Well, I flew her today! It had a bit of trim to do but in all it flew great. I had some wind to tend with but it wasnt too bad. The landings were smooth and easy. You definatly dont need the whole G26 for it. I hardly ever had it full throttle, except for takeoff and I really dont think it needed it then. I didnt do any aerobatics but might next time. I flew it twice and both times about 8 minutes and the fuel tank barley showed any fuel used. All in All I like it. I now have a G23 I traded for and need to figure out what to put it on........

Out freakin standing report! That G26 is a lot of engine but I think once you get comfrotable with the plane you will use all of it. What prop are you using?

I am using what the manual recomends the 16x8. But I have a 18" I might try out or a 16x10.

I'm using an APC 17x8 with fantastic results on a Cermark Pitts.

I started with a APC 17-6, not bad but not enough vertical. So I went to a APC 17-8. The performance got worse. Has anyone reached a final decision on what is the best prop for a G-26 in this airplane?

Thanks, Stan

How many RPM's are you pulling with the 17x8? How much does your Stearman weigh?

My Plane weighs in the mid 14 teens. I did not check the rpm's with either prop. The 17-8 was quieter in the air so it was not turning up like the 17-6. I am using a stock muffler. It is a brand new engine with 10 short flights on it. There are at least 4 other GP Stearman's flying here with 108's in them. I can't see much difference in the performance between mine and theirs. I really did expect a noticable difference between the two engines, in my case there is very little improvement in performance with the G-26.

Thanks, Stan

Even with a Slimline pitts muffler I'm getting 8700 RPM's with the 17x8 and that pulls this heavy Pitts around very well. I did have mine lightened from 53 oz to 40 oz with an EI conversion but you should be getting good performance still. If you have the clearance you should try a good 18x6. Should be able to get 17 lbs of thrust with that prop. Are you looking for speed or torque?

I am looking for torque. My engine is stock with the magneto. I spoke to Cunningham about a conversion and he told me I would not pick up any more power just be a lb lighter. But then you need a ignition Battery.

I wonder if anyone flying the GP Stearman can give me some info on how there 26 pulls it around and which prop they found to be best for this combo?

Thanks, Stan

Stan,
I've had a bit of expirence w/ these engines & would suggest the stock muffler will give you less RPMs/more back pressure than the non-baffled type.

Bob

Bob,

You are probably right. I thought that the original muffler in this airplane would have been okay. I guess I will have to get another Muffler.
I did replace the fuel I was using which had been in the garage for at least 6 months today with some fresh fuel. The engine did run noticeably better. This was part of the problem.

Thanks, Stan

Stan,

I think you will also find that this engine does improve after breakin. I ran a stock G26 on a Cermark Sukhoi which didn't seem to have the expected power and after switching to an Abel muffler it was a different and better performing plane. I know I'm not giving you any info on your specific model of plane but I sure wish I could. That looks to be a very nice aircraft. Try www.abellrc.com for a good muffler recommended by Ralph Cunningham.

Stan,
About mixed fuel for these engines----once you add oil to gas for the mixture, the octane is reduced somewhat & will continue to degrade quicker than unmixed---especially in colder weather, so it's not a bad idea to mix fresh gas every 4-6 weeks in warm weather & in half that time if you fly in cold weather. I've been flying ultralights for about 26 yrs & can tell you first hand this octane reduction of mixed (2) stroke fuel really does happen which is why I mix 5 or 10 gallons just prior to flying. Some UL pilots purchase Hi test gas to offset this condition. Also, I've found no problem w/ dumping a gallon or two of aging mixed fuel in my vehicles just to get rid of it . Losing 1k RPM to an old mixture when your rear is in the seat prompts you not to let it age too long.

Stan, I second that!
I am running a stock G26 in my 1/4 Taylorcraft and at first, I felt power was somewhat marginal. Now, approximately 30 flights later, I have excellent performance. I also find that the oil/fuel mixture somewhat affects the performance.

I built my Stearman with an OS 1.20FS w pump but the G26 is without doubt ample for that plane.

Ari

Thank you for the info on fuel deterioriation. I believe it. I guess I was lazy and figured the fuel would be alright, but it wasn't.

