RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

From JimT


I will try to post a few pitures. If this works I can post more if you like.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

From JimT



It worked let me know if you want more and of what part of the plane.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

well just make some nice cuts for the saito's heads so they can get air fllowing over them to cool the engine better.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

I am looking at putting my Saito 180 in mine. I think that I will have to cut some of the cowl for the rocker arm covers. I might put it in inverted to avoid seeing the cutouts. I will do more measuring to be sure.

Hey Jimt, yours looks just like mine! I am thinking about some black and gold trim to the wings to "finish off" the look.

Anybody else have thoghts about adding something to the wings?

Jim K

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Mine arrived intact with no help from UPS, looks like they drug it behind the 727 and the truck. Major dings/tear in box, thankfully it just missed the wings.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

I'll always try to do 2nd day air. More expensive but cuts down on damage for me! I find replacement parts always have something wrong with them. Glad to hear you squeaked by.

The RCS 180se will fit fine in mine. Although I found the marks on the firewall to be around a 1/2" low. The original marks made the cowl "droop" down excessively. No other problems as yet.
One minor thing... The covering on the wings are scratched from the factory heat iron on all cap strips. It would have helped to use a sock.

This is one pretty awesome plane.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

The only thing I will add is a NC number to the wings. I will need to search some pictures for what number to use. the N2100 may need to go.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

I believe my Staggerwing should be here tomorrow or Monday.

I'll be using an OS 160 four cycle twin (they want me to "keep it in the family")

They also said that the OS 325 5 cylinder would be "just too much" for this plane.

The Robart retract system will also be on the way.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

well why dont u use the 5 cylinder?

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Uh Oh. Don't tell me RC Report is becoming like the other magazines.....[:o]

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

It seems that I did need to raise the engine 1/2". The pics show the cowl and dummy engine aligned to the side graphics and prop shaft. I also needed to shift the engine ,facing the firewall, to the right 1/4".

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

We like to comply with requests from the manufacturer, especially when they show a particular engine in the manual and I just happen to have one.

Plus, the 325 Radial is really too much (power and $$$) for this plane.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

but would it work well?

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

I really don't know if it would even fit in the cowl.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

not if you make cuts for the cylinder heads

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

In that case, ANY engine would fit....

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

well then i might as well get that plane and the engine instead of the 3 cyl. sometime. as tim taylor would say arrrrgh arrrrgh arrrrgh more power!!!!!

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

man with the engine and some of the accesorees the total outcome would be 2448.99!!! damn

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

FGPierce,

Yiour pictures seem to show that you mounted the 180se inverted. Is that correct?

According to the RCS website, the 180se is 5" from the prop centerline to the top of the plug. My Saito 180 is 4.4" so it should work inverted, also. Did you try to mount the 180se at 90 degrees? Do you know how much room there is for a 90 degree monted engine?

Soory to bother you with these questions, but you seem to be moving right along. I have only taken mine out of the box and looked at it so far. My job, seems to get in the way of my fun.

Jim K.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

jimmkeeh

Your right! The engine is inverted. I'm sure all the cowls are the same shape as mine and with that being said you'll notice that the cowl isn't round. The bottom drops down a bit giving a little more room for the inverted position. I don't think you'll find the same room horizontally. However your engine is shorter than mine so you may be able to sneak it in. Now there's the consideration of cooling. The cowl is too tight against the fuselage for that. You'll need to make a hole. I wanted mine on the bottom. After all a lot time spent in admiration of this beauty will be on the ground. The unsightly hole won't be as noticeable to the ants.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Some different versions, notice the gear doors.................

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Got mine today!!

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Got mine today as well. How many are we in this club now?

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

fgpierce,

Yeah, I saw the shape of the cowl was better for inverted. This is good for gas, but I amy have to lower the tank for inverted glow. Siphoning can be a real problem!

In either case. I plan on the exhaust going out the bottom, so I will have openings there for the muffler and cooling.

Jim K.

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
 

Mine will be here next week. I noticed on the Top-Flite website video that on landing they had full flaps on the lower wing. I am trying to figure that programming out. How to mix all 4 ailerons for flying and only the lower ailerons for flaps? This is one exciting project for sure. I am waiting to decide what engine. I want a gasser for sure.