MrRB

Just Flew my ARF 120 Stearman with an OS 160 Twin and it flew great. I did have to build out from the fire wall with 3/4 " plywood block and 1/8 " aluminum plate but did not have to add any other weight. I can't believe it flew so great. Here is some additional info on my Stearman:

1. Weight 15lbs.
2. Plywood block size 3" x 4"x 3/4" with blind nuts for engine mount and holes to mount to firewall blind nuts.
3. Aluminum plate 3" x 4"x 1/8" with holes for plywood and engine mount bolts.
4. Aluminum spacers (4) 3/4" long to get proper spacing from firewall.
5. Dummy engine cut out between cylinders for air intake but left outside ring in tact for securing to cowl.
6. Added about 5" of brass tubing to exhaust pipes so they would extend out of bottom of cowl about 1/2".
7. Was worried that fuel would drain from the high fuel tank when just sitting idle and put a shut off valve on the fuel feed line but it was not necessary.
8. I'm using a Graupner 16-8 prop and running at 9000rpm top but am only flying at half throttle most of the time.
9. Have installed an on board glow driver that works with the throttle servo and only comes on at low position.
Hope this is helpful for those using a OS 160 Twin for power, see gallery for pics.

MrRB

John
I made the location of the upper aileron horn the same as the one on the lower wing. This still gave some differencial 1" lower wing and 1 1/4" top wing up and 7/8" lower wing and 1 1/8" top wing down. I also found that is too much movement for my airplane and will reduce it the next time I fly it. As for the wheel pants I also added another piece of ply but used blind nuts and went to 4-40 bolts with washers and lock washers(note: you have to drill out landing gear holes for the 4-40 bolts). So far that seems to keep them tight. Hope that helps you.
Roger

timothy thompson

My Feedback: (1)

Hi I recieved mine in May and fly it on a saito 100 flys fine but do not get it too slow or it will snap hard left. I complained about the cheap tires and GP sent me a set of inflatable dubro really nice at no charge. It rolls like a b@@@@ and loops are big. landing takes a while due to all the wing area it flys very clean

MrRB

I also did not like the wheels and changed to the 4" inflatable Dubro wheels. I have not seen the snap on mine as yet and stalling it in the air it came down nose first and didn't fall off to either side. I always come in with a little power and don't cut the engine until I'm about three or four feet off the ground and it's been landing just great on the mains. No three point landings. This is my first ARF and I have to admit it's a great flying bird.

rongreg13

My Feedback: (129)

Mine never had any bad stall tendencies either. With the G26, it flew a little heavy, so you needed to carry a little power throughout the approach as it was not a "floater", but if you got too slow, it would simply mush straight ahead in a very benign manner. The plane would let you know it was too slow by simply sinking, and never tried to depart. I would always carry a bit of power until short final when I would start to throttle back and let it settle onto the runway. For whatever reason, no matter how smoothly I greased it on, it would want to bounce. I finally just accepted this tendency and it was a super easy plane to fly in all flight modes.

timothy thompson

My Feedback: (1)

Ya mine bounces also even on the best landing I think its the metal gear . With no working oleos you have no shock absorbption. I flew mine today and the wind really picked up while flying and she hovered coming in on final. I could roll and pitch it in one place. I added a little power and came in ok. Tell GP about the wheels they will send you free set of inflatable dubros which helps tame that stearman bounce!

MrRB

I don't know what kind of tires you have but if they are inflatable type take the air out and your plane won't bounce as much. Put the valve into the tire and hold it off the ground for a about a minute and take the valve out before you set it back down. I've had six flights on mine and it has never bounced. I'm using 4" Dubro inflatable tires.
Roger

ki3w

My Feedback: (2)

I've got a Saito 100 and am wondering how this engine will perform on the GP Super Stearman? Do you feel like it's enough power for aerobatics? What prop are you using? Thanks.

MrRB

I don't know too much about the Saito engine but I would not use anything less than what GP
recommends which is a 120. This should be enought to give you realistic aerobatics. I'm using
an OS 160 Twin and fly at half throttle most of the time, I increase speed and/or dive to do aerobatics just as the real one does.
Roger

ki3w

My Feedback: (2)

Thanks!

