GP Pitts Special
 

[8D]Hey Guys out there! Any of you got a Pitts Special by GP that have flown it for a year or two and how do you like it, what engine , what can you do with it, how does it land and take, off how sturdy is it, and anything else you might have to add? I have one hanging up completed, balanced, with pilot and ready to go. Would enjoy reading some replys from you on this plane. I'm just waiting to get up my nerve to try it and need some enc. from you.

Thanks,
CLemrick

RE: GP Pitts Special
 

Just flew my GP Pitts today. It's a sweetheart. Has a Saito 300 Twin in it and almost all the flight was done at half power. Loops, rolls, snaps and knife edge all on the first flight. Notice there are no wires running to the top wing for the aileron servos. Magic!!! It weighs 18 lbs. An incredible Acft!!!

RE: GP Pitts Special
 

:eek:Hey Booker,
How'ja do that? I mean no wires to upper servos? I'm sorry I couldn't see that in your pics. Is this really some kinda magic? Cool pics with the engine running and all! I haven't flown mine yet and wanted some insight as to how it flies. I am not an aerobat, as a matter of fact this is my first aerobatic plane, so you see I have a lot to learn.
What radio do you use, and what batt. do you power with?
You used the engine that I wanted to use, but unfortunately my budget would not let me buy that eng. I opted for the Fuji 50 which I hope will prove to be a reliable power source. Have you seen one flown with the Fuji?
Thanks,
Clemrick

RE: GP Pitts Special
 

The picture shows the magic. The servo wire for the upper wing were run through the bottom wing out to the strut. then a small hole in the top of the wing where the strut goes then up thru the strut to the top wing. The strut is hollow so just a little drilling and you're into the strut center. I use chokes on the long servo leads to cut down on any interference. My transmitter is a JR 10X with a Jr 955 receiver and a Duralite 6v 3500 Ma setup for the batteries. I used all HiTec digital servos. I have seen one other Pitts flown and it had a DA 50 and did great.
If you're careful setting up the controls , you'll be amazed at how easy this bird flies.
Galen

RE: GP Pitts Special
 

Here is a Pic of mine it has a 3W-75 Biela 3-Blade prop and somke.

Plane will hover at 1/2 throttle and has truly unlimited vertical!

it is 18lbs and I now have it WAY aft cg so it does some realy cool stuf!

Don
www.rnlinc.com

RE: GP Pitts Special
 

Hey !!! Cool Pitts.
Love that 3 blade prop. Also the smoke. I got to figure out how to get smoke from the 2 exhaust tubes that run from the Saito 300. Other than putting on a regular muffler does anyone have any ideas?
Galen

"Click For Full Size"
 

Funny! :D

Nice plane, BTW. 18 lbs? How have you balanced it?

RE: "Click For Full Size"
 

At 18 lbs the CG on mine is 51/2 inches from the leading edge of the top wing. ( the straight part).

RE: "Click For Full Size"
 

The smoke and RX battery were under the cockpit -- way nose heavy, then moved both batteries 1/2 between the tail and cockpit -- much better, then moved both batteries to just in-front of the tail -- now the plane feels slightly aft cg but tumbles really good now.

I'm using the duralite 4000mah battery for rx and 1800 for the ign battery (it is mounted in the firewall box) & 600 mah nicad for the smoke.

I have approx 100 flights on this plane no damage other than one of my wheel pants came loose. I have since fixed that, and I fly off of grass 99% of the time!

Don
www.rnlinc.com

RE: GP Pitts Special
 

booker-RCU

Where did you get the extra decal set for your pitts?

Thanks,

Don

RE: GP Pitts Special
 

Don, You can get the Charlie Hillard graphics, a 1/3rd scale Pitts Inst. Panel and a 1/3rd scale Pilot Bust for the pitts at this web site:
http://www.cajunrc.com/Model_Graphic...cial/index.htm
Galen

RE: GP Pitts Special Smoke Tank
 

Can anyone tell me where they are mounting their smoke tank in the GP Pitts?

Does the elevation matter like a gas tank?

Thanks

RE: GP Pitts Special
 

I've got one with a Brisson 3.2. Empty weight of 16 1/2 pounds. It will do all the manuvers, including knife edge circle into a knife edge loop. Unlimited vertical performance.

It likes to land fast. Wheel landings are better for ground handeling. 3 point landings can develop a scary bounce. Keep the speed up on landing and don't cut the throttle until you are certain to make the runway. Flat approaches with power make the landing easier to manage.

Keep an eye on the upper cabane mounting brackets. The forward set on mine broke after 12 flights. Not a big deal, just check them before each flight.

Without going into the background, it flys (and lands) very much like the full scale Pitts. It's a balls to the wall, hang on, but please stay ahead of it kind of airplane.

