Just thought I would post my experience going from my Alpha 40 to my GP FW-190A. For all you beginners out there (i am only one step above this...well maybe a little more ) you CAN go from a trainer to a warbird.....but......it isn't for the feint of heart!!! I also did not maiden it, and I had lots of experienced pilots standing over my shoulder giving me "suggestions".
First off, this is NOT recommended, and by no means am I saying you should do this, but I thought it might give you all a little insight and perhaps a chuckle at what to expect....and YES I learned a lot....and YES it isn't easy.....but YES it was a rush!!!!
A little background since I know all of you would be warbird pilots are chomping at the bit to get started....for me, if it isn't a warbird or a 30's racer it isn't worth spending the money on! Now...with that said I DID listen to the folks here and didn't START with a low wing taildragger....I got started in May of last year and the H9 PTS was not available[:@], and of course I couldn't wait, so I got the Alpha since you can do a search on these forums and read about just about all the trainers and at the time there was nothing but praise for the Alpha and me not knowing any better I decided to go with it. I soloed in 3 flights, and spent the summer every weekend flying until the weather turned in November. In February I went on RC universe and bought a GP Fw-190A and a Ben Howard "Ike" '30's racer. I couldn't resist the deals (came with everything(including TX) and the planes built). I was going to buy a "trainer" low wing but I just couldnt' bring myself to do it since I could get that FW-190 for less!
Now to the flying.
I brought the planes to our flying field, and the wind was blowing pretty stiffly (gusting over 20mph and a xwind to boot!) but one of our experienced pilots decided that we should put these planes in the air (I did spend a few days on each plane getting them ready by the way), first the Fw-190, maidened excellently, a little trim needed and flew like it was on rails. Then the "ike", flew like a brick and deadsticked.....and that was that...I am currently stripping off all the old covering and working on lightening the plane up a bit. I'm also going to strip the engine down and soak it in kero(the engine is a ST .90 when it was sold to me as a .60)to try to make it run a little better....and it doesn't hurt.
Now MY flying experience. And NO i didn't even THINK about trying to fly the Ike!
I went to the field on an over cast day 2 weeks ago with a light wind and the weather a cool 50 degrees. The FW-190 was the ONLY warbird on the field (a few of our members fly warbirds but not many)and due to it being the first decent day on a weekend for months a lot of other folks were there (fortunately). Needless to say, the FW got lots of attention and I even got an offer to buy it!! It does look good sitting on the ground! Anyway, I got the thing put together and engine started (it has an os .46 in it) and began my taxi. I went, oh.....2 feet and it nosed over. Okay....not a great start....pulled it back, started it up....began taxiing again....2 feet...nosed over. Funny, it didn't do that for Mike.... I DID notice that since I fly off of a grass field that as soon as the bird rolls forward the tail starts to lift.....and at that point one of the old timers at the field walks over and says "you know, a little bit of elevator will keep that tail down while taxiing"....AH HA! So, I drag the plane back, start it, taxi, add elevator and WALLA! No nose over! This isn't so bad! It's a little odd though with the left hand using the rudder and the right holding the elevator.....but okay....so I get to the end of the field. I start to give it throttle and the plane starts rolling down the runway.....umm...it is going left....a lot....dangerously ......so I abort the take off....and go back to the end of the runway. The old timer walks up to me and says "Ya know....full right rudder on take off would probably correct that problem"....and I KNOW I heard him as he walked away saying "rookie".
Okay....so...full elevator while taxiing, full right rudder on take off AND elevator....the Alpha was WAY easier....so....before I begin my take-off I've got full elevator, and full right rudder.....and away I go....plane is moving STRAIGHT down the runway...ease off the elevator the tail comes up immediately, pull back on the elevator and let go the rudder and it takes off...and goes left....left....adjust the trim, and it straightens out, of course the plane is now behind the safety line and flying over the parked cars in our parking lot, not good, got it back over the field where it belongs....and I DEFINITELY heard the old timers laughing and the word "real rookie" flying around in the pits....also I noticed that as soon as the plane went left everyone went into the covered pits.....just in case. I made a few passes along the runway and the plane looked great! However, it was EXTREMELY sensitive to the controls, I'm almost shaking to do any kind of maneuver.....the radio that came with the plane didn't have adjustments for the throws, so I am adding it to my computerized radio to adjust things a bit. As soon as everyone felt safe to come out from under cover everyone complimented me about getting the plane up and flying in one piece, and getting it under control so quickly. The plane was a rocket even at 1/4 throttle, and was a blast to fly, but I felt it was time to try a landing, so I put the gear down and let the field know I was bringing it in...and no one ran into the pit! Came in low and slow, and touched down on the runway.....the plane nosed over...hard. The hobbico mechanical landing gear snapped at the wing......but thankfully it didn't hurt anything else.....cracked the cowl a little bit, but an easy fix.
So I now have robart mechanicals in my hands, and i"m waiting for a set of robart struts, if things go well I'll be flying this weekend weather permitting. And with the new radio the throws will be toned down a bit.
When I was done I was thrilled....even with the nose over.....and shaking...what a rush! Do I recommend anyone doing this? Only if you have a good strong heart and a few old timers to make "suggestions"....and perhaps a place for everyone else to run for cover.
Sorry this is so long.....but I just couldn't resist!
Cheers!
Mazer