RE: Sterling Models

RE: Sterling Models
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RE: Sterling Models - 4/8/2007 12:48:00 PM

jetpack

Posts: 1569
Joined: 10/2/2002
From: Portage, IN, USA
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I have the Sterling Diamant and Cirrus sailplane kits. I grew up where hobby shops were very far to find, and seen one as a kid built up hanging from the ceiling. I was only into building the rubber powered kits at the time, and was convinced it was "too big of a kit for me to handle" by my parents. I did my best job of begging for one with no results. I went home that day with the PA-18 Crop Duster kit, and savored over that one instead.

Years went by, and Sterling Models vanished, and had lost the dream until I got a computer and found "eBay". My dream came alive again and if it weren't for so many powerboat kits in the way, I would build them. I have them safely tucked away for that nice quiet winter build, and so glad there are micro-servos around now also.

I will enjoy the early post of the vintage Sterling website.

< Message edited by jetpack -- 4/8/2007 12:49:24 PM >

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Post #: 226

RE: Sterling Models - 4/8/2007 7:45:13 PM

Ed Cregger

Posts: 7746
Joined: 1/31/2002
From: Ringgold, GA, USA
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As a kid, our local variety store, our closest version of a hobbyshop, also had an old tissue covered glider suspended from the ceiling. I'm not sure of the manufacturer, but it had an inverted gull shaped wing and the entire model had been covered with silkspan and painted silver. The model was virtually all sticks, except for the fuselage formers. There were many, many panels where the silkspan had popped over time, so it was probably built in the Thirties.

Yes, eBay has made it possible to experience, or reexperience, our beloved models from the past. Other than a Falcon 56, a Sterling Lancer, a Trainermaster and some old ARFs, I have managed to collect new/servicable renditions of all of the R/C models I have ever owned, that weren't built from plans or designed by myself. My house looks like a model distributor's warehouse. I love it.

Ed Cregger

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"Flying models since the Fifties - I'll get the hang of this yet!!!"

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Post #: 227

RE: Sterling Models - 4/10/2007 2:07:58 PM

Brazilnut

Posts: 5
Joined: 2/3/2006
From: Santos/ SP, BRAZIL
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I"m rebuilding a F4U Corsair that was started about 15year ago and never finished.
Termites did an awful job and ate part of it.
I had the plans and made the missing parts. It will be RC. Anyone have one?
I have no idea of what engine to use.

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Post #: 228

RE: Sterling Models - 4/10/2007 2:13:39 PM

jetpack

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From: Portage, IN, USA
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Can you look on the plans and see what kit number it is? Maybe we can find a picture of the box that calls for what motor.

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Post #: 229

RE: Sterling Models - 4/12/2007 1:20:46 PM

Brazilnut

Posts: 5
Joined: 2/3/2006
From: Santos/ SP, BRAZIL
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Thanks
The kit number is FS36.
I need a canopy and a cowl. If anyone have it and is willing to sell for a reasonable price, I buy it.

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Post #: 230

RE: Sterling Models - 4/12/2007 2:31:05 PM

50+AirYears

Posts: 1147
Joined: 7/29/2004
From: Lorain, OH, USA
Status: offline

Ed, that old glider almost sounds like the Cleveland Models Albatross. Had a couple of those when I was younger.

A couple LHS have had some of those old Cleveland kits as decorations for years, and started selling them off over the last couple years. Been getting prices that would make sellers on the Bay jealous. Like an old B-17 kit that was $1.98 new in the late forties/early fifties going for $275.00.

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Post #: 231

RE: Sterling Models - 4/12/2007 3:31:43 PM

sledge_78

Posts: 157
Joined: 12/30/2004
From: Scottsdale, AZ, USA
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Brazilnut,

I have a sterling Corsair kit or what is left of it. Probably have the canopy & Cowl. However, What I remember of this is that mine was a controline corsair. Is that the Sterling Corsair you are refrrring to? If so, maybe we hae a match for your parts. I will have to check and see, The kit is very old probably from the 1960's.

Gerry

(in reply to Brazilnut)

Post #: 232

RE: Sterling Models - 4/12/2007 4:23:44 PM

oldsterling

Posts: 10
Joined: 8/8/2003
From: Alpharetta, GA,
Status: offline

Sterling produced 3 Corsairs. The earliest one was the control line version (Kit# C-9) manufactured from the early 1960s until the mid 1970s. This was a very popular model for carrier events back in the 60s. The engine recommended for this model was .19 to .35 with some competitors going all out with a .60

The "FS" series Corsair (Kit# FS-36) was designed for R/C with a wingspan of 36" and a recommended engine of .09 to .10 - however unless you were a very skilled builder and knew how to build a very light model that would fly with the stability of a 1 - 3 channel model (rudder, aileron, engine), this was not an easy success story. A better way to go with today's technology is to build it out with Monokote or similar covering materials and with a .15 to .19 engine. Still this will be a very hands-on model during flight and requires above average flying skills.

