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Thanks, rcimigpilot. I would appreciate learning of your opinions and experiences.


Ed Cregger

OK, guys. I have an SS coming my way. I told my wife that it was your fault !!!

I should have plenty of time to get this beauty assembled before flying season, as we still have a couple feet of snow on the ground.

That is why I fly my Stearman only in the winter, with skis you get nice smooth landings in the snow.

hey all, i wanted to take the time to say thx for all the feedback and advice.
i'm going to put my OS 1.60 Gemini Twin in this bird, standard size servos (9001's and s9202's), and have upgraded the wheels.
final question has to do with the spinner in the kit.
it seems like it's a tad loose in regards to lining up with the backplate. is that normal?
should i buy a 2 3/4" Tru Turn for it instead?

If it's loose on the backplate then you need to shorten the center bolt that holds it on. They supply a standard length socket head cap screw to hold it on and, depending upon the shaft length on your particular engine, you may need to shorten it. In a few cases you may even have to buy a longer bolt but that is very rare.

thx for the answer Lou. what i was talking about was how the spinner actually sits inside the backplate. it's not tight like you see with Truturn spinners.........i did a tiny bit of tweaking though and i think it's just fine now.
am interested in the Tru Turn, but i fear it will look kinda ugly being bigger than the stock spinner though.
reading back, it looks like only 3-4 guys went with a Tru Turn.......i think i'll wait on this.

Any time buddy. Actually the spinner that comes with the plane really looks awesome IMO. I couldn't imagine putting a different one on mine.

Hi guys, well, I put in the first flight yesterday all she needed was some down trim, then the freezing rain started, so that was it. Today, beautiful cold sunny day. put in 3 flights. Winds 18 miles per hour, and she flew just beautiful. I repeat that she has a FPE 40cc and weights 15 1/2 lbs, 3 pounds less than my old Stearman. I hope I can get as many flights as the old one, over 1100 flights. I again put many decals on her. I just like the look. I will try next time out for someone to take a picture with my camera of the underneath. I have a neat looking big red maple leaf, with the letters CANADA under it. It really stands out.
The landing is really like landing on feathers, very soft. nice roll rate. I have not open up the engine yet, flying her at a little above half throtle. Anyway, great plane, great kit and a great flyer. Great Planes should win an award for putting out such a great kit.
Oh, for those that wonder why I have the muffler sticking out on top, is that with the other stearman the first year, flying on ice, the pipes would sometimes hit clumps of ice, and bend. by reversing the muffler no more problems, so I did the same thing to this one. Plus it looks pretty neat and once in the air, much quieter.

glad to see you got her back in the air......that stearman with the decals is gorgeous.
of course each time you guys post shots it's killin' me...........great stuff

Hello MGA,
What are the dimentions on the Jay Dee skis you have on your Stearman. I too like winter flying and would like to install some skis on my Super Stearman. A freind has some Jay Dee skis that I can get if they are big enough.
I am also thinking about installing floats on mine. I have a Zenoa G-26 on mine and a smoke system.
Doug. (Member of MOFFA - Mostly Old Float Flyers Association.)

they are 12 1/2 long by 2 1/2 wide. Have never had a problem with them re any type of snow. The only problem I have had with them is the wearing out of the metal, as I fly often just on bare ice and that really wears them off. I pop riveted a brass piece on the bottom and also an L angle aluminum bar on the top so that they do not bed any more. As the ski wore they started to bend very easily.
Re the G26 on floats, I am wondering if that will be enough power, as the suction of the floats. on snow or ice that is not a problem. I have a FPE 40 cc and in deep snow I can tell you it really comes in handy, as the skis are at least an inch under, so you really need the power. If you can get a bigger ski it would even be better.

THanks MGA.
I'll let you know how the G-26 performs with the skis and the floats.

Hey Guys,
For any of you who installed a saito 150 in your stearman did you have any problems getting the stock muffler to fit.I installed my engine inverted but the muffler hits the cowl ring no matter how I try.I could make it stick straight out the side but that would look dumb.I guess saito makes a right angle adaptor but horizon wont have any for at least a month.Do any of you know if anyone else makes one?Thanks

I've got the Saito 150 mounted inverted with the muffler straight down. I had to dremel a little of the firewall at the bottom to make it fit (didn't have to take a lot). If you want, I can send a picture.

Ed

ED,
That would be awesome Ed if you get a chance.Dont go out of your way though.Did it clear the ring for the cowl?

It cleared everything. Once installed, you will not be able to remove the muffler without removing the engine .. no big deal.

What I like about this set up is that I am running the TME smoke system and the muffler extends down on the center of the fuse as opposed to the smoke going out to the side.

Don't go blaming your lack of self control on us!!! LOL Besides, if you let her get mad at you then you get to make up!! That's always the fun part.

I mis spoke about the ring clearance. I had to remove a portion of the ring ... pics attached.

When the cowl is mounted it really looks good.

Thanks a bunch Ed.That looks good.I'm going to spend some time in the shop tonight.I cant wait to get this thing flying.

Hey Ed, What did you paint the inside of that cowl with, and why??

Lou55:

I used Brodak Fuel proof Dope. I did it because when you look at the plane from the front I didn't like the fact that the light color of the fiberglass kind of stood out. Painting it black made the inside of the cowl disappear. PLUS I had some left over after painting the inside of the cockpits. If you take a look at the last picture in my post you can see the color of the inside of the cowl. After looking at the picture is when I decided to paint the inside black.

Ed

Thanks, I painted the inside of my cockpits but thought you had found something like a light tar to deaden the vibration in the cowl. Sure looked like it. I'm thinking of putting something thick and sound and vibration dampening inside of mine but don't want to add too much weight. Maybe a light spray of auto undercoating.

I wish I was smart enough to figure out some way to dampen the vibration. It looks like undercoating because the inside of the cowl was so rough.

If I get a chance I'll look up some available dampening agents during my lunchtime tomorrow.

Self control??? Don't believe in it. LOL

Actually, my wife didn't say too much. She like bipes, which helps. I pointed out that the Red Barron flight team flies Stearmans. They come here every other year, and fly ove our house. since she likes that, too, I'm in like Flynn !!!