MrRB

ki3w
For your info, I just found a problem with the landing gear. I came in too fast for a landing on a windy day and was running out of runway so I turned the airplane so I wouldn't run off the edge. In doing so the airplane sort of skidded in the turn and seperated the fiberglass from the aluminum gear. I had to epoxy it together, lightly sand it and painted it. It looks like it never happened and I have since flown it with no further problem. So beware.

oppie

My Feedback: (5)

xtraflyr,
You mentioned that your father has a Pica Waco and was flying it with a 120 and it was the same size as the Stearman. Pica makes the Waco in two sizes which one does your father have? The reason I wanted to know is I have a Sato 100 and am thinking of geting the 1/5 Pica kit.
thanks

dhillfolk

My Feedback: (195)

It is the 1/5 that is 72"---same as the Stearman---I have both----It appears Pica may not be Pica anymore & may have sold out to another company as thier site is no longer accessable & the sale of the company has been mentioned in other forums. Grab a kit while you can---Quantum RC had the best price @$209----or buy mine----it's never been flown & cowl is cut for a Saito 100.

oppie

My Feedback: (5)

Bob
I thought the Sato 100 wouldn't be enough for the 1/5 size and I was thinking about geting the 1/6. It is rated for a .75 glow and the 100 FS would be the ticket. My LHS has the 1/6 at $140. Wasn't your father going to put a .150 in his?
Is your Pica built? Are you kidding about selling it? If so how much.

dhillfolk

My Feedback: (195)

I realize I started this but lets not use this forum to further discuss it------it's the wrong place-----e-mail me @[email protected]
thks

CrashBurn69

My Feedback: (1)

Has anyone used the Saito 180 Golden Knight engine in their Stearman? I am getting one at the end of the month, and was wondering how this engine worked in this plane?

MrRB

I think the 180 is too much engine for the stearman. As you know it was made for the 120. I'm using a 160 twin in mine and fly it at half throttle for realistic flight. I guess it depends on what you want to do with the airplane. Good luck with yours.
Roger

CrashBurn69

My Feedback: (1)

Well after thinking about it, I think I will go with a OS 120 because I want to add a smoke system and to save weight on the airframe.

MrRB

I think that's a good choice since you are adding smoke.
Roger

carlbecker

My Feedback: (3)

Before a mid air last year I had a OS 91 fs in a Sterling Stearman of 65". It was way over powered, lots of vertical and fast at full throttle. I would image a Saito 100 would give a little more than scale flight performance. I am toying with the idea of a saito 100 for a GP Super Stearman in a recovered and modified to a PT-17.

Carl

MrRB

I don't know anything about Saito Engines. The Mfg. recommends a 120 fs if the 100 is equal or better I guess your OK.
Roger

carlbecker

My Feedback: (3)

The GP streaman REQUIRES: Engine: .91 (14.9 cc) - 1.20 (19.66cc) 2 or 4 stroke
Depending on how you want the plane to preform then choose the apporiate engine. I prefer scale to alittle over powered depending on the aircraft. The Saito 100 is a light motor.
A new one at our field turns a 15x6 at 9k. Less power than most 120 four strokes and lightness is not needed in the front of a Stearman.

Carl

ki3w

My Feedback: (2)

Tower is selling the combo with an OS 91 2 stroke. Anyone try this? From the specs, this engine has tons of HP. ??

apalsson

My Feedback: (1)

I have both, that is the GP Stearman with a pumped 1.20 and the pumped 91 in a Spacewalker.
I do doubt the 91 would be good in the Stearman. You need a fair amount of noseweight with the 120 and the power is adequate but not excessive. I suspect the 91 would be quite marginal

MrRB

You do need weight in the front end. Iuse a lot of OS 120 Surpasses and all my planes seem to like the 16-8 Graupner, infact that is what I'm using on my GP Super Stearman. I fly at half throttle for realism and it slows up nice for the landing. A friend of mine uses a 18-6 on his 15 lb. biplane and he is trying to talk me into doing the same. I'm not ready yet to change from what I know that works.
Roger