Stearman and Pole Cat...

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Stearman and Pole Cat... - 3/15/2007 4:58:45 PM

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Joined: 9/8/2006
From: South Webster, OH, USA
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I have assembled two Nitro Models for a Buddy. Both fly great, but the cowls on both models were damaged when we opened the boxes. The Pole Cat cowl was cracked along the seam where the halfs were joined. It was also disfigured, kinda lopsided as if it were took out of the mold too soon and dried crooked. The Stearman cowl has chipped paint on the back edge of it. It's a shame that such good models contain poorly made pieces. The fiberglass pieces are too thin and quite fragile. Even the wheel pants are too thin and fragile...Bob Gibson

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RE: Stearman and Pole Cat... - 3/15/2007 9:46:29 PM

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From: LA, CA, USA
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PM me your order number and I'll replace them.

Thanks
John
Nitro Planes

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RE: Stearman and Pole Cat... - 3/15/2007 11:32:40 PM

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From: South Webster, OH, USA
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I can"t find the order number for the Pole Cat....the Order number for the Stearman is...143373

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RE: Stearman and Pole Cat... - 3/15/2007 11:48:06 PM

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ok i'm sending cowl for both model to you.

Thanks
John
Nitro Planes

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RE: Stearman and Pole Cat... - 3/16/2007 5:13:45 AM

jfail1

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Joined: 5/12/2004
From: Mesa, AZ, USA
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nitrostaff1

I built a Polecat about 4 months ago and also had a broken cowl in the same manner as above. I was told at the time they were not available. What is the chances I can get a replacement cowl for it. I have long lost the order number. Maybe you can find it in your files.

John Fail
Mesa, AZ

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RE: Stearman and Pole Cat... - 3/17/2007 7:29:30 PM

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From: South Webster, OH, USA
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Sounds great...I'll be looking for them...

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RE: Stearman and Pole Cat... - 3/17/2007 9:50:51 PM

opjose

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From: Poolesville, MD, USA
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Whenever you receive a cowl or wheel pants like this ( you should see how THIN and fragile my GP Skybolt's cowl is, makes the NP ones look like steel! ) a good idea is to either fuel proof the inside with a 50% Epoxy/%50 Alchohol mix or use fiberglass material and epoxy.

This makes a huge difference.

I use to harden all of the areas I cut out on my cowls with thin CA, but now I resort to the epoxy solution for added strength and to prevent cracking.

The NP kits DO NOT have particulary thin or fragile cowls and pants, but they do vary a bit.

The pants in the Ultimate 40S (the purple version) were fantastic. Nice and thick with grooves for the gear and fiberglass covered blind nut inserts... very nice. While the cowl was a bit thinner but still good.

The cowl on the Ultimate 120 is good as is the one on the Pitts... though the Pitts wheel skirts are easy to crush....

The cowl on the Passion is great, the Hellcat 120 too thin (easy to fix with a re-inforcement ring), Ultimate BiPe pants too brittle (needs Epoxy), etc.

So for the most part just make sure you add a little TLC and you'll do fine...

The GP SKYBOLT ARF cowl was NOT so easy to fix as it was almost paper thin... ugh, and this from a much more expensive manufacturer... coupled with the awful coverjob on it, and I would have been far better off, and $120.00 richer with a second (for me as I already have one ) far better Ultimate 120 from NP... though that's on my list for later in the year.

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RE: Stearman and Pole Cat... - 9/19/2007 4:03:24 PM

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Still waiting for my Stearman and Pole Cat cowls...Bob

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RE: Stearman and Pole Cat... - 9/20/2007 10:14:21 PM

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ok Chris,

I'm sending this out tomorrow. Sorry about the long wait.

John
Nitro Planes

quote:

ORIGINAL: dcnbear

Still waiting for my Stearman and Pole Cat cowls...Bob

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RE: Stearman and Pole Cat... - 11/6/2007 1:58:34 AM

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Joined: 9/8/2006
From: South Webster, OH, USA
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I received the Cowls in good condition..Thanks for sending them...

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RE: Stearman and Pole Cat... - 11/10/2007 2:54:18 PM

djsdog

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From: Fresno, OH, USA
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Nitrostaff1

Just bought and mostly assembled the Stearman. Love it but have not flown it yet. I am a beginner to glow engine fying and this was my second ARF I've built. The instructions are not the best and I need information on the routing of the throttle linkage and the Center of gravity exact location.

Also, please do a verson in the Navy Blue and Yellow sceme. I would like that as well.

