ORIGINAL: Phlip
Nice planes, GeraldO.
How do you think the Stearman would fly, 4 channel R/C with a Norvel for power? Would it slow down pretty good for a novice-to-intermediate flyer to land OK?
I have a Spitfire kit on my shelf that I may have to try R/C as well, but I'm a slimer by nature, not really interested in 'lectric power.
Phil
A small Norvell would fly the stearman well. You won't need full throttle of course. I wouldn't worry about slowing it down because they have so much aerodynamic drag that top speed won't be real fast anyway. The problem with landing the Stearman is that all Stearmans are tough to land. This is because of their landing gear configuration, they like to ground-loop. Just be sure to keep the total weight below about 14-15oz and it will do OK. You'll need to use micro gear of course to do it.
Now everyone please understand, I'm not saying that Guillows kits are easy to build, or that their wood is high quality. I'm only expressing that the wood is 'good enough' to build a flyable R/C model. As far as airfoils go, there's nothing wrong with them. One main thing that I would recommend though is to reduce the wing angle of incidence to neutral. Most of the Guillows designs have a steep angle of incidence which is fine for rubber power but too much for glow or electric.