Hi Guys.
Like a bad penny, I have returned, through such a weird set of circumstances that you wouldn't even believe it. I HAVE to tell you this story, because I'm a writer, and I couldn't make this stuff up!
I have a scale GeeBee R2 model I acquired to take with me to book signings, but it was just too big and hard to manage in the book stores and comic-con events, etc., so I decided that I needed to move it out and make room. I put it up here in RCU for sale, and was willing to trade for anything cool in the way of hunting gear. A nice guy in CA contacted me about a possible trade for some hunting gear, but the dollar value wasn't that high, and I asked him if he had any fishing gear to throw into the deal. He did, but then he mentioned that he'd be willing to throw in a NIB GP Super Stearman ARF.
Now, you guys all know how I was kicking myself after I sold my baby in 2014 (2013?), and how I loved my GP SS Bipe.
Needless to say, I told him YES! Well, it arrived two days ago in the mail, and a quick check showed that it all seemed to be there, and in good shape. SO, here I am, back in the GP Super Stearman Bipe thread, reading my old posts and making my crib-notes to make building it go smoother than it did last time.
Revelations as I read:
#1: The Syssa 30cc single gasser fit that model perfectly. Syssa Aircraft is still in business, but I don't have much trust in the Syssa Aircraft company to be there with service or product when I need it. Perhaps it would be wiser to use a different brand of engine this time, and I'll hope I can find something that fits anywhere near as perfectly as that Syssa 30CC did. Special note: I now live the next town over from Valley View RC, so I think that my first engine research should be to check out their engines. I don't know if their 40CC twin will fit inside the cowl or not, or if the weight is too much for the 41 ounces the node would require for balancing the C.G. Not sure I want to go as small as their VV 20CC single.
#2: Do I want to install Robart pin hinges again, and go through the same fight with the lite ply plates that run through the center of the control surfaces, or maybe try some different hinges this time?
Those are my immediate thoughts. I'll try to do some posting while I work on this model again, and I hope to hear from some of the old regulars again, Like AceRC and Cromagnonman and CaptnJohn. It'll be a while until I've got my parts gathered, but this is the part of the build where we do the 90% planning and preparation. I think that number's a little inflated, because this model takes some serious building and hands-on attention, as I recall!
This thread is great, because I spent this afternoon reading through it, and making notes, and so much of it came back to me. I know it'll help me to avoid many of the problems that caused speed-bumps the first time I built this model. I won't have to cut up the tail as much or rebuild the stringers in the back; I can just install a few servo plates and some bracing instead. That took a long time and a lot of effort. And reinforcing the nose will be MUCH easier, with hindsight guiding me! And lots of photos! SO glad I posted so many, and SO glad that so many of you did as well. I'll almost feel like I'm cheating.
Almost.
Jim
Jim