JIMARRINGTON

I just started a new project. First gas airplane and first Big Bird. Have been flying glow for around 5 years or so. The new project is restoring a crashed Midwest Texan. The Texan in question along with the powerplant, a Quadra 35, were given to me by a really good friend of mine after he crashed it on take off. He had purchased here on the market place. I had heard that the Texan was the victim of too steep of a climb on take off followed by the unescapable tip stall. It was his maiden flight.

After I started to look into the Texan, I could immediately tell that this was not the first crash for this airplane. There were definite signs of previous repairs. However, all appeared to be minor. Current damage is a broken engine bulkhead and bottom fuselage. The wing was ripped out of its mount. The tail fin and rudder were broken off. The wing has a couple of broken ribs and part of the center section is broken.

Work began on the fusalage. I have already made and installed a new engine bulkhead while still using the old motor mount stand off. The wing mounting points have been repaired also. Last night, I finished removing the plastic covering.

Next step is to repair the boogered up bottom front of the fuse and repair the fin. After that I beleive all that it will need is some surface prep and then I plan to glass it with 3/4 oz glass and polycrylic.

Since this is my first airplane of this size and a gasser to boot, I would welcome any and all suggestions as I go along.


Jim

JIMARRINGTON

Even with the Q35, notice how much weight was plastered to what is left of the cowling.

JIMARRINGTON

Only parts that I may have to purchase for this airplane. Cowling and canopy. Anyone know where I can get them?

Also, the Q35 that came with the plane. Spring starter and custom made muffler by Ken Lambert. Who until recently lived about 5 miles down the road from me. Wished I could have taken advantage of his knowledge earlier.

TLH101

My Feedback: (90)

The ONLY place to get a canopy is Midwest. This has been brought here and on other boards numurous times. However, the caowl is available from Rich Uravitch, along with several other deatail parts for this model: http://www.richuravitch.com/drsup.htm
The cowl is also available fron Stans Fibertech and Fiberglass Specialties.
I went through exactly what you are, a couple of years ago. Needed cowl and canopy. Here's mine now.

jcflysrc

My Feedback: (50)

Nice looking Texan. I love the Texan!

Chad Veich

My Feedback: (60)

You might try Midwest for the canopy, though I was told some time ago that they were no longer available. If they cannot supply you with one then you might try IMP Scale or Don Smith Plans, both of which offer 84" span Texans.

http://www.impscale.com/html/at-6_texan.html
http://www.donsmithplans.com/

JIMARRINGTON

Thanks for the info.

I like your Texan Terry. I saw it when I ran a search on RCScalebuilder. Right now I am planning on going blue with yellow wings and tail. Although I liked the 3 tone early Pacific war naval scheme I saw on the other Forum.

Worked on the yard all day today. For the last time this year I hope. Too Tired to work on it tonight.

Placed an order to Tower this morning for a tach and some props. I would like to see my Q35 turn an 18x10 MAS at least 7500 rpm. Still have to build a test stand also. I will be doing some performance tests with a Ryobi 31cc that I converted for a Dynaflite SE5a that will be sharing building time with the Texan.


Jim

JIMARRINGTON

Oh and thanks for the tip on the detail pieces and cowl from Rich Uravich. They look really cool. May have to get them.

Canopy from Don Smith plans looks doable also.


Thanks
Jim

JIMARRINGTON

Well, I got the Q35 on a test stand today. Got her running pretty reliably. Changed out the original carb for an 11mm walbro with a choke. Original carb was smaller with no choke. Anyway, Tell me if this motor should fly this airplane.

With MAS 18x10, I got 7200-7300 rpms on top end and about 1800 on low end with good transition. Maybe still a little rich on the low side too. Will that be enough pitch speed to fly this baby?


Jim

TLH101

My Feedback: (90)

Shoud be fine. I run a 20x8 at the about 7500. You find an 8" pitch will help get it slower for landing.

