I've posted this question before on RCU in a different form and didn't have any luck getting a answer. So I thought I would try here.
I have purchased Thunder Tiger's Pitts 40 recently from my local hobby store. The plane looks great with what looks like all the needed parts to get the job done. Only one catch. No documentation. I've email Thunder Tiger and they say to documents are on the way.
Has any one built this ARF already and can supply some insite on a few questions. Or even has a manuel for this plane?

thanks</p>

You may have the first Thunder Tiger Pitts 40 ARF in the country. I had no idea this model was even coming until I saw it listed in the August 2009 issue of Model Airplane News.

This ARF isn't even listed yet on Thunder Tiger's primary website in Taiwan, although they seem to have information on a 55" .40-size YAK ARF that hasn't been announced yet either.

Hopefully a complete manuel will soon be on the way.
It's a great looking plane and I can't wait to get it in the air.

thanks</p>

If you run across more info, please share. My buddy is building one presently.

Thanks!

Bill;

Attached are some build plans that were emailed to me from our local hobby shop.
They are not very complete but do get you started in the right direction.
I'm about half way in the build of my 40 and have been taking pictures and writing down some notes with the idea of putting some build instructions together.
If your buddy has some questions let me know. We can struggle through this one together.

I know it's a leap of faith to order one of these ARFs. I have yet to see a picture of this plane other than the little blip that appeared in the August 2009 issue of MAN.

I contacted the folks at http://www.thundertiger4u.com a couple of days ago, and they posted pricing and availability for the TT PITTS .40 ARF at $91.99. I've been wanting a .40-size biplane ARF, and tried ordering the Tiger Bipe ARF a few years ago but it had been discontinued.

Thunder Tiger/Ace Hobby is recommending the GP-42 as the engine of choice. For $59.99, I went ahead and ordered one. It brought my order to $151.98 and was just enough to qualify for free ground shipping. I remembered I wanted another 6-pack of Thunder Tiger Cyclone 11.3 x 6.5 props, too, so that added another $12.99.

I won't use those props on the GP-42. I've found that 11.3x6.5 size to be a terrific sport prop on ball bearing .46 engines.

I may use the GP-42 in the Pitts 40 if it seems like a good fit, or I may put it on a trainer and try a .46 ball-bearing engine or order a Thunder Tiger Pro .36 for the Pitts depending on how it looks like the weight will come out.

Ace Hobby drop-shipped my order for www.thundertiger4u.com and it's already on it's way. I'll post some pictures when the plane arrives, and can try scanning the manual if I get one.

Ed;
Sounds like you got a real good deal on the Pitts. I'm still working on getting my put together. I almost have all the "easy" stuff done with only upper wing to get mounted.
I have been taking pictures as I go during the building process with the idea of putting together a manual. So if you don't get one with your bird I'd be happy to email the picutres I have so-far.

thanks.

I might be wrong, but the Pitts looks identical to the Robbe .40 Pitts arf. Its the same covering scheme that has been used on their balsa Pitts kit for many years. From what I have seen its a nice looking little bipe.

You are right. It does look very close.
The only difference I see are the landing gear and the upper wing.

My ARF arrived today. The ARF box was plain white with no markings on it, and like the rest, it arrived with no manual. Overall the ARF appears to be well made with high quality covering and hardware. It makes sense that, with the plain box and lack of manual, that Ace Hobby might be importing these and selling them as a Thunder Tiger ARF even though they're being supplied by a third party.

I'll try and take a few photographs to add to this thread.

I think that is a good assesment on where it comes from. I would expect that getting a manual with it may be slim.
Yesterday I matched up the control horns with the bolts. Or what I guess are the bolts. I didn't have any extra of that size when I was done so I'm hopeing I got it right. I also put the tank together and mounted it in the fuse using a zip tie to hold in in place. Not sure if I'm going to keep it that way or find someouther way to secure it. I tried up loading some picutures but it failed each time.
Will have to work on that....

BigEdmustafa, Where did you get your Pitts from? I think I'm gonna break down and get me one as well. From what I can tell, its a very nice looking Pitts. Looks like they stayed very close in the scale outline and overall appearance. Also, $109.00 is an extremely good price. Are all of you guys happy with it? Yes, if you guys would post pictures I would be very grateful as well. Thanks!

