Is this thing still on?... testing, testing, 1,2,3

I'm keeping this thread alive into 2010:

I just picked up a lightly abused [link=http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1268614]"Great Lakes" over on RCgroups[/link] and plan to convert it to ELECTRIC! Oh the horror!

The advantage (hopefully) to electric power is that I can build a battery tray through the firewall to get that weight all the way to the nose. It will of course get an extensive "Dremel-diet", solid aluminum landing gear, mini-servos in each wing for ailerons to prevent flutter from the springy torque-rods, and pull-pull on the rudder/elevator to keep the tail as light as possible and I can move the servos forward a former. The pull-pull empennage will prevent squirrely or "squishy" pitch control from the poorly supported flexi-rods, plus I'll wire each half of the elevator so there's no risk of flexing or snapping the wood connecting shaft,

I hope to get the AUW down to 4-4.5lbs instead of the advertised 6-7lbs.... a significant amount of surgery but I won't stop cutting until she's skinny.

Due to some shipping damage, I need to rebuild the interplane struts. I think I'll make scale N-struts so I have the option to adjust the top wing incidence via a threaded connector on the rear struts. Relative to the H-stab I'll initially set the top wing at 0deg incidence, but have enough threads to adjust it +/- 2deg.

Wish me luck.

Just get all the weight are far forward as possible and you will be fine. I would have snapped that plane up too. I'm still looking for another one. Preferrably NIB. But I would take what I can get. I flew mine recently. Had a great time.

Steve

I Googled "Hans Meij" because his old website URL is obsolete.... here's a link to his new URL with his notes about the Great Lakes:

http://home.kpn.nl/~meijhmb3/project...greatlakes.htm

Hi to all who started, and contributed to this thread. I have a BNIB Model Tech Great Lakes Trainer, and from it's name, one would tend to think that it was a trainer type of airplane. Well, the horror stories haven't steered me from making a try at getting this thing to fly, so I have re-read every thread here, and am going to make a stab at making this one flyable. I am in a mode of being hung up on bipes right now, and have 4 great flying Andrews Aeromasters, a BUSA Phaeton bipe, and an Ultimate bipe. Now, I might get discouraged with the build, and the mods needed, but I will give it an honest try, with all the suggestions, and mods, and see if the general consensus is "Right On" about this plane. I absolutely love the looks of this bipe, and would like to get at least a few pics of it airborne. I have a couple Saito 4 strokes, and will probably install the Saito 72, or the Saito 80 in it.
I do have one question- does anyone think that this plane would fly a little more stable with ailerons only on the lower wing, much like my Aeromaster Just a question that might help with not over controlling the plane, with it's squirrely characteristics?? Maybe making the lower ailerons a little longer, and eliminating the upper ones. Just a passing thought.
I'll carefully read all the specs sent from Modeltech in an earlier post, and adjust accordingly. Does anyone think that a different wing configuration would work- ie- maybe a flat bottomed wing, instead of symmetrical?? I have an extra set of flat bottomed bipe wings, almost exactly the span and chord of the Model tech ones, that I thought I might try.
Ok for now- I'll leave it at that, and see if anyone else might chime in again many Thanks for all the help and suggestions Dean

I wouldn't change any of the basics. Just lighten the plane where ever possible. Especially the tail. Move everything as far forward as possible.

My mods:

Mounted battery on an L bracket forward of firewall above engine
Moved servo tray forward
Used carbon fiber arrow shafts for control rods to rudder and elevator
Mount mini servos in wing for ailerons
Use mini servo for throttle mounted next to fuel tank
Solid metal landing gear
As large as engine that will fit.

I haven't flown mine in awhile, because the engine is about worn out. I'm sure it has over three hundred flights on it! I will never be a easy airplane to fly, but it is very fast and I always get compliments when someone sees it in action for the first time.

Keep us posted on your build, with pictuires of course!

Steve

Steve,

I picked up a Great Lakes Bipe several years ago as a future project. Then I began reading about it. And the more I read, the more determined I was to at least try it out. What size engine are you running on yours? I have a spare Saito .50 and 1.20 I could use, but am willing to purchase the right engnie for the job.

Thanks,

Jesse

Here is one I test flew for a flying buddy of mine. After all the bad press I was a bit concerned but, turns out, this one is a really sweet flyer. I guess he must have got one of the "good ones" that came from the factory with all the right incidence angles. He did recover the bird and moved everything as far forward as possible but I don't think any other changes were made. Anyway, for whatever reasons this one flies really sweet. It's for sale too if there is anyone in the Phoenix, Az area wishing to purchase it. Turn key with a Magnum .46, all servos, RX and battery for $100. I'm sure the owner would be willing to demonstrate it for anyone serious about purchasing.

double post

Hi Jesse,

I run a OS 70 4-stroke. It needs replaced soon. I haven't decided what to use next. I'll be looking for more power in roughly the same physical size.

Steve

Wow, a .70 four stroke isn't enough? What do you plan on upgrading to? Do you need all that power
or do you use the motto " You can always throttle back! "

PS: If you need your OS overhauled, I will be glad to do it. I co-own THE Franklin Engine repair shop
       and enjoy fixing the little ones.

I haven't done any research as yet. This engine is at least 10 to 13 yrs old. I'm sure there is a larger displacement more powerful model the will bolt in. Wieght is not an issue, since there is so much lead up front. I think we have clocked it approx. 80MPH flat and level via radar. I wouldn't mind getting a little more speed out of it. I like to fly it fast performing large loops and slow rolls, slowing it down for final only, then it lands pretty fast for such a small plane. It doesn't seem to like any low speed aerobatics, its just too heavy for those itty bitty wings.

My current Great Lakes finally bit the big one a few weeks ago. I had installed an Eagle Tree autopilot attempting to calm the old girl down a little. It worked pretty good at first, but I had the gain turned up too far, and when I flipped the switch to turn it on, the plane went ape sh*t,and I didn't have time to do anything. I am guessing it had over 500 flights on it . I was very pissed.

No worries, I have another NIB. It will be better faster, and prettier!! I'll keep you posted.

Steve

Hi Guys,
I built this ARC model years ago and flew it for a while...then lost it. My model came out beautiful and the model does have great lines. I powered mine with a K&B Sportster .65, used large Trexler tires and stuffed all the gear as far forward as I could. It look great in the air, was a handful to take off, and land, but something was not right with the model aerodynamically. It has a vicious stall and I lost my model in a turn to final. Sad to see such a beautiful model die...but I have found that Global models build heavy, fly questionably and do not last long.

Soft Landings Always,
Bobby of Maui

Hi Bob,

I think the wing incidence was off on some and not others. Mine took off fine as long as it was throttled up very slowly, and wait for decent speed before yanking it around much. Landing was the hard part, at least for me. I would never turn it going slow. I would start final high, chop throttle, point it down, and fly it almost to the ground and just let it settle as close to three point as possible.

Where in Maui are you? I'm over there once or twice a year, and would love to visit your field.

Steve

Yesssssss! Everyone said, these don't fly! Guess what, everyone put their top wing on UPSIDE DOWN!
The stamping is wrong. Joe Butch