Looking good..
Has anyone flown theirs yet? Weather here ( Tennessee) is ok for flying but no engine.
I really didn't like the transparent covering so I ripped it off, repaired 3 broken stringers, and sheeting and gave her a good sanding. Now recovering in 21st century Coverite. Going back Army colors. Also have ordered a exhaust ring from Keleo, for the OS radial,he is putting me a smoke coil on it also.
For what it's worth, Top-flight Luster-kote Royal Blue is a very close match for The Coverite mid Blue I'm putting on the fuselage. Also, I've found that luster-kote is compatable with coverite's finish.
Also replacing the wheels with Dubro's 4 1/4 pump up treaded tires and a Tatone tail wheel mount. This 20 pounder needs some shock absorbing somewhere.
All this is going to run up the cost another $100 but should make a nicer model.
For those that are interested in paint, if the covering is ora-cover , then they say it is paintable with any of the two part acrylic auto paints.
Keep the posts going

Shepp

Shepp,
Better check their website, it states the ship comes with a complete hardware set. Haven't checked mine yet but I will hold their feet to the fire on this one. The covering issue is very disappointing!

meesh, That is absolutelly gorgeous! Bothe the muffler engine and plane. Have to think about one of these in the future.

Gunny

Thanks Gunny!

Too bad I can't take credit for anything except assembling it[&o]

Well,
I've finished recovering the PT-17.
21st century coverite, Mid blue and Cub yellow. Paint is Top-Flite, Luster-Kote "Royal Blue" "True Red" " Jet White" and "Insignia Blue"
Graphics are Coverite fabric painted with Luster_Kote. Painted first then cut out and ironed on. Sealed with Luster-Kote clear.
Incidently I weighed the model before and after recovering. Total weigh added= 8 oz.
Modifications,
New "N" struts built full length and attached with simple "L" brackets of aluminum
Modified Cabane struts by filling end in with automotive bondo
Constructed new Windscreen from Aluminum flashing
Instrument panel 1/64 plywood , flat black monokote, clear plastic and "J_Tech" instrument faces
Cockpit coaming 1/4" formost black rubber
Du-Bro axles and 4 1/2" pneumatic wheels[img][/http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0PgAYA64RWRGJEBhQiehRnEzcwpljBYTA32zTlHU4pVfNIEiTz Ync4xEbUTEfiuNNCkmNpmX7zgjrYe6n8nDYYpxrsjotjcWM/COMP.JPG?dc=4675506307861893624]

Where are you guys getting the Magnum 400's from

Now some photos of my Modified PT-17

I'm still working on the A-W Stearman. While waiting for the engine to arrive(looks like another month) I painted and installed an Iron Aces pilot figure. He looks pretty good setting in the cockpit. By the way, I had to lower the cockpit floor 1" to get him to set right.

Shepp[img][/img]

BonPar Hobbies in Canada selles them for a "Buy it now" of $869.00 on *bay.

I bought mine a while ago when they were $839.00

The Aces figures are made of hard resin, if you don't want to lower the cocpit floor, the figures can be sanded on a belt or disk sander to reduce their height

[img][/img]

Flew my Aeroworks Stearman (N2-S if you please) using the Saito 450 3 cylinder radial. 20.7 pounds dry.

It needed every bit of the Saito's weight to balance.

No more than 1/2 throttle needed at any time and at low/slow fly by's, the engine sounded like the real thing.

Looks Good Dick!

Any chance of getting a pic of the firewall?

Did you do the clamshell cover?

Did you mount the on board glow battery in the area under the tank?

I need to get back to work on mine pretty quick!

Bob

The firewall is not modified from what comes on the kit. I painted it black.

No clam shell, just the beautiful Keleo collector, and it sorta hides the engine mount a bit.

The on-board glow and F cell are stuffed through the strange hole on the firewall.

What is that hole for and why is it off center?

Watch out for the wheels and main landing gear. They're both hard as a rock. land accordingly!

Dick,

I assumed that was what that compartment was for, batteries and or ignition systems. I tried to figure out why the opening eas off center too but couldn't come up with an answer. Did you cover the opening?

The landing gear has no give whatsoever. I put my fuse down on the bench the other day and it hit so hard on the wheels I was afraid I broke something..
Does it fly well??

Bob

Yes, it does fly very well. It would probably do just fine with a 40 to 50cc gas engine, but you'd still have to add nose weight to balance.

