The cowl on mine was distorted. I emailed Tower Hobbies and they sent me a new one, no questions asked and no request that I return the damaged one. That's worked to my advantage, as I'm using the damaged one to make the cutouts for sparkplug and exhaust pipes. Will then use it to mark the good cowl for the final fit.

I am building a Super stearman right now also. I guess by now you are probably finished with yours so I wanted to see what you did with your smoke tank. I found that I can fit a 14oz tank directly above the supplied fuel tank. With a little foam I think the fuel tank will secure the smoke tank perfectly. I was going to drill an opening large enough for the mouth of the smoke tank to exit the firewall just like the fuel tank. That way the smoke tank stays on the CG and all my plumbing can stay outside the fuse. There is plenty of room in the cowl for the smoke pump. I am using the TME simple Smoke Pump II. Everywhere I read it says I should not mount the pump directly to the firewall because of the vibration. I am using a saito 150 and I hear it vibrates a lot. Does anyone have any ideas how the pump can be mounted on the firewall and not vibrate too much. I was very happy when I realized I could get the smoke tank above the fuel tank, but then bummed when I found out I shouldn't mount the pump to the firewall. Does anyone see any other problems with this setup?

Scott

Anyone have any videos they would like to share, thanks

If you can let me know how to send the rodds to you, I will let you have them. They are doing nothing for me but taking up space.

I finished mine at the end of last summer and it's been an excellent airplane and was exactly what I was looking for. Great flying airplane. I used a G-26 for power with 3/4 stand offs and the ballance works out to be perfect. Plenty of power with most flight rarely going beyond half throttle. I used the 2 servo setup for the wings and followed the instructions to the letter and it worked out perfectly. I did use 9252's though. Havent had any problems with landings with the stock tires 3 point or wheel landings flying off of smooth to rough grass runways. Cant wait till spring.

Pictures by ben trapnell

Great pictures..what type of camera...film or digital ?

A high end digital not sure what type though.

Hi guys!

I want to build one with a radial engine. Can anyone measure the diameter of the cowl for me?

Thanks,

David

cowl measures 7 3/4" diameter to the outside near the front.

I am planning an OS 1.20 pump for my Stearman. Was there any special modifications required for this installation?

Those who have used an OS 160fx, did you have to drill new mounting holes in the firewall, or will the ones that are already there work with an adjustable mount? And what prop combo works the best with this engine and plane? Thanks

The OS 160fx is a huge motor in this Stearman. You might try a 18x8 for the engine. You might run out of fuel before you pass the Moon though.

Its always easier to throttle back, than getting in trouble and not having enough power to get out. Besides, its still a 15 pound plane. I finished the wings today, despite the bad hinging and the loose covering.

Mine is completely finished except it is sitting here waiting on me to purchase the engine. I am still planning on putting the OS 1.20 pumped engined with the EDS 103 glow sys on board. Should order the motor in the next two weeks. Still wondering if any special mods were required on this motor.

Found a couple of errors in the instructions. Probably the most glaring ones are when you mount the control horn on the rudder. It calls for a #2 x 5/8 screw, none of which are included. Good, because a 5/8 screw would drive right on through to the other side of the rudder. I think the ment to require a #2x 3/8 screw.

LZ

Yes you can throttle back although you might get scale flight at 1/8 to 1/4 throttle. You can also have to much motor though. A guy at our field has a 50cc gas on a CE. He bounced a landing and gave it a little throttle. The CE torqued over to the left at 3 feet. He is a very good pilot also. Put what you want in it but be careful.

I do like power but in the right plane. If its a scale aircraft its much more impressive if flown in a scale manner. Just my opinion.

Carl

The only other engine I have is an OS 91FX. And I would need A LOT of usless weight to balance it then. Besides with an 18x6 I hope it will fly pretty good scale speeds at 1/2 throttle. But I might have to try a 20x6. It will just take some experimenting. But with the unlimited vertical, it will look neat at some of the air shows our club puts on.

Hi, I own a Great Planes Stearman ARF and I am putting in a 2.4 First Plance engine in it, which weighs 58oz bat, and muffler included. It is one of the lightest gas engines around. I know it will be over powered, but it will be nice when I need it.
Anyone else fly the Stearman with a Gasser.

yes i have a mvvs 1.6 gasser and it flies extremely well although i have wondered whether it would be better with a slightly larger engine

just like to add that this is the best artf i have ever bought and would recommend this plane to anyone

til

Thanks, that makes me feel good. I am almost ready to start assembly of the Stearman, as I am just finishing an old restored CAP 232, 81" wingspan. It is a Lanier Kit. I am now trying to find out the CG on it as I have no plans. I use the tube which gives me 6 1/4 inches. Anyone on this thread would know.
Thanks

I have been busy at work and not had much time to work on it. I am up to the point of getting ready to put the tail hinges in. When using the 160 and an 18x6 prop does anyone think I need to add any right thrust to the mount. I am also going to seal both sides of the hinge line, although all the ailerons all have between 1/32 to 1/16 inche of a gap. But better safe than sorry.

Anyone know what the Military version is going to look like??

mgahealy, I am very interested in knowing how you FPE 2.4 fits, and fly's the stearman. I too have one of these engines,(aren't they Great), and would like to use it in the stearman. From other posts on this thread we are warned that this is way to much engine for this bird.
I am also considering the Kange Waco and useing the 2.4 on it. The Waco is a little larger I belive and capable of 3D manuvers which could use the extra power.
I am still in the desicion makeing process and have not decided on which one to go with. ( I love bipes).
Please keep us posted on your progress and successes or problems with the FPE,

Thanks, Craig

The weight on the box is between 14 and 15 lbs. I had a Sukhoi at 16 lbs and it flew just right with the 2.4, not even over powered. The reason I am going with the FPE 2.4 is that it is lighter than a glow engine with the added weight of 18 oz, that is the first thing. The fit is no problem as the FPE is not a big engine. If it has too much power at full throttle then I'll fly it at 3/4 or even 1/2 but when I will want that power on the verticals, it will be there. Also I am adding a slimline smoke pump so mine might weight around 16 to 17 lbs, but the plane has over 1400 square nches. My Sukhoi has only 1206 sq in. Plus two wings is more drad thatn one wing. also I like the reliability of gassers. I also own a 3.2 FPE which is going into my Lanier Kit CAP 232 80 inch wing span, weighs around 19lbs.

Deckerv,

Their is a photo of it on wholesaleplanes.com. I think you might even be able to pre-order it.

My super Stearman had its first flight a week ago (till today it has about ten flights).

I used OS FT-160 gemini to power it and I am very pleased. No neeed for extra nose weight, enough power to swing 18x6 prop at 7,500 rpms, scale sound and a total weight of 6.5 kg. It is really a great combo.

To Crashburn69:

Right thrust is built in the firewall. No way to avoid it. If you do so your prop will not be centered in the cowl. Afterall even with the built in right thrust I need right rudder a lot at take-offs.

Stelios