KMP Texan
 

Any one got one or built one. Would like some info on them.
Thanks Greg

RE: KMP Texan
 

Hi Greg, I got one the othe day, what is it you need to know?

the kit is 88 inch wing span, not as the manual or the box says 84 inch.

the engine requirments are a little confusing, I read from 26 to 32 then 32 to35 and even 32 to 45cc, even the box and the manual differ.

I am going to email KMP to explain what all the difference are.

Paul

RE: KMP Texan
 

Hi Paul
I have had correspondence with Andrew from KMP.
He said that the test was with a 42cc but thought was overpowered and that a 32cc would be fine. Also that could get a more scale size prop with the 32.

I was a bit concerned about the AUW as the Aerobats same size/weight have 50cc and I would imagine the Texan will come out with a lot more drag.
I know you don't prop hang etc with a Texan but still wondering if a DL30 would pull her around the air ok.

I got a PDF of the Manual but I was sure when I looked at the Texan that it had a round tube for the engine mount but the manual shows a standard ply box construction?

I thought a scale exhaust would look good if there was enough room in th cowl to have the Pitts muffler exits exended to the stock out let position.

Would be interested in any of your thoughts about the Texan. Looks really good. Love to see some pics of her as well.

I also found some pics of the origonal.


http://www.airliners.net/photo/North...626682553ca9c1

http://www.airliners.net/photo/North...626682553ca9c1

http://www.airliners.net/photo/North...626682553ca9c1

http://www.airliners.net/photo/North...626682553ca9c1



A Texan Cockpit.
http://www.airliners.net/photo/North...626682553ca9c1

http://www.airliners.net/photo/North...626682553ca9c1

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Esqua...626682553ca9c1

A Texan Exhaust
http://www.airliners.net/photo/North...626682553ca9c1

http://www.airliners.net/photo/North...626682553ca9c1

RE: KMP Texan
 

HI Greg, sorry Have not got back to you earlier, still lurking as to what engine I am going to put in this baby, WEll I want to put a & cylinder radial, I found one that will fit Siedel St7-35 (35cc)that measures 7.6 inches which will fit scale like in the 8 1/2 to 9 inch cowl. But here is my concern, it will spin a prop from 18 X 6, 18 X 8, and even a 20 X 5, got a feeling the 18 X 8 is the best one for it, specs are around 5500 rpm weighing in around 2.6 lbs 1.5 kw of power which is alittle over 2 hp. Is this engine enough to put this plane in the air and fly scale. the next one up is a 7 cylinder ST7-70 (70cc) but measures 9.25 inches in diamter and weights about 5.9 lbs, 4 hp of power at 6300 rpm, is ths engine too much power and weight also?

I need to make a decision very soon
Also I will add pics of the plane soon as I am still catching up from the holidays
Paul
here is a pic of the ST7-35 and the ST7-70

RE: KMP Texan
 

Hi Paul

A Radial would look fantastic in the cowl.
35cc may be a perfect size but I think 70cc would be way over powered.

As Andrew from KMP let me know that their 32cc would be fine for the plane, than this 35cc I think would be close to perfect.

Hard choice to make as to what would be best engine as no one else seems to have info on flying them so hard to gauge performance.

Look forward to see what you choose and how it goes.

Regards Greg;)

RE: KMP Texan
 

ok, here some long awaited pics of the build

RE: KMP Texan
 

some of the build process

RE: KMP Texan
 

Hi Paul
Looks good. Have not seen in the yellow. Is this the colour it came with or did you have it changed?
I have only seen in the Grey and Yellow with Popeye on the side.

I like the all yellow of the Canadian colours.:D

Have you decided what engine you are putting in yet?

Keep the info and pics coming.

Have a great build Regards Greg.

RE: KMP Texan
 

Hi Greg, it came with this colour scheme. The engine was suppose to arrive yesterday, but held up in customs so they say it should arrive today, keeping my fingers crossed. I decided on the siedel ST7-35 which is a 7 cylinder 35 cc engine which will perfectly in the cowl.

the door for the switches, I had to remove it to change the hinges to offset hinges, it was binding.

There is no tail wheel former in the back, so Andrew is asking the plant to add it, it's going to be hard for me to put it in, but I'LL get it in there.

As I get her done, I'll keep posting pics.

Paul

RE: KMP Texan
 

Thanks Paul.

That radial will look great in there.
I looked but could only find a 70cc and larger radial. Where did you get if from.

