RE: Flair 1/4 Scale PT-17 Stearman Review (Full Version)

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Kmot -> RE: Flair 1/4 Scale PT-17 Stearman Review (4/22/2004 4:55:36 AM)

The engines sound incredible! And powerful.

Thanks! :)



Mouridtsen -> RE: Flair 1/4 Scale PT-17 Stearman Review (4/28/2004 10:43:47 PM)

Hi Cybertom,

Your Stearman is for sure a Great looking airplane!
Have today had my Stearman out for engine test - are finishing it for an air show in about one month, and it´s the first time the engine runs in the airframe.

The model is a 35% ( 134" ) build from scratch by a friend of mine, and I'm now fitting my Seidel 726 and all the radio stuff.
The color scheme is from a Danish registered plane, but not finished yet.

What is your experience with the CG?

You are right - communication is not Seidel´s strongest selling point.... :(
Would love to see your DVD... :)

Cheers



Cybertom -> RE: Flair 1/4 Scale PT-17 Stearman Review (4/29/2004 3:32:40 AM)

WOW! That is a BIG Stearman. Very nice job!

I can send you the DVD once I'm finished with the European version. I have received a few requests from others in Europe. I am working on a version in PAL (European) format. My current version is in NTSC (North American) format. I think it would end up playing in black & white on your TV. Send me your address and I will send you a copy once I have finished the European version.

If you have the capability, I would love to see a video of your Stearman flying. I could show it at one of my club meetings.

PS,
The CG balance point on the Flair Stearman lines up almost exactly with the leading edge of the rear Cabane Strut that attaches to the Fuselage. If you make an imaginary line and carry it up from the bottom leading edge of the rear Cabane Strut to the underside of you upper Wing. That should be the balance point. My Stearman is slightly nose heavy and tilts forward about 3 degrees. The Flair Stearman is very close to scale. It looks like your Stearman is also very scale. Maybe that point on the wing will work for you.

Here is a little drawing I found that shows how to calculate CG on a straight wing Biplane with a wing chord of 6". Just change the numbers to match your Stearman. I hope this helps:



Mouridtsen -> RE: Flair 1/4 Scale PT-17 Stearman Review (4/29/2004 9:13:49 AM)

Thanks for the CG info - I think thats about where my CG is, but will check when I get home... [8|]

I don't think there should be any problems with your US DVD in Europe.
Bought some DVD's at Florida Jets and have no problems with them on my PAL gear.

I'll mail you my address.

Here is a picture of the original Danish Stearman mine is based on.
The owner thinks it's very funny to have a "replica"
The ID on the tail is my RC-licens ID - and is pure manipulation...



Kmot -> RE: Flair 1/4 Scale PT-17 Stearman Review (4/30/2004 9:16:29 PM)

Tom's DVD is an amazing production! Just like his Stearman!



Cybertom -> RE: Flair 1/4 Scale PT-17 Stearman Review (5/3/2004 1:09:24 AM)

This is what I get when I get back from the mall show. Chasing you around the forums writing responses! Thanks for all of the positive comments Kmot, but a usual you are to generous. You have to be a 2-Wig Round Engine FANATIC to really appreciate it. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one with this illness.



Cybertom -> Stearman Detailing Update (5/16/2004 12:41:59 AM)

FYI,
PAINTED INSIGNIA
I have been working hard on my Stearman now that I have some good painting weather. Checkout those STARS on the wing BABY!

BLACK GRAB HANDLES
I also painted the pilots grab handles black and gave them that classic diamond shape.

WINDSHIELDS
I made 2-windshields out of thin brass stock and soldered them together. I have some hole to drill to hold the 3-pieces of Lexan I cut out for the glass. They will be bolted in with miniature 080 screws. More work to do but they look cool.

FLYING WIRES
Check out all the new flying wires.

WING WALKWAY
I also added a wing walkway made out of emery cloth with "NO STEP" military verbage to the lower wing.


It's hard to tell at this point but underneath the tape and masking paper are hundreds of rivets in their scale locations.



Cybertom -> RE: Stearman Detailing Update (5/23/2004 2:54:40 AM)

More detailing pictures...Pilot & Rivets



argon -> RE: Flair 1/4 Scale PT-17 Stearman Review (5/24/2004 1:38:19 AM)

Cybertom: What a job MAGNIFICENT!!!. What you used for the flying wires, and rivets the windshiel is FABULOUS!!
WOHA!!!
Regards...ARGON



Cybertom -> RE: Flair 1/4 Scale PT-17 Stearman Review (5/24/2004 2:39:52 AM)

Thanks for the complements! You get about as excited as I do when I look at this stuff. I should have everything on the exterior finished up before this weekend when I take her up and see what she does.

The windshield frames are made of thin brass stock from your typical hobby shop brass stock display. I cut them, shaped them and then silver soldered them together as needed. I have a small sheet of 1/16th Lexan that I will fabricate the windows from. The windows will be held in place by 090 bolts.

The rivets are 080 nylon screws turned black by boiling them in hot water mixed with black clothing dye. They are very light and look pretty scale. Best part is that you make a small hole and just screw them in.

