taildragger1589

Thanks for the interest, (are you ready for the but)
But...
The Smith is too small for me to see when it gets out past 200 feet.
that's why Rock is the main flyer of the smith nowadays.
Everybody at the field thinks I'm super daring because of all of my low altitude maneuvers, but it's really because I have to keep it close.
Lately, I've just been flying my 6 foot tripacer, it's huge. (and bright white) no trouble seeing that one.

later dood!

taildragger1589

You got that right about Mama!
If you got that kit together, you should have no trouble with the smith, it's a simpler design even with two wings and the method of attaching the cabane struts (the ones at the fuselage) is really foolproof.
Strong and light are important, but remember, they are almost worthless if it's not straight too.
With a bipe especially, measure the wing and stab incidences several times, then tie a thread to a straight pin and stick it in the tail and measure the distances to the corner of the wing tips to make sure the wings are perpendicular to the fuselage when viewed from above.
Then stick it in the nose and do the same for the stab. Then pull the thread down the length of the fuselage to make sure the rudder is straight.
Thread is a handy building tool.
I like to use a Robart incidence meter for the wings and stab, but it's kinda pricey at $40.
If you need to, it's pretty easy to make one, I made a small one for the foamies, the Robart is too heavy for the flimsy a/c.

Anyway, it sounds like you have a good handle on things.
The people that get in trouble are the impatient ones who blunder ahead anyway when they don't understand the instructions.

Nick

KaP2011

My Feedback: (17)

I agree, that's why I stopped flying the Smith, too small to see at a comfortable distance. I've got my Skybolt that I fly quite often and a 1/5 Albatross D.Va w/ 70" wingspan in the works.

taildragger1589

How big is the Skybolt?
Is that the Sig kit with the plastic fuselage top?

KaP2011

My Feedback: (17)

No, it's the Great Planes Super Skybolt ARF. I ran across it while doing research on the SIG Liberty Sport this past summer. It's dimensions are nearly the same as the Liberty Sport, 57" WS, and I already had all the equipment for it. As much as I enjoy building I've found in the last couple of years that I don't have as much time and patience to build but I still have the need to keep acquiring more planes. (I must be an RC hoarder) When the ARF's first came on the scene back in the 90's, I hated everyone that I saw, but now they are much better. Even the crappy ones are better that what was available back then.
My Super Skybolt is powered with a Saito .82 and weighs about 7.5 lbs. If you ever get the chance to get one and fly it you will love it. It's one of the most stable bi-planes I've ever flown.

taildragger1589

Aren't we all?

Remember the big fat foamies of the 80's?
I think it was Sureflite that had a Cessna 150 that looked like a beer cooler with wings, the fuselage must have been 10" wide, for a .19!

I'll pick one up if I come across one at a good price. I looked at Sig's but was afraid of the plastic fuselage top. (only takes one bad grab to mess it up)
Till then, I've got another old timer in the line up with a 56" span....
The Champion Stampe, it's nice and slow and stable with small throws, but crank up the throws and she'll do a nice slow motion lomcevak or super flat spins.

taildragger1589

Flash!
Rocco joined the halves while I built my elevator.

Nick

foodstick

Still wishing this was a 1/4 scale kit from Sig .... They probably wouldn't sell much anymore... but there was a day they would have.

taildragger1589

Since the full sized ship only had a 17 foot span, this only needs another 7 inches to be one.

I'd rather have a 1/3 scale one. (67").
Still tiny compared to my 82" Stampe.

KaP2011

My Feedback: (17)

I think I figured out that the SIG SMP is 1/4.5 scale, so as taildragger1598 has pointed out, it is nearly 1/4 scale already. I too would like to have a 1/3 scale SMP since even at 1/4.5 it's still too small for me to keep up with at a distance. That's why I'm gravitating to larger bi-planes. My next project is the GP Super Stearman.

foodstick

OK !!! you twisted my arm ! I forgot a 1/3 Miniplane was the size of most 1/4 scales out there ! hahah

taildragger1589

Getting old sucks!

Ha! Attack of the geezers!

OldScaleGuy

My Feedback: (2)

I have a 50% scale Smith Miniplane with a 102" top wing. Also have a 1/3 scale aerobat with the same wing span.....

taildragger1589

got any vids of that big'n?

OldScaleGuy

My Feedback: (2)

Here is the maiden. I botched the landing but have since figured out why and that is no longer a problem. I did not have the throttle linkage well anchored and could not get that "little bit of throttle" needed on final.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6kfLhUytcI

rc_wings

Very nice Steve! Looks great!

taildragger1589

Makes your mouth water, eh?

Not a bad landing at all for a big heavy bipe.

Rv7garage

My Feedback: (10)

Actually that landing reminded me of another reason why I like my 'Smithy so much. They bounce! I've pranged more than a few with mine, and she just shakes it off and goes for another round. Tough little bipes!

OldScaleGuy

My Feedback: (2)

Thanks fella's.

taildragger1589

Need I say more?

Sniper68

Beautiful job! Just started mine. How many rolls of coverite did you use? Two white, one red?

Thanks

taildragger1589

I just got a 5 yard roll of white and a spray can of red.
That way I have plenty of patching material.
Murphy's law says little covering left = big damage
Lots covering left = no damage

Nick

PS if you like the big silver and red Stampe, I've built another over the last 11 months and have done a build thread:
This is the page with the maiden vid: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...228836&page=14
All are invited.

Sniper68

Thanks. Every time I try to overlay covering it doesn't seem to look right.

taildragger1589

Me neither!!!!
Always looks terrible when I try.

Rv7garage

My Feedback: (10)

Our favorite airplane is in October's issue of Model Aviation