RE: GP Pitts Special
 

well, just bought a GP Pitts yesterday with a Brison 2.4 in it. Could just not resist the price. Was more like a gift :D. Only 6 flights on it. Anybody flown this combo ? How will the Brison perform ? I guess it might not have unlimited vertical, but should be close.
One thing I noticed is that it only has aileron servos in bottom wing, and CF rods to the upper ailerons. Looks very stiff and has no play, but have not seen this before on the GP Pitts. Is this the earlier version, or something the previous owner opted to do ? I know the previous owner and he is normally very picky with his stuff and all of his planes fly awesome and are in perfect shape. People that have seen this Pitts fly say it flies great and very nice. Any experience with the ailerons setup like this on this plane ?

Thanks

RE: GP Pitts Special
 

I fly mine with an FPE 2.4. it is a little less power than a Brison, due to fixed ignition. Mine flys quite scale like on most days, but when it's "South Texas Muggy", it's a little short on vertical power. It wont be a 3-D combo.
The kit had the option of four aileron servos, or two wth connector rods.
You can download the the manual at: greatplanes.com
It has all the balance and set-up info.

RE: GP <span class=
 

I love that red model i must have it

RE: GP <span class=
 

Texas 3D,

That's a fairly common aileron setup for biplanes that are not huge. As you've
discovered, it works well given a servo of sufficient torque is used. Usually larger
bipes run 4 servos instead as they need the torque and have easier places to
hide the wires. As I recall the most recent manual did mention both methods.

RE: GP <span class=
 

Booker RCU Glad to hear your wiring idea worked out. I thought about doing this, but decided to just use the extensions throught the wings. Mine weighs out at 18 lbs also. Just finished her today. Hope to do the maiden next weekend.

Goldwing RCU, I mounted a Simple Smoke system by making a mounting try out of thin ply. I put the tank and the pump on the tray. I then used epoxy to mount four short wood strips to the fuse stringers. Then put four #4 socket head screws in to secure. Mounted just aft of the fuel tank. I used the same system on Pitts I and then transfered the tray to Pitts II. This worked great on my last Pitts. This time I used a 24 oz tank vs a 20 oz. The 20 oz. just ran dry too fast. The pictures below are from Pitts I. On Pitts II I mounted the same way, but put the battery down in the fuse and used a 24 oz. tank. Same position, but mounted the tank a bit more forward with the 24 oz. tank.

Thanks
 

RFW1953, Thanks for the smoke info but I striped the smoke out of my Pitts for weight concerns. I have spent a lot of time trying to figure out what I could have done to add that much weight to the plane. I have to believe the original kit must have been heavy to start with. I'm at 18 lbs and 4 oz dry with the Quadra 52 and electronic Ignition. I have really not made that many mods. Oh well, now I wait for the weather which could be a while here in Minnesota for the maiden flight!

Thanks for the info!

RE: Thanks
 

Goldwing-RCU - Gee, not sure why the weight seems so high, even without the smoke system. I am using a heavy Simple Smoke pump in mine. First thought would be the scale. I know that adding alot of epoxy can add weight but not in pounds. I really loaded mine up with hardwood tristock and epoxy. The DA is much lighter than most gassers. It's nearly 1.5 pounds lighter than the Fuji 50 I had in Pitts-1. I have three batteries in mine as well. Maybe I need to double check the weight on mine. I will do that let you know what I find. Hope it's not that my scale is off. I have read post of guys flying this airplane with weight around 20 lbs. so I was happy at 18 with all that in have in it. It certainly isn't going to be a 3-D airplane, but then I don't fly 3-D so not a concern. By the way, I really appreciate the suggestions you have given me in past post. I recall the name. Just wanted to pass that along. Thanks. I have pictures of my finished Pitts-II project if you haven't seen them. Here is the thread.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/G%25...1265113/tm.htm

I hope to do the maiden this weekend, weather permitting. I will update on my thread how it goes. Wish me luck. Knees already jittery. :D

RE: Thanks
 

Yea, mine with g-62, tme simple smoke, 4 servo's for ailerons, 2 rudder & 2 elevator weighs in @ 18# dry & 21# full of fuel & smoke oil. fly's great

Gil

RE: GP Pitts Special
 

Booker,

If you get in contact with Slimline, they can build you a Pitts Smoke muffler for your OS 300 Super Gemini twin. I installed a Slimline Pitts muffler in the Pitts that I built for another pilot that had the 300 in it. The tubes came out at the scale location and the sound is awsome! It had an onboard glow and battery backup sustem in it also. He did not opt for the smoke, tho...

RE: GP Pitts Special
 

Hey, Great looking Plane~! I'm about to do the same and hope your learning curve can help me. First, how did you shorten the engine box to accomodate the extra length of the engine?? Second, were you able to achieve CG by moving components around or did you have to add weight to the tail. If you just moved things around, what did you move and to where. Seeing your plane has really got me motivated. Thanks~!

RE: GP Pitts Special
 

Booker,
I'm about to fly mine with the same engine as you. What CG did you use ? What prop works best ?

Thanks,
paul

RE: GP Pitts Special
 

You've replied to a post from 2003...