pettit

My Feedback: (23)

My Kangke Waco flew this past weekend. I'm using a Saito 150 and needed only to move the throttle servo to the front of the firewall and place all the tail surface servos as far forward as possible. That top hatch really is a blessing!

It weighs 13.5 pounds dry, 4 aileron servos, only a click or 2 of trim needed.

Almost unlimited vertical with Saito 150. A 180 would be better, but I had the 150 on the shelf.

By all means, please add pin striping to the color separations on your Waco. It really makes it look great!

Meesh

My Feedback: (135)

Hi Dick,

The Bipe looks great!

I'm just starting assembly on mine. I might go with the 170 Radial, but I have a 150 I could use.

A Few questions if you don't mind.

What incidence did you set the upper wing at?
How did you determine proper cowl placement from the firewall?
Did you find an easy way to remove the wings for transport?

Thanks for your help.

Bob

Birddog-RCU

My Feedback: (62)

Looks great Dick! I agree with the pin striping... really adds to the appearance. What is your opinion on the landing gear? It is a little soft for us heavier gas engine users.

pettit

My Feedback: (23)

I'll answer all of the above questions here:

I don't think the Saito 170 radial will fit. The cowl is just about 8" in diameter and the 170 is 8.5". That would have been my first choice too.

I set the top wing at 0 degrees and it does just fine. But it's easily adjustable if needed.

I put the cowl on the fuselage until it was as far forward as possible and still have the screws able to go into the mounting blocks. I then measured the cowl to firewall distance and set the engine up for this distance.

I remove the bolts from the wing brackets, not the ones that set the spacing and incidence, the ones that bolt to the wing. Be sure to use lock washers on these bolts and get a few extras. You'll drop one or 2 somewhere!

The main gear did appear a little weak, so I added a piece of 3/16" music wire bent to the inner snhape of the gear legs, and fastened it into place with metal straps. It's a lot better, but it could have been made a little stronger by the factory.

Still, it is a really nice model to fly, even with the "small" Saito 150.

Meesh

My Feedback: (135)

Dick,

Thank you for the information. I had not measured the 170 yet. I just took a visual based on the Monocoupe installation I have.

I assume you had to extend the firewall to get the 150 out far enough to get the prop drive washer to clear the cowl. The cowl sure is long!

Thanks for the heads up on the gear!

Bob

pettit

My Feedback: (23)

No, I didn't need to space the firewall out at all. I used a Great Planes plastic mount and the engine is about 6.75" out from the firewall.

The cowl is long enough, but a lot of it overlaps the fuselage.

You may also want to cut away some of the plywood between the mounting blocks to let let out more heat.

sbaugz

My Feedback: (37)

I agree with one of the previous posts that the gear is very weak. The last three flights I had, resulted in the prop hitting the blacktop each time because the gear flexes inward. It didn't bend or splay out, it simply flexed enough to cause the prop to hit.

Now, my waco is out of commission for a few more days while I await another prop. The last landing I had finally did in the prop, and broke it. I was glad I was using a cheapo master airscrew prop for the initial few flights. It certainly doesn't help that I am using a 20 inch prop with my ZDZ40, which results in limited clearance. I will probably reinforce the gear a little with music wire while I am waiting for the UPS man, and once I get the gear beefed up I will switch to a better 20x10 prop.

The last several posts have mentioned incidence. Unfortunately, I don't have an incidence meter so I kind of eyeballed it. Mine is probably off a little because I need several clicks of up elevator trim to maintain level flight. Otherwise the plane flies great. I found that landing too hot results in more bounce, so I am trying to bring her in a little slower.

Birddog-RCU

My Feedback: (62)

I'm looking for a nylon or DF landing gear that will fit this plane. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know. I'll try and post some measurements of the gear if I think of it when in the shop.

edgeman55

My Feedback: (25)

Dick.I sure enjoy your reviews in R/C Report will the Waco be in a future issue?-When you added the support wire to the gear did you just drill thru the gear for the clamps.Just getting ready to maiden mine with a ZDZ 40 and would like to avoid a prop strike.

pettit

My Feedback: (23)

Yes, it'll be in print, but probably not until early next year. Too many others of mine still waiting to be printed.

I used metal straps and bolts, but if you can find "J" bolts, use them. This way, the wire doesn't slide through the metal straps as easily.

And you only need to drill one hole. not 2, when you use straps

sbaugz

My Feedback: (37)

got any close-up pics of your gear brace set-up?

pettit

My Feedback: (23)

Not too clear, but you can see the left side clamp, the bent 3/16" wire and the center clamp. The right side is similar.

sbaugz

My Feedback: (37)

Now I follow you. I was picturing that you ran a wire straight across from axle to axle, but now based on the picture I see how you did it. That's a pretty good idea, I think I will try that with mine. What gauge wire did you use? Is it something you picked up and bent from a hardware store?
Thanks for the pics. Steve

edgeman55

My Feedback: (25)

Thanks Dick for the quick response.Will add the 3/16 music wire as you did.

BULL-RCU

My Feedback: (15)

Can you get this WACO in the Beige color from the begining posts?

sbaugz

My Feedback: (37)

yes you can. I would contact kangke directly.

Birddog-RCU

My Feedback: (62)

You can also buy landing gear reinforcement anchors from B&B Specialities. They come in two sizes 3/16 and 1/4. I think I'll give em a try.

Meesh

My Feedback: (135)

Dick,

I pulled the cowl off of my Kangke Monocoupe last night to expose the 170 Radial. I tried the cowl of the Kangke Waco and it fits over the engine with room to spare. Guess what engine I'll be using?

Bob

pettit

My Feedback: (23)

That'll be one fine sounding plane! I wish I still had my 170 and I'd put it on my Waco

Meesh

My Feedback: (135)

The 170 Radial is one of the nicest running and easiest starting engines I own. Consistently starts first flip.

Too bad you got rid of yours.

edgeman55

My Feedback: (25)

Just mounted the B&B 3/16 reinforcement mounts-They work great.

Birddog-RCU

My Feedback: (62)

Good !!! I'm sick of a prop per landing. I grease a landing and the gear still spread. I'll have to call Monday and order a set. Did you use four?

edgeman55

My Feedback: (25)

Yes I mounted them per the instructions-one inch from top and bottom of leg.Waiting for the paint to dry on the 3/16 wire to remount the setup. Will get a picture when back on.

sbaugz

My Feedback: (37)

I am following this about gear reinforcement too. i am looking forward to seeing the pictures you mention. I plan on doing the same to mine next weekend. I have already broken a prop due to propstrike.

edgeman55

My Feedback: (25)

This is the B&B mounts with 3/16 wire,really stiffens the gear.