Pica never offered an ARF of anything to my knowledge. They were all stickbuilt. I have not seen the GP Waco either, but I'll be willing to bet my next retirement check that given the completed weight, that GP is claiming, and knowing full well what a stick built version will weigh, the parts count on the ARF is lower. A bunch lower.

I'd be surprised at any improvement of an ARF over a well built stick kit, other than lower weight. But that's just my observations. If you will take the time to read all the way through the Waco YMF thread, you will find many modifications that were not offered on the Pica Kit. Mine has so many mods that I could call it my own design. There is virtually no part that anyone from Pica would recognize. For instance, all the tail group has an aluminum tube outline added. This required removing the same amount of wood as the tubing takes. Is it better? Its better looking. The Horizontal Stab on mine can have the incidence changed in flight, as could the full scale. Better? You betchum Red Ryder. Lots of other goodies too, like the sway braces on the mains. The ARF does not even have sway braces. I can set my incidence on my cabane and Interplane struts by turning the threaded lugs in or out. Can't do that with either the kit or the ARF.

So to answer your question...... No, I can't do a synapse of the difference in them. Sorry about that.

Bill, Waco Brother #1

Got home this evening and found this big box on my porch. Arrived safe & sound. Opened it up to check everything, all looks good. That cowl is HUGE. The dummy engine will need some serious detailing. The tail feathers have airfoils. All in all it looks very nice. I'm going with the twin cockpit version. Anyone doing the single cockpit? Not that it makes that big of a difference. Ordered my DL-30 but it's on back order till mid March, go figure. Now for the fun part, I'm finishing up an ESM C-47 and starting the WACO, wonder when I'll sleep? ACF

Same here. It's impressive. I thought the cowl was kinda small compared to the Super Stearman. Look's very well made though. And so on into the night, the hours pass, the History Channel is on and the wife plans to check on me every couple of hours, on and on..... I must be losing it ! MM

I worked on mine all day off and on. And I have the top and bottom wing done, the landing gear completed and mounted, and tail surfaces completed! I hope to fit the wings all tomorrow and mount the engine before I fly out. Going to be a pretty plane when done. I am also doing the twin cockpit version. Just got to get 2 pilots with scarfs!

Once I get mine, I will be doing the single cockpit airmail setup and try to post pictures of the build.

Pardon if you are aware of this already Stickbuilder but the Pica Waco was released as an ARF by Cox after they purchased the company. The also offered the Duellist and the Trojan as ARF's.

Chad,

Cox did acquire the rights to the Pica design and produced an ARF but redesigned it with a non scale single dihedral break and some other non scale changes. It was just a flash in the pan as far as model planes and ARFs go and once the kits ran out, did not (import) make any more.

One member (KHodges, WB #20) did strip the Cox plane and re-covered it with many scale details added as NC 14132 but did not change the dihedral break. It turn out great but as we all found out later, the colors Ken chose from the Black and White pictures, Red and Cream were not the actual colors (Dark Blue and White).

The Pica kit, whether original or self cut from the plans and templates, is one of those endearing and lasting kits that fans have improved over time. Just look at the Waco YMF thread in Golden age.

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Thanks for the info skylarkmk1. I never really looked at the Cox Waco close enough to be aware of the design changes and just assumed it was a faithful copy of the Pica kit. I agree that the old Pica kit is a classic. I've owned and built several of them in both scales! Imagine an updated version with CAD drawn plans and laser cut parts. Hmmm, something to think about.

I seriously doubt that you will ever see one of them. Not too many people are willing to make the commitment to build anything that complex any longer. Most of them will be found here, and you can't do the payback on 200 kits. On top of that, no one has the parts templates but the Brotherhood, and we have the rights to them reserved, so that avenue is a dead end as well.

Bill, Waco Brother #1

Anyone using a pitts muffler on the dle-30 I was wondering if it saves hacking up the cowl. Pics!!!

I am using a Pits style muffler. I haven't received it yet it is coming from Valley View RC, http://www.valleyviewrc.com/DLE-30cc%20gas%20engine.htm
When I ordered my DLE -30 I specified a side mounted carb as well. It looks like if you use a rear mounted carb you will have a very hard time reaching the carb to do any tuning. I've got my Waco so now all I need is the engine and more time!


Don #194 Waco Brotherhood

Another thing I did was to replace the tail wheel assembly with this, also from Valley View but I'm sure any good fuse mounted tail wheel setup will be an improvement over the one in the kit.
http://www.valleyviewrc.com/TLT%20Av...ail%20Gear.htm


Don #194 Waco Brotherhood

I plan on using a Pitts style muffler on my DL-30. Should save a little carving. ACF

I gotta see the 30 and pitts install, any one who finishes it up please post a pic. As far as the rear carb being harder to access the mixture screws, just slip some lg fuel tubing over the screws, about an inch long, this will guide the blade to the screw slot

I am also going the DLE 30 route and when I get home will be mounting it and seeing how large a pitts will fit. As far as tuning. I have seen several of these at the field and when they get a little broke in you don't move the nettles! They are almost to easy!! Right know uncle sam has me slaving away in Key West so i have about 2 weeks till i can work on mine again!

Well, so far only one bad thing to report. I don't care for the way the top cabane strut mounts are installed. Yes, they appear to be snug in place but if something ever happens in the way of damage, good luck trying to remove or work on them. They are sealed inside where the wings join the center wing portion. Yes, it's a novel install but I believe they should have been designed for an external application. Other than that, It's just beautiful. MM PS, What a wife! She was right there to help me epoxy the wings together. What a pal !!

Looks like Waco’s are coming out of the wood work! and I just bought a Greatplanes SS[:@][:@][:@]

http://www.rcuniverse.com/market/item.cfm?itemId=726246

http://www.rcuniverse.com/market/item.cfm?itemId=725468


http://www.rcuniverse.com/market/item.cfm?itemId=727352

Always room for one more!!

Strange, I wonder what the story is on dumping all the PICA ARF's ? MM

They just became very obsolete.

Bull! Only one is a Pica, that is the kit that Lazy Ace has for sale. The other two are Cox ARF's . They have nothing in common with the Pica. The upper wing is without the flat center section, the Cabanes are bolt on, the parts count is very low, and the landing gear is as wrong as your new one. There is more, but I'll stop here.

Bill, Waco Brother #1

Is anyone else using a DLE-20. I have a DLE-30 in a 12 pound Yak-55 and the thing is a rocket with greater than 1:1 ratio. I just cant see putting that in a 1930's era biplane. I know there is the throttle but what do you think?

and your theory why they are all showing up for sale is....

Wow, you can dish it out, but sure can't take it.