I might reconsider my engine choice then. Skypilot one, Thank you for your effort and advice!

Thomas

What size & type of prop is being used with the fortunate ones abel to fly this beautiful monster. All I have been able to do is break mine in. Still waiting to go flying. Also has anyone used silicone to seal the gap in the saddle of the wing or are you using weather strip?

Kirk B - I have a Ys 1.40 in mine. Just put the fuel system in today. For pressure I won't trust that tank and I used a 580cc (20oz) Tetra tank (Central Hobbies). Fits in the same hole.

Capt G - Thanks for the advice on the fuel tank. Same tank goes in the GP Super Stearman (also about 75% complete). I'll touch base with Central Hobbies and order 2 (plus a couple of bags of those great little servo screws that I seem to use for everything). Would also really like to upgrade to some Robart Struts if I can figure out which ones to get and how much surgery will be required on the wing to properly mount them.

Back in my life as an Air Force fighter pilot, I did airshows for a couple of years and was privileged to share the stage with Art Scholl on many occasions. It will be a privilege to fly this model of his plane.

Cheers - Kirk B

The gear is 5.25mm or .216". Where did they get this size wire?

Kirk,

Flying with Art, that must have been a blast!

I used the stock tank for now. The bung is very stiff compared to a Dubro or Sullivan. I had the same tank type in a World Models plane. The tank itself was fine but the bung loosened up. I always seal the neck of the tank to the plane when they protrude thru like this one. If it leaks, it leaks on the ground.

An APC 17X6 prop would be good on your Saito 150. That is what I'm going to start with. An APC 18X6 on my Enya will only spin around 8-8200 rpm, I don't think it would be enough forward speed for scale flight. A Mejzlik might do it.

I was wondering if anyone has considered using a ZDZ 40? Will this fit in the cowling inverted using a pitts ?
Ron[8D]

Skypilot One - Thanks for the additional landing gear info. That .216 wire is probably a standard size wherever these kits are manufactured. I'd really like to replace the wire landing gear with functional struts like Robart makes, but I don't see enough info on their website to understand how the struts mount. I presume they insert into something like a retract mechanism without the retracting hardware, but can't see such a part anywhere. Can't imagine that they would just insert into a drilled hardwood block. In any case it would seem that such a retrofit would involve removing the covering from the bottom of the wing and building some sort of rail system, presumably reinforcing the ribs to which the rails attach. And that might add a good bit more weight.

Good advice on sealing the front of the tank to the firewall to ensure any leakage goes outside the fuselage. Could probably also put a balloon around the tank to contain the fuel if the tank should split. On the other hand, Capt G replied that he's found a 20 oz Tettra fuel tank that will fit in the same position. I have one in an Epicure pattern bird powered by a YS 1.40 and have never had a problem with leakage.

I'm planning on powering this model with a YS 1.40. I used this engine on a 72" Cap and used both 16X10 and 17X8 APC props. Both worked well, but I preferred the 17" prop.

Re: Flying with Art Scholl. I must have created a false impression with my reply to Capt G. I only flew as a performer in many of the same airshows as Art, and was not fortunate enough to fly with him in the Chipmunk. That seat was normally reserved for his pooch, Aileron.

My email is [email protected] if we want to get into discussions outside the focus of this forum or thread.

If it's like some of the other oleo struts that Robart has available, you cut off all but maybe 1/2" of the gear leg and the strut slips over what's left.

It's secured by a couple of set screws. This way you preserve the fore and aft motion of the gear leg which is good for models and the abuse we give tham.

I am planning to use my ZDZ 40 with a Pitts muffler inverted ... just got my kit on Monday ... have'nt had time to do much more than open it up and drool a little ... although I think that it will fit in without too much cutting on the bottom of the Cowl .... looks like the head & spark plug maybe exposed a little , and thats OK with me ... I'm not entering scale contests anyway ... just want good looks ... and outstanding performance

The 11 oz. Sullivan DF-11 No. 380 tank fits perfectly between the control rod tubes and the bottom of the cockpit floor right up behind the servos, yippie! The curve even helps getting it under the rods. The one I got was missing parts and has what looks like a drill mark in it but Tower is sending out a new one.

How much smoke oil do you think you can go thru with a 1.20-1.60 4-stroke during a four minute routine?

zdz 40 sounds nice.. Take some pics! More people need to be flying these!

