Balsa USA Stingray 120
03-02-2014, 10:19 AM
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Balsa USA Stingray 120 Build
Which Hitec servos would you guys recommend for this kit? I've started building it and I'm close to mounting the servos. I've always used the cheap Hobby King servos in ARF's but since I've put so much time into a kit, I would feel a little more peace of mind using a "higher quality" servo.
Here are the specs...It's basically like a Sig Four Star 120 but is supposed to be a little lighter.
Here are the specs...It's basically like a Sig Four Star 120 but is supposed to be a little lighter.
Last edited by bicyclemonkey; 03-27-2014 at 08:00 AM. Reason: image corrrection
03-02-2014, 10:25 AM
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I built one several (15+) years ago. Flew it with a Fox .78, and used HiTec HS-422 through out. Never a problem. It's a pretty slow flying model, so at the most you need hi-torque standard servos. This plane is a hoot to fly.
03-02-2014, 10:41 AM
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Did you go with a single elevator servo or one for each elevator half? The dowel rod connecting the two halves seems kind of flimsy. I was thinking of going with a Saito 150.
03-08-2014, 07:25 PM
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If anyone's interested I can post pics of my build progress. This is my first traditional kit. I've only built one other kit and it was a laser cut wing a tail kit for a Slow Stick so it wasn't even a full build.
Here's what it looks like inside the box.
Here's what it looks like inside the box.
Last edited by bicyclemonkey; 03-27-2014 at 08:00 AM.
03-09-2014, 08:36 AM
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Looking good 
Like TLH101 said, you shouldnt need much more than decent high torque standard servo's for this. Something like the futaba 3152's would be perfect, or whatever other brand similar in spec's. It does not have massive control surfaces, so you don't need monsters in it.
Like TLH101 said, you shouldnt need much more than decent high torque standard servo's for this. Something like the futaba 3152's would be perfect, or whatever other brand similar in spec's. It does not have massive control surfaces, so you don't need monsters in it.
03-09-2014, 09:10 AM
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I went with Hitec HS=425BB for everything except the rudder which is a HS-645MG.
I'm not sure about the elevator setup though. The dowel rod joiner seems kind of flimsy but that's what the plans called for. I've been thinking about cutting the dowel and using two servos for the elevator.
I'm not sure about the elevator setup though. The dowel rod joiner seems kind of flimsy but that's what the plans called for. I've been thinking about cutting the dowel and using two servos for the elevator.
Last edited by bicyclemonkey; 03-27-2014 at 08:08 AM.
03-13-2014, 11:42 AM
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I think for now, I will go with a single elevator servo...Here's more progress.
I made a mess getting the wing halves glued together. Next will be sheeting the wings.
I made a mess getting the wing halves glued together. Next will be sheeting the wings.
Last edited by bicyclemonkey; 03-27-2014 at 08:12 AM.
03-17-2014, 12:02 PM
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I'd like to thank Balsa USA for making me a better modeler by making me shape square stock for the leading edge instead of supplying me with a round/half circle piece.
Last edited by bicyclemonkey; 03-27-2014 at 08:17 AM.
03-18-2014, 12:53 PM
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I learned to fly with a BUSA Easy 100 and built about five of them before moving on to something with a little more performance which was a Stingray 40. I always wanted to build the 120 but never got around to it. I see they still sell the plans so maybe someday.... I think you would be okay with the dowel rod between the elevator halves if you epoxied it in and then do a wrap around it up to the balsa wood with some fiberglass cloth. BTW, BUSA makes you earn what you end up with with all the sanding and carving you have to do to build one of their kits, lol.
03-18-2014, 05:10 PM
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Thanks for the comments. I got my the magnets from this guy.
http://www.magnetsource.com/airfieldmodels/
http://www.magnetsource.com/airfieldmodels/
03-19-2014, 05:29 AM
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Cap stripping the wing now. Had to cut a 1/4 inch strip of balsa to cap each rib.
Before
After
The outer ribs got a 1/2 inch cap
Before
After
The outer ribs got a 1/2 inch cap
Last edited by bicyclemonkey; 03-27-2014 at 12:13 PM.
03-21-2014, 07:59 AM
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Thanks! I can't wait to get this finished...first real full build and I can't wait to start the next!
Going to "upgrade" the landing gear. The one's included in the kit are pretty lame. I'm going to add some wheel pants too. This is the Sig Four Star 120 landing gear.
This is the look I'm going for. I even like the color scheme.
Going to "upgrade" the landing gear. The one's included in the kit are pretty lame. I'm going to add some wheel pants too. This is the Sig Four Star 120 landing gear.
This is the look I'm going for. I even like the color scheme.
Last edited by bicyclemonkey; 03-28-2014 at 08:45 AM.