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Balsa USA Stearman - 9/30/2002 1:50:46 AM   
Forgues Research



Posts: 3411
Joined: 12/15/2001
From: Glen Robertson, ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		Has anyone built the Balsa USA Stearman, the large one.

Anything you can tell me about it, handling , building, engine, etc...

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Evo Engines
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Balsa USA stearman - 10/20/2002 2:47:55 AM   
Ralph V


 

Posts: 96
Joined: 10/17/2002
From: Menominee, MI, USA
Status: offline 		Roger

You may want to contact Balsa USA
Ask to talk to Mark Enderby he just finished his about a year ago
and now he works at Balsa USA (906)863-6421
or contact their web sight
Mark is easy to talk to and tells it like it is.

Good luck
Ralph V

(in reply to Forgues Research)
       Post #: 2

Balsa USA Stearman - 11/4/2002 7:02:03 PM   
B Vial


 

Posts: 71
Joined: 9/30/2002
From: Enterprise, AL, USA
Status: offline 		Well, I too took the plunge and bought one of these. I should take delivery in a week. Anyone here own one that wants to chime in? I am thinking of powering mine with the RCS 215 and would like to hear what your comments are on building and flying this beast of a bipe.

Brian

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       Post #: 3

Balsa USA Stearman - 11/4/2002 7:37:31 PM   
Forgues Research



Posts: 3411
Joined: 12/15/2001
From: Glen Robertson, ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by B Vial
Well, I too took the plunge and bought one of these. I should take delivery in a week. Anyone here own one that wants to chime in? I am thinking of powering mine with the RCS 215 and would like to hear what your comments are on building and flying this beast of a bipe.

Brian [/QUOTE]

Brian,
When in Rhinebeck last September, Marc of Balsa USA was there with his Stearman with the RCS 215. I was lucky enough to hold the plane for him to run this engine. Expensive it is, but man what an engine. That airplane cries out loud for that engine.

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Evo Engines
http://forgues-research.com

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       Post #: 4

Balsa USA Stearman - 11/4/2002 7:48:04 PM   
B Vial


 

Posts: 71
Joined: 9/30/2002
From: Enterprise, AL, USA
Status: offline 		So are you putting one together? What engine do are you thinking of?

A friend of mine in my hometown up in Iowa built one many years ago and it was featured in RC Report. I think I still have that issue and guess I had better start looking for it.

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       Post #: 5

Balsa USA Stearman - 11/4/2002 8:02:13 PM   
Forgues Research



Posts: 3411
Joined: 12/15/2001
From: Glen Robertson, ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		No I'm not putting one together, I don't think I would like the field setup.
All my enquieries is for a friend that likes them big and two wings. But doesn't like computers or Internet

Don't get me wrong, it is a most impressive aircraft.

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Evo Engines
http://forgues-research.com

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       Post #: 6

Balsa USA Stearman - 11/5/2002 6:08:17 AM   
RCPilot100



Posts: 582
Joined: 1/12/2002
From: Chelsea, MI, USA
Status: offline 		A good friend of mine bought one of the first kits when they came out. I forget exactly what the first engine was that he put in it, but it was in the 100 cc range. It flew it real scale like - Keith Shaw said so - but it just wasn't enough power. Tom finally put a 3W160 four cylinder in it - now it had enough power. I am not talking 3D type stuff, but plenty to get it into the air - over trees - and able to power on for another go around when you need to. It did a real pretty eight point roll with Keith at the controls with the new engine in it. The downside with the four cylinder was cooling the rear two cylinders plus 3Ws lousy spark plug caps. This kit is on my someday list . From all the time I spent with my friend and his Stearman, I will opt for the DA-150, or something from BME if he comes out with something in that size. Build it light - don't add weight strengthening stuff just in case - the only exception is the landing gear. If you don't have the necessary skills to do the lg correctly, enlist the aid of someone who does. My buddy should have and ended up paying for it in repairs when the lg broke - several times.

Dan

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       Post #: 7

Balsa USA Stearman - 11/5/2002 6:12:50 AM   
Forgues Research



Posts: 3411
Joined: 12/15/2001
From: Glen Robertson, ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		I just purchased a ZDZ 210cc. That should be a good engine for this aircraft. Also since you would need weight up front, you can do as I did, and install a onboard starter.

