pettit

My Feedback: (23)

Yes, Jim Sandquist and I talked last Thursday about the possible problem with the gear legs.

He highly recommended making a visual check and also making the fix that I described about 20 posts ago.

Navy_Flyer

FWIW - I asked Hobbco/Great Planes/Top-Flite (pick one), if they are planning on releasing another color scheme choice for the Staggerwing in the future. They said there were no plans at this time to do so. I suggested that with the popularity of the Staggerwing rising, I would really like NOT to have the exact same plane as the guy next to me, and thought it reasonable to ask for 2 or three choices. I suggested the US Army UC-43 and US Navy GB-2.

I guess I could refinish it once I got it, but heck, it is too pretty to uncover and re-do it. Anyone else want another color scheme choice for this ARF? Please write to TF! They answered me in just one day, so are listening to their customers. If there is enough interest, maybe they will introduce another version. I realize that the G17 was a small production run compared to all the other C, D and E models, but even G-17 model had several color schemes.

Ok, ok, I know the 3 military pics are not G-models, but what the heck! I still like them a lot. Maybe I could modify the cowl just enough to closely resemble the C,D or E.

ramcfarland

My Feedback: (44)

Come on Navy Flyer break out the NEW needle nose pliers a Monokote type heat gun skin the rascel and re-finish it

bluestratos

I checked out the fuji 43ei and the dimensions seem to fit what I have heard so far as long as you use the short prop hub which is 9/16 shorter, bringing the over all length to 6.17 inches or about 6 3/16" to the back of the prop. Hieght is only 4.88 (4 7/8") from centerline of shaft to top of plug cap. Any thoughts of this fit?

Best regards,
Randy

Birddog-RCU

My Feedback: (62)

You're probably going to catch it from the glow guys and get words of encouragement from the gas gang. I am personally going to use a Brillelli 40 on this aircraft when I buy it. I think the Fuji 43 will be a fine match and a good fit.

lear31A

My Feedback: (123)

My BCMA 40cc fits, but the cowl needs a bit of a chopping............

fgpierce

My Feedback: (2)

lear31A
How does the muffler hole look? That muffler looks quite large What kind of power does that engine put out?

Does anyone have any stories on the retractable tailwheel? What type are you using?

lear31A

My Feedback: (123)

As far as power, it has tons.

jimmkeeh

I am putting a Saito 180 in mine. I have monted it horizontally, versus inverted. It looks like the top rocker cover will rub against the cowl. I think the bottom one will be OK. My plan is to cut a narrow hole the lenghth of the top rocker cover in the cowl, so the top rocker cover will not rub against the cowl. The Golden knight rocker covers are only $15.00, and will not show too much with the other gold trim on the cowl. (Used a Dave Brown 120 size engine mount.)

I have ordered a 90 degree muffler elbow, which should put the muffler in the cowl and exhaust out the bottom.

4" Dubro light weight treaded wheels fit in the retracts and look much better than the provided foamies. Wheel collars on both sides of the wheel keep them centered on the axle.

I haven't seen any instructions for securing the fuel tank. Did I miss them? I was considering glueing a 1//2" square balsa stick to the former over the top of the tank. Any other ideas?

fgpierce

My Feedback: (2)

I just used silicone . The provided tank fit snugly and with the silicone it's not going anywhere. It's still removable. You could get a little foam in there to help stop any vibrations for the glow fuel. It's no problem with gas.

fgpierce

My Feedback: (2)

lear31A

Looks good! Nice and neat. Maybe some Red Hi-temp engine paint ( auto store) would make the muffler blend in. If you decide to paint it just make sure to run the engine, get the muffler good and hot to "bake" the paint. It will then be fuel proof. You won't need to paint he whole muffler. Just the area that's exposed.
Worth a thought for such an awesome plane

lear31A

My Feedback: (123)

Thanks, I am enjoying the build alot.

pettit

My Feedback: (23)

First flights yesterday. OS 160 FT-160 provides more than enough power. Most flying done at half power.

The first flight lasted 2 seconds. One bounce on takeoff and the left wheel fairing caught in the grass, slowed the plane to a gentle nose-over.

