RBean

We had unusually nice weather today. In the low 50s with light west wind down the runway. Only was clear with the sun right in my eyes. Got the Macchi out. Started up ok. Take off was ok. Still needed some right aileron trim but only about 1/4 of what was needed before. Did some high speed passes down the runway. Had to keep them low because of the sun. Not real fast with the 32, but ok. Has enough power to do large loops with out a problem. Slowed down, put the gear down and then full flaps. It was stable on final and landed on the mains. Somewhat of an "arrival" but no bounce, roll out was ok, taxied in and shut down. Inspected and found no problems. I would have done more maneuvers but the sun in my face made it more trouble than it was worth. Forgot to take video camera so no video. Hear are some pictures taken in garage afterwards

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

Nice!
Is the engine cooling adequate?

RBean

The engine cooling seems to be ok, so far. Plenty of air on the head and cylinder especially with the chin scoop added. I was concerned about the rear mounted carb over the pitts exhaust, but the air ducted from the right side from the front of the "tropical filter" seems to be keeping the carb cool enough. No engine problems at all. Good idle, good response and top end.

radfordc

My Feedback: (14)

If anyone wants one of these they are on sale this week. http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...arehouse_.html

RBean

We finally had some decent weather yesterday. I got the Macchi out to the field. Started ok, take off was good. The engine was running a bit rich in the warmer weather. Able to do all the warbird maneuvers, large loops, rolls, 4 and 8 point rolls, cuban eights and reverses. Seems to take a lot of right rudder going up and over in loop to kept her straight, also a lot of up elevator to keep nose up in a turn. Inverted flight takes a little down elevator to keep level, but not too much, so cg is about right. Had two flights and both landings were a bit of an "arrival" on the mains, but the struts soaked up the impact without a bounce. No signs of engine overheat. After the second flight, found two of the engine mount bolts on back of firewall were loose. Someone didn't locktite them. Four flights on this airplane now. It flies ok at 14.7 lbs. and the 32 is enough power for scale flight.

Joespeeder

Great report RBean,

Suddenly we seem to be seeing lots of Italian planes getting ready for this season. Must be like buying a new car, you seem to see them everywhere....

Look forward to video when you get to that point.

Joe

RBean

Had a good day today with light winds. Flew the Macchi four times. She dialed in flying good. Engine is tuned running good. Landings were all better with a little practice.

RBean

Flew the Macchi three times yesterday. There was a quartering cross wind 5-10 mph, and was able to handle it ok. Last landing was not pretty, but landed ok finally. Wind was getting more cross and stronger, so I quit before I tore up the plane. Engine was still a little rich in the warmer weather. Leaned out some before the last flight. Flys scale with the RCGF 32. Loops, cuban 8s, reverses, split S, Immalmanns, slow rolls, 4 and 8 point rolls. With the 32 you have to conserve you energy. Looks great in the air. Sorry I forgot to take the camera to the field so on video.

RBean

Got the fly the Macchi today. A little cool and windy but more or less down the runway. The flight was uneventful, good take off, maneuvers ok and landing ok. No video yet but here are some pictures of the plane at the field.

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

Gorgeous looking plane, thanks for sharing!

RBean

Has anyone else got one of these in the air? It was hot and humid when I flew the Macchi today. Did fine. No problems with engine overheating.

Plano78

My Feedback: (39)

Oh great, here I was behaving myself and you point out these things are on sale! Love the Greyhound and yes, I had room in the squadron for a 30cc warbird that was distinctive. Although, the coloring our of the box is God awful and I plan on going the same route you did. Where did you pick up the decals? Sorry if you mentioned in the string, I bounced around but did find the link you place to HK!

RBean

Plano78, I made the decals myself from images on the internet. I would recommend at least a 35cc. I have a 32cc RCGF and it is just adequate. Could use more power.

centauro

Hi guys,
It's very nice to see that italian warbirds are finally catching some interest ! I have been pushing for this for a long time.
I currently have a Black horse Macchi 200 (85 inch), an IMP Macchi 202 (86 inch, which took 3 years to build ) a 65 inch scratch built Mc 202, a Piccole Ali RE 2005 and even a CAANT TRI MOTOR (80% built).
I love italian warbirds and it's nice to see I am not alone ! For a long time it was me and "Veltro" with this lonely passion...now even Frank Tiano has jumped on the band wagon....I hope it continues !!

The HK Veltro was stolen from Piccole Ali, (which went thru all the motions to launch it), and Stelvio the owner of Piccole Ali is not amused !
Yes I bought one too ..jumping at the fact that there finally appeared to be a decent ( scale wise) 205 ARF, and then I connected the dots, contacted P.A. in Italy asking if in fact it was the same airplane that they marketed. The answer was ....yes it's a "clone" Kind of sad.
Unfortunately If you want one in the US, HK is the only way to go, cus shipping costs from Italy are prohibitive.
As we all know the kit does not come with instructions ( CRAZY) or spinner, or decals. The spinner and decals i have solved thru P.A. Decals are 10 euros and nice 3 bladed aluminum spinner is 50 euros plus shipping .
I see that most of you hated the kits color scheme and went to the traditional desert camo. The desert camo is gorgeous ,BUT the kit gray colors are actually pretty accurate for the ANR version, and the decals from P.A seem right on, Most MC 205 fought with the ANR and not with the R.A. so i will stick with the grey, which looks a lot better then the kit pictures. The bottom half of the cowl will be yellow as most of them where. If I buy a second one I might go the desert route . I am very grateful to RBEAN for posting all the info..... CG throws etc.
P.A will not sell me the instructions for their kit ( can't say I blame them) but they have been very gracious in assisting me with other stuff. I am going to Italy in Sept. and buying a Black Horse Macchi 200 from them, and picking up the 205 ANR decals and spinner from them. In the meantime I will start to tackle this kit very soon. Again I am very grateful for the current info.
RBEAN and the other fellows who have one done ...keep the news flowing !!

