RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

The plane handles very well on the pavement, now that I have put a degree or two of toe-out in the gear. Just ease the throttle up and it tracks nice. Landings are no problem at all. I put 25 flights on it without an incident and I'm no expert.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Another tip on the handling problem is to simply flip your rudder to low rates for the takeoff roll. I had a plane that was completely unmanageable on takeoff until I tried that trick. It made all the difference in the world. The natural tendency is to over-control which is a problem that feeds on itself. Give it a try.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Hi guys I have been reading this thread and was wondering what gas engine would be easiest and beest to install in my staggerwing I have a new os 1.08 that has lots of power has anyone tried that? thanks

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

I'm not sure what gas engine would be best. I am using the Saito FA-170R. There are at least two guys that put gasser's in their Staggerwings and arecovered in this thread. Good luck.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

I am using a 40 cc gasser (Brissen) but I had to modify the firewall for the muffler. I am sure a 1.08 would be too small as it calls for a 1.60. I believe mine gasser is 2.4 and it flies it great, good thing it is a bipe or I would need breaks to slow it down upon landing, lol...

Best regards,
Randy

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

G-23 FLYS MINE FINE. NOT THE FASTEST BUT THE FULL SCALE WASNT A 3-D BIRD

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

So,....Saito 220 shouldnt shake this one too much?

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Go for it! Hey if 2.20 is good, then a 3.00 twin has got to be better (and it runs a lot smoother than the 2.20). Be sure and videotape the first flight!

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Aw, come on!......A 300 twin is just way too heavy. Maybe a DA 50 or the new light weight DA 85 should be just the ticket.
That way it'll have unlimited vertical,.....out of a hover.[sm=spinnyeyes.gif]

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Actually, I was thinking of putting a small block v-8 in it. Too much?
How about an ultralight rotax or something?
jeez how much power & weight is enough?

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

All kidding aside, I doubt that the 3.00 would be too heavy. I'm flying mine with a a 1.70 radial and had to add 26 ounces of ballast to the firewall in order to get it to balance.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

26 OZ lead? ! Holy Moley (i guess you can only stuff so many batteries up front!)

I havent run the 220 yet, so i have no idea what kind of a thumper it is. If this bird can handle a 40 cc gasser, I wonder how the big glow 4 banger compares to the gasser in terms of vibration. I wonder how the new os 200 compares to the saito 220, in terms of vibration (i think the os has a shorter stroke).

If I had the moo-la, I'd get a twin and end the vibration worries, but as fate would have it (Junior/future co-pilot is on the way) I have to stick with what's in my current collection of inventory! (thank GOD I stocked up - 3 planes complete with running gear waiting in boxes in the basement)

Prairie Mike: You should see the guys at my club, LT-40's with 91 FX's 'just in case they need to get out of trouble' HA! [sm=drowning.gif]

All kidding aside, 20 some pound airplane with a 220 4 stroke isnt THAT overpowered, or even that far off from a 1.6 2 stroke. especially on a high drag airframe.
I'm curious why the manufacturer rated this plane for 1.6 2stroke and 1.6 4stroke when those recomended engines themselves are not equall. I'll bet my left wingnut that if the os 200 fs was out back when the stag was unveiled, they would have listed it as a recomended engine (on the top side of the range). But there was a gap in there 4 stroke big engine lineup, so the 160 opposed twin was the next canidate. Smart on Topflight's/hobbico's part, - dont list a recomended discplacement when your competitor offers the only option, only list what your company (or sister company) currently offers.

But back to the question at hand, Is this airframe 'robust' enough to handle a little extra 'umph'?

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

It'll handle the 2.20 easily. I wouldn't hesitate if that's what I had sitting on the shelf. I have the Byron Staggerwing as well and it's only a few inches larger in wingspan and is actually built lighter than the TopFlite. The fiberglass is thinner, there's significantly less plywood bracing and the all up weight is about 1 pound less than the TF. I'm flying it with a Saito 2.70 twin and it's a great combination.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

I installed the Evolution 35GT2 engine, using the European Red Head from MVVS.