Good to get a plane with your countries colours on it.
Will look great in the air.

regards Greg

RE: KMP Texan
 

I got Direct from the manufacture, UMS Technolgy, here is their link;

http://www.umstech.in



they were built in germany, but now in India for half the cost. But now i believe that UMS now owns the line.

Paul

RE: KMP Texan
 

ok, here she is just installed with new engine for now to set up the correct distance.

now I am looking for a scale prop hub nut/spinner and prop, I looked hard for a variable pitch prop hub, but no go

got other goodies coming for her too next week, will post when arrive.

Paul :)

RE: KMP Texan
 

Hi Paul

That motor looks like it was built for that plane.
Looks stunning.
Will you be able to put a scale exhaust outlet in the plane?

keep the info & pics coming.

What is the quality of the product like? Is the Fiberglas fuse good or what other things have you had to do to the plane?
I got a copy of the manual but regarding the engine mount it shows a box section like on the aerobatic planes. But the one I saw had a round engine mount that slide in to the fuse.

Great looking plane Paul.

Regards Greg

RE: KMP Texan
 

So what's the final word on this plane? Will a DLE 30 fly her?

RE: KMP Texan
 

DLE 30 should fly it with no problems, I believe Andrew flew it with a 42 but it was too much power
I just wanted to use a radial, so had to make sure it was enough for here

Paul

RE: KMP Texan
 

I got two more helpers that came in today to try and get this plane finished

RE: KMP Texan
 

Hi Paul
Your helpers look great. Hard to find good help?:D

Looks like the engine is mounted to a ply box like the manual. But I was sure that the version I looked at had the cylinder type engine mount. Maybe popeye needs something else.

Will have to try and get back to have a look at. My purchase has been put on the back burner while I complete some other projects.

Regards Greg

RE: KMP Texan
 

subscribed

RE: KMP Texan
 

Hows the build going Paul,

Any more pics, Are you going to do a full cockpit install as well?

Regards Greg

RE: KMP Texan
 

Well I continued to build and making progress every day, but been very busy at work, so sometimes too tired to do too much. but here are some pics of the progress.
Oh and to answer some of your other question.

1) The fuse in glass work is very good, paint seems to holding ok.
2) The engine mount area seems to have that famous large hole to except that cylinder engine mount you talk about, that I did not get and won't use anyway. I will take a pic of it tomorrow and post.
3) Like a said before the idots did not put a former for the tail wheel, I guess they wanted you to put some cheap wheel on the bottom and wait till it fell off, So I cut the area under the tial wheel and made and installed a former to accept a scale looking tail wheel, Robart AT-160 Fixed, picture later (getting late here)
4)Fitted the Robart landing gear, had to do a alot of domore/doless to get them to fit, OUCH !!!!
5) Added cloth carbine fiber to wign area above the retract to strenghten it.

Here are some pics with more to follow.

Paul

RE: KMP Texan
 

What you describe parallels my experience with KMP. Easy on the eyes, but doesn't have what it takes on the inside. Sounds like you have the skills and determination to make it work however. Good job!

RE: KMP Texan
 

Hi Paul.
You are doing a great job on the Texan. Did you build the cockpit yourself. Looks great. I like the rollbar behind the pilot looks like the real thing.
The pilots look like they could come to life and fly it.:)

Was the Robart gear the set for this plane. Or a set you got from Robart? Been told you can only get the Robart retracts for this plane from KMP as Robart don't sell these particular sets to customers?

Is the paint finish Gloss or Matt? Looks like the black is a satin finish.

I like the colour scheme.

Great looking plane
Regards Greg

RE: KMP Texan
 

Goodmorning gentlemen, (well it is here LOL)

thanks for the great comments,
As for the the kit, your correct lifer.

the Paint finish is matt, giving that more scale look.

the retracts are Robart but you are correct that you can only order thru KMP as they have a contract to sell them, but at a great price, deal package.

the cockpit was a build up kit from Dynamic Balsa, It was a large bag of vaccum form parts and balsa, but it all came together.

more pics to come today, stand by.

Paul :)

RE: KMP Texan
 

Here are some more pics

RE: KMP Texan
 

Hi Paul
That motor looks great in that above shot.
The tail wheel mod looks good, Is that a tail wheel strut functional. looks like a bit of suspension movement available.

I know that the wings bolt on with 2 bolts on each wing but what type of bolts are they and what do you think of the set up.

Regards Greg
Keep the pics and info coming.
Looking forward to see how she fly's.;)