That is the question.

I have a 12 year old Curare I built from plans. It has a few issues. Yes, I was sacrilegious in making it a tail dragger, yes I am very ashamed of this major mistake. It has haunted me since I did it. That is one reason I have not finished it.

I have pulled it down from the dust plane rack, cleaned it up and have looked at what it needs to be finished. I need to form a canopy, get all of the push rods and control horns, decide if I want to use the Vintage Webra Speed .61 Black head with a tuned pipe or get a new .61 in its place or even do I dare go E power if I wont be burned as a hieratic. I have a set of very, very old Robart retracts in it. I was looking for a rebuild kit because I know the seals and O rings have to be shot after hanging in the +5 to 120 degree garage for 10 plus years. So, I can get a new set of mains from Tower for $130.00 ish or a set of electric retracts for about the same price.

Other then being a tail dragger, the plane is in really good shape. No real hanger rash. I do need to iron a few edges here and there plus add the colors to the fuse. I cut the cores and sheeted it myself. Still have the templates if I cut another set.


Buzz.

Yes, of course finish it, and post your progress for all to see. Don't worry, the Classic Pattern Police are not going to castigate you (too much) for making it a taildragger, or electric if that is what you choose to do. F'em if they can't take a joke.

Robert

About 5 dollars worth of O rings will rebuild your Robart retracts. I just did a set for my plans built Dirty Birdy. The only tricky part is getting the shaft seals out, make a tool from a piece of 1/8 music wire to knock the plugs out. Lube all the O rings with white lithium grease when you reassemble.

Those look so dang good. I have an issue with, what they call Vintage Pattern planes. They were and are the sexiest planes around. Sleek and sexy. Their lines are just so sweet. This is really my 3rd Curare. I thought I would try and save a little weight and cost. Had the retracts on hand and the motor. Just when I got it to this point, I picked up my first brushless motor, an 8 ounce plane and just went that way. I have been flying small lite weight planes and a lot of ARF's.

Now I have the bug to fly a real plane

I was thinking of putting the Webra back in the box, it needs bearings and installing a a new 61 or 90? I have a Magnum 60 that runs great. It has a lot of power for what it is. Brother had a Magnum 91 2s in his plane and it never missed a beat. I also have an old Clearence Lee K&B 61 with a pump, K&B 65, a Vintage 1973 Super Tigre 61 blue head. I could go for an old Fox 60 or 74? Just need to think about it.

I do think a new set of retracts is in order. They are pretty dusty and dirty. Will need new wire at the very least. Might go with electric retracts as they are easier to install and setup.

I have all of the servos for this plane. I have (2) 9g MG digital servos for the airbrakes/flaps. Dual aileron servos, pull pull on the rudder.

So much to do, so little time. Dang job gets in the way of my fun.


Buzz.

Go the Super tiger 61 with a pipe. Perfect for this plane, I have an 80's vintage Tiger in my Dirty Birdy. Send me the retracts and I will rebuild them for you.

Scott

Buzz,
Not to keep harping on the retract thing, but I too recently rebuilt an old set of Robarts for about $5 worth of o rings at Ace hardware. Piece of cake!

Would like to see you join us sometime with that Curare, We've got a meet at Prado 10-4 & Lancaster 11-8 & 9th

Paul

Buzz,

nice bird. I won't comment on the retracts but will on the engine.

To me, the Webra is the perfect engine for the model. Not only is it period correct but it also is model and designer correct. Although Hanno put his pipes under the wing with SE Webra Speeds, the RE Webra Racing has a tad more power. They can turn an APC 11x7 just shy of 15K on 10% fuel and a Dynamix carb with proper pipe tuning.

my next choice would be the Magnum but nothing quite like an Austrian engine in a very famous Austrian classic!

My 2 cents worth.

David

Flyonenow, I am about 2 1/2 to 3 hours south east of you. I have flown at the Hemet field many times with my brother and brother in law.

Way back when, I picked up the Webra with (2) pipes and the header for $125.00. New bearings are $30.00.

Looks like i will be taking the retracts out, cleaning them up and looking at what they need.

Trying to get motivated to get back into building. I just need to spend a little time at the work bench to get it ready to use.

Buzz.

Buzz,
Hemet is a nice field but about 30 min from me. I am a Riverside RC club member flying out of the Crowley field. Its 8 min from my house. Sounds like you are out in the Indio area?

$30 seems high for bearings. Don't know where you found them, but I'd suggest maybe BOCA or rcbearings.com if you haven't all ready.

I have to say it's pretty cool to see these classic birds in action, no matter what configuration they are in. You just can't go wrong showing up with one at one of these low key meets. There is all ways a real appreciation for not only the aircraft , but also the time and effort it takes to get one in the air. I say this because getting ready for a meet is what motivates me, not from any real competitive sense but just because its nice to hang out with the guys and learn/ relearn something new/old. Hmm, I think I'm beginning to sound like the poster child for the classic movement.

So to digress, just happy to hear you are taking an interest in your Curare and looking forward to seeing the developments. All though, I think the Webra raises the coolness factor.

Paul

Yes - of course - go E Power. Install an AXI 4120/18 or Hacker or Scorpion or whatever and squeeze in a 6S1P Lipo and use a Castle Phoenix Edge Lite 75 amp speed control.

If I was within 250 miles of you I would drive over and buy it or take it if you don't want it.

Unfinished projects subconsciously wear on me. If you can financially afford whatever else is needed, it would feel good to get it done.

I would go electric if you are already setup for it and plan on actually flying the plane. If you want to stick to the roots you could always use a huge Nicad or something In seriousness, it would be nice to have it 'appropriately powered' if you plan on flying it. So I wouldn't go overboard with the batteries/motor, I'd try to make it fly like an adequately powered classic plane.

Evening people. I am laying on a bed in the ER typing on my phone. Back is all torn up.

Well back to the fun.

I have a Tacon 60 electric motor, Proton 60 esc, 5500 6s battery.

I live almost half way between the ocean and Arizona right on the border. Name of the town is called boulevard

I will post again tomorrow.

Buzz