Top-Flite T-34
09-15-2012, 10:11 AM
#501
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RE: Top-Flite T-34
Nice to see the old T-34 again I worked on this plane for 2 years as an aviation electricians mate 2nd class at Saufley Field Pensacola Fla. VT1 1959-1961 nice to see such attention to detail thanks for bringing back old memories.
09-16-2012, 05:57 PM
#504
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RE: Top-Flite T-34
Hi Carl,
I'm building this T-34B for Scale Masters level of competition. The sliding canopy was a project within a project and it took months and several failures before I was able to make a suitable sliding canopy piece over the rear cockpit. I was not able to use the rear section of the kit's one piece canopy as I hoped so a plug was fabricated and a new rear canopy piece vacuum formed over it. The best way to get detailed information on the what and how of my sliding canopy is to go to RCScalebuilder.com. Go to the TopFlite section under the Kits category. Here is a link to the part of my build where I started on the sliding canopy.
[link]http://www.rcscalebuilder.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=14181&PN=1&TPN=26[/link]
When I started this project I knew that I wanted to make corrugated control surfaces that looked like metal so I built a vacuum forming machine and made formers. That vacuum forming machine turned out to be one of the best investments that I ever made.
Ripley
I'm building this T-34B for Scale Masters level of competition. The sliding canopy was a project within a project and it took months and several failures before I was able to make a suitable sliding canopy piece over the rear cockpit. I was not able to use the rear section of the kit's one piece canopy as I hoped so a plug was fabricated and a new rear canopy piece vacuum formed over it. The best way to get detailed information on the what and how of my sliding canopy is to go to RCScalebuilder.com. Go to the TopFlite section under the Kits category. Here is a link to the part of my build where I started on the sliding canopy.
[link]http://www.rcscalebuilder.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=14181&PN=1&TPN=26[/link]
When I started this project I knew that I wanted to make corrugated control surfaces that looked like metal so I built a vacuum forming machine and made formers. That vacuum forming machine turned out to be one of the best investments that I ever made.
Ripley
09-17-2012, 12:58 PM
#506
RE: Top-Flite T-34
Oh Bob where were you when I needed you? 
Just finished (well 86%) a Piper Warrior and had to Monokote the ailerons, flaps, etc....I would have painte the whole plane if given a reason (DAAAAAAAAAAAAAA).....oh well such is life. I love your work!!!!
Jerry
Just finished (well 86%) a Piper Warrior and had to Monokote the ailerons, flaps, etc....I would have painte the whole plane if given a reason (DAAAAAAAAAAAAAA).....oh well such is life. I love your work!!!!Jerry
09-17-2012, 05:57 PM
#507
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RE: Top-Flite T-34
Hello Jerry,
Sorry about that. During the course of my build on RCScalebuilder I asked if others might be interested in a kit of corrugated control surfaces, skins for the vertical and horizontal stabilizer, clear pieces for the landing light, as well as the wing tip navigation lights. The kit also included the liners for the main and the inner gear doors. The response back was YES! Next thing I know I am selling and shipping those kits all over the world. I also have a kit to detail the cockpit as well. It's a shame that we didn't connect until just recently.
Ripley
Sorry about that. During the course of my build on RCScalebuilder I asked if others might be interested in a kit of corrugated control surfaces, skins for the vertical and horizontal stabilizer, clear pieces for the landing light, as well as the wing tip navigation lights. The kit also included the liners for the main and the inner gear doors. The response back was YES! Next thing I know I am selling and shipping those kits all over the world. I also have a kit to detail the cockpit as well. It's a shame that we didn't connect until just recently.
Ripley
09-19-2012, 10:06 AM
#508
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RE: Top-Flite T-34
This is a picture I took at the Delaware air show a few years back built by Al Franken 2S on tail = Saufley field he realy went all out on this one the only thing I could not do one this one was climb into the cockpit.
