Lately ive been looking at the carl goldberg ultimate bipe, the arf version in particular since it offers a dual aileron servo setup unlike the kit. Has anyone built one or flown one. I would like to get some background info before i go buy it? THanks

I built one years ago.With a huge mistake I opted for the 1 servo.Bellcranks failed,saved it.then on my 12 flight I dumbthumbed it in.I think this would have very fun if built right by me .It will however require at least a 120 surpass and up to perform well.Most reports are positive.others say the DP is much superiour

I have the kit and modified it to use two servos for the ailerons. The manual shows how to set it up for two servos. You can also get the book 'biplanes', I forget the author. I am looking at about 8.5 pounds for mine and I have the OS120III pumped upfront. I have not flown it yet, just a little more covering to go.

Andrew

Please run 2 good servos in it

I have had both the kit and the ARF and if you are going to spend that kind of money and if I had it all to do over again I would opt for the DP Ultimate. The CG ARF is well built and I did not have very much trouble with the ARF built the DP ARF flew so much better that it was noticable the difference between the 2. I used 2 servos on the kit version and it does in fact fly true and straight but the ARF had a tendency to wonder a bunch ( i.e. never went the same direction in a loop). There are several CG ARF Ultimates at the field but I have not heard antone else complain so maybe it is just the one I have that flys a little wierd.

Boss

Here is a pic of my Goldberg Ultimate ARF. You do realize that Lanier has bought out Goldberg? Even though they maintain the Goldberg name, a separate web site, etc., Lanier is behind CG products now. I say that only because the kit you buy today might be different from what I have. The guys at Lanier said that the same vendor is producing the model; there may be a few hardware differences, but overall quality is the same. For example, mine came with an excellent Klett tail wheel assembly. The current kits have something "of equal quality". I used most of the supplied items in my kit, as they were of excellent quality. I hear that Lanier doesn't do so hot in that area. I have yet to find someone who has seen both pre-Lanier and post-Lanier examples of the kit. Again, I mention this ONLY in case you get one and the hardware is crap, you won't blame me...

The only issues I had are the suggested method for installing the elevator pushrod, and the rear cabane mounting hole in the top wing had to be re-located. I changed the elevator set-up, filled in and re-drilled that mounting hole, and used a DuBro 4-40 pull-pull kit on the rudder in place of the supplied pull-pull set-up. Also, the mini-link clevises supplied for the aileron connecting rods (between the wings) were brittle and broke fairly soon. I replaced them with Great Planes clevises. You need to either beef up the supplied 2-56 wire here, or use 4-40. I beefed it up with K&S streamlined aluminum tubing.

Also, the method for mounting the top wing differs between the kit and the ARF. If you get the ARF, PM me and I'll send you a brief description with photos of a modification that will save you some time and aggravation.

Other than these minor concerns, and a problem with my engine exhaust set-up (no fault of the model), the model has been flawless.
I have seen a couple of people now post that the DP Ultimate flies "better". I have a bit of trouble with this. While I have not flown the 120 DP (the little one is great), I have no doubt it flies superbly. But better than the CG? I suppose it depends on your definition of the term "better". The DP is a bit larger, for one thing. But the other day, a pal was watching mine fly. A big four stroke is the way to go on this airplane, since the large prop pulls it slowly through manuevers in a VERY scale-like manner. My pal said," That plane is simply majestic, isn't it?" What more do you want?

At any rate, while I am no contest pilot, I didn't fall off the UPS truck yesterday, either. Both the CG kit Ultimate, which I built 12 years ago, and this ARF, are all you could ask for in a smooth, enjoyable model airplane. The dual aileron set-up is the only way to go; I made that modification to my kit, after seeing how the great Steve Helms did his. That guy was a master...RIP. The ARF has a similar mounting system to what he used; a removable hatch that the servo bolts to.

This is an expensive model, but well worth it, as far as I'm concerned. And if you have a problem, from what I have seen so far the guys at Lanier are ready and willing to help. Judging from the numerous posts in a couple of threads on the topic, customer service from Dave Patrick Models a very iffy proposition, at best. You pays your money, and you takes your chances...

I sure love my kit built CGM Ultimate. I use a Saito 120 and it works pretty well. Selecting the right power plant can be tricky on this model. If you need strong vertical and do a lot of hot-dog flying, opt for the 120. If you are more a sport oriented flier, I'd stick with a strong 91 or the Saito 100. If I were to build another, I'd use the 100.

If you intend on using it for precision aerobatics or IMAC, you may be frustrated by the control coupling. The rudder couples very strong to a positive roll (rolls in same direction as rudder input) and slight pull to positive pitch. Either can be tuned out with a good radio. I fly mine straight (no mixing) and have a blast. For IMAC, however, I fly a different airplane.

Many kit builders do several standard modifications like dual aileron servos, cabane mounting beef-up, dowled firewall, aluminum landing gear, etc. Even with all that, it builds very fast for a kit.

I think comparing it to the DP is fair. Both airplanes were designed by Dave with the DP being slightly larger and possibly having less height in the top wing mounting. The supposed improvement in flight is probably due to the increased size. The DP will be considerably more expensive to finish considering airplane, engine, and servos.

The CGM is a great airplane. Have fun.

Hello; I have one of those, I have a servo in each lower wing with connecting links going to the top wing. I would use different wing ribs where the interplane struts attach, the kit comes with light ply ribs, I would use these as pattern and make new ones out of aircraft ply. When the tabs break off it is difficult to fix it without a major effort, so if you have light ply in there, you won't have that problem.

I use a Saito 91 on mine, I had a Saito 120 on it but that made the plane too heavy for my style of flying. I have a Graupner 13x8 3-blade prop on it.

I didn't change the top wing mount, and I wish I had as it's difficult to remove the top wing and get it back on properly. I used the hardware that came with the kit, and had no problems with it.

It's a super flyer that presents well in the air, mine flys surprisingly slow, it won't hover with the 91.

Oh I changed the landing gear to aluminum in the second year as the wire gear bent back and had the wheels toeing out too much to get much speed up on take-off.

What about a OS 91FX in a Goldberg Ultimate, enough power?

I flew my first CGUB on an O.S. .60FP so I would think the .91FX would work pretty good.

Boss

I think that I'll check out the arf version of the Cg Ultimate. I think ill opt with a ys 1.10 for power. I have had great luck with that engine in my Gp Extra .60 and wow what a response time.(by the way would that be to much power>/??) I was also wondering if the Elevator stab was airfoiled or not. If so it would be awesome but if not thats great too. I have a 4-40(du-bro) pull pull on my extra and have had no prob's with it and like it quite a lot. I hope that the tailwheel assembly is better than the one that Gp put in my extra kit b/c it was Horrible..... I usually upgrade all the hardware and go with a high torque servo for the rudder. The reason I want to go with the arf is because it has the dual elevator mod already installed and ready to Servo-fy.....Thanks for the input and ill give you an update when i order/ buy / get the plane in the air. I hope it will be soon.....