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Top-Flite Contender - 7/24/2012 12:57 AM   
WacoNut



Posts: 5604
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From: Blanchester, OH, USA
Status: offline 		I ordered my kit today and all the accesories needed to complete the build. I will be powering the plane with a OS 61FS. Should be a fun build. This will be the 1st small plane I have built in years. I will start the build and posting as soon as the kit arrives.
Later!!
Anthony

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RE: Top-Flite Contender - 7/24/2012 1:20 AM   
dodgers72


 

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From: Bargersville, IN, USA
Status: offline 		I built a Contender about 8 years ago with flaps standard wing tips and a Super Tiger .51. Easy build and a very durable plane that can fly at a snails pace if you want it to.


Happy building and flying!!


Chris

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RE: Top-Flite Contender - 7/24/2012 3:02 AM   
WacoNut



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From: Blanchester, OH, USA
Status: offline 		That is exactly what I am looking for, a small throw around plane to have some fun with. I am looking forward to dropping the flap and shooting touch-n-go's.

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RE: Top-Flite Contender - 7/25/2012 2:26 AM   
DavidAgar



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From: Battle Ground, WA, USA
Status: offline 		Stiffen up the nose wheel and do your touch and go's at full power. That is more of a challenge, trust me. Wears out the wheels a lot faster as well. Looking forward to your build thread. Good Luck, Dave


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RE: Top-Flite Contender - 7/25/2012 2:40 AM   
KitBuilder



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From: Palm Harbor, FL, USA
Status: offline 		Club member has one.. flys nice fast or slow

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RE: Top-Flite Contender - 7/25/2012 4:13 AM   
oldtyme


 

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From: Bend, OR, USA
Status: offline 		I had one that got shot down by a fellow club member.......he was a stand-up guy and bought me another airplane. I flew mine with an OS46FX and it had plenty of power and fit in the engine compartment nicely.

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RE: Top-Flite Contender - 7/25/2012 4:26 AM   
GaryHarris



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From: Houston, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Looking forward to the build.

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RE: Top-Flite Contender - 7/27/2012 11:11 PM   
WacoNut



Posts: 5604
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From: Blanchester, OH, USA
Status: offline 		I received my kit and goodies today. A quick glance in the box and there is no manual

I will notify Top-Flite and get a manual sent out. I am printing a manual for the kit from the Tower Site. Also dealing with thunderstorms which knocked my power out for 5 hrs last night and has knocked it out twice for a few minutes in the last 1/2 hr.
Later!!
Anthony

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RE: Top-Flite Contender - 7/28/2012 4:13 AM   
redbiscuits



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From: CEDAR CREEK, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Subscribed Anthony, I would like to build one as well down the road.

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RE: Top-Flite Contender - 7/28/2012 10:19 AM   
VincentJ


 

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From: peterborough, NH, USA
Status: offline 		Subscrbed  Anthony. Different departure for you, should be fun...


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RE: Top-Flite Contender - 7/28/2012 11:02 AM   
WacoNut



Posts: 5604
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From: Blanchester, OH, USA
Status: offline 		Hi VJ,
I wanted a plane I could put in the cab of my truck and go to the field. There are some days you just don't want to haul the trailer to the field.

The power went out for a few hours right after my post last night. I did get the remainder of the manual printed out and will start working on the build this morning. I will have to make a trip to the store this morning to buy a new blade for my band saw as it broke a while back and I forgot about it. I will post some progress pics later today.
Anthony

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RE: Top-Flite Contender - 7/28/2012 11:32 AM   
OldScaleGuy



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From: Seymour, IN, USA
Status: offline 		Looking forward to following your build.

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RE: Top-Flite Contender - 7/28/2012 3:15 PM   
WacoNut



Posts: 5604
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From: Blanchester, OH, USA
Status: offline 		Finally getting started,
Picked up a band saw blade this morning. After reading all the reports of the reverse roll with rudder applied I took a good look at the plans and I think I see why. The shape of the rudder while looking stylish it has 70% of the surface area above the thrust line. I would think this would make the plane roll with rudder applied. I decided to change the shape of the rudder and add some surface area. I am hoping this helps to reduce the effect of the opposite roll with rudder as I plan on flying knife edge with this plane.

I am attaching a pic of al the goodies I purchased with the kit as well as the rudder modification. I am currently building the stab/elevators and fin/rudder.
Later!!
Anthony

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RE: Top-Flite Contender - 7/29/2012 12:50 AM   
WacoNut



Posts: 5604
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Joined: 1/1/2005
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From: Blanchester, OH, USA
Status: offline 		Made some progress. The tail surfaces are finished sanded and hinged. The wing is framed up and ready for sheeting the bottom L/E. I was hoping to finish the wing tonight and build the fuse tomorrow. I am running out of gas and will pick back on it in the morning.
In the attached pics you will see the progress as well as the modified rudder.
Later!!
Anthony

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RE: Top-Flite Contender - 7/29/2012 6:34 PM   
dodgers72


 

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From: Bargersville, IN, USA
Status: offline 		Looking good! Nice pace ya have going there ,keep us posted on your progress.I loved my contender until I let a friend fly it. Went in full throttle at about a 30 degree angle. What scheme are you going with? I did the navy blue and yellow like one of the reviews I read.