01-13-2013, 09:32 PM
#512
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RE: Top-Flite T-34
Progress on the t-34..... she's coming along..... we're are a lil behind schedul but she will be ready for May 1...fiberglass parts are in. Question1.... would it be a good idea to turn the fuel tank long ways in the fuse.... even though the instructions say to do it sideways. Question2.... would the DLE20 be enough power for a 20+ pound plane???
01-14-2013, 04:55 AM
#513
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RE: Top-Flite T-34
Hello Carl,
Your T-34 is coming along well and it looks like you integrated the corrugated skins into your build quite effectively.
I don't see any reason why a fore/aft tank installation would cause any issues. Yesterday I changed out the 14oz tank that was original planned to feed a RCV-130 with a 16oz that just barely fit sideways in my fuselage (I dont have the option for a fore/aft placement in my plane). Now that I reengined my airframe with a Super Tiger G2300 I had my doubts that the 14oz tank would last the full 12 minutes for competition flying.
What is the spec horsepower rating of the DLE20. You are going to want an engine of at least 3 bhp. That is what I was told anyway.
Ripley
Your T-34 is coming along well and it looks like you integrated the corrugated skins into your build quite effectively.
I don't see any reason why a fore/aft tank installation would cause any issues. Yesterday I changed out the 14oz tank that was original planned to feed a RCV-130 with a 16oz that just barely fit sideways in my fuselage (I dont have the option for a fore/aft placement in my plane). Now that I reengined my airframe with a Super Tiger G2300 I had my doubts that the 14oz tank would last the full 12 minutes for competition flying.
What is the spec horsepower rating of the DLE20. You are going to want an engine of at least 3 bhp. That is what I was told anyway.
Ripley
]
01-14-2013, 10:55 AM
#515
RE: Top-Flite T-34
I am on the fence oh what to do with mine... I had a Magnum 1.20 4 stroke on it and the power was decent but I just wanted to get rid of my last glow engine, I have a clone power 110 that I just took out of a 1/4 scale cub that I have been experimenting with and also thought about the DLE 20 but it sounds like it might not be enough???? The clone power 110 that I have on hand and with 9s and 16x12e I can get 1700 watts and wiyh a 16x10x3 I can get 1700 watts
The good thing is I have all the necessary items to convert it to Electric just not 100% sure how it will fly with that setup, and #2 is will it balance without adding any weight with the 5s & 4s 5000mah batteries behind the firewall... and if #1&2 work out then #3 comes into play of creating a battery Hatch
The good thing is I have all the necessary items to convert it to Electric just not 100% sure how it will fly with that setup, and #2 is will it balance without adding any weight with the 5s & 4s 5000mah batteries behind the firewall... and if #1&2 work out then #3 comes into play of creating a battery Hatch
01-14-2013, 11:01 AM
#516
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RE: Top-Flite T-34
Yeah... glow fuel is rather expinsive.. but the Dle-20 pokes out the cowling just lil bit... but if we went with a DLE 30... the whole head would be out..... decision decisions[:'(][&:]
01-14-2013, 03:01 PM
#517
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RE: Top-Flite T-34
Hello Carl,
Based on the testing that I did with my RCV 130 (2.1 bhp) mounted on a Great Planes 120 size Big Stick that I called the Red Mule your DLE20 will be on the low end of the power curve required to fly the T-34. I loaded the Red Mule up to a dry weight of 20 lbs and the RCV was able to fly it BUT it struggled. The Red Mule took a 700' plus take off run on grass to break ground. It could roll and do a very small and quick loop but a 1/2 reverse Cuban Eight was down right ugly. So for competition you would have a very limited list of flight options available and consider this. The GP 120 Big Stick and the TF T-34 have 80" wing spans but the Big Stick has almost 50% more wing area and it's constant cord "Hershey Bar" wing is going to generate more lift then double tapper wing on the T-34.
I am afraid you may end up in the same boat that I was in and why I had to reengine my plane.
Bstussie,
If you scroll back to earlier pages of this thread you will see how others have configured their TopFlite Mentors for electric power and have successfully flown them at 17 and 18 lbs. The Information that they posted might help you with your decision making process.
