RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Dick,

Thanks for the heads up. I haven't really started as yet but will soon. Will be looking forward to your article in R/C Report.
Dick, did you use the OS twin 160 and if so is that a down draft or up draft carb?

I have heard from Top Flight arleady as I expected I would. So. tomorrow I plan to get started on it. Looks like a fun project.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

OS FT-160 has a "side draft" carb. It's below the engine and on the front.

The tank has to be lowered as far as possible.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

After reading your posts on the misaligned anti-rotation dowels on the lower wings, I suspended my order with Tower, then I wrote to Top-Flite, ehem, Great Planes. Their response as of today (10/23/2006) is:

"As of right now you can not get one from Tower Hobbies. We are in the process of checking the ones that we have in stock. If you place one on back order then when it is shipped it should be fine."

So - looks like they admit that have a problem with the locating dowels and are investigating it. I did not buy one, but if they correct it (and I am sure they will), then I will be first in line.

;)

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

What is the deal with a long diatribe about one hole being out of place. It is an easy fix: 1 Dremel, Bottle of gapfiller, a test fit and tack in place followed by 30 minute epoxy.
Wha-la fixed...........

Treat every ARF like someone else built it, and go over it throughly,,,,,,,,,,,, cause some one else did.

Best of Luck,

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

I agree it could be an easy fix. But for $450+ for the model and another $250 for the retracts, shouldn't have to. It's called quality control, and Top-Flite and GP both have been doing this for some time now, so should understand that, and it seems they do by their response to me. You want one that has to be fixed right out of the box? Not me, I'll wait - I am in no hurry.

You know, interestingly, Consumer Reports highly discourages buying a first year model of an automobile - and for the very same reasons. I know that with an ARF it is somewhat apples to oranges comparison - but it stands to reason. Once the "Rev B" model is out, I'll buy it.



;)

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Top- Flite called me today and are sending a new lower right wing. The airplane will not be ready to fly for another month anyway. I can not decide what engine, either a G38 or a DA50. Either way, all of you guys waiting for the perfect edition of this to come out, you will love it when you finally get yours.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

As I was joining the top wings togther with the metal spar, the intructions tell you to epoxy the spar into the left wing only; but when you look at the picture it shows the metal spar in the right wing. If you go stictly by the pictures, you will have glued the spar into the right wing and not the left. The right wing has a screw that fastens to the spare and therfore no epoxy is needed. This picture is on page 11 of the manual.

John

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Well, I got a bad one too, can you tell me how/who you talked to at GP or TopFlite.......does GP own Topflite.....or does Tower own either? Just curious what the return drill is going to be on this wing, yep, should never buy the 1st run of anything. Of course I always research this stuff after I bought it! I'll probably smash it anyway but it should be a good fit anyway right.
For all the trouble though it sure looks pretty in those previous photos. I'm just gonna take mine to the field and run it then put it away, I'll always have an excuse to never fly her, that way she'll stay intact!

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Hey Navyflyer --
I'm just down the road in Lexington. Build shop is in Buena Vista. If you'd like to get together to build something, or fly something, or just bull****, send me a note.
Al

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

i called top flite this afternoon and they are sending me a right wing. no questions asked.

John

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

i think Tower owns it all and no complaints here BTW if you don't fly your work shop gets way over crowded[sm=wink_smile.gif]

SO--you guys pioneer the build on the fabulious Top Flite Beechcraft Stagger Wing and when all is corrected (which it will be )THEN I buy one. Also [8D] I like the Ziroli version but when I get into a scale project it never seems to get finished just done..

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Gear will be here tomorrow. Until then I have been completing the little stuff and wings.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

<<"Treat every ARF like someone else built it, and go over it throughly,,,,,,,,,,,, cause some one else did. '>>

AMEN! That's the best one I've seen around here in a long time. Couldn't agree more!

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Hi lear how about some paint for the replica radial??

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

G-38? Will it fit inside the cowl?? I have a perfect Q-35, and would love to use it - TF calls for a 1.60 (24cc) - the G38 or Q35 seems overkill - but more power is better if it fits and doesn't require a pound of lead in the tailcone to offset. Thoughts?