Look at this full scale Stearman. Looks pretty close:



argon -> RE: Flair 1/4 Scale PT-17 Stearman Review (5/24/2004 2:50:34 AM)

Cybertom: I see you changed therudder color to navy.
Great Job



Cybertom -> RE: Flair 1/4 Scale PT-17 Stearman Review (5/24/2004 3:02:32 AM)

Glad you noticed,
There are so many Stearman with an "AN True Blue" rudder that I thought that this was the correct color. I found out later after more research that the rudder should be "Insignia Blue". As far as I know the current colors I'm using are accurate:

Wings=Orange Yellow
Fuselage=Glacier White
Red Trainer Bands=Insignia Red
Rudder=Insignia Blue
Stars=Insignia White
Frame=Zinc Chromate Green

The dark blue rudder, and the dark blue in the insignia's on the upper wings ties it all together!

The full scale picture I just posted has the wrong color rudder, but it shows off the rivets better.
Check out this picture. This NAVY Stearman has the correct rudder color:



Kmot -> RE: Flair 1/4 Scale PT-17 Stearman Review (5/24/2004 3:35:30 AM)

Lunatic, absolutely lunatic! :D



mfranke -> RE: Flair 1/4 Scale PT-17 Stearman Review (5/24/2004 10:39:56 PM)

Ok
I'm hook I just got the Great Planes Super Stearman ARF and love it. Will have to bring it to a higher level. Tom can I buy a copy of the DVD? BTW who did you get your kit from. I'm hesitant on the shipping charges from the UK.
Thanks



argon -> RE: Flair 1/4 Scale PT-17 Stearman Review (5/25/2004 4:44:39 AM)

Cybertom: Dont forget to tell me about the flying wires you used and the stiching detail.

Regards....ARGON



Cybertom -> RE: Flair 1/4 Scale PT-17 Stearman Review (5/25/2004 5:26:36 AM)

I bought my Flair Stearman from:

Radial RC http://radicalrc.secure-mall.com

You don't need to buy a copy. I'm getting another batch together to ship out. Just send me you shipping info. A fair trade is to send me a video of your Stearman when it's finished.

You just got to love Stearman. Designed in the 1930's and rated for 13 positive G's and 9 negative. Unreal! Now we know how they could load them up with chemicals for crop dusitng and pull out at the end of a short field to clear power lines and not rip the wings off. A real work horse aircraft. One TOUGH bird!



Cybertom -> RE: Flair 1/4 Scale PT-17 Stearman Review (5/25/2004 5:43:02 AM)

The covering and stitching is all from F&M Enterprises (www.stits.com). It's all Stits Lite Fabric and finishing tape. I used their whole system and bought the video that shows you how to do it all. Their main bread and butter business is selling full scale covering fabric and paint. They developed a lighter weave for model airplanes because they saw a market for something better than dope and silk just as with full scale.

Just ask anyone who works on full scale about Stits fabric. F&M Enterprises sells their full scale manual for covering aircraft to modelers. It's the exact same process. How's that for authenticity. Stits fabric is really easy to work with, it stretches around curves you swear wasn't possible. Makes you look a lot better than you are. Great Stuff!

The flying wires attached to the fuselage are actually pushrods. You haven't seen the cool flying wires yet. I bought 2-25ft. rolls of airfoil shaped stainless flying wires from Nelson Hobbies (www.nelsonhobby.com). I plan to use these out on the wings. Nelson Hobbies also has a good fabric covering and paint if you decide not to use Stits.



Kmot -> RE: Flair 1/4 Scale PT-17 Stearman Review (5/25/2004 5:53:15 AM)

Tom, what scale is your Stearman? Will one of those ultra cool BBI Dragon figures be the right size?



MAJSteve -> RE: Flair 1/4 Scale PT-17 Stearman Review (5/25/2004 8:28:21 AM)

I'm working on my 3rd Sterling Stearman and getting the wire attachment points in place and making mini clevis' out of standard 2/56 ones. Not all that hard but 48 of them!

How are the wires attached on the Flair - I'm looking at giving myself a nice X-mas present.



Cybertom -> RE: Flair 1/4 Scale PT-17 Stearman Review (5/25/2004 4:39:30 PM)

1/4th scale. A 6ft man would stand 18" tall.



Cybertom -> RE: Flair 1/4 Scale PT-17 Stearman Review (5/25/2004 5:22:25 PM)

Nelson Hobbies at one time sold a wide variety of very scale looking clevis attachments with their flying wires. They don't carry them anymore.

I think the company that makes them is in Switzerland and is called "Aero Scale Products". The guy who does the work is Hans Gautschi. I couldn't find a website. Apparently they will make flying wires to order, aerodynamically formed with a clevis on each end.

I am using the Nelson flying wire but with Proctor turn buckles.



argon -> RE: Flair 1/4 Scale PT-17 Stearman Review (5/26/2004 3:47:22 AM)

Cybertom: I wil use the same fabric you did, how much fabric did it take??

Regards...ARGON



Kmot -> RE: Flair 1/4 Scale PT-17 Stearman Review (5/26/2004 5:36:16 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Cybertom

1/4th scale. A 6ft man would stand 18" tall.


Helps if I read the title! [8|]

Sorry about that...

Anyway, I guess 1/4 scale action figures are rare.



Cybertom -> RE: Flair 1/4 Scale PT-17 Stearman Review (5/26/2004 1:15:11 PM)

They have a formula they use to determine the amount. They said the 8-yards would be enough but I wanted more just in case I screwed up so I bought 10-yards. I have about 2-yards extra so their formula was good.

I recommend getting the video. It's really helpful. I watched it several times.



Cybertom -> RE: Flair 1/4 Scale PT-17 Stearman Review (5/26/2004 1:19:36 PM)

Don't sweat it KMOT. If that's the worst mistake you make your doing a lot better than me![:D]



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