I own a Carl Goldberg Ultimate 10-300, and yes, I have been taking my time in completing this project. I am just about finished with it, just got to install the electrics, engine, and cover it. I have already covered the struts, and that was a bit scary/hairy. They came out alright, I am just afraid of messing up on the bigger pieces to cover. Tack edges first, then use heat gun for the rest, right? I even have a guidebook, on how to do custom covering/scale jobs. I would like to do the panel/rivet appearance, for added scale realism. So, I bought some striping tape,(real thin-like). I just don't know how the rivets will be done/completed. Well, my main concern, is not so much about the covering. (Almost thinking of paying someone else to do the covering for me).
I just ordered my engine,(finally), a Saito FG-20 4-stroke gas engine, and I am having a hard time finding out which muffler to choose. I also ordered a T.M.E. Smart Smoker System. So, I know the muffler will need that option available. I don't understand why, Horizon Hobbies, doesn't suggest which mufflers to choose, with the FG-20??? I have looked at all the mufflers on their site, and can't find which one is compatible. I pretty much finished the biplane kit, in less than a month and have procrastinated in covering it because, I did not see the point in hurrying if I don't have an engine/electrics for it yet.
Well, now I am excited to have ordered the engine, smoke system, and now, I am that much closer to finishing my Bipe! I have had a few hours on a trainer, and have also used my Futaba 7C on the Great Planes simulator, for many hours. I think I am a natural at this R/C flying. I have also been getting into Short Course trucks, as I own both, the Slash 4x4, and the SC10. Both with many upgrades. All those years of reading R/C Car Action, and not being able to afford these great toys, has finally come to an end,(the fantasizing).
Anyhow, I also own a foamy Bipe, with a towerpro combo. I bought my 7C on eBay, and the Rx bought somewhere else. For some reason, I cannot bind the 2 together. I even had people at the flyspot/Balboa Park, try to help me and it is irritating to have the equipment not work right. My foamy is a Pluma combined with an Outrage. Pluma wings, Outrage fuselage. It looks great, how it flies? Still don't know. I will have to contact Futaba it looks like, for assistance with that. Enough R/C rambling, I just wanted to fill you people in, on how involved I am with R/C's and the various problems I am having with finishing my Bipe. If anyone can provide me with tips/suggestions, I would greatly appreciate them. Thank you.

Here are two articles on covering. The first covers the basic. Read it so you understand some of the "Do's and Don'ts"

http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...?article_id=67

The second contains videos that show the process step by step:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=726

Ultimate Biplane with smoke for a second model? You better be a natural. [X(] I strongly, strongly suggest you have an experienced pilot inspect the set-up, do the maiden and trim it for you. Don't worry about the smoke until about the 15th flight.

Yeah, you'll be busy enough flying that plane without having to think about turing on and off smoke.

CGr.

I agree, owning one. Its my third plane after a month with a high-wing .46 trainer, then about 6 months with a Hangar 9 P-51 PTS (upgraded with full flaps and a magnum .80 4 stroke). After those 7 or so months flying plus countless hours on the simulator (I spend a lot of time at my computer), the bipe is still a handful for me. I guess my biggest issue actually is orientation of the plane, but it still has a lot of drag to it, so it slows down quickly, and it just doesn't fly like what I've otherwise flown. It can be a blast, but you need to learn it well and get into it. The only thing that I haven't expereinced that everyone else said would happen with it was hot landing. I don't need to land hot to land properly with the plane, it can slow down plenty, but you can't glide it because of the drag I mentioned, it needs to be landed powered.

There is a whole crew of people posting on a huge build thread dedicated to the 10-300. I'm sure your question will be addressed and welcomed there, and I'm sure any future questions you may have have already been encountered there multiple times (including the smoke I believe).

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_49..._1/key_/tm.htm

Welcome to the CG 10-300 club

Wow your brave flying this as a second plane, I have one in the box yet to build and although keen to get it built I know that Icould destroy it even after a year flying.

Iflew my lt40high wing (still fly it) then a spacewalker and now only aftera year I am starting tofly my mid wing somethin extra. I tried to fly my somethin extra after only six month stick time and almost crashed it so went out and bought the spacewalker arf.

I really like the way bipes look and have been collectingkits of them andam at the same stage as you with a hog bipe. This will be my trainer bipe that I hope to fly soon.

The problem you may have even if you are a good pilot on your trainer is that the ultimate will flycompletely different from what you know anda simple mistake like noseing it up on landing and loosing a bit airspeed maywell result in a loss ofcontrolor stall that you will not have experienced with your trainer and foamie. Although I could take off and flymyspacewalk no problem I experienced the aboveon landingand snapped it in two when I flew in to slow andlost elevator authority and it went inn over on its nose. Rebuilt and it took me a few flights (and more nose overs) to realise a bit more elevator throw and a slightly faster landing was required. I simply did not have the experience to see what was happening and would hate to have had to learn this the hard way with one of my kit built models.


As you say you are a fast learner (natural) it is hard for me to say you cannot do this and you will crash (im no expert) but I would advise plenty of stick time with your trainer so you are so comfy flying the trainer that you can get it out of any bad situation you find yourself in. Then buy a cheap arf that is sporty and fly it till you destroy it then fly the ultimate (get it maidened and the expo set up for you) and you will probably be ok.

Oh good luck and post pics of the model when finnished, I love a nicely turned out bipe.

Also, an important point will be that the ultimate bipe will fly nothing like the foamy bipe. Though they're both biplanes, the weight, power, and likey size will be drastically different, all leading to the handling and properties of flight being drastically different. I would recommend going under the guidance of a much more experienced local pilot. I guess this would be under the same suggestion of having someone else trim it out and set your expos. This is especially important with this plane. I almost killed mine the first day I flew it, as I didn't realize how wide the stock throws are on the control surfaces. Be sure to have the rates WAY down or the controls set low on the control horns. An experienced guide should catch this, but its good to keep in mind as well, considering it is designed to be an acrobatic plane.

The Ultimate 10-300 is my favorite model. Make sure your rates are set within your skill level for the initial flights.

Don't worry about paneling and rivets. The Ultimate, much like the Pitts and other derivations thereof, is made of wood and aluminum, with fabric covering.