Piper Tri Pacer ARF
08-26-2013, 01:46 PM
#1
Piper Tri Pacer ARF
Well, it's about time this plane was produced. The Hobby People store near me is supposed to get one of these in tomorrow 8/27. I'll go take a look at it and see what it looks like in person. I'll probably end up bringing it home if it looks good enough. The box shouldn't be too hard to sneak into my hobby room! 
http://www.hobbypeople.net/index.php...uts-flaps.html
Dan
http://www.hobbypeople.net/index.php...uts-flaps.html
Dan
08-27-2013, 12:20 PM
#2
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Oh boy, I can see one of these in my future.... nice!
Here's a pic of the last one I had! This pic taken as it was being reassembled in a hangar after a 3 year ground up restoration (done in my garage). Notice the flat nose strut, no spinner (still at the chrome shop). Many memories here!
Here's a pic of the last one I had! This pic taken as it was being reassembled in a hangar after a 3 year ground up restoration (done in my garage). Notice the flat nose strut, no spinner (still at the chrome shop). Many memories here!
08-28-2013, 06:24 PM
#3
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I'll have to get one too. I got my pilots license in one and then flew it all over Texas. It seems that everywhere I landed somebody would walk up and look it over. Then they would say "I used to fly one of those. Best plane I ever flew." Now I catch myself doing the same thing when I see one. I can't fly the real thing anymore but that model would bring back good memories.
Storm
Storm
08-30-2013, 07:05 PM
#5
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My first flight in a plane was with my high school buddy in the Tri=Pacer that belonged to the club he had joined. One summer home from college we did a lot of flying. This was around Williamsport, PA. This was the only small plane I ever flew in.
09-02-2013, 08:25 PM
#8
Finally picked up the Tri Pacer today and got it home. I took a few photos so you can get a little idea of what the ARF is like. At first look it seems okay. The covering is an iron on plastic film and not sure what brand VQ uses. It is not that opaque as you can make out the frame work on the rear of the fuselage but that doesn't really bother me, it still looks fairly good. Some of the hardware seems to be good but I'll probably replace some of it with my own,
The tires are a foam type, they look good and are probably useable but I'll replace them with DuBro wheels. Wheel pants are plastic and I think will work well, Cowl is nicely painted fiberglass, landing gear is 2 piece aluminum, and a really nice surprise is the front nose strut that should work well absorbing hard landings. Wing struts are also included but I did not take a picture of.
They give you choices on how to power this plane with either electric or glow and I'm not sure which way to go yet. I'm not sure how long it will be before I start assembling this plane. As soon as I do, I'll add more pictures.
The tires are a foam type, they look good and are probably useable but I'll replace them with DuBro wheels. Wheel pants are plastic and I think will work well, Cowl is nicely painted fiberglass, landing gear is 2 piece aluminum, and a really nice surprise is the front nose strut that should work well absorbing hard landings. Wing struts are also included but I did not take a picture of.
They give you choices on how to power this plane with either electric or glow and I'm not sure which way to go yet. I'm not sure how long it will be before I start assembling this plane. As soon as I do, I'll add more pictures.
Last edited by deadstickdan; 09-02-2013 at 08:33 PM.
09-04-2013, 02:20 AM
#9
Deadstick, what diameter are the wheels, ordered mine yesterday, will not be using the
wheel pants, fly off grass. Also the Tri-Pacer looks kind of odd without the pant on the nose
strut, ala Tri-Pacer PA-22-108 Colt. Attached is some history and Tri-Pacer facts for all of you
fans of this little "Flying Milkstool" bird.
http://www.airliners.net/aircraft-da...ts.main?id=300
wheel pants, fly off grass. Also the Tri-Pacer looks kind of odd without the pant on the nose
strut, ala Tri-Pacer PA-22-108 Colt. Attached is some history and Tri-Pacer facts for all of you
fans of this little "Flying Milkstool" bird.
http://www.airliners.net/aircraft-da...ts.main?id=300
09-08-2013, 04:19 PM
#11
Tri-Pacer arrived Saturday afternoon via Fed Ex Home Delivery, really nice kit, will be
getting started on it sometime this week, plans are for Magnum 52 2-stroke with their
Pitt's muffler or my use the Bisson Pitts muffler if it will work. would have been nicer if
they had hidden the wing servo's under a hatch instead of surface mounting them
getting started on it sometime this week, plans are for Magnum 52 2-stroke with their
Pitt's muffler or my use the Bisson Pitts muffler if it will work. would have been nicer if
they had hidden the wing servo's under a hatch instead of surface mounting them
09-09-2013, 09:31 AM
#12
Thanks for the good photos! The Tri-Pacer is one of my all time favorites as well. I am really glad that VQ made this and that Hobby People has imported it. HP does not bring in all the different planes that VQ makes.
I have some VQ planes and their covering is strange stuff. It is sticky back, but will also shrink with low heat. It will also sag when going from one room to a warmer room or outside but will eventually tighten up again. The colors you need to be careful with, they will wash off with rubbing alcohol for example wiping away excess epoxy. Hobby People does not stock replacement covering for any of the VQ models.
