Changing GP Big Stik 60 to a taildragger?
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From: Richardson,
TX
I would like to convert my GP Big Stik 60 to a taildragger. Has anyone done this and how did it work? In order to do this, I will have to move the main landing gear forward several inches and it is already very nose heavy. Getting rid of the nose gear will help offset moving the main, but I still think it will be very nose heavy. Any thoughts or suggestions regarding this would be very much appreciated.
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From: Tallahassee, FL
First, remedy the nose heavy situation. Then you will only have to move the mains just ahead of CG. Don't forget to re-enforce. if you move the gear.
You could also mount the rudder(tailwheel) and elevator servos into the rear fuse, helping with the CG (and tailwheel linkage too).
Mine is still a trike, so this is just my $0.02 worth...
You could also mount the rudder(tailwheel) and elevator servos into the rear fuse, helping with the CG (and tailwheel linkage too).
Mine is still a trike, so this is just my $0.02 worth...
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I converted a 40 size Big Stik to a dragger and the CG was very close to the same. If anything it will probably be more tail heavy. Moving the main gear won't have very much effect since it is already close to the CG but the nose gear is extremely heaving.
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From: Billingsley, AL
I have converted a couple of planes to taildraggers, and it usually doesn't change the CG all that much. The gear doesn't weigh all that much compared to the motor and radio. Plus it is close to the CG so moving the weight of the gear doesn't do much since you are removing the weight(and drag) of the nose gear. The wheels need to be a little in front of the leading edge. And they need to be toed in some to make it track straight on takeoff. Things can get exciting with toe-out in them. Makes rudder input get overcorrected.
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From: Houston, TX
I'ver converted several planes to taildragger. Last one was a Hobbistar 60. Because the fueselage was fully liteply, I simply sawed out the main gear mounting block and moved it up against the leading edge fuselage former.
I'm currently converting a WM Super Stunt 60 to tail dragger. This one required new reinforment plates at the new gear mounting location because the liteply fuselage has many many lightening holes on it resembling a stick-built.
I've found that the conversion can be worked to affect CG balance to your favor. If you want a little more nose heavy, use strong main gears and bigger wheels, while keeping the tailwheel light by using a Klett assembly. OTOH, if you need to put weight in the back, stay lightweight on the main gear and install a beefy tailwheel (e.g. Ohio Superstar, etc.).
I'm currently converting a WM Super Stunt 60 to tail dragger. This one required new reinforment plates at the new gear mounting location because the liteply fuselage has many many lightening holes on it resembling a stick-built.
I've found that the conversion can be worked to affect CG balance to your favor. If you want a little more nose heavy, use strong main gears and bigger wheels, while keeping the tailwheel light by using a Klett assembly. OTOH, if you need to put weight in the back, stay lightweight on the main gear and install a beefy tailwheel (e.g. Ohio Superstar, etc.).
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From: Seattle, WA
Originally posted by Volfy
I'ver converted several planes to taildragger. Last one was a Hobbistar 60. Because the fueselage was fully liteply, I simply sawed out the main gear mounting block and moved it up against the leading edge fuselage former.
I'm currently converting a WM Super Stunt 60 to tail dragger. This one required new reinforment plates at the new gear mounting location because the liteply fuselage has many many lightening holes on it resembling a stick-built.
I've found that the conversion can be worked to affect CG balance to your favor. If you want a little more nose heavy, use strong main gears and bigger wheels, while keeping the tailwheel light by using a Klett assembly. OTOH, if you need to put weight in the back, stay lightweight on the main gear and install a beefy tailwheel (e.g. Ohio Superstar, etc.).
I'ver converted several planes to taildragger. Last one was a Hobbistar 60. Because the fueselage was fully liteply, I simply sawed out the main gear mounting block and moved it up against the leading edge fuselage former.
I'm currently converting a WM Super Stunt 60 to tail dragger. This one required new reinforment plates at the new gear mounting location because the liteply fuselage has many many lightening holes on it resembling a stick-built.
I've found that the conversion can be worked to affect CG balance to your favor. If you want a little more nose heavy, use strong main gears and bigger wheels, while keeping the tailwheel light by using a Klett assembly. OTOH, if you need to put weight in the back, stay lightweight on the main gear and install a beefy tailwheel (e.g. Ohio Superstar, etc.).
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From: Seattle, WA
Originally posted by Volfy
Irvine .53 on Super Stunt 40, and ASP 1.20 4stroke on Super Stunt 60.
Irvine .53 on Super Stunt 40, and ASP 1.20 4stroke on Super Stunt 60.
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From: Houston, TX
Yeah WM's recommended engines for these planes will fly these planes allright, but rather like trainers. I've been flying the SS40 for a while now and the Irvine .53 pulls it around with great authority, but the airframe can clearly take a lot more engine. I'm thinking of swapping in a .75 2stroke.



