I'm still mad I didn't buy the one on tower years ago that was missing one wing panel for 140 dollars after the coupon ! Plus free shipping , ah well those days are long gone...I wish I could shake the hand of the guy or gal that used to price the damaged items there.

FINALLY got mine into the air!! Maidened it a couple of weeks ago, but was very tail heavy (balance wasn't very accurate). Re-balanced, added about 14-15oz of nose weight and she flew beautifully. Using a Evolution 35GT gasser with a 19x8 Xoar prop, she is very fast but not unreasonable. Very stable, goes where you point it, but seems to need rudder in the turns. Just have to work on the landings, not hard, but need to learn to keep the speed up. A little twitchy on take-off, but just be ready with rudder and it's ok. Thanks to all on here as everyone's advice is always useful and informative.

Russ

I am glad you got a second chance on the balance ! It looks great in flight. I have seen a few Byron staggers fly over the years but never this kit in person. If it flies half as good as the byron its a keeper.

Congrats on your maiden flight! Great photo too. Looks good with the gear up.

I'm STILL waiting for my landing gear from Lado Tech. Ordered on October 1st and still no ETA. Grrrrrr

I own both and the Byron is so much better you wouldn't believe it. An entirely different airplane. The Top Flite sure is pretty though and I guess it does fly half as good as the Byron

MAN rslstft the plane looks great. I really scared to fly mine when I get it ready. I looks to good to fly. I am going to fly it with the stock gear and if I really like it I will invest in the retracts. Again that thing looks great.

MANNN I heard this thing was tail heavy but DA that is a lot of added weight especially when the evolution already weights 52 oz. I am scared to put the super tigre or the OS in it and they only weigh 38 and 32. That means I could put another engine inside the plane . I guess I will be adding a smoke system to this one.

Rowdog,
I know the retracts are expensive,but for the first flight I left mine down and was quite suprised on the next flight how much better the Stag tracked with the gear up. Plus you gotta admit, looks pretty cool with the gear up. As far as the nose weight, I was pretty suprised too, when I pick the plane up (haven't weight it yet, but it's heavy) sure feels nose heavy, but on the balancer, comes out just very slightly nose down at the recommended 5.5 inches.

Russ

I did get it for the $319.99 price, knock $50.00 off that price=$269.99 + $65.00 oversize shipping=334.99

They waived the $9.99 regular fee on mine

If it wasn't for that $65.00 oversize shipping it would have been a h_ll of a deal!

My first thought was going simple, fixed gear, ST 2300, like Rowdog.

My first flights were done with 26(!) ounces of lead hanging on the firewall to get it to balance. Not fun. Changed to a heavier, more powerful engine and really brought the plane to life. Now flying with an Enya VT-2.40 with Keleo exhaust and 0 ballast and have a ball with the plane. Best part is it still fits fully inside the cowl with no extra cutting required. If you need weight on the firewall, my personal policy is to make sure that weight is in the form of something that assists in turning the prop Here's a video of my setup running: http://www.rcuvideos.com/video/Enya-VT240-wmv

Russ is right about the retracts. The plane tracks much better with the gear up. Nice in-flight pics!

Here's a very short video of mine landing. I was still flying it with the Saito 1.70 radial at this point. The big Enya's "disk effect" slows the plane down a lot better. http://www.rcuvideos.com/video/Staggerwing-Landing-AVI

I know that it was flown with the OS 160fx, and they said that the OS 160fx was almost to much engine for it, in the review by fly rc magazine. So a OS 160fx or the super tigre 2300 will be fine with the added weight, right? or should I go with the super tigre 3250, since I want to put a smoke system on it, too. I think the super tigre 2300 will be fine, it's just every time somebody post it give me second thoughts. I know most of you are running gas engines and now I know that a 26cc gas does not compare with a 25cc glow, from what I understand, you need about a 35cc or 40cc gas to compare to a 25cc glow, correct?

I think you need to fly the plane before you decide about adding the weight of a smoke system. It's already a heavy plane and I'd advise caution regarding adding weight. Of course the beauty of the hobby is you get to do whatever you want. Again, the only weight I'd advise putting on the firewall is weight that is actually contributing to flying the airplane (i.e. engine or batteries).

GaGeeBees is right, the plane is heavy just stock. I noticed that when putting it together and I even used Fromeco Li batteries to try to save a little weight. He was also right saying the nice thing is you can do whatever you want as it's your plane! I would fly it first with you engine of choice to see the power to weight ratio before adding a smoke system. Granted it's easier before everything is installed, but you can always go back in and install it if you want. Good luck, and keep us posted.

Russ

How about a 40cc First Place engine?

High quality made here in the USA, and looks like it would be a great fit too!

Good little engine for the money. I think you'd find performance and fit similar to that of rslstft's setup. Enjoy!

Check these photos out, look at the gap on the struts and the wing. One side it is almost tight, the other is a difference in about 3 or 4 mm. Will this make a big difference in flight?

Almost looks like one of 'em is installed upside down. Either that or the L-brackets weren't installed flush with the edge of the strut.

They are installed properly and the L brackets are all flush as they are going to get. I drilled the holes to high on the right strut, do you all think this will effect the flight. Towerhobbies sales new struts for $11. I can buy them and drill new holes.

It'll more than likely affect the first flight but once you're trimmed out you may not notice anything further. It doesn't really change your wing incidence but there would be an imbalance that would probably require some counter aileron trim and/or possibly a little rudder trim to level the wings in flight.

If it were mine, I'd probably just take my Dremel and elongate the screw hole in the L-bracket to a slot so it could be repositioned flush with the edge of the strut.

The other alternative is to fill the hole in the strut with epoxy and redrill.

I was thinking about filling it with epoxy and then drilling it again. I will do that!

Finally weighed mine tonight. Weighs 21.65 lbs. dry with Evo .35, Robart retracts, Li batteries on ignition and receiver. Not as bad as I thought, but heavier than TF says.

Russ

The fiberglass fuse on the TF Staggerwing feels very heavy to me...especially the aft fuse.

It would be great if they ever laid them up properly...the models would lose about 1-2 lbs of weight, at least. Probably never going to happen, as the model is in the twilight part of the product curve.

I am converting one to electric and looks like I will need the big batteries inside the cowl and in front of the firewall to help make the CG...

Does anyone know if those Emaul prices and coupons are still good?
If so, are they available on the website?
TIA

Nope they pulled those prices coupons etc. a day maybe two after I posted about it!

Sorry, they are now full price $379.99 plus the extra $65.00 shipping charge![:@]