Ripley
Based on the testing that I did with my RCV 130 (2.1 bhp) mounted on a Great Planes 120 size Big Stick that I called the Red Mule your DLE20 will be on the low end of the power curve required to fly the T-34. I loaded the Red Mule up to a dry weight of 20 lbs and the RCV was able to fly it BUT it struggled. The Red Mule took a 700' plus take off run on grass to break ground. It could roll and do a very small and quick loop but a 1/2 reverse Cuban Eight was down right ugly. So for competition you would have a very limited list of flight options available and consider this. The GP 120 Big Stick and the TF T-34 have 80" wing spans but the Big Stick has almost 50% more wing area and it's constant cord "Hershey Bar" wing is going to generate more lift then double tapper wing on the T-34.
I am afraid you may end up in the same boat that I was in and why I had to reengine my plane.
Bstussie,
If you scroll back to earlier pages of this thread you will see how others have configured their TopFlite Mentors for electric power and have successfully flown them at 17 and 18 lbs. The Information that they posted might help you with your decision making process.
Ripley
01-15-2013, 04:43 AM
#520
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RE: Top-Flite T-34
Hello Carl,
The Super Tigre G2300 fits within the confines of the cowl with just a bit of machine work on a few of the cooling fins on the front of the head. However, the ST carburetor, especially the needle valve body would stick out quite a bit through the top of the cowl. The Perry Carb, on the other hand, is made in such away that the needle valve is just a short knob and nothing would protrude through the top of the cowl. All I need to do is make a small hole to insert a tuning tool.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?I=LXDKY7&P=8#
The Super Tigre G2300 fits within the confines of the cowl with just a bit of machine work on a few of the cooling fins on the front of the head. However, the ST carburetor, especially the needle valve body would stick out quite a bit through the top of the cowl. The Perry Carb, on the other hand, is made in such away that the needle valve is just a short knob and nothing would protrude through the top of the cowl. All I need to do is make a small hole to insert a tuning tool.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?I=LXDKY7&P=8#
01-28-2013, 12:09 AM
#523
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RE: Top-Flite T-34
Done with the wood work. All that's left is to mount the servo's, linkages, and to cover. With retracts, and engine mounted it weighs 9.6lbs. With monokote and electronics I'm shooting for 11lbs. I'll post pictures soon after I get it covered.
02-08-2013, 10:35 AM
#524
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RE: Top-Flite T-34
I have building a t-34 for over a year now. Mostly I'm waiting for the Robart electric retracts to come out. I'm using a Saito FA 100 T for power. I have to stand it out 3/8" from the firewall and had a 2" shaft extention made to get the distance I needed from firewall to spinner plate. I'm praying this is enough power. If you would or could I would love to buy a set of the plastic parts you made for your 34.
02-08-2013, 07:03 PM
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RE: Top-Flite T-34
Hello Rich,
I think you were addressing me with that question about the flight surfaces detailing kit. My kit consists of the corrugated skins for the ailerons, flaps, elevator, rudder, vertical fin, and horizontal stabilizer. You also get the liners for the main landing gear doors, the inner doors for the mains with liners, the stiffener for the main gear doors along with the clear pieces to make the landing light lenses, wing tip navigation lights, and belly strobe light. I make these kit to order and one will set up back $45.00 plus shipping.
Please let me know if you would like one and I will break out my vacuum forming machine.
Ripley
I think you were addressing me with that question about the flight surfaces detailing kit. My kit consists of the corrugated skins for the ailerons, flaps, elevator, rudder, vertical fin, and horizontal stabilizer. You also get the liners for the main landing gear doors, the inner doors for the mains with liners, the stiffener for the main gear doors along with the clear pieces to make the landing light lenses, wing tip navigation lights, and belly strobe light. I make these kit to order and one will set up back $45.00 plus shipping.
Please let me know if you would like one and I will break out my vacuum forming machine.
Ripley