Does the paint scheme on the GP Stearman replicate any full particular full size? I sure would like to get a copy of it if possible to use in fun scale competition. Thanks.

Bigbird3 your plane looks great.

I received my super stearman earlier in the week. I am going to start putting it together next weekend. I have to finish a Funtana 90 this weekend. I was planning to put a Saito 180 in the stearman. I was wanting to put in a slimline pro super smoker, however, I do no know where I will put the tank. On past projects, I have placed the fuel tank on the CG and the smoke tank up front. Judging from the instruction manual it looks like the stock location of the center of the tank is already close to the CG. I was also thinking about installing dual elevator servos with separate push rods. In addition if there was room, I was thinking about installing a pull pull rudder. What are you thoughts? Or do you think I am just doing a lot of extra work that will probably not make any difference? Not to consider adding weight!!!

Thanks for anyones thoughts!

It looks like there has been a lot of discussion about this plane. However, if anyone is interested I will post pics of any of the construction process if requested.

Thanks

It is close to the Red Baron Pizza Stearmans. I just googled Red Baron Pizza and got some pictures.
Ron

Leegscott, to answer some of your questions, I think that the smoke tank should be located behind the fuel tank. Even though it might be a little aft C/G, if you are using it a lot it will deplete way before the fuel thus leaving the plane in balance. The other way around will keep the C/G aft when the smoke tank is empty.
As far as doubling the elevator servos is concerned that is up to you. There is plenty of room but the plumbing is way close together to put the rods on the same side of each servo. You might slave one in front of the elevator, hook the elevators like they say to the first servo and then put a wire farther in on the horn and wala! Even if you put the slave servo perpendicular to the first one it will help greatly. I have been successful with only one 3003. I have a 6 volt system so I can get all 44 oz's from it.
Pull pull rudder would be nice but there is a lot involved there. It would be a major endevor to install it. Remember that there is a box frame inside the structure and will make for a lot of interference as you want the cables to be unobstructed. The rudder works fine with the rod they provide.
As you said, it is a lot of work just to change it. I dont think that it will add any weight but only a lot of head ache.


It has been snowing here in Vermont and the field is getting right for some skiing. I think I will build a set of ski's for my Stearman for this year. I have a friend that has a book on Stearmans that shows ski's and floats. I will probably float fly it this summer.
Let you know. bird.
Here are a few pix of the full size Stearman you saw earlier after we covered it.
Just like covering a big model airplane!

Bigbird

Thanks for your advise!! I have decided not to go with the pull pull rudder. However, I am still considering install dual elevator servos. In regards to the smoke tank behind the fuel tank. I think I should balance the plane with the smoke tank full as it will be behind the CG so that the plane will become more nose heavy as the oil is used. But, with that said it will require me to always have smoke oil in the tank even if I am not planning to make smoke during a flight. Do you agree? By the way that is a very impressive project you have under way. Will you be the pilot?

Lee

Leegscott, you know, there might be a way to mount the tanks side by side. If you can widen the opening in the bulkhead to accept two tanks on a plate that would be removable. Hum! only a thought! At least you can mount them both on the C/G. I guess it depends on how big the tanks are.
You have to be careful of an airplane that is naturally nose heavy, i.e. smoke oil on board all the time, because if you have to pull a lot of elevator too low too slow, it will snap.
The dual elevator servos are a good idea. Be sure and build a sub-C 6 volt pack so you have all the ounces and speed the servo will deliver.
Thanx for the complement on the full size project. I'm affraid I won't be the pilot. Hank my friend is. I will be on board though you can bet. bird.

bigbird, I will take a look at mounting them side by side this week will also look for different tank shapes. Will keep you posted.

Thanks

Glad to see another full scale stearman being worked on! brings a smile to my face... Here'a our full scale Pt-17 Stearman

Shane

Very nice Shane, ours has a Pratt 450 in it. We have a BT-13 cowl we plan to put on it this summer. Nothing like having power when you need it. They are still treacherous. We know a fellow that nosed his over in a cross wind on take off with a 220hp continental. He has 2500 hrs in them! One thing for sure, it is hard to get killed in a stearman, unless you start high. They are built like a tank!
We have enough parts to build two more.