Conclusion? Don't even try to fly on grass with the fairings installed. Took both of them off and started over.

Next takeoff was beautiful. Once it was trimmed for level flight, it flew great. It really is a fast plane.

Rolls can be axial if you work at it, plenty of power for a big loop, if the engine isn't set a little too lean (ahem)

Landing needs flaps unless you have a couple thousand feet of runway. It slows down OK with flaps.

BTW, that fix on the main landinggear worked. All landings were "less than perfect", but the landing gear survived fine.

In all, it's a good flying and great looking model.

Just not for a beginner or even an intermediate pilot.

lear31A

My Feedback: (123)

Thanks for the inflight pics Mr. Pettit. I was beginning to wonder if these things really do fly. You have the right idea, build it like they recommend (motor) and go flying and have fun. It might be obvious that mine is STILL on the bench! I am glad you like it.

jimmkeeh

Dick,

Great pictures. It really looks beatiful in the air.

I see in your last picture that your grass looks pretty short. It is disappointing , if you had problems with grass that short. I fly on a grass filed, too, and the wheel fairings look so neat I was really planning on using them.

I am surprised that you said it was fast. I expected it to be a little on the slow side. What prop were you using on the OS 160 twin?

Jim K.

jimmkeeh

Dick,

Sorry. but one more question. I see that you brought the antenna up through the top, instead of using the tube they supply in the fuse. Any special reason, or just personal preference?

Jim K.

pettit

My Feedback: (23)

I only have a 20 MPH brain, so this plane is "fast"!

I use an APC 18-6W prop on the OS 160 twin and it turns about 7500 RPM on the ground.

I like to get the antenna away from any wires and rods whenever possible, hence the external antenna

Whistling Death

I think the external antenna looks great. Pretty plane. Sorry to hear about the grass landings not being possible.

N215PB

Thanks for the report Dick,
I was afraid of that grass deal, I have the Ziroli larger Staggerwing and he mentions in his plans if you wanna fly off the grass leave the bottom doors off. I was also sure it might be a advanced model flying wise, the real one was. Oh well, since most of fly off grass........what a shame to fly her without the doors. Sure does looks nice though inflight. It takes me back to my basic philosophy, keep it simple, I got suckered in with these nice high end kits like this which are all not suitable for many flying fields. In reality a nice 1/4 Cub would be better and stay intact longer. I'll hang mine from the ceiling and let everyone wonder if she flys. You know thats a problem today, you buy like in my case and your model filed options are so limited it wouldn't take much to almost be forced out of the hobby or certain size/type kits like this. It seems hard surface fields are limited around here and everyone wants to close the one's that are around, houses keep get closer.
But anyway, it looks great!


Larry

RCVFR

My Feedback: (7)

Keep in mind that the Staggerwing was the "Learjet" of its day, faster than most of its contemporary military aircraft. [8D]

COL J

Hey ther Apalset, have you flown this bird yet with the Saito 170R? I'm thinking of that engine also but am wondering if there will be enough poer for a 17-20lb plane. I have no experience with them nor can I find anyone that has.

John

jimmkeeh

Dick,

Thanks for the info on your prop selection. I was thinking of putting an 18-6 on my Saito 180. However, you bring up a question that I have been asking for awhile. If you have the answer, i would appreciate a reply.

What is the difference in performance between a standard 18-6 and a 18-6W (wide). (or any standard prop versus a wide prop?)

Thanks.

Jim K.

pettit

My Feedback: (23)

The wider blade pulls more air and may also be a little more efficient.

I did a test on an 18-6 and an 18-6 wide on the same engine a number of years ago.

I think the RPM dropped about 5% but the pull on the tailwheel with a digital fish scale was more than 10% more.

That would hold true for only APC props. Your mileage may vary.

apalset

No my plane is not quite finished yet. I haven´t received the Keleo-ring yet either. But if the rain will stop I might try it without.

GaGeeBees

My Feedback: (23)

Received my Keleo Creations exhaust ring for the Saito 1.70 on Monday. Quality is exceptional, as is always the case with Kelvin's products. Can't wait to hear it run.