tunakuts3d

Sooo Friday or Saturday you'll be starting, right?

vertical grimmace

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Probably a couple 3 weeks. Lol

tunakuts3d

vertical grimmace

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Dad Gumb peanuts! lol

vertical grimmace

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So in the matter of one week, this is what I got from National Balsa.............. From an initial glance, I could not have asked for a nicer looking kit. The wood all looks great as well. Very clean, and straight. I will have to take an inventory, and hold the parts against the plans, but this is exactly how a kit should ship. In the sheets. All of the parts have the little tabs to hold them in the sheets, and all of the parts have been marked by the laser to identify them. At least all of the laser cut parts.
The reasons I went with National balsa is that I have heard very good things, throughout this and other websites about their recent quality. Also, they replied to my email within 12 hours, and they had the right answers to my questions. Now, much to my surprise, this kit was in stock and shipped immediately. Pretty happy here.
Now I have to rid myself of all of those peanuts! And unfortunately, I need to pack all of that Stuka back in the box.

Ram-bro

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now that a box o wood.......get to whittlin

vertical grimmace

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Yah, that bench is 4' x 8'. All of that stuff filled it! Also, notice the plate glass. That is the best thing ever to build on. My glass is around 3.' x 7' . Really protects the plans.

OK, I did a fairly thorough inventory and it is very, very good. All of the right wood, and of high quality.The ribs are perfect, which will make the wing a lot easier. This is only my second kit from a kit cutter, and I think I found my supplier!
I need to browse the threads on RC scale builder to find out about all of the little things I want to do differently. Tons of info on this design over there. It is nice when you see so many successful builds on a plane you are about to build. Gives you confidence that it can go smoothly.

Ed

All of us aren't $ Members $ of RC Scale Builder, please keep the build over here.

Thank you .

Ed

vertical grimmace

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I will, and was just using the site for info. You can still view threads without joining over there.

I need to decide on the landing gear struts. I saw someone complaining about the Robart struts, which is what I wanted to get. I wonder if it is the strut itself, or the way they mounted them?

Ed

I started flying my Ziroli Stuka using the original 1/4" bent wire gear that they provided at that time. Eventually it took it's toll on the spats, and my spats are in bad need of repair. I found an old pair of Robostruts that I once used on a Dynaflight Chipmunk. I increased the internal spring size, and put them to use on the heavier Stuka. It's my plan to repair the spats, and eventually put them back in place. However, I have been flying it with the beefed up Robostruts, no spats, pseudo model Gustav, and it has improved the landing, and ground handling capabilities tremendously. I think that the Robart struts are great, so it must be a problem with how they are mounted.

Ed

maddog-RCU

My Feedback: (23)

I decided to build a 3-piece wing for my Stuka a few years ago and decided at that time to get rid of 1/4" wire landing gear and use the Robart strut in mine. I haven't had a chance to fly it yet to see how the struts work but I though I would attach the few pictures I took of the of the installation into the wing center section of my Stuka so you could see what it looks like.

Ed

Now are the spats attached to the struts, or to the underside of the wing ? A picture of the attachment method would be much appreciated.

Ed

vertical grimmace

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I bet mounting the Spats could prove to be problematic. They either need to be separated from the shock absorption, or be split like the full scale in the upper strut area. I will be interested to learn how this problem has been solved.

maddog-RCU

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The spats are attached to the wing with a modified block.
I don't have a picture of my mount but here is one I found and I did mine the same way.

TomCrump

Mine are attached in a similar fashion.

vertical grimmace

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So are you just screwing the Spat to that plywood ring mounted on the wing? If so, How does that hold up over time? It seems like it would need more support further down the strut.

vertical grimmace

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I ordered all of the glass, canopy and spinner tonight. Will probably get the landing gear next. I have a couple of engines laying around (G62, which is what I plan to use), so I should have everything I will need to get started. Well, I may need to get some glue! It should take a lot of that.

I also have an instrument panel and an MG 15 machine gun for the tail gunner on the way. Ordered a Sig wing mount hardware set as well as I will be doing a 3 piece wing. This is an aluminum plate that slides in a channel with set screws. Looks like it should work well, and has been used and recommended as a good option from other builders.

Getting close to have everything I will need.

vertical grimmace

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I am beginning to wonder if maybe I should use a DLE 55 for this build. It would be nice to have the rear exhaust and rear carb. It would save some hassle and money, to get the engine hidden inside the cowl. The issues are, I do not have a DLE 55, so I would have to buy one. Also, I prefer mag engines, not fond of electronic ignitions with the xtra battery. Also, I am rather fond of spring starters. I really am leaning toward the DLE 55 though. It would solve a lot of little issues. Mainly with the muffler.

Ed

Just some food for thought here ........ I'm using a DA-50 with a 22x8 prop, and it is completely cowled in, with nothing hanging out. I might take off at full throttle, but immediately throttle back to keep the flight looking scale, and fly the entire flight at reduced throttle. I've made some full throttle low passes, but to knowledgeable people, it looks completely unrealistic. It's a dive bomber, not a fighter plane. I'd say, that if you could keep the aircraft under 35 pounds, you would be A-OK. I also have magneto engines with spring starters, and those with electronic ignitions, and like them equally as well. The ignition engine with a battery is lighter then one with a magneto, and spring starter, and will idle at a lower RPM.

Just one man's opinion.

Ed

bokuda

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Here is a place with good prices on new DLE's :http://www.valleyviewrc.com/estore/

I think UPS will accept foam packing peanuts.

vertical grimmace

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Yah, That is what I am going to do. These things are on sale now. I will also have them install the single bolt prop adapter for me. I have one of those on my old DL 50, and it is really nice.
I spend a lot of time in the Gas engine forums, and there was a thread about the G62 v. DA 50 for power. It was essentially a wash, so I do not think I would be losing any power by going with the 55. If anything, I would run a 23' prop as opposed to the 22" I usually run on my Mig 3 fighter.

vertical grimmace

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DLE 55 RA on it's way. I think this is the best option all around. I can use the stock muffler, and will not have to modify the carb manifold to keep it all inside the cowl.

vertical grimmace

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So....Iflytailies has about the best service I have ever had. Next to Henry Nelson! I ordered these products late Friday, and they were at my door today. Almost as if they would have had to ship on Friday!? Anyway, if you need scale components, I highly recommend them. Here is what I got.MG 15 for the tail gun. I just luv building plastic model kits, and look forward to getting after that gun. Should be a lot of fun. Sorry, this thread will be boring for a bit as I post all of these items that I am ordering.

Ed

You've got yourself a real fine project there Grimm, keep it going.

Ed

vertical grimmace

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Engine arrived today. Should fit nicely. Perfect actually! Another great company, Valley view. They have great deals right now. They installed my single bolt prop adapter for free. I paid for the adapter. They threw in a good NGK plug, and also an electronic ignition kill.
Also, the hardware for the 3 piece wing. I have seen this used in other builds and it seemed to work well. Coming son should be all of my glass, canopy and spinner! Looks like the stock stand offs are a little too long, so either shorter ones will be in order or a shortening of the nose, moving the firewall back may be in order. Not sure if shortening that engine box is a good idea yet until I really dig into this thing.
So for those that have built one of these, which is the best place to start? The fuse or the wing? I will probably knock out the stab initially, but otherwise it is usually best to start with one before the other.