Completed the Pitts. With ZDZ 40, all up, RTF weight is 15.1 lbs. Kept good detail notes, it was truly an excellent ARF experience. Even the minor miscue on the tailwheel was just that - minor!
Now all I need are some buffered extensions (using FM, got some jitter), and some NON-Windy OK weather!
I STRONGLY recommend this kit!!

Forgot to mention important info....CG, with the ZDZ, 2700mah NiMh battery under cockpit, throttle servo just in front of instrument panel, everything else dead stock.... Exactly 5 1/4" aft of leading edgo of top wing...dead center...

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the report. I can't wait for your flight report. The ZDZ ought to work well in it. I'm considering getting one of these and I'm really curious as to how they fly. Do you do any 3D flying or just pattern? I haven't been able to talk to anyone that knows how well the Pitts is suited to 3D work.

>>2700mah NiMh battery

There's some weight to be saved. Can you tell me why you went with that big of a battery? What size to you have on the ignition?

Let us know how she flies. As stated in other post about this plane, I am still waiting for mine to come thru LHS. Will be putting G62 up on mine.

Battery choice is using so many coreless servos...the NiMh 4 cell weighs 5.9 oz, so that's okay. Ignition batt is 1100 mah NiCad, per ZDZ recommendations.
I **ALWAYS** prefer mah "on board" to "wish I'd recharged sooner" :-)
The Pitts I've flown in the past would tumble, snap, and spin like crazy!! TR no problem, given enough power, but the wing loading is likely too high for some of the more insane 3D stuff (not that I could do any of it anyway)

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the feedback.

>>I **ALWAYS** prefer mah "on board" to "wish I'd recharged sooner"

I can understand that, not a bad philosophy. Sometimes I get too obsessed about weight. I just test the batteries before each flight and carry an extra charged battery to swap out.

Bob,
Just mounted a 3.2 Brisson in mine & Pitts muffler I had a G-62 I thought would be nice but better off with the 3.2 or the Z-40. Good choice you made. Mine is pretty much right on CG. The g-62 is too much engine and weight for the nose. I added a 5/8 ply firewall and glassed over the whole front firewall for added strength. Did you put in a smoke system? I added a TME pump and 36 oz. smoke tank right on the CG. Fits just right. The cowling needed alittle cutting for the two bottom fins on the 3.2 and bosch plug cover. Any bigger engine would have to really do major cutouts and lose the scale appearance of cowling. I ran two rudder servos and two split elevator servos. Ran 4 aileron servos. I am very pleased with the kit. Best ARF I have seen to date. I guess I have the newer version with the aluminum gear and spinner, also the update sheet with newer wheels pant blocks and control horns. The covering and paint are excellent. I don't know how they could sell this ARF for only $ 399..?????
Can't wait to test fly ....maybe 1 more week.
Good Luck with Yours,
Robert

A Race! I like it!
The 3.2 sounds like you'll have a little more oomph...and I agree with your observations. Mine had the same updates as yours - solid alum gear...we'll have to wait and see how THEY survive!!
Wonder who will be first ???

Any words of wisdom about the first flight?

There will be NO "first flight" in MY zip code until maybe Sunday!!! Very strange weather, and here it is Spring already....I'll post a thorough report when it's done!

Flyguy....

I dont understand your comment above... There is no "Newer Version". All the Pitts have the control horns, blocks, aluminum gear and Aluminum Spinner.

FWIW

Craig

I was told that the earlier versions had a wire landing gear and didn't include a spinner.
Bob