Chris

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RE: Top-Flite Contender - 7/29/2012 8:59 PM   
WacoNut



Posts: 5604
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Joined: 1/1/2005
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From: Blanchester, OH, USA
Status: offline 		I am going to go with a Red, White and Blue scheme. I wound up getting called into work today. I came home and started back in on it. I will get the wing completed today and get started on the fuse.
Later!!
Antthony

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RE: Top-Flite Contender - 7/30/2012 2:41 AM   
WacoNut



Posts: 5604
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Joined: 1/1/2005
Last Login: 6/20/2013
From: Blanchester, OH, USA
Status: offline 		The wing is finsihed except for adding the wing tips. I also need to shape the edges of the aileron's and flap.

So far I am happy with the kit. the wing came out nice and straight and seems to be strong. I will start on the fuse tomorrow evening.
Later!!
Anthony

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RE: Top-Flite Contender - 7/30/2012 11:26 PM   
RICKSTUBBZ



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From: Hempstead, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Anthony,

I know I have said it before. But, I will go ahead and say it again. You are a freaking animal when it comes to a build . I couldn't even get the box open and you'd already have it framed up.

Anyway, I'll be checking in. I usually learn something from your builds... I have no doubt it will be one fine airplane....

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RE: Top-Flite Contender - 7/31/2012 12:15 AM   
WacoNut



Posts: 5604
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From: Blanchester, OH, USA
Status: offline 		Hi Rick,
I will be having some fun with this one. I had to mow grass when I got home from work today so it is slowing me down a bit .

It has been years since I have covered a plane with Monokote and I am going to need some pointers. I will be doing a Red,White and Blue pattern with overlapping colors. What is the best way to seal the edges of the monokote? I will be applying some of the trim parts with windex and little heat. Is monokote trim solvent best or acetone?
Later!!
Anthony

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RE: Top-Flite Contender - 7/31/2012 3:03 AM   
WacoNut



Posts: 5604
Score: 175
Joined: 1/1/2005
Last Login: 6/20/2013
From: Blanchester, OH, USA
Status: offline 		The only thing I managed to get accomplished tonight was build, sand and install the wing tips. I went with the optional up-swept wing tips. They are supposed to help with the opposite roll with the rudder but I also think they look better. I will start framing up the fuse tomorrow.
Later!!
Anthony

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RE: Top-Flite Contender - 7/31/2012 3:35 AM   
Charlie P.



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From: Port Crane, NY, USA
Status: offline 		  Another vote for the stiffer nose gear.  I added a Fultz nose strut and stopped smashing props.

It's a rugged airframe and fairly bulletproof.  I also added 50% more rudder area.




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RE: Top-Flite Contender - 7/31/2012 3:36 AM   
Charlie P.



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From: Port Crane, NY, USA
Status: offline 		Sorry.  I updated Google Chrome and it's a cluster fu . . . lish mess.



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RE: Top-Flite Contender - 8/1/2012 3:02 AM   
WacoNut



Posts: 5604
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Joined: 1/1/2005
Last Login: 6/20/2013
From: Blanchester, OH, USA
Status: offline 		Nice looking Contender Charlie,
I will look at replacing the nose strut. My buddy also suggested the same thing. He went with the Fultz gear on his as well.

The fuse has been started. I only had about 2 hrs to spend on the build tonight and I have the basic box structure complete with the outer control rod sleeves installed. The firewall is made up from 3pcs. These have been epoxied with T-88 and I will let them cure until tomorrow then install the firewall.

I will post some pics tomorrow.
Anthony

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RE: Top-Flite Contender - 8/1/2012 4:57 PM   
OldScaleGuy



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From: Seymour, IN, USA
Status: offline 		You are moving along quickly on your project. I just drilled the steering arm and nose gear mount, bent some 3/16 wire for the nose gear. A lot more rigid than the 5/32 set up and very low cost.

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RE: Top-Flite Contender - 8/1/2012 11:22 PM   
dodgers72


 

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From: Bargersville, IN, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: WacoNut

I am going to go with a Red, White and Blue scheme. I wound up getting called into work today. I came home and started back in on it. I will get the wing completed today and get started on the fuse.
Later!!
Antthony

How can you go wrong with those colors. Looking forward to seeing it all dressed up.

Don't know if you have a real flight sim but if you do the contender flies pretty much like the one in the sim. I taught myself to fly on the G2 realflight and a hobbico superstar. And picked the contender because I liked the flight envelope and Top Flite's reputation.


Keep us posted on your progress it's making me want to build another one!




Chris

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