RE: GP Super Stearman
 

I did the same with my glow driver (put it on the gear switch) but I also mixed it to the trottle so that it is on from idle to 1/2 throttle. One less thing to worry about while flying.

RE: GP Super Stearman
 

oh darn, my stearman doesnt have ailerons in top wing??? I guess only the red/white one does? bummer, I had no idea....

RE: GP Super Stearman
 

rcmigpilot, good idea to mix to throtle as well. Best of both worlds. Thanks.

RE: GP Super Stearman
 

I to mix the glow driver with the throttle and I have not had any problem it at all.
It insures the engine will stay running at idle…no invert dead stick.
Have you ever had plane over load and died right before taking off, my Stearman doesn’t.
Shubova
[8D]

RE: GP Super Stearman
 

Kiosk, the military version of the Stearman did not have Cowl, Wheel Pants or Ailerons on the top wing. Those items were added (along with the 450 HP radial engine)
after the plane was retired from the military and they moved into civilian service.

RE: GP Super Stearman
 

thanks....i wish I would have known, I guess is not going to be as agile as the other one, but it was backordered anyways

well, built most of the plane yesterday, I only need to mount the Saito 170 radial now but am stumped what to do with cowl, I saw pics on post #1243 (Tony V.) with one PT-17 as mine with same engine but shot is too far away to tell.....anyone out there have this setup with pics they can share?

oh yea incidence is a mess right now...need work on that too!

RE: GP Super Stearman
 

anyone?? once I cut this cowl there is no going back!!! :)

RE: GP Super Stearman
 

kiosk,

The PT-17 is a friend of mines, I have the SS. I know after he mouted the engine to the firewall he just added on to the front with balsa . Just to kind of hide the 170 mount. Did not use the cowl . Sorry I dont have a close pic..
Probable wont see that plane until summer now..

RE: GP Super Stearman
 

all built and flown....was not as bad as I thought, but in part to the many tips I got from reading this thread, thanks all!!

flies and sounds great...that engine sure draws attention, never have so many people taken interest on my planes!

this is a link for onboard video i took during one flite... [link]http://drop.io/kioskimrj/asset/pt17withsaitor170[/link]

RE: GP Super Stearman
 

What size prop are you turning? Interesting video to watch.

RE: GP Super Stearman
 

MAS 18x6 now...will put in Xoar wood 18x8 as soon as it gets here...wow this motor really runs sweet after a gallon thru, amazing, well worth every penny

RE: GP Super Stearman
 

Kiosk,
great video. What type of camera did you use? I love the sound of that engine! how did the first flight go? Did you have a balance problem or did you get it right the first time? Is it set to the manual? Looks great, take care and have fun!

RE: GP Super Stearman
 

here you go.....never have i had such smooth maiden, i think first time I had nothing to adjust or nothing significant to back to readjust....usually take me a few flights to get everything tiddy up just right. it balanced right on spot with that motor as someone else said on a previous post with this same saito, am very please, so far have about 15 flites and no issues or dings...knock on wood!!

[link]http://www.hobby-lobby.com/video-camera.htm[/link]

RE: GP Super Stearman
 

am doing the flying wires this weekend...one thing is the roll rate is anemic, i guess cause lack of dual ailerons...but then again i think the PT-17 was suppose be a trainer, not an aerobatic !

RE: GP Super Stearman
 

Sounds great. I will take a look at that camera. Thanks

RE: GP Super Stearman
 

I’ve been flying my Super Stearman for a few weeks now and it’s been a fun experience. I’m using a Saito 180 and its more power than you will ever need for this plane, maybe to much. I know each of us has his own opinion about the right engine for this plane so I don't want to get into that conversation now.

I have been having a hard time with my take offs, it squirrels around a lot and I have a hard time keeping it straight down the runway. A lot of times I end up just punching it and with that 180 she jumps right off the ground…so much for scale. I have had a few tail draggers and haven’t had this much trouble taking off.
A friend of mine who is more experienced then I flies it and his take offs are scale and right down the middle of the runway every time. So I don’t think it’s the plane other than it’s over powered.
Has anyone had this experience with the Stearman or does anyone have any advice to improve my take offs.
Shubova
[8D]

RE: GP Super Stearman
 

Mine has a Saito 150 in it and reacts the same way. I think because of the short tail moment it needs a certain amount of air to pass the rudder to give it any kind of response. I usually just line it up, gun it and get it in the air as quickly as I can.

R/C Foolish

RE: GP Super Stearman
 

Mine is the exact opposite, I find the take offs and landings very straight and easy to control. I had an OS 1.20 on mine. It now has a 26cc gas, but has not flown with it yet.
Doug

RE: GP Super Stearman
 

If the plane tracks squirrely on takeoff, check to make sure both wheels turn freely. Once confirmed, put a little bit of toe-in in the landing gear axles by removing the axles from the gear legs, and tweaking the gear legs at the end a bit with a pair of visegrips or a large crescent wrench. A bench vise would also work. The gear probably will need to be removed from the fuselage to aid in holding them against the bending force applied.

You only need just enough of an inward bend to be noticeable. The front of the wheels should be ever so slightly 'pigeon-toed' inwards with the wheels and axles mounted.

Rick

RE: GP Super Stearman
 

Thanks for the responce. Some people say it's matter of trottle and rudder control or management. I have a 150 for a Hellcat that I'm going to build and I was thinking of replacing the 180 with the 150 but I didn't think it would help. Maybe a 120 or 125 would be best for me and my Stearman.
Mine also acts squirrely in the air when I trouttle up to quickly so I usally just ease it up slowly.

Does any one else have an opinion about this problem?
Shubova
[8D]

RE: GP Super Stearman
 

No mine is fine.

RE: GP Super Stearman
 

ElectRick,
Thanks for your responce. That sounds like a good idea...I'll try it. The wheels do turn freely but I do notice when I push it by hand on the ground it seems sluggest I just thought is was the weight. I'm using the stock wheels, I was using soft tires but they couldn't handle the weight. I'll have to see if there is something causing it to drag. Or maybe it will be like you said I'll see if it responds better after I tweak the landing gear as you recomended.
Thanks again,
Shubova
[8D]

RE: GP Super Stearman
 

Super08
You say you have had a 120 in yours. Did it have enough power to do the standard loops and rolls? I understand the 26 gas is the equivlant of a 120. My friend does a nice knife edge with my Stearman. I try it but it's not as clean as his but I can do nice Cuban 8.
Thanks for your responce.
Shubova
[8D]

RE: GP Super Stearman
 

i fly a couple warbirds plus the GP Stearman, i have learned you have to apply throttle very slowly and counter torque with rudder input to counter.....works well everytime, except when nasty x-wind is all out the door then :)
i hardly ever use more than half throttle for take off......i use saito 170 radial

RE: GP Super Stearman
 

With the 1.20 it will do any standard stunts. It will almost hover, but not quite. It hangs off the prop and then very slowly does a tail slide.