs laser cut. Nice thing about that would be testing the fit on the computer, and having the ability to scale it up or down to whatever size I wanted.

don olsen

My Feedback: (2)

Cody, Sell one set of plans and put the money towards Kinkos. People like Bob Holman and others in his business get these requests everyday. If they even tried to comply with the requests they would soon find themselves overworked and out of caring. Take the plans to Kinkos and make them the size you want

codiddley

My Feedback: (4)

Yeah- I got the "official" blow off this morning. I'll see if anyone else is interested in a set of 99" YKS plans- too bad Pilot-1 is coming out with a 100" YKS ARF later this year......