Ignition in front, my LiPos are around 5 inches BEHIND the CG. No lead.



http://rc.dergoetz.com/stggrwng/DSC03919.JPG

http://rc.dergoetz.com/stggrwng/DSC03923.JPG

http://rc.dergoetz.com/stggrwng/DSC03928.JPG

Best regards,

Götz

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Gotz
That is the same combination I was planning on using with my Staggerwing. I like the exhaust, did you fabricate it or purchase it? Also, using the radial mount gave you the correct firewall to front of cowl spacing? Looks great, let me know how it flies. Thanks.

Russ

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

The exhaust manifold is a German make and not available in the US.
Same story when it comes to the muffler, which is about 3 times the size of your stock Bison or Pitts style muffler and really really boosts the engine.
And so quiet at the same time, you have to hear it to believe it. Absolutely Supreme.

The firewall, which I build myself, added about a third of an inch, which was all it took for the prop (on top of the radial mount) to clear the cowl.
The radial mount on its own wouldn't really work, I checked that just out of curiosity before I removed the original firewall.
But hey, you dont even have to manufacture stands on a leigh...you can simply add a round piece of 1/3rd inch plywood behind the radial mount to get the extra distance.
BTW, I obviously copied the Byron Staggerwing approach as mentioned and cut open the firewall in order to add my own in front of it. Which made it possible access the fuselage from the front in order to install the exhaust system.
It was a breeze, absolutely worth the 20 minutes it takes to make the cut and a round firewall. I used 4mm bolts and drive-in nuts to secure the firewall.
BTW, the exhaust system is set on a hydro-mount inside the fuselage. Wish I had taken pics, but to get them now I would have to take everything apart again :)

Another nice (accidential) feature is the fact that I can access the chocke from the front now. No extra servo or push-pull rod necessary. And installing the ignition on top of the egine really made room inside the fuselage plus helped a lot woth the cg. Gave me freedom to move those flight packs around.
I can take some more pics, I'll post them later.

Best regards,

Götz

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

how big is the cowl? Do you have a pic of the Saito 270 install? I have an OS300 needing a home.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

I have my 2.70 installed in a Byron Staggerwing. The cowl on the Byron is larger. I don't think either the 2.70 or the 3.00 will fit the TopFlite without cutouts for the valve rocker covers.

As best I can measure (without removing the cowl) the TF measures approx. 8.25" across where the cylinder heads would be located. My 2.70's measure approx. 9" from rocker cover to rocker cover.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

I have the Saito 180 in mine. Vibration is not a problem at all. It pulls the plane nicely, even with the retracts down. Look back several postings and you can see my pictures. I just needed small cutouts in the cowl for the tops of the rocker covers. I purchased the Golden Knight covers to improve the looks over the chrome ones.

Jim K

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Has anyone done anything fancy in the cockpit or with the instrument panel? Any body do any "N" numbers on the wings?

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

I didn't do anything with the cockpit but I did have N-numbers made for the wings.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Who did you have make the wing numbers?

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

http://www.cfcgraphics.com/

Charles is a great guy to deal with. Quality and service are excellent. He did all the stuff for my Nosen Mr. Mulligan too.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Hi

I am also interrested in the Top Flite Beach Staggerwing, but I am not really sure what kind of engine I should use. I do not have the neccesary equipment to run glow plug engines, because I am flying only electric powered Helicopters. A few guys use gasoline engine like the fuji 24 and it seems they are satisfied with this combo. I am wondering whether the ZENOA ZG26 also works/fitts within the Staggerwing?

Does anyone from Germany purchased the Staggerwing direct from the US?

regards

Mirco

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Hi, I got a reply from Chuck and am ready to order the wing numbers. What size number did you settle on.
Thanks John