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Finish building 20 year old plane? - 5/16/2008 2:23:31 PM   
Popriv


 

Posts: 75
Joined: 5/5/2008
From: bellingham, MA, USA
Status: offline 		Help!
I'm looking to get back into this hobby after 20 years.
I had built a number of planes, I flew two 6' gliders for about 2 dozen flights then dropped it. ( the hobby that is )
Now I would like to get into powered flight and have been looking at kits in the $300 range.
These would come with a radio of questionable quality? only good with this receiver?

I now think a better solution for me to get back in the game is to finish a plane that has been hanging from my ceiling for over 20 years!
I took it down last night, cleaned off 1/4" of dust, and its pretty much what I'm looking for.
I think it was a Midwest model? The problem is, I long ago got tired of moving the box with all the unfinished parts around and threw it out. along with the instructions.
Its a 52" wingspan held on top of the fusilage with elastic bands. The fusilage and wing are done and covered. All other parts were thrown out.
I need to add alierons to the wing, elevator to the tail, front wheel, all servos, receiver and connections, motor and gas tank.
I wont have a problem adding the control surfaces myself but the electronics, servos and the engine installation I'm not to sure of.

I also dont know what engine size it will handle.

I could post a picture of where I stand now if that would help?

As far as the radio I plan on buying a spectrim DX6 for just under $200 vs. the DX7 for $350ish.
Is it a mistake to go for the cccccheaper DX6? I plan on having multiple planes.
Hopefully I'll get this trainer going then I'll put new electronics in my old Segata glider and will probably add a more advanced powered plane once I get better.
With the Spectrim I can control all the planes with one controller and a receiver in each plane..

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I'm going to the LHS tonight and show them what I've got so far.


TIA

Steve

       Post #: 1

RE: Finish building 20 year old plane? - 5/16/2008 2:33:08 PM   
MinnFlyer



Posts: 19161
Joined: 4/22/2002
From: Willmar, MN, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Popriv


I'm going to the LHS tonight and show them what I've got so far.


That's your best bet. Sounds like it needs a lot of simple things. It will be much easier for them to show you than for us to tell you.

_____________________________

Mike B.
AMA# 42400 www.gettingairborne.com

"Those are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others." - Groucho Marx

(in reply to Popriv)
       Post #: 2

RE: Finish building 20 year old plane? - 5/16/2008 2:49:35 PM   
Mttvannest



Posts: 32
Joined: 2/5/2008
From: Columbus, OH, USA
Status: offline 		Steve,
As far as the radio goes, I use a Dx6i. I assume you mean this radio. The DX6 (no i) is a short range radio meant for park flyers. Before you choose between the DX6i and the DX7 just think what you will need from your radio. With 6 channel you have 4 for flight plus 2 more for retracts, flaps, bombs, or anything else like that. When it comes to programing options, the DX6i has everything the average sport flyer would need and more. No sense is paying for an extra channel on the DX7 if you'll never use it.
As for the plans and manual, I had the same problem with a midwest pitts special i bought at a swap meet. I posted a thread in the kit builders section and someone saw it and was able to email me a copy of the manual and plans. It was a 1974 kit, 10 years older than me! There is a ton of help on this site, just ask!

Matt

< Message edited by Mttvannest -- 5/16/2008 2:52:41 PM >

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(in reply to MinnFlyer)
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RE: Finish building 20 year old plane? - 5/16/2008 4:00:11 PM   
Popriv


 

Posts: 75
Joined: 5/5/2008
From: bellingham, MA, USA
Status: offline 		[/quote]
That's your best bet. Sounds like it needs a lot of simple things. It will be much easier for them to show you than for us to tell you.
[/quote]


Thats what I thought. The LHS wants to push me into a RTF kit with radio included. seems to lose interest when he sees he's not making an immediate sale. I'll show him what I've got and if he doesnt cooperate I'll try a different LHS!


I'll look up the DX6 and DX6i I wasnt aware of the two!

Thanks for the info..

Steve



(in reply to MinnFlyer)
       Post #: 4

RE: Finish building 20 year old plane? - 5/16/2008 4:12:02 PM   
MinnFlyer



Posts: 19161
Joined: 4/22/2002
From: Willmar, MN, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Popriv

I'll show him what I've got and if he doesnt cooperate I'll try a different LHS!




_____________________________

Mike B.
AMA# 42400 www.gettingairborne.com

"Those are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others." - Groucho Marx

(in reply to Popriv)
       Post #: 5

RE: Finish building 20 year old plane? - 5/16/2008 5:02:23 PM   
rctrax



Posts: 594
Joined: 5/11/2002
From: Mosinee, WI, USA
Status: offline 		Steve I am also trying to finish up an old partialy built model[Pitts special] that was started in 1974. All the plans and instructions are long since been lost.However since it is scratch built and I can work from all my stuf colected over the years I will probably make out all right.Most of those RTF models come with simple entry level radios and are all rifgt as far as they go but will fall short down the line when you want to upgrade. Then you will be looking for another radio.They're mostly name brand radios and are good as far as they go.For the rest of the build it is just a matter of aquiring all the parts you need including the engine which is the same as what you would be doing with any current kit build. The radio gear needed will generaly be included in the radio package you buy

(in reply to MinnFlyer)
       Post #: 6

RE: Finish building 20 year old plane? - 5/16/2008 5:56:08 PM   
carrellh



Posts: 3308
Joined: 3/30/2003
From: Garland, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Since you have an airframe well underway, finishing it could be a lot of fun. If you do utilize the hobby shop's time and knowledge, please do not hose them and buy everything online to save a few bucks.