The construction of the C/L version and the R/C version are very different - parts are not compatible as the “C” series models were designed to be much stronger (heavier). However, with both being the same scale it may be possible to retrofit the cowl and canopy with light reworking.

Sterling also produced a "A" series rubber band model of the Corsair.

Old Sterling

(in reply to Brazilnut)

Post #: 233

RE: Sterling Models - 4/12/2007 4:39:36 PM

50+AirYears

Posts: 1147
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From: Lorain, OH, USA
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Although the C-9 was of the F4U-1, while the others were of the F4U-1A and later, which looked a bit different.

My C-9 with a Fox 45 would either roll up on the lines, or during a 3.2 second lap would fold an outer wing panel.

I know a couple guys in the area built the FS-36 with Max .15s, and did find them to be fast but flyable, as long as you were awake. I never saw anyone with the rubber powered model, but if it were like any of the Sterling rubber powered models I had, the best thing was to use the parts for patterns and use either regular or contest balsa. The sterling kits frequently seemed to have the hardest, heaviest balsa they could find.

Never did see a Sterling design that couldn't fly pretty well, though. They had good designers.

I still have about 12 or 14 NIB pre-Estes Sterling kits in my collection, and even though my son is bugging me to put them up for sale on *Bay, I intend to enjoy myself building and flying them, and after I'm gone, if any are left unbuilt, he can do what he wants with them.

(in reply to oldsterling)

Post #: 234

RE: Sterling Models - 4/12/2007 9:39:19 PM

Brazilnut

Posts: 5
Joined: 2/3/2006
From: Santos/ SP, BRAZIL
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quote:

ORIGINAL: sledge_78

Brazilnut,

I have a sterling Corsair kit or what is left of it. Probably have the canopy & Cowl. However, What I remember of this is that mine was a controline corsair. Is that the Sterling Corsair you are refrrring to? If so, maybe we hae a match for your parts. I will have to check and see, The kit is very old probably from the 1960's.

Gerry

Please check. According to Oldsterling it may fit. Thanks.
Plans shows R/C and C/L instalation.
I intend to go electric using a motor that will deliver at least 100 W/lb.
I love the Corsair and this would not be the first one I own.
Even the bigger ones are a handful, full time job, to control, and the smaller it gets worst it is.

< Message edited by Brazilnut -- 4/12/2007 9:43:35 PM >

(in reply to sledge_78)

Post #: 235

RE: Sterling Models - 4/12/2007 10:17:40 PM

sledge_78

Posts: 157
Joined: 12/30/2004
From: Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Status: offline

Brazilnut,

Ok, I will take a look tonight when I get home. It has been a long, long time since I have seen any of this airplane. So, I really don't know what remains. I will let you know shortly.

Sledge_78

(in reply to Brazilnut)

Post #: 236

RE: Sterling Models - 4/13/2007 12:55:53 AM

sledge_78

Posts: 157
Joined: 12/30/2004
From: Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Status: offline

Brazilnut,

We may be in luck. I found the cowl - it's perfect, it is aluminum. I found the canopy also. The canopy is very slightly misshaped. I truly believe it can be heated or boiled to comeback to the correct shape. It is not brittle. The cowl measures 3 7/8" wide at back, front opening is 2 5/8", the length from front to back is 2 1/2". The canopy measures 4 7/8" front to back and is 1 1/2" tall, 2 3/4" wide. I believe this is the Corsair canopy.

See if thess measure up to what you need.

Sledge_78

< Message edited by sledge_78 -- 4/13/2007 3:42:23 AM >

(in reply to Brazilnut)

Post #: 237

RE: Sterling Models - 4/13/2007 12:36:43 PM

Brazilnut

Posts: 5
Joined: 2/3/2006
From: Santos/ SP, BRAZIL
Status: offline

Thanks so much
I'll meassure it and come back to you.
Thanks again

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Post #: 238

RE: Sterling Models - 4/14/2007 2:01:25 AM

jwfly

Posts: 46
Joined: 6/9/2004
From: Normal, IL, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: jwfly

maiden flight will occurr on the next calm evening...

Sterling Fokker DVII takes to the air! The take-off is posted in member videos...
fokker take off

she's a little pitch sensitive...she needs more lead in the nose...otherwise uneventful test flight...Hangar 9 sopwiths beware!

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