G&L Hobbies 1/5 Super Chipmunk Build (short kit)
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 9pt">When I started to learn to fly back in April I started to build the Goldberg Super Chipmunk. Once I soloed I feverishly completed my Chippy I learned to fly with this plane (stunts) and fell in love with it (yes we do love our planes) right away. It is by far my favorite plane out of the four in my hanger, Funtana 125 (ARF), P47 Thunderbolt (ARF), and a J3 cup (sig kit). The plane is my rock, wind, cross wind, left or right pattern, just a complete joy to fly. So I set out to find a giant scale chippy that would be my first gas plane. I came across the G&L short kit with fiberglass fuselage and foam wing cores. I have never built a short kit or a foam wing so this was very appealing to me. Time to expand my building technic. The kit came the other day and after inspecting the fuselage it was very well made, very detailed and the glass work looks good. I have started to assemble my build list of what I want to do. Being this is a short kit that only has the fus, cowl, wheel pants, foam wing cores, rudder, and stabilizer everything ells is up to me. It does come with a brief plan showing aileron, flaps, ruder and elevator cut outs and pattern. There is only one bulk head pattern so the rest of the formers, fuel, and servo trays are up to the builder. I really like this kit and the fact that it is a short kit. I did look at the 1/5 Pepsi kit but this would be pretty much the same build as my CG kit. </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 9pt">So far I have decided on the engine, I will be using a DLE 30cc with Pitts muffler. I think this will be good for scale performance; it is not a 3D plane. I am still considering a DLE 55cc but I need to see how it would fit in the cowl and what my finished weight will be. From what I have read the DLE 30 is good up to 16lb for sports flying. The kit says that it will build between 12-14 lb, but is rated up to 18lb so we will see. I will be using ½ Robart struts fixed landing gear. I want to build this plane as scale as I can so the tail section will have pull-pull for ruder inside the fuselage with a torque rod fore rudder (one servo) and a pull-pull for the tail wheel inside the fuselage (one servo). The elevator will be inside the fuselage with two torque rods (two servos, one for each elevator). I will do one servo in each wing panel for ailerons (two servos) concealed in the wing with a hatch. The servo will be mounted to the wing not the hatch. One servo for each wing for flaps done the same way as the ailerons (two servos). One servo for throttle and one for engine kill (two servos). I am limited to seven channels so the ailerons, flaps, and rudder will be on a Y and the elevators will be with a mix. </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 9pt">I have started a build check list (manual) and parts list that I will post as I make them. I ordered all my wood for sheathing the wing, LE, TE, wing tip blocks, plywood for firewall, formers, and trays. Total cost on wood came to $95 threw BUSA. I will post this list once I confirm it is correct. I am trying to find some details so I can try and make this plane as scale as I can, not having any luck on the internet. I want to see the hinge lines, tail wheel and some other details that I can achieve on this kit. The only thing I do not like about this kit is the fiberglass canopy. I have toyed with cutting it off and putting a clear canopy on, tricking out the cockpit with a pilot. But I think I can be ok with painting the glass a tinted color. I Can always go back and cut it out later. I can get a 1/5 clear canopy from the UK for $45 delivered to my door. The fiberglass fuselage will be stronger if I do not cut it off, we’ll see. This build has me very excited and I plan on starting it as soon as the wood gets here. I am shooting for March to maiden the chippy. </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 9pt">TB</span></div>