Also thanks for the web site on the Muffler. I can use that.

Also, who has experience with smoke systems for the G-26? Which is the best system to use for this engine. Also do you have to use a coil in the muffler to get good smoke?

Thanks, Stan

I have a new G26 I just ran on a test stand. 16X8 MAS turned 8400 with stock muffler. Same prop with Abell muffler 9400. Big difference. Abell has a smoke ready muffler for the G26. Be prepared, they are LOUD.
Ron

Thanks Ron,

Just the info I am looking for.

Stan

I just recieved my ARF this week. I have purchased a SAITO 180 4 stroke for my power plant. This will by far be the biggest project I have taken on. I have had problems in the past with servo torque and flight set up. What I would like to know is 1) is this engine enough? I dont want togo to gas, but you guys seem happy. 2) what set up did you use? Did you use four aileron servos or two? What servos did you use for the elevator? I need some guidence guys. This plane looks awesome as well as gentle. I love the scale planes alot more than the sport planes. They are much easier on the old ticker.

Fly good but make sure you keep flying.

I think the 180 certainly is enough for the Stearman. I have a pumped 1.20 FS in mine and have had reports of that size doing quite nicely.
Regarding the aileron servos, I have the slaved setup for now. I moved the slave rod outwards a bit in the upper wing till I got the recommended throws. I did this because I like the scale look of it and didn't like the exposed servos in the upper wing.
You should have no problem either method.
It's a beautiful plane!

Hey Guys...been looking at the all the Stearman posts. Thinking very seriously about ordering one. Have one question though, would Futaba 3151 digital servos be ok? What is everyone using?

I am using just standard JR servos, the 532 or somthing like that. I am running 4 aileron servos. W/ G26.

Hi Guys,

Had originally wanted to get a replacement plane for my OS 1.60FX (crashed my 1/4 Extra). Was pretty much decided on a Lanier 1/4 Edge, but then I went into a LHS and saw this Stearman hanging from the ceiling. WOW! I had seen it in catalogs, but they didn't do it justice. I've always been a big fan of good ol' scale aerobatics (just haven't gotten into the 3-D stuff so far), and I bet this plane would do them nicely.

Anyone using a 1.60FX? If so, can you give me a little report?

Anyone try a wing-walker yet? Thought that would be pretty cool if it would work without screwing it up.

Thanks for any info you can give.

--Rich

Yesterday, I flew my Stearman for the first time (or attempted to).

Things didn't quite go as planned but I brought it home in one piece though

Takeoff was reasonably straight and the plane was airporne quite soon. Upon applying full power, she climbed sharply and when I reduced the throttle, had a tendency to roll to the left. I managed to gain good altitude and was trying to trim her straight and level but had too much of a battle on my hands to get to the trims.

An experienced flier in the club came down to give me a hand and was going to dial in some down trim but as he was unaware that I fly Mode 2 (most people here are Mode 1 flyers), he was working the throttle trim.

I managed to land the plane but with the throttle trim all the way up, the landing was quite hot and bouncy and the plane ended up flipping over sharply which made two dents in the top wing sheeting and cracked the rudder post.

This is all repaired now and I'm ready to try again.

I am wondering what the cause might have been.

The plane is set up with an OS 1.20FS w pump which seems to be ample power.
Prop is 16x8 APC, which I suspect is probably in the top end for that engine but seems to rev up quite nicely though.

I have a two servo setup and at speeds, aileron servos seem to work fine.

Only thing I can think of is that I must have been tail heavy. I have added some lead to the nose, so the plane now balances at 5 1/4" instead of 5.1/2".

Any suggestions?

Ari

If it were myself, I would stay away from full throttle until you feel out the plane a bit & then gradually venture into higher RPM's to help diagnose the problem if it's still there.

How did you install the blind nuts inside the fuselage? I am trying to install the G26 in my stearman, and can't figure out how to get the blind nuts installed on the inside of fuse without destroying the plywood stringers that come through the firewall. And it's hard to get in there to do any work. Any photos or help would be appreciated. Thanks.