Thanks
Denny

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RE: Stearman and Pole Cat... - 11/11/2007 4:43:16 AM

opjose

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quote:

ORIGINAL: djsdog

Nitrostaff1

Just bought and mostly assembled the Stearman. Love it but have not flown it yet. I am a beginner to glow engine fying and this was my second ARF I've built. The instructions are not the best and I need information on the routing of the throttle linkage and the Center of gravity exact location.

Also, please do a verson in the Navy Blue and Yellow sceme. I would like that as well.

Thanks
Denny

Re: Linkage.

Basically you do this as you see fit.

It helps to install the linkage prior to screwing down the control horns if you are using the z-bend as indicated in the manual.

I used solder on threaded connectors instead.

You may want to seek help from someone who has put together a few ARFs.

You can also try downloading manuals for other planes from other vendors for some tips and ideas.

There was nothing "unusual" with the Stearman's linkages.

The C.G. is as stated in the manual.

< Message edited by opjose -- 11/11/2007 6:02:22 PM >

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RE: Stearman and Pole Cat... - 11/15/2007 4:32:46 PM

djsdog

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From: Fresno, OH, USA
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opjose,

I got the stearman together with a os .46 fx and pitts muffler NICE exhaust setup. I'm going to start her up and fly her soon (kinda scared). She balanced about 1/4 ahead of the recommened CG not too worried here?

Any other advice before she goes up??? This will be only the third nitro model I ever flew.

Denny

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RE: Stearman and Pole Cat... - 11/15/2007 5:32:13 PM

opjose

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From: Poolesville, MD, USA
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3rd model?

Then I suggest you let a REALLY experienced flyer take it up and trim her out for you.

Remember that you have a new plane with an untested configuration that is also probably out of trim.

Those first few seconds of flight can be quite harrowing, especially if you have an unforseen problem.

Break the engine in, and make SURE it runs up reliably.

Do this with 1/3 of a tank of fuel.

Do a nose up run-up after holding the plane nose high for 20 seconds.

Do a nose low run-up after holding the plane nose low for 30 seconds.

Let it sit and idle after a run up. Does it slow down over time? If so it needs tuning.

You do NOT want the engine quitting on you after take off, especially on an untrimmed plane.

This happened to me with my Nitroplanes Pitts .40 which I lost on it's maiden flight.

I THOUGHT I had the engine fully tuned. I didn't . It turned out that the low end was overly rich, while the high end was a little lean This in spite of extensive ground testing.

Remember this plane has a good bit of drag, and you cannot combat poor trim during it's maiden & a deadstick...

It will YAW on you during run up. Are you confortable dealing with this?

Try to make the plane sit as "level" as you can but still retaining a little positive wing incidence as it sits on the ground.

Having it 1/4" nose heavy may be of benefit. It should not hurt. But be prepared for a potential noseover.

Allways keep back pressure on the elevator stick when the plane is below flight speeds, on the ground.... even when you taxi around, but especially when transitioning to a different surface.

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RE: Stearman and Pole Cat... - 11/15/2007 7:06:31 PM

djsdog

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Joined: 8/25/2007
From: Fresno, OH, USA
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Great advice on the engine tuning.

Yaw, yea, kick the right rudder hard on takoff.

I should state that even thought it is only my third nitro, I have been flying a nitro and a bunch of foamies for about six months and can do anything including low level snap rolls with my foamy stearman. I have maidened about 12 planes and understand what you mean about trimming them out. My 1st nitro plane is a Hobbyco Nextar which I have no trouble flying at all and have only had a couple of very small mishaps with (cross wind landings).

I have 38 acers with an old airstip in my front yard so I do most of my RC flying at home and that is the reason for some trial and error without experenced help.

I took my Hanger 9 P-51 PTS AFR off for the first time the other day and within 10 miniuts was doing loops, rolls and even flying inverted some. I did all the settup on this plane and it flew almost perfect after takoff, (I'm afraid I was lucky instead of good) Always herd that landing a tail dragger was more difficult but I seem to have no trouble there as well.

Other than the extra drag on this plane the actual control does'nt concern me as much as the Nitro settup, tuning and balance. Your advice is great and I understand why you would do all those things. I have developed relitively good reaction skills during dead sticking but will not try it with the stearman until I get the feel of her.

I'll remember the taxing advice as well.

Anything else?

Thanks alot,

Denny

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If a crash is inevitable, hit the softest, cheapest thing you can find, as slowly as possible.

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RE: Stearman and Pole Cat... - 11/15/2007 8:26:59 PM