According to Albert Tejera of TME Inc. in his Secret !QUOT!Smoke Success!QUOT! Tips an 11oz tank should last between 5 to 6 min. at 2 oz./min, 2.5 to 3 min. at 4oz./min, and 1.66 min. to 2 min at 6 oz./min. The rate of consumption will be determined by the muffler efficiency. He recommends that a good muffler for smoke should have a preheater coil of some sort to increase the amount and persistence of generated smoke. Of course the total time will depend on how long the system is turned on during the flight routine. In all my smoke installation I install a micro-switch in series between the electronic on/off switch and the pump motor, in addition to a SPST minis-witch to serve as an !QUOT!arming switch!QUOT!. I rig the throtle cable with a wheel collar to actuate the micro switch when the throtle is no less that 50% power. That way no smoke fluid is wasted at low throtle settings, when there is not enough heat to vaporize the fluid.

This only apply to electric pump systems. On larger gas engines a standard Mikuni fuel pump running by crankcase pressure is a much simpler method. On 2 stroke glow engines the Perry pump system will accomplish the same. On
four stroke engines the Perry Oscillating Pump Smoke System http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXTU96&P=ML is advertised to support this function.

Weighed it today. 13 lb 2 oz with Enya 155, custom brass muffler supported from engine mount, 1650 5 cell pack, extra HS-56HB servo, 11 oz smoke tank (need to replace), perry smoke pump. Balance is good with battery under fuel tank. When I made the muffler it goes forward to the front of the cowl and then exits out in the tunnel. It probably weighs close to 10 oz. I should have weighed it before final mounting.

Hope to run the engine this weekend to check the muffler and smoke system.

Finally got all the inside stuff done - yippee! Switch, fuel dots, smoke filler and vent installed. All that's left now is the cockpit (can't use those cheesy decals) and the graphics. Weight now (with 5oz added to nose to balance on the CG) is 12LBs.

captG,

I don't understand how mine can weigh so much more than yours and pettit's. Must be the decals

I guess I need to get a beam scale and throw out my digital trade scale.

Ran the engine today and checked out the muffler and smoke system. The muffler quieted the engine down to a quiet lawn mower level and gave great rpm and throttle response! As good as open exhaust. Weighs 8.5 oz.

Tried the smoke system with an external smoke tank. The Perry shaker pump does not work at all. very disappointed but not surprised. I primed it as per the instructions and got nothing. Also tried to adjust it. It is doo doo.

Will be installing a Megasmoke pump and injector I bought several years ago.

With the engine mounted inverted I had a problem with flooding so in goes a Cline regulator.

CaptG,

Are you running your smoke pump on the receiver battery pack?

Programmed my 8301 transmitter for the operation of dual aileron and flap servos and mixed the smoke pump to the throttle and a switch. The radio needs to be in Glider mode for this to work. If anyone wants the specifics let me know.

Finally finished! All up weight (dry) is 12.75lbs. Smoke system is on the gear switch mixed to the throttle curve - easy on the 8103. Flying Thurs weather permitting.

Capt G.. Sure does look "too very" cool! Have you flown it? Let me know when you do cause I'd really like to watch. 50 in for repairs. Comp-Arf gettin painted. Need an R/C fix anyway. Let me know either by e-mail or phone when it's flying again (or for the first time) cause I'd really like to see it fly.

Looks real good Capt G. Good luck with the maiden. Keep us posted.

Thanks,
Gunny

I really shouldn't mention it here, being a loyal RCU participant, but the GP Chipmunk review is now online at one of the other "RC" web sites, the one with reference to "POWER" and is an on line "MAG"azine.

You can figure it out.

Well, Pettit, being a loyal RCU participant as you say, why don't you post your review here, so we won't have to figure it out![sm=idea.gif] I am interested to read your take on this gorgeous airplane, and I'm sure others are, as well. Thanks.

I wrote the review for both the online magazine and R/C REPORT magazine, and got paid for it.

It actually belongs to them now.

I cannot do anything with it except point people toward it.

Dick - read your report. As always very well written and informative. I read withspecial interest the flying characteristics. Now if I can get mine in the air... got smoke?

Finally got airborne today! Flew off the runway with 1/2 throttle. Needed one click of down trim - that's all for hands off straight and level flight. Vertical is spectacular with the 15x12 pattern prop. Stalls are almost full stop for the break with full up (low rate) elevator . Noo bad tendencies at all. Flys a lot like a pattern plane. After the first flight here's what I did: upped the aileron expo to 30%, mixed a little down elevator with the flaps to counteract the slight pich up with deployment, re-mixed my smoke /throttle curve for more in the mid range - less in the high range and zero low. The 16oz smoke tank is about enough for 8-9 big maneuvers. The YS 140 only needs 1/2 throttle most of the time so the tank is good for about 15 mins with reserve. Lands very nicely. This is one really Great plane .. and when the smoke comes on with a low altitude knife edge pass - WOW!