Sj3club;
I haven't finshed the build on my Pitts yet but I'm happy with the looks of the plane. The only down side is the lack of a manual.
I hope it flys as well as it looks.

Like RCLT40 said, the complete lack of any kind of a manual is the only apparent downside so far. I ordered mine for $91.99 from the folks at http://www.thundertiger4u.com along with a GP-42 in case I decide to go with glow instead of electric power. The GP-42 and the Pitts 40 combined are $151.98, which is just over the $150 minimum for free shipping. Like Martha Stewart says, "It's a good thing."

Thanks Guys!
Scott

I found an online manual for the Robbe Pitts Special ARF:

http://www.rctube.eu/download/rc/ins...cial%20ARF.pdf

Hopefully a few folks will find it helpful.

BigEdmustafa;
You are a life saver. I was stuck on how to get the upper and lower wing put together. I wasn't really sure where to drill the holes for the mounts. Plus I finally know what that extra piece of balsa is for. I was sure it went inside the plane but I couldn't get it to fit just right.

Thanks for your persistence in finding this document.

I knew that was the Robbe arf.

Picked up mine today. This has got to be the nicest $95.00 (Robbe) arf I've ever seen. Thanks guys!
Scott

I'd have to agree, sj3cub. I can't believe how nice the wheel pants are and how good the covering looks. The dark blue checkerboard covering on the bottom is really striking as well. It's funny that Ace Hobby is hiding such a nice airframe in a plain white box with no instructions!

I do have to give Ace Hobby/Thunder Tiger credit for one thing; the Robbe manual isn't nearly as good as a typical Thunder Tiger or Ace Hobby ARF manual. Hopefully they're writing a better, more detailed version for inclusion with future ARFs. For $91.99, I guess I don't mind being a guinea pig.

Mine is coming along nicely. I'm looking forward to maidening it soon:

Thunder Tiger GP-42 engine
Futaba S3003 servos for throttle, rudder, elevator
Hitec HS-81 servos for ailerons
Airtronics 92824 2.4Ghz receiver
Airtronics RDS8000 transmitter

I'll post more shots when it's finished.

She looks good BigEd. I was also thinking HS-81 for aileron, or possibly HS-225.

Well, the airplane is all built and is completely stock except for one detail. I decided I didn't like the clear canopy since there is no cockpit, instrument panel, or pilot figurine in the plane. I elected to go with a blacked-out canopy instead of clear, and I'm quite happy with how it turned out.

I'm getting a little concerned that my Pitts 40 project is jinxed. First, one of my brand-new Hitec HS-81 servos for the ailerons had a "hitch" in it right out of the box. I've never had a new servo that was bad, and especially not a Hitec servo. I got it replaced, however, and it was easy enough to overcome that little problem.

I took it out to the air field to break it in and tune it so I could give my Pitts 40 it's maiden flight. My brand new Thunder Tiger GP-42 broke a couple of minutes into it's first tank! I've never had a new engine go south like that on me, either. I opened up the high speed needle to run plenty rich before dialing it in to just-rich-of-peak; it's an ABN ringless design, so this is per the normal break-in instructions as outlined in the owner's manual. I was turning it from 1/4 turn too rich back to just rich-of-peak and back when the connecting rod broke after about two minutes of run time.

It's better to have these components fail on the ground than during the maiden flight, but it's still very disappointing to have stuff breaking from two of my favorite vendors. I ordered another GP-42 and I'll keep the repaired/replaced engine once I get it back from Ace Hobby. It's just bizarre having problems with parts selected specifically because they should have been problem-free.

Long story short, I still don't have a flight report. My Thunder Tiger Pitts 40 ARF is definitely turning heads out at the flying field. Even with a broken engine bolted to the front of it, I was still getting a lot of compliments. I just can't wait to finally get it up in the air!

Shows as 'out of stock' today, too bad as the 'lil Pitts looks good for the price.

Biged, Don't worry your not hexed or anything. I just had a brand new HS-65MG that was also dead out of the box. Hooked it up to my servo driver and it just sat there and hummed. First time for me in 30 years. When more people find out about this little $95.00 beauty, they will fly off the shelf. It is really a good looking Pitts S1.

Ed;
I like what you did with the canopy. It gives the plane a bit more of the real airplane look if you know what I mean. I've been really slow on getting my pitts put together. Just this last week end I picked up the servos and some other minor parts for it. I went with the same type you posted.
Looking forward to your report on how it flys