Hi, guys.

I started monitoring this thread in mid-2010, and started posting in 9-2010, when I bought my own GP Super Stearman. I've been working on it ever since, and it's now completed. I used Robart pin hinges, and found out they can be difficult to use on the GP S-Stearman wings because they have a ply plate running through the exact center of the control surfaces. Makes for great strength on an aileron or elevator, but it makes for a difficult installation of pin-hinges! It took some determination, but they went in.

The engine is a Syssa 30CC gasser. I already have a Syssa on my Giant Super Sportster, and I can tell you it's the nicest engine I've ever owned. It flies my GSS all day at half-throttle, pulls it through any aerobatics I can think of (No, I don't fly 3D). Plus, it looks like it should be in a museum, the workmanship is so nice it should be art. My reasons for using it for the Super Stearman were not as exciting as all that. The weight of the recommended engine for the Stearman, plus the recommended (19 ounces?) of lead to be placed in the nose added up to exactly what the Syssa with all its gear weighs (41 ounces?). I already had a Syssa, and knew how nice it was, and how dependable it is. It provides a dramatic increase in horsepower, provides a larger, more scale-looking prop, and it's the correct weight. Plus, YouTube shows that gassers are very popular choices for power in these Stearmans. It turned out to be a superb choice fit-wise. I'm very pleased with all aspects of the installation. The Syssa is a very "neat" engine, with a slim shape. It's very compact, and designed to fit within narrow cowls like the Giant Super Sportster, so you can imagine the room left over in the Stearman! Can't wait to see how it powers the Bipe.

I abandoned my plans to use a single servo to power both elevators, after the 2-into-1 linkage I ordered from Central Hobbies had servo linkage holes much too large for use with the linkages. Turned out the linkage was designed to be used with other stuff they like to sell. I ended up gutting the belly and tail, and removing a half-ton of extraneous stuff that I would no longer need. Yes, this DID involve cutting out the stringers and rebuilding the belly afterward. It sounds much more difficult than it actually was. It was fun to do some "old-style" building, buying some balsa stock and building the belly. It turned out not to be a big deal at all. While it was open, I added a few reinforcements to accommodate the addition of three servos back along the sides. I elected to use a couple of JR ST126MG servos for the elevator halves. They're sport servos, but very powerful, and much more than is needed for each half. The rudder is powered by a JR 3611A, which formerly was destined to power the 2-into-1 elevator linkage. I used Central Hobbies carbon fiber linkages, 3/16", and the ends were 3/16" X 4-40 thread. Carbon fiber isn't required here, but I had the makings for the linkages around, and they're nice and light, and strong.

I threw away the stock elevator and rudder control horns and went with DuBro 493 adjustable control horns, which are comprised of a single screw that goes through the surface, anchored by plastic pieces on both sides. Much stronger than the originals, and I wanted something I could trust, especially on my elevators. I mount the 493's, trace around them, remove them, and cut away the covering under them. Then I soak thin CA throughout the hole inside, allowing it to soak in and harden the entire area around the control horn. Then I install the 493 again. I finished up by using Sullivan black plastic clevises (can't remember the number) with locking clips, and so made the linkages as bullet-proof as I possibly could.

I always raise my wheel pants above where they are designed to go, because wheel pants can get knocked around pretty easily. I did whatever mods I needed to do for that. I usually use SIG wheel pant mounts, and they make the pant easy to mount and dismount later on. I also went to a larger wheel, and more than a third of the wheel protrudes from the bottom of the pant, so it shouldn't encounter any problems even on a field with some bumps.

I went ahead and built the dummy radial, and it looks awesome. The plane is ready to go to the field. I hope to post with some good results soon. I don't know if I can get anybody to shoot any video, but I'll do what I can. In the meantime, I'll look around here, I believe I have some nice photos of it, both together and part, with some close-ups of the engine application and the radial, etc. If I can find them, I'll post them.

~ Jim ~[8D]