Boys, this one is a KEEPER....what a beauty...well worth the work, and flies as good as she looks....check here....http://www.rcaerobats.net/GP_Pitts/P...rstFlights.htm
on my webpage....more later...

I have been watching for your report every day for a while---I am about 1/2 of the way with mine. Thanks for the excellent report. --did you not install the rigging on the wings? Hard to tell from the pics.

After talking with GP Tech folks, and my own judgement of the construction quality, I decided they weren't needed. Just more things to get me writhing around on hot pavement in August....! NO THANKS!...It did NOT need them, as I really wrung out the airframe...she's solid!

Bob, I agree with you 100% ! I flew mine today for the first
time with a Zenoah G45 / B&B pitts style muffer.
It flew great !!! My C.G. is at 5 3/8". With all trims neutral,
I only needed one or two clicks.
This one is going to be a riot.

p.s. Bob thats a great site you have.

Wondering how you like the 5 3/8" ??? That's where mine is, and feels like it could go back a bit...whatcha think???

With only two flights under my belt, I think it feels fairly good
at 5 3/8". As I mentioned, it flew straight and level with only
a click or two of trim. I also had a 5-7mph head wind straight
down the runway.
This is my first Bipe and I think I'm going to have a blast with it.

glasairtd:
Glad to hear your PITTS flew good with the G45,as I am puttting a G62 up front, weight etc... very close to the 45 and of course I can throttle back??? Any dead weght added to get to your balance point?
You guys keep us posted as I hope to have mine done in short order.

I have been eyeing this bird but the only thing I have to put in it is a ZDZ-80. What do you think? It doesn't weigh more than a G-45. Can you clear a 26" prop?

I can't speak as to using the ZDZ-80, but I can tell you that
with the tail level, I measured 13 1/2" from the centerline
of the spinner to the ground.

As for achieving the 5 3/8" C.G. Here is what I ended up doing.

I have a 2000mah receiver pack mounted about in the middle
of the lower wing. I changed the rudder servo setup to a 1/4
scale Futaba pull-pull cable system. I mounted this servo inside
the fuselage near the back of the lower wing area. That said,
I had to add 3 1/2 oz of lead to the tail section. I epoxied these
in the middle of the fuse throught the cutouts for the elevator
servos.

I didn't beef up the firewall at all. I mounted a B&B cup directly
to the firewall. So far it looks good.

I'll try and get some pictures of my setup posted soon.

Do what you have to do to get this one in the air.....you won't
be disappointed.

Thanks for the excellent job on your Pitts build up! Just got mine on Friday after a 8 week wait. According to the importer it's the only one in Australia at this time . Am putting an Air Hobbies 4.6 twin in mine. Do you think this will be enough power (i'm power mad!) or should i go bigger! Have followed your article /review from the beginning and can't wait to get mine in the air. Any tips, other than what have been covered here for me before i begin assembly?

After checking Bob's web page and noticing his "how-To" on building an incidence meter I want to suggest the Great Planes Laser Incidence meter.

I originally built one similar to the one Bob described and used it for a couple of years with moderate success.

My only real complaint was having to level the plane on the bench to the datum line before setting all the incidences and thrust lines.

The first time I used the laser incidence meter was a revelation.

You don't need to actually level the plane. Just keep it at the attitude you start with while making the adjustments.

When I assembled a Kyosho Stearman Bipe I purchased a second GP laser incidence meter and this made accurate setup of the wings so easy I only wished I had these devices years ago.

To setup my Stearman I used rubber bands to strap the fuselage down to a Robart cradle that was in turn fastened to my bench.

Then I attached a meters to the stab which I had aligned to the Datum line at 0 degree incidence.

Simply "Zero" the meter while mounted on the stab. This becomes your Datum line. Whatever surface you then move it to "Zero" on the meter is o degrees incidence. . You can then adjust your wings to the needed incidence. I used one meter on each wing.

Another handy feature is you can bolt the laser meter to the engine's prop bolt to set your thrust correctly. Side thrust is set by turning the plane on it's side, "Zeroing" the meter on the rudder and then move it to the engine and again start from "zero" on the meter.

Hope this helps

GSG