Great Planes Stearman
 

I have had my eye on the GP Stearman since they came out. I saw one at a flying site a week ago but it did not fly. Very nice looking plane!! What do you guys that have built and flown it think the kit and how it flies?

RE: Great Planes Stearman
 

I have one of these still in a box waiting for me to have enough time to build it.
The quality of the build seems to be on par with the best you see of an ARF with excellent fibreglass work and all fuel proofing already done.

There have been some reports of wrinkled covering but that is to be expected, I guess.

I suggest you look at the review that Dick Petitt wrote for RC Power Magazine. He seemed to like the flying characteristics of the plane very much.

There have also been reports of people having problems with the geometry of the slaved upper aileron setup, but again, I suspect that doesn't apply to everyone and possibly a simple matter of location of the slave rod anchor points.

Regards

Ari

RE: Great Planes Stearman
 

One flew for the first time at our club last week. It was flown by one of the better pilots at the club, but it was really impressive in the air. There was a fair amount of wind, about 15 to 18 mph. It was flown immediately after a Christian Eagle which everyone thought was an equivalent airplane. Same motors I believe, but no comparison in the air. In the breeze the Eagle often struggled to penetrate. The Stearman just blew through the wind like it was not there. It was not flown with the hammer down either. But it flew very crisply. All the manoevers, upline, downline, veriticle, everywhere were crisp and it was very unaffected by the wind. Very impressive. The pilot was also very impressed in it. Coming from him it was high praise. The Eagle pilot had high praise for his plane as well, but you could tell, there was no comparison in the two planes. Sorry I cannot relate exactly what power was in the Stearman, the Christian had a Moike 180. Someone said that was what was in the Stearman, but I doubt it. Still I cannot varify it right now.

bob branch

RE: Great Planes Stearman
 

Given the much positive comments on the Super Stearman, it's surprising that there isn't more discussion about it.
Isn't it the hot seller GP expected?

I personally think it's one of the better looking models I have seen for a long time and from what I hear, it flies as well as it looks

RE: Great Planes Stearman
 

Thanks for the input. I did read Dick Petit's article but wanted some different opinions as well (I will just leave it at that). The Moki 1.8 does sound like overkill for the Stearman. I was thinking either an O.S. 1.08 or a Saito 1.50 both in my shop needing a new home. I did hear someone else mention there were reports of the slaved upper aileron not working correctly or binding or something like that if assembled per the instructions. Personally, I would rather build it that way too and avoid the upper aileron servos for a more scale like appearance and no wires running out the center section of the top wing in to the fuse. Hopefully GP will address that issue soon if they haven't already.

RE: Great Planes Stearman
 

I have a G P Stearman with a zenoah g23 on it.I finally have the right prop which is a 18x6.It allows the engine to spin 8000 rpm on the ground.I hope to fly it today if the weather is good.I have flown it with a 16x6 and it turned way to many rpms.Then I tried a 18x8 and it would only turn 6400 rpms.Anyway it flew very nice roll rate was slow but i am one of the before mentioned that has a problem with the slave rods.If you set it up per the inst. book thetop aileron throw is too much compared to the bottom.I cannot get the recomended high rate of 1" on the bottom without bottoming out the throw off the top.I lined up the rod to match the wing strut and the measurement fell exactlly were the inst. recomended.I hate to drill more holes but any way I try to use the recomended spot it will not work right.but it still flys good just roll rate it slow.I will redrill and correct this problem just not today as this is the first day without rain in 10 days and I just have to put it in the air again. P.S. be ready to add rudder on takeoff as it will pull.I put more right thrust in it during the rainy days and I'm ready to try it out.As for as landings go the gear is stiff so I flew it in rather than flare it and it handled and looked real nice.I will rate the stearman as well built well looking and well flying airplane.A few off the guys at the field were saying how scale it flew and looked.They said arf's have come a long way to look and fly this good.

RE: Great Planes Stearman
 

I also i having the same problem with syncing the top and bottom ailerons. It seems that the guidelines they provide in the owners manual is not working out right . I wonder would it be better to forgo the scale scale look use servos in the upper wings?

RE: Great Planes Stearman
 

Looks like an awesome plane!

RE: Great Planes Stearman
 

Just checking back, the one at our club has a 160 2 cycle in int. I do not know if ithas 4 servos or 2 onthe ailerons. It does have the interconnect bars on the trailing edge of the ailerons so my guess is its two. Roll on this one is really crisp. I'll see if I can find out how he did it for you.

bob branch

RE: Great Planes Stearman
 

From what I have read, the only reported problem with the plane seems to be the alignment of the aileron slave rod and therefore the different travel of the upper and lower ailerons.

It must be a simple matter of geometry to align the rods so that the distance from the hinge point to the link pivot point is approximately the same on both. It looks like the GP manual is not quite correct here. Surely they will issue an update sooner or later.

Ari

RE: Great Planes Stearman
 

I flew my Stearman last weekend for the first time. Power OS 120 w/Pump. Zinger 16x5 prop, Slimline inverted smoke muffler and sullivan pump
I had to add some down trim on first flight but other than that, no problem. Aircraft flys very gentle with control throws set at recommended rates. I will set the rudder with additional throw for future flights.
As to the differential throw on the ailerons, I had a similar problem. I resolved it by experimenting with location of lower slave horn. I had to reposition it somewhat, maybe a quarter inch or so. I also had to shorten the slave struts about a quarter inch. I was able to eliminate the binding and although the upper and lower aileron travels are different, the aircraft flys very well.
I also did not have to add the 18 oz. nose weight the manual mentions. I did put a smoke pump mounted in front of the firewall, but that only weighs abt 3 oz.
By the way, the smoke system works great as the aircraft is not very fast and the smoke stream is not diluted by speed.
Very impressed with the quality of the aircraft, fiberglass, painting and covering is excellent.