When my brother wanted his first computer radio, we didn't know anything about them. What do the features actually do? How do you do certain programming? One of the guys at Mike's got multiple models from Futaba, Hitec, and JR out of the case and showed us a lot about all of them. When the decision was made the LHS was about $40 higher than online and we have 8.25% sales tax on top of that. But, the patience and expertise we got was well worth the difference.


One thing to point out on radios. If the RTF models the hobby shop has are 40 & 60 size trainers from Hangar 9, Hobbico, SIG, or Thunder Tiger; there is nothing questionable about the quality of the included radio systems. They are perfectly good, simple, 72 mhz systems that will last many years, or until FCC takes away the 72 mhz band and we're all forced to go to something else.

There is nothing wrong with having one transmitter dedicated to your trainer and getting a whiz-bang super radio for subsequent models. You can get a perfectly good radio system for your trainer for about $120 and worry about 'super radio' for the next one.

_____________________________

Regards,
Carrell

(in reply to Popriv)
       Post #: 7

RE: Finish building 20 year old plane? - 5/16/2008 6:27:03 PM   
Jburry



Posts: 549
Joined: 7/12/2006
From: Cape Spencer, NB, CANADA
Status: offline 		Go for it, finishing old planes is really the best part of this hobby to me. 2 of my 4 planes are vintage virgins, and I rebuilt them both. The first was an AAMCO S-ray (kit bash) that a friend built 20 years ago (the kit is actually 40 years old), a 50" 3channel 25 size trainer, and the other a Dynaflite Fun Scale Mustang 40, another 50" er.

Your trainer would likely do OK with a strong 25 size up to a lightweight 40 size engine. I'd suggest something like a strong .25-.35 or a bushing .40 size like the LA40 or one of its equals. Light weight is key in a plane this size, and being a trainer, blistering speed and power aren't the goal. It'll be plenty fast!

Here're some before and afters of the rehab projects I've done. Neither had flown in their former configurations. They're both excellent craft now.

J

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RE: Finish building 20 year old plane? - 5/16/2008 7:56:44 PM   
RCKen



Posts: 13984
Joined: 7/10/2002
From: Lawton, OK, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: carrellh
One of the guys at Mike's


Carrellh,
Was that Mike's Superstore over in Carrolton???

Ken

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(in reply to carrellh)
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RE: Finish building 20 year old plane? - 5/16/2008 8:30:18 PM   
Popriv


 

Posts: 75
Joined: 5/5/2008
From: bellingham, MA, USA
Status: offline

Here're some before and afters of the rehab projects I've done. Neither had flown in their former configurations. They're both excellent craft now.

Your 1st plane, the trainer, looks very much like the one I want to finish. what size was yours? mine has 52" wingspan.

Steve

(in reply to Jburry)
       Post #: 10

RE: Finish building 20 year old plane? - 5/16/2008 8:33:58 PM   
Popriv


 

Posts: 75
Joined: 5/5/2008
From: bellingham, MA, USA
Status: offline
There is nothing wrong with having one transmitter dedicated to your trainer and getting a whiz-bang super radio for subsequent models. You can get a perfectly good radio system for your trainer for about $120 and worry about 'super radio' for the next one.
[/quote]

I liked the hanger 9 Alpha 40 for $299 but it wont be in till june. I can get it online but I would like to give the local guys some business.
I DONT KNOW HOW THEY COMPETE WITH THE INTERNET.

Good to know your thoughts on the package. Depending on how the trip to the LHS goes I may still go that route.

Steve

(in reply to carrellh)
       Post #: 11

RE: Finish building 20 year old plane? - 5/16/2008 8:42:49 PM   
Popriv


 

Posts: 75
Joined: 5/5/2008
From: bellingham, MA, USA
Status: offline 		I found it!

They still sell it! a midwest aerostar.

Now if I can get a copy of the instructions?


Steve






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RE: Finish building 20 year old plane? - 5/16/2008 9:11:18 PM   
Jburry



Posts: 549
Joined: 7/12/2006
From: Cape Spencer, NB, CANADA
Status: offline 		It is a 50" span, powered by an LA25 (the old magnum in that photo was abandonned due to unreliability). AUW is about 3 pounds, IIRC, the extremely short nose required alot of lead to balance. Your aerostar has a much longer nose, and it should balance much closer.

Looks like the aerostar is intended for a 2 stroke 32-45, or a 4 stroke 40-56. You'd be well advised to aim for the top end of the recommended engine sizes (say a 2 stroke 40-46 or a 4 stroke 56). That will give you plenty of power. Looks like your wingspan is actually 62" (you said 52, was that a typo, or is this actually a smaller version, suitable for 25-36 size engine?)

J

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RE: Finish building 20 year old plane? - 5/16/2008 11:29:01 PM   
Popriv


 

Posts: 75
Joined: 5/5/2008
From: bellingham, MA, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Jburry

It is a 50" span, powered by an LA25 (the old magnum in that photo was abandonned due to unreliability). AUW is about 3 pounds, IIRC, the extremely short nose required alot of lead to balance. Your aerostar has a much longer nose, and it should balance much closer.

Looks like the aerostar is intended for a 2 stroke 32-45, or a 4 stroke 40-56. You'd be well advised to aim for the top end of the recommended engine sizes (say a 2 stroke 40-46 or a 4 stroke 56). That will give you plenty of power. Looks like your wingspan is actually 62" (you said 52, was that a typo, or is this actually a smaller version, suitable for 25-36 size engine?)

J



My wingspan is 52". it is smaller than the plane in the picture I posted.
Midwest still has the instructions for $13.
I think its a .20 size plane? what size engine for this?

I think getting this going as a trainer makes sense, instead of purchaseing the