Even at 20.7 pounds, the wing loading is around 27 oz/ft.

Loops, rolls, stall turns can be done at a faster pace, but look all that much better at a slower pace.

Just watch those landings!

Does it slow down for landing pretty well? Any chance of modifying the gear to a more scale functioning gear?

Yes it does slow down quite well and very stable on landing.

I'm not going to spend a lot of time trying to retrofit an expensive aftermarket landing gear. Maybe someone else will.

Well,
I've finally got mine airborne. I waited 4 months for the engine, but it sure is a beauty. All up weight, 21 pounds. The OS FR300 is more than adequate for this bird.

Shepp,

I like what you did. Looks great!

Mine is almost done.

Project stalled for 2 reasons:
1. I hate making up flying wires
2. Got my first jet

I'm glad to hear the OS Radial is enough motor. I put Saito 5 cylinder in mine.

How did it balance?
Did you have to add additionalweight to the nose??

Thanks
Bob

Bob,
I did'n have to add any weight. However I did move the onboard nicad (8 oz) to beside the fuel tank. I have ordered a Solo adjustable pitch propeller that should be in next week. As it weights 4 oz, I probably will have to move the Onboard nicad back a couple of inches. Plenty of room.
Now to consider addition of smoke........ I had Kelvin at Kelocreations make the exhaust collector and also had him add a smoke coil, just in case :^). Now I've got a blow out in one of the Du-bro inflatable tires and I'm waiting for delivery of it so I can fly again.
Seems like it is always something... By the way, The OS FR300 tachs 7,200 rpm with a 20X8 zinger prop.
Now.......... Tell me about this JET. I been looking but not ready to take the plunge. So tell me about it.

Shep

Hello,

I am getting the Aeroworks Stearman with a Saito 325. Anybody have any suggestions for a prop hub nut arrangement ( I need something for the starter to attach to). Also, I would like to replace the stock tailwheel and get something better. Any suggestions for that?

Thanks,
Teryn

Hey Shep,

I like what you did with the front of the firewall. Any details on how you did it??

I bought a Boomerang Intro Jet from www.easytoflyjets.com

I also picked up a PST-600R Turbine from Frank Tiano. It's almost done but it's still a work in process.

Bob

SHepp. which onboard glo are you using?

Hey Guys,
I thought this thread was about done, but I see there is still some interest going on. I spent this weekend at our club's first Fly In of the year and got some more photos of the Stearman, I wish I knew how to load the video some of the guys shot.
Anyway, to answer the questions.
Bob, the firewall "cowl" or whatever you call it I made from 1/8" lite ply with a 1/2 balsa ring. I measured the diameter of the engine mount for the ring I.D. and used the diameter of the existing firewall for the O.D.. I sawed the ring out and turned it on my lathe. Covered it with Aluminum Monokote and then glued it to the previously covered plywood plate. It gives the appearance of the engine mount recessed into the firewall and I was supprised at how many of the guys picked up on that. The funny offcenter hole in the existing firewall was filled and backed up with 1/4 birch plywood to allow for the bottom radial mounting hole. The "KELO-CREATIONS" collector ring effectively fills the gap between the ring and the back of the cylinders, giving the appearance of a tight engine installation.

Manfred, The onboard glow system is from "ELECTRO_DYNAMICS" and performs flawlessly. It came with the biggest single cell Ni-Cad I have ever seen, 7000 mah. I used the plug wires supplied with the OS engine as they hold better than any I have previously used. It blew their minds when I backed the idle down to 750 RPM and the engine didn't quit. It's kind of like American-Express...."Don't leave home with out it"

Teryn, I used the supplied tailwheel assembly, but don't like it. I did braze a # 8 flat washer to the tailwheel wire to make a bearing where the weight rides on the tailwheel support plate and not the hinges. I think this is very important. I have a multi-leaf tailwheel assembly that I will probably install soon. Also the main gear has no spring to it , so I replaced the wheels with Du-bro treaded pneumatic tires. At least they give a little. I want to install a set of Robart struts but haven't figured out exactly how to fabricate a landing gear to mount the struts to.

Can't resist posting a photo taken this weekend. By the way, the "SOLO" propeller is a work of art and works as good as it looks. Tracking is perfect and you can adjust the pitch quickly.

I missed the photo upload.
PS, The DC-3 behind the PT-17 is mine also, built from a Top Flite kit with twin OS 52 FS. I flew it for the first time this weekend. A great flying model and truly a "Show Stopper"