My Byron Staggerwing is 18lbs, and the Q35 flys it great. But it's a bit bigger plane at 77" WS.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Dick,

Back to the fuel tank issue with the 4C engines. Rather than lowering the tank, would using a Cline regulator help fuel delivery and maybe prevent having to relocate? Just a thought.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Not possible because there's no source of pressure on the FT-160. No muffler pressure, just straight pipes.

The tank is as low as possible and it's centerline is just below the needle valve, which should be perfect

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Here's the quote from the Staggerwing instruction manual, cover page: ..."this warranty does not cover any component parts damaged by use or modification"...

So, if you "fix" what comes already assembled, then you can't (ethically or legitimately) make a claim to TF if it doesn't work out the way you planned. A slip with the dremel, or the gap filler doesn't quite cut it - you get a sloppy fit, etc... can't call them up for a freebie replacement.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

It was white. I painted it grey and now I will detail with colors.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

You gotta be kidding, so that fact that I reinforce all firewalls and wing roots on all ARFs should void the warranty also. Making a defective product usable does not void the warranty. Modifying a product into something the manufacture never intended would. (BASIC first year Law), I think the Top Flite had every intention for the model to fly.

Treat every ARF like someone else built it, and go over it throughly,,,,,,,,,,,, cause some one else did.

Complaining without attempt at a solution, is just plain old whining.

When it comes to problems there are 2 kindas of people in this world

1. Those who are solution oriented and take positve step toward that end.
2. And those who would rather whine to anyone who will listen.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

First year law, huh? That explains the attitude and know-it-all philosophy. Never said adding reinforcements would void any warranty - only modifying existing parts as delivered. The manual even says to reinforce the firewall and all areas that would experience higher stress for engines larger than recommended. That's not first year law, that's Reading 101. All I said was if you want a replacement for a defective part, do not make a change to it first. Period. Clear enough?

Stating facts is not whining - it is enlightenment to the audience who may then make an educated decision for themselves (which you already have done) and to the manufacturer - who has listened and is correcting the problem. Don't call me a whiner, it's unprofessional coming from a profession whose sole purpose is to be expert in minutia and trivia and ... whining about it. Thought lawyers were in search of the truth. You can't handle the truth (OK, that's not mine - gotta give credit where due - the one and only Jack Nicholson). I never ever complained, as you state, about anything - you got me scrathing my noggin on that one. Oh wait, you're a lawyer ... never mind. Using your categories (can't believe you only came up with two) I thought I fit pretty well into the first - solution oriented. Called the manufacturer who is correcting the problem throughout the marketplace, not just the one on your building bench. You're welcome.

Using your premise, if you bought a car that continually ran in reverse when you selected drive, you would pull the tranny and change the linkage to make it right, rather than take it back and have it fixed under warranty? OK, so you choose to fix the wing issue yourself - as a very wise man said to me once, "good on 'ya!". Go fer it. But don't flame me for pointing out the obvious. Seems the only whiner in this thread is you. QED.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Glad to see everyone is enjoying this hobby :eek:. Come on Itzdxworld... lighten up. And no... no one made me thread god. I'm just posting because I'm bored :D

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

As I am presently retired 1st year law is way behind me, If I intended on flaming you I would have directly addressed you by name, I did not. I don't know it all and never will. You may forgotten more than I know will ever about R/C aircraft or many other subjects. I don't know nor do I assume. I am happy to see that you were so professional in your post and took things so personal.

The reality is that I was encourging people to fix the problem as it is a very easy fix. I am getting a new wing also, and I also contacted the manufacture too! but, as I have maidened my Staggerwing with this fix I thought that it may help others. Why wait 4 to 6 days or weeks, or wait at all for a new wing. Comparing a transmission to repairing a hole in some wood. I can't even see where they meet in complexity.

The point I was trying to make is ALL ARFs come with flaws, flaws that are easily corrected, areas that need reinforcement. work that needs to be done, don't wait when you can fix it and fly, One of the reasons you I and are in this hobby.

You take care,

I am sorry to upset you so badly,

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

I'd make a comment about the whole wing dowel hole location problem but figure one (or more!) of the combatants would just turn on me next.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Your real sin is flying a maiden flight and not telling us about how it went. :D The only time that is almost excusable is when you dork it in on the maiden flight. Don't ask me how I came to know that... [:@]