Leegscott, When I suggested you widen the opening up I forgot about the box frame inside. It might be impossible to side by side the tanks. Perhaps top and bottom? At any rate, it is going to be a challenge to get them both in and have a happy balance situation.
Good luck, I'm out of ideas for the moment. bird.

WIth a Saito 180, my stearman balanced perfectly without adding any weight in the enclosed weight box. I have a real problem with adding dead weight to a model. This plane flys great and the motor is more than enough. Good luck.

jhogie
I'm going with your advice and ordering the Saito 1.80. How does it fit in the cowl?
What servos are you using?

the Saito fits perfectly in the cowl. I will attach pictures of the front for your review. I used Futaba s3004 with a six volt battery. It gives me 58 oz of torque on each servo. I also used servos in both wings instead of the slave hookup. I read too many posts regarding having trouble getting the slave bars to align. It flies great though.

I put the engine in inverted, and only had to cut enough from the bottom of the cowl to allow the muffler to get through. I also cut out a section of the dummy engine, as in the instructions, to allow some air flow. Let me tellyou, there is no worry about power with this engine!

Good luck.

How about the fuel tank,what size??

Well guys, as I said in an earlier posting it has been snowing up here in Vermont. Here are the ski's I built for the Stearman today. I plan to fly it tomorrow. Enjoy. bird.
Next EDO floats for the summer!

Here also is a bird I have flown on ski's. It is 27 years old. It is called 'Sapphire'. A friend of mine in Valpariso Florida designed and built it. It has a seven foot wingspan with a naca 2414 airfoil. Very steady flyer. The fuse was blue and white. The wing was blue LE. white MID. and red TE. I guess it isn't Sapphire anymore with the red and white aye?
It was tri gear and I converted it to tail dragger with the option to convert it back and forth. Also have a set of floats for it.

The ski's are cut off of cross country ski's because they are narrower than down hill. I cut the wheel hub rims down so they would fit flat and drilled holes in front and back of the hub and wrapped many winds of string and then thin CA'd it all and there you go. A 4-40 wire with a Z bend through the ski and a hole in the main gear leg with a U bend.
Enjoy. bird.

Here are some close ups of the ski's.

I used the tank that Great Planes sent me. It is small for the amount of gas that the Saito 180 uses. I could use some help on a bigger tank.

Thanks jhogie
Your Stearman looks great.
I understand the 180 requires at least a 24oz. tank. Do you think ther's enough room?

There seems to be a lot of room in this plane. I wanted to add smoke later on, so I didnt want to fill the tank compartment with a larger fuel tank. I may have to though because the Saito 180 is not exactly fuel efficient. I get about a 9 to 10 minute flight at best. I have ran this one out of fuel, and the dead stick landing was not what I expected. It actually performed well. Had to change underwear after though!!!

Speaking of smoke, I have never put smoke on a plane before. Does anyone know what I need to get. this plane screams for it. Please help if you can.

Jhogie31

Bigbird3,
I love your shop. There is something going on there!
Oh....nice plane too.
Ron

I have 10 flights now on my Sterman and found the way to stop the bouncing. Keep the tail up on landing. Don't flair out to a three point landing. You have to be dead on not to bounce. With the tail up, the plane is still "flying" on the ground. When you can't hold the tail up anymore, the plane will be going slow enough not to bounce. Works every time.

Thanks Ron. I spent all day changing the shop around trying to make more room and make things fit a little better. Yesterday a friend asked me how many planes I have and I figured maybe somewhere between thirty and forty. I counted them today. Between Kits, boneyard, ready to fly and in between I have 53! Whew! My shop is like a five pound bag with fifteen pounds of crap! I've got to thin out the herd some day. bird.

I agree. Plus, there is nothing pretier than the mains touching and the tail slowly falling to the ground.

Yours sure is pretty. That picture looks like you almost ate the camera.

Well, I kind of cheated. I had two guys hold the plane while it was idling and cropped the picture so you can't see them. Here's some more pics.

I just recetved my Stearman, the hole for the gas tank and the motor mnts are 7/16 to the left side looking at it from the front. I have never mounted a motor offset. this does not seem right. Any comments?