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Evo Engines
http://forgues-research.com

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       Post #: 8

Stearman Struts - 11/5/2002 7:09:54 AM   
BigRetracts-RCU



Posts: 229
Joined: 12/19/2001
From: Brunswick, OH, USA
Status: offline 		I second the need for some good struts. Mike Barbee has
one at 50+ lbs. and bent one of the struts on it second
flight. I made him a stronger set to take the weight.
I have made several sets for others also.
You have to weld together the ones that come with the kit
and they are only good for about 40 lbs. or so.


Sierra Precision
Giant Scale Retracts
[url]www.sierraprecision.com[/url]
440-230-9570

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       Post #: 9

Balsa USA Stearman - 11/5/2002 7:25:15 AM   
B Vial


 

Posts: 71
Joined: 9/30/2002
From: Enterprise, AL, USA
Status: offline 		They sell an assembled landing gear as an option. This replacement gear set must be different than the ones that normally come with the kit as they state that they must be installed in a bird while it is still being built as there are modifications to the airframe to make. I wonder if these are stronger units or what. At first I thought they were just doing the welding/brazing for you until I read that on thier site.

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       Post #: 10

RE: Balsa USA Stearman - 12/2/2003 2:34:51 AM   
wayneparrish


 

Posts: 108
Joined: 11/27/2002
From: apex, NC, USA
Status: offline 		I just received a set of Darryls ( Sierra Precision ) Stearman struts and MAN THESE THINGS ARE GREAT !!!! I am an od machinist from years ago and the quality of work in these things are FANTASTIC !! By all means,buy you a set of these struts and you will be over with gear problems forever . If someone wants pictures of them,send me an email and I'll send you some............. wparrish2@nc.rr.com Wayne Parrish

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       Post #: 11

RE: Balsa USA Stearman - 1/16/2004 4:03:31 AM   
wayneparrish


 

Posts: 108
Joined: 11/27/2002
From: apex, NC, USA
Status: offline 		I just got my Stearman flying and with a set of Darrels "BEAUTIFUL"landing gear struts !! These things are great ! When that big bird touches down and you see the struts absorbing the energy ,its just great.BUY A SET,You won't be sorry ,and they are easy as pie to install,even in an already built airframe.Believe it or not I'm flying mine with the 85 cc MacMinarelli engine and it will loop the a/c from level flight.Gonna get a few more flights on it ,THEN, the big 215 radial goes in her for another 8-10 flights. Then we tear it down and recover,detail ,paint her for the spring fly-ins.Man this is one fantastic flying aircraft when its set up correctly!!Spend the time setting the incidence and balance correctly,gear toe in ,etc. and you'll have an aircraft that you'll absolutely LOVE !!!!! Wayne

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       Post #: 12

RE: Balsa USA Stearman - 1/16/2004 4:21:56 AM   
ww2birds



Posts: 298
Joined: 2/5/2003
From: Potomac, MD, USA
Status: offline 		Hi Wayne ... Glad to hear of your success! How did you get them into the built airframe? Did you make the belly covering removable on yours? Did you have to tear off the "cuffs" on the struts? I would love to buy a set for my Stearman (maybe I am a better pilot than I think .. 50 flights, stock gear, no bends .. but I have to admit they look iffy to me!!!)

Dave

(in reply to wayneparrish)
       Post #: 13

RE: <span class= - 1/16/2004 2:49:22 PM   
wayneparrish


 

Posts: 108
Joined: 11/27/2002
From: apex, NC, USA
Status: offline 		Dave, My Stearman has fiberglass fairings,so I pulled the screws and that opens it up tp get to the screws.The flat mounting pad fits exactly like the old steel pad did.You will probably have to make you an extended drill bit to redrill the mounting holes for the new pad. The tube is bigger in diameter ,7/8" dai., but the top is necked to the original dia.. You may have to clearance the tube going in,but its not a bigg deal at all. BE SURE TO GET THE TOE-IN RIGHT !! Wayne

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       Post #: 14

RE: <span class= - 1/16/2004 4:10:26 PM   
wayneparrish


 

Posts: 108
Joined: 11/27/2002
From: apex, NC, USA
Status: offline