RE: Great Planes Stearman
 

anyone know how big of a prop you can put on this plane before it becomes an issue on ground clearance? id like to get the plane but am debating over a few smaller gas engines. the size of the prop that can be used may help me decide which gasser would be best. if anyone can give m:De a good idea i would appreciate it.. thanks

RE: Great Planes Stearman
 

Duhawk49,

I have seen reports of people using a G26 for this plans. They typically take an 18" prop.
The way the plane sits, I don't think prop clearance will be your stumbling block but rather weight and the strength of the airframe.

I am putting an OS1.20FS w Pump in mine because a number of people have used that combination and said that engine suited this plane very well.
Apparently, the G26 is also a good choice for the plane.

Hope this helps

Ari

RE: Great Planes Stearman
 

thanks for the reply.. i have heard also about people using the g26 with good results. for the same weight or even a tad bit less i was looking at a zdz sport 40 or a roto 35 or even an rcs 1.4 or 1.8. i dont intend on doing 3d with the plane but i always like to know that i have the extra power in case i needed it. i would imagine that if i used one of those engines i could expect to never really go over 1/2 throttle unless i got into trouble. ive heard that the airframe may not be suited for larger gas engines as well. i would think by using throttle management it shouldnt be much of an issue as long as the firewall has proper support. besdies i like the fact that if i dont like the plane i can always use the slightly bigger engine on many other types of aircraft. i thought i read somewhere of someone sticking a g 38 in one of these planes. they are much heavier i believe than the engines im looking at. most posts ive read though, use the g26 or large 2 or 4 stroke. not sure where i may go with it quite yet, but i would like to use gas if at all possible.. thanks again

[8D]

RE: Great Planes Stearman
 

I've flown my stearman about 7 or 8 times now and it is really a great flying plane.I felt comfortable to go to high rates ,set per manual,and it is a really fun plane to show off scale airshow manuevers.The only change I will make is to add more rudder throw as it decends slowly when on knife edge.I have 3 other planes,kadet lt 40 ,u can do 90 and a park flyer ,and this is the one I love to take to the field.Great airplane thanks great planes can't wait for weekends

RE: Great Planes Stearman
 

I have one, have about 50 flights on it already (I do alot of flying <G>)..

It has a Saito 120 on it, and it has adequate power for most things, although extra power certainly woudln't hurt it.. Thinking of putting my Saito 180 on it...

The plane flies like a dream.. I choose the 4 aileron servo setup, and have not had a problem..

On the recommended high rates it is very mild, however, I added even more to all the control surfaces, and even then, it's still very easy to fly.. Rolls are very crisp, snaps are slow and nice, with the added rudder throw wing overs and stall turns are a sight to be seen.

I did NOT add any weight to the plane, instead I put the battery pack above the fuel tank.. The plane balances perfectly!

Interestingly, this is my first bipe, and everyone told me how much they come down when power is pulled back, but this one doesn't, I even let an experienced bipe pilot fly it, and he said that it doesn't act like any bipe he's ever had before, either.. It does come down, but it doesn't come down fast, nor does it slow down alot either.. Surprised him, too!

At any rate, I highly recommend the plane.. It's a baby, and looks great, both on the ground and in the air.. The only complaint, setup time :-)

- Andre

RE: Great Planes Stearman
 

I had one with a saito 100 it flew very well used an old 10 year Jr radio and batt. I didnt check condition of batt. I was ok for 20 flights then one day I went into a loop and she went straight in.

I have a new aircraft and futaba skysport fm with 1400 ma pack. still using the saito 100 it flew the plane fine I dont see how those bigger engines dont induce torque problems with those bigger props. I have a gp tiger maoth with a 120 in it its over powered but I can stay airborne for a long time at 1/3 throttle!!!!!!!!

RE: Great Planes Stearman
 

How do you feel about the Saito 100 on this plane? I've got one without a plane to put it on and have been anxious to move up from my Kyosho Super Stearman to the GP, but the engine has been holding me back. What prop do you use and how does it perform aerobatics?
Thanks,
Steve

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RE: Great Planes Stearman
 

I just got the GP Super Stearman and have been torn over the Saito 120 or the OS 120 w/pump. I am currently leaning toward the Saito, due to dollars. Can you tell me if you had to do anything special to mount it? Did you mount it upright or inverted? Was any mount or cowl modifications required? Thanks for any help you can offer.

Larry

RE: Great Planes Stearman
 

I've been thinking about this plane for a couple of reasons. I have an OS-120 FS w/pump available, and I'm looking for my first bipe. After reading Shepp's post I'm thinking about another first....Smoke! This seems like the ideal plane for the smoke, and since slimline does make a nice smoke muffler for the OS 120, this may be the time to do it.

Shepp...How's the smoke setup work? What else do need besides the pump and the special muffler?

Steve

RE: Great Planes Stearman
 

Check this article out you wont be disappointed

http://www.modelairplanenews.com/ma/...stearman40.asp

It is right on if you are still interested in getting a new one i have found them on E-Bay

Happy flying

RE: Great Planes Stearman
 

where do you have the cg on your plane.