Finished my Staggerwing this past weekend. Added 1lbs, 2 oz. to nose to balance. DLE35RA for power, with Robart Retracts. Picked up from a fellow club member who was thinning his stash. Gear Doors work great and look cool, but will remove when flying from our bumpy grass field. I plan on maidening in Spring with warmer weather and calmer winds.

Any tips for maiden flight welcomed.

Oriole

Beautiful!

Hey guys, I purchased another Staggerwing want to put a tail retract on but it is missing the rear retract mount. Anyone have an extra mount they would be willing the sell?

The first two flights were a handful balanced at 6.5 inches.

The recommended CG of 5.5 inches (per the manual) back from leading edge of bottom wing, and balanced upside down is correct. Plane is powered by a DLE 35 RA. Link above after balanced properly is a short clip of the 3rd flight. The final total weight added to the nose was over 2 lbs., 1 oz. of lead. Gear doors look great for static display but are removed for flying off our grass field.

The plane now flies great and tracks true in the sky. I ran out of runway in the clip, but will adjust my landing approaches accordingly as I gain experience with this plane. 😉
It is a "Keeper".

Oriole

Nice I hope to get mine in the air!

Best of Luck Rowdog_14. Give us a flight report debrief after you get her airborne.

Oriole

Thanks

Hey guys anyone here need a right lower wing?

Maidened my second SW a couple of weeks ago.
my first one had a Saito 1.80 and was NOT fun or comfortable to fly and I sold it about ten years ago.
This one is (over) powered with an EME60 w/autostart.
Flys SO much better (1/4-throttle).
I put a cheap ass air valve
in it and thus the air was leaking bad enough that I chose to keep the feet out for this flight.
Robart installed now so subsequent flights will be with the gear properly sorted.
This one is a keeper!

Cleaning out hangar; here's what I have available from my built twice, but never flown model:

1. Retracts - mains (Robart electric - need controller)
2. Tailwheel retract (servo operated - servo required)
3. fuselage, elevator, rudder
4. lower wings
5. Cowl w/dummy radial



















If interested, PM me offer

Sent PM

Thanks

I understand this is a old topic,,, I picked up a TF Staggerwing. Just a airframe.
I DID get the manual with it and read many post on how to balance the model 5 1/2" back and inverted.
I am VERY shocked to find out I need to add a bit over 3# to the nose....... When building it I took note to install all the equipment forward in the fuse
Is 3 pounds correct??? I did not remove interior plywood bulkheads...
Thanks in advance for your opinion..
Hoss

What engine are you using? I used an OS 160 FX on my first one and it needed a lot of weight. I had a large battery and probably about 20 squares of 1/4 lead.

My current has a Saito 170R3 but I have not balanced or flown yet.

Had a hard time finding a FA-200R3. Ended up getting a FG-33R3 with a Keleo exhaust for an ok price. Still wish I could of found a 200R3 for a good price. Rather not take two different fuels to the field but oh well.