I will be getting one of the Tri-Pacer's, maybe for my birthday or Christmas.
I have some VQ planes and their covering is strange stuff. It is sticky back, but will also shrink with low heat. It will also sag when going from one room to a warmer room or outside but will eventually tighten up again. The colors you need to be careful with, they will wash off with rubbing alcohol for example wiping away excess epoxy. Hobby People does not stock replacement covering for any of the VQ models.
I will be getting one of the Tri-Pacer's, maybe for my birthday or Christmas.
09-09-2013, 07:03 PM
#13
Upon farther inspection I find this model a total mess, to much to list,
will be returning it for refund. Those that purchased I advise that you go
over this plane with a fine tooth comb, the one I received would have a
very short life span, not much glue in sight, looks like covering material is
the only thing holding it together, I have a couple other VQ ARF's, that
are OK, this one just is not acceptable.
will be returning it for refund. Those that purchased I advise that you go
over this plane with a fine tooth comb, the one I received would have a
very short life span, not much glue in sight, looks like covering material is
the only thing holding it together, I have a couple other VQ ARF's, that
are OK, this one just is not acceptable.
09-10-2013, 10:04 AM
#15
My Feedback: (13)
Hi Guys,
I've had several VQ (Viet Nam) made models and I can say, the covering is heavy and cracks very easily. They use a cheap thin plastic that is brittle and the coloring of the covering will come off with most light cleaners and CA glue remover, and will sag with a change of temperature. If you can find replacement parts, they will be expensive and sad overall. VQ produces models of some nice types of aircraft, I'm just very displeased with how they are built and covered. I've owned four different models from them and now only one left. I've either given them away or stuck them away, removing all my gear from them. They are cheap...made cheap and do not last very long.
I've had a soft spot for the Tri Pacer for many years and flew one when I was younger. The only kit available is made up in Canada and a superb you build kit, but the company has been out of stock of this kit for many years. I would love a quality you build or ARF kit.
Soft Landings Always,
Bobby of Maui
I've had several VQ (Viet Nam) made models and I can say, the covering is heavy and cracks very easily. They use a cheap thin plastic that is brittle and the coloring of the covering will come off with most light cleaners and CA glue remover, and will sag with a change of temperature. If you can find replacement parts, they will be expensive and sad overall. VQ produces models of some nice types of aircraft, I'm just very displeased with how they are built and covered. I've owned four different models from them and now only one left. I've either given them away or stuck them away, removing all my gear from them. They are cheap...made cheap and do not last very long.
I've had a soft spot for the Tri Pacer for many years and flew one when I was younger. The only kit available is made up in Canada and a superb you build kit, but the company has been out of stock of this kit for many years. I would love a quality you build or ARF kit.
Soft Landings Always,
Bobby of Maui
Last edited by Bob Paris; 09-10-2013 at 10:08 AM.
09-11-2013, 11:38 AM
#16
Upon farther inspection I find this model a total mess, to much to list,
will be returning it for refund. Those that purchased I advise that you go
over this plane with a fine tooth comb, the one I received would have a
very short life span, not much glue in sight, looks like covering material is
the only thing holding it together, I have a couple other VQ ARF's, that
are OK, this one just is not acceptable.
will be returning it for refund. Those that purchased I advise that you go
over this plane with a fine tooth comb, the one I received would have a
very short life span, not much glue in sight, looks like covering material is
the only thing holding it together, I have a couple other VQ ARF's, that
are OK, this one just is not acceptable.
the sticker shock on what UPS would charge to take it back to them and have decided
that it ain't worth the hassel to ship it back, cause it would cost almost half of the price
of the ARF kit. They must have a heck of a deal with Fed Ex to ship them to us free.
I work in an automotive dealership and have great rates from UPS, but $85 with insurance
is a bit steep.
Guess I will strip covering off and recover after I handle the gluing chores and I have a
lot of extra work to put into this one but it might just be worthy of it.
09-14-2013, 04:33 AM
#18
Nose Gear Strut
One thing I did notice right away is that the nose strut is totally
wrong, it should be a "fork" or "saddle" type of nose gear, will
be replacing mine with a Robart unit. Left pic is kit gear, right
is full size.
wrong, it should be a "fork" or "saddle" type of nose gear, will
be replacing mine with a Robart unit. Left pic is kit gear, right
is full size.
09-17-2013, 12:07 PM
#21
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I also have waited 50 years for the perfect PA-22 Tri pacer ARF My Dad had one when we were growing up. This one looks a bit narrow, and the cowl isn't perfect. but maybe Top Flite will follow with something scale. I built this from plans a couple years ago. it is 33 inch wing much smaller.
Last edited by drdoom; 09-27-2013 at 08:08 AM.
09-17-2013, 05:51 PM
#25
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Wow, Doom, great looking Tripacers ! Mine is a MosguitoBite kit with a 72" wing. Its the all ply version. Heavy. Very piggy. Flys goofy. But lands really pretty. I love it.