I plan to power the 205 with an OS 120 4 cyc. I currently am using same type of engine for the MC 200 and it's more then enough for scale flying.
The 205 is smaller and much more aerodynamic ..so should be fine.
Wingspan retracts will be on it ..have had them for years in various planes with out any problems

Cheers Gentlemen

RBean

Centauro, welcome to this discussion. The HK Macchi is not a Hanger 9 ARF and will require some additional work but ends up flying ok. Since I find the 32cc to be barely adequate I hope the 120 will be enough. The only addition I have made is scale radio antenna. Two more flights today with out incident. Total 32 flights on the plane. I may try to find another spinner for a two blade and try that for a little more thrust.

centauro

Hi, Thanks
The 120 is good with the MC 200 which is 6 inches wider and a much narrower nose so it should be fine. In my humble opinion most RC airplanes are over powered. I will definitely let you know what happens...probably not till OCT...unfortunately. By the way your Macchi 205 ( RBEAN) looks very very nice. Can you post a new one with the scale antenna
Cheers

RBean

centauro, here is a picture at field showing antenna. I made in removable as otherwise it would get broken off. I changed to a 2 blade 18-8 prop. Only slightly more rpm but makes a difference. Just a little more performance which is now ok. At the top of large loops etc. it was struggling, now does ok. Still slows but does not feel like it is about to stall. Now that it helps, I'll paint the spinner and prop. For those of you with this plane, I got the spinner from Hobby King. It is carbon fiber 4.75" in diameter. Forgot what I paid, but less than other similar sized spinners. Had to cut for the prop blades.

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

RBean,
I got the TF GS P-51 2-blade aluminum spinner, its the right size and near-correct shape

RBean

I'll have to check into that, but for now I think I'll use the one I have. How is the assembly coming?

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

Ahem, the Macchi is next in line on the bench after I finish the ESM 109 bash - should be ready by Christmas I guess

Plano78

My Feedback: (39)

OK, so I'm weak, I bought one when I saw they were on sale at HK. Actually got if for $260 (with shipping). What's not to love? Gave serious consideration to going with the desert camo but in reality I'm NOT taking this to scale masters. So, keeping her grey and using a set of German markings from Cali Graphics (hey a Veltro is rare enough at my field but one with German markings?). Agree with a 5" P-51 spinner and going with a DLE-35. Cowl was slightly mushed in transit but easily fixed with a plywood support ring inside the nose end and a little Hysol.

Question for those that have gone there, what is my best bet for retracts without MAJOR modifications? Does Sierra have something that might just drop in?

RBean

Plano78, good for you. Only advice I would give is to check the wings to see if they are straight before you glue them together. Also check the horizontal stabilizers to see that they are parallel with the wings. Mine were not. I had the same issue with the cowl being crushed and had to cut a plywood support. I put in on the front as my gap with the spinner was going to be too large. With respect to the gear, I'm using WingSpan 90 degree standard electric retracts with Robart 7/16 diameter struts, which I already had on hand. These are forked like Mustang gear. On the Macchi the fork went on both sides of the gear, but we are no talking about scale masters here.

The only mod with regard the gear was to angle them forward since I fly off grass. The DLE 35 should be a perfect match for this plane.

Plano78

My Feedback: (39)

RBean, thanks for the response. I was excited to hear that WingSpan 90s worked for you, however, when I checked their website, they have a notice that they went out of business as of July 29, 2015!

Anyone have other options for the Macchi that worked well for them (air or electric)?

RBean

That is too bad. I have two sets of his retracts and they have work will. He just can't compete price wise with the Chinese stuff. Any good 90 degree retracts for at least a 15 lb airplane will work. Need forked struts. I have had good luck with Spring Air retracts. These are air up, spring down. The retracts with take a 3/8" strut. To use larger 7/16 struts, or ones for Hobby King I had to make some adapters on the lathes out of a 3/8" bolt. Nobody that I know of make retracts specifically for this plane. The market is just too small.

Joespeeder

Hey RBean,

Thought I'd show off a little.... and you might enjoy this.

My Fiat was maidened last night after a 5 year journey to get it to the field! Here's the video, not alot of it flying but some... I was nervous so had a good friend do the maiden.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTltx8TIR38 BTW, I have a Laser 120 coming the Hurri.... Should spin a 3 balde with no issues and no ignition to fiddle with anymore. My Hurri DLE just quit running right and I'm tied of fighting with it.

Sorry, don't mean to hijack the thread. Just thought you'd like the Fiat.

Joe