JIMARRINGTON

Q35 on the stand

bladerunner1955

My Feedback: (72)

Terry, Nice looking Texan your have there. Say, what sort of weight are you guys looking at? I am also doing a midwest Texan as an electric conversion. I do lots of large conversions and this should be a great plane too. I have the body that has weight in it already to balance it, and the body weighs 10 pounds, oh, thats with my large electric motor and prop and spinner on it too, the wing with the robart retracts weighed 5 pounds. The lipolys should weigh about 4 pounds and with this and that it is looking like about a 22 to 23 pounder????? What are you guys flying them at? Thanks and good luck with your repair job. Sounds like your into it and should have no problem getting it back into the air. Just so you know the electric set up can swing up to a 22/14 prop but I am thinking along the range of 20/14 at about 7300 RPM if needed to get this heavy ol girl up and going.. Opps I guess I don't need two of the same photo, lets see,,,,how to remove one of em???

JIMARRINGTON

Ok, now that I know the engine will do the job, its time to get back to the airplane. Got all the covering stripped off the fuse. The elevators are covered with a fabric covering and are in good shape so I think I will just leave them alone. Next. repair the fin and the front area then get her ready for some glass.

Jim

33 Ford

My Feedback: (129)

Jim- good to see you got to work on the Texan. Take good care of it. You got a good deal on it. I am the one that crashed the plane for everyone that does not know that.

Gary Strickland

JIMARRINGTON

I wouldn't have told if you hadn't. Could have been our little secret.

Jim

bladerunner1955

My Feedback: (72)

TLH101, Your flying that beautiful silver Texan and I was wondering where you have your C/G set up? I have the plans and they show 3 7/8" back from the wings leading edge not counting the plastic wheel area,see photos. Sound good to you? And counting the wheel well area it looks like 5 3/4".

TLH101

My Feedback: (90)

I balanced mine at the rear edge of the wheel well cover.

bladerunner1955

My Feedback: (72)

TLH101, Check out the two drawings in my post and let me know if they are what your talking about, Thanks for the reply but I am not real clear where your talking about.

TLH101

My Feedback: (90)

Those 2 are pics I took for a post, I made last year. They are actual pics from the plans, with ruler laying on them. Don't know how it I can make it any clearer.

bladerunner1955

My Feedback: (72)

"rear edge of the wheel well cover" as oposed to the drawing, was not as clear as just saying the drawing is correct. Thanks for the help and the drawings.

TLH101

My Feedback: (90)

The rear edge of the cover falls within the pictured CG "range".

bladerunner1955

My Feedback: (72)

TLH101, Heck thats great information, if I was to ask anymore questions about the C/G I might as well ask ya to fly it too. Several times I have set up planes right on the C/G from the plans and had a tail heavy plane. I always set them up just a little nose heavy like 5 degrees just to be on the safe side. This Texan seems a little heavy and i just don't want to take any chances on the maiden. This Texan is going to weigh in at about 20 pounds ready to fly. TLH101 your information is great, Thanks again.

meatball1

My Feedback: (2)

HEY GUYS , I ALSO HAD A MIDWEST TEXAN WITH A G-26 AND HAD THE MISFORTUNE OF A LOW SPEED CARTWHEEL LANDING WHICH BROKE THE WING IN HALF BUT THE FUSE IS IN GREAT SHAPE . ALSO HAVE THE CANOPY . THE FUSE IS FIBREGLASSED WITH 3\4 OZ CLOTH AND FINISHED IN YELLOW W/ RED TAIL . IF ANYBODY WANTS IT LET ME KNOW ! KEN

JIMARRINGTON

Fin is repaired. New rudder built.

To repair the fin, I just cut a slab of balsa that would fit in between the fin formers then used it to glue the fin back on. It made for a very secure joint. Glued to both the formers and the damaged sheeting. Also had to cut out a damaged spot on the top of the fin but it was very simple to repair.

Jim

JIMARRINGTON

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