Just came across a kit called the Sterling Viper. Looks to be part of their "modernization" line from the late 80's maybe? 1/2a full bodied stunter with decent overall appearance. Do these fly well? I got an Akromaster kit along with the Viper and really only wanted the Akro so its a bonus if it is a good flyer after built. Any and all info would be appreciated. Collectors, should I build it or store it!?!

Build it, it flys okay, do not expect combat like performance. It's too small for that;

but it's not too small for fun flying. I flew mine decades ago using a DC Dart .5cc diesel

engine. This kit is not and should not be a person's "Rosebud"

Tony

Cool,

It looks like it could be a flyer and the lines are screaming for a Mardi Gras color scheme. I might even play around with an electric conversion. Thanks for the info.


Peace!

Excellent Idea! Mine is a drab pinkish red and maroon.

Tony

From a forum discussion, someone was kind enough to copy me a plan sheet but I have not yet built it.

One of the discussion points was the diamond airfoil and how it would affect flying. Apparently it flies pretty well. I believe the reasoning for the diamond airfoil was the ability to lay it flat for ease of construction..

It is a cute little plane.

George

I have a Viper kit and was thinking about powering it with an old McCoy .098 or OK Cub .099.

Hi Dan, The Viper model is too darned small for those engines. I suggest the

Wee Duper Zilch is more in line with your engine choice. I built a WDZ in 1954

and powered it with a Mc Coy .098, then I swapped it out for a Cub .099. The

WDZ flew best with the Cub .099. In an earlier reply, I mentioned that the Viper

is a really small model(wing area) and I flew my Viper with a Dart diesel. You also

have other better choices than the Viper, such as the Flitestreak Jr and the Ringmaster Jr.

The Viper's diamond airfoil is a reason for the Viper's very mediocre performance.

Tony

My other thought for the Viper was one of my McCoy .049 diesels.

The reason I originally suggested a McCoy .098 or Cub .099 was that later .049 engines had almost as much power as these early .09's but the .09 engines are more user-friendly and don't have to scream their guts out to fly a small UC model.

My engine collection is heavily weighted towards .09 engines because I found out at an early age that half-A models with an .09 in the nose fly much better for me and I don't have to back up to keep the lines tight in light winds.

For me, an older .049 engine in a UC model may be nostalgic but an .09 engine can turn that same model into a very satisfactory flying session.

I did fly a Sterling Ringmaster Jr with a McCoy .09 Diesel and later with a K&B greenhead .09. It was an OK flier but more of a sport model than stunt.

As for the Flight Streak Jr. I agree it is a superb flier and I flew them back in the sixties with K&B Greenhead .19, Fox .19 and Testors/McCoy .19 engines. The K&B was my favorite and I still have a new one in case I run across another F/S Jr kit. I know Brodak has a repro kit so that's probably what I'll get.

Dan,

I like the radial mount on that Cub.

George

Thanks George,

It's an OK Cub accessory. I never saw one back in the fifties but ran across it in a trade.

Arden had all kinds of things for their engines too.

My Jr Flitestreak with TD 09 was a favorite airplane and flew a stunt pattern as well as I could fly it.

Every now and then I get the yen to pick up another Flitestreak Jr. and maybe power it with a PAW 1.5cc or a CS-Oliver Tiger Cub.

I remember carving continuous figure eights which kept my lines straight.

Hey guys, I have a sterling viper box and building print, maybe a few other things (someone built it and put the "extra" parts in the box). I hate to throw it out if someone would want it? I can put pics up if you want. Just pay shipping and I can send it to you. What do you think? should I just chuck it? Thanks. and check out kevinf7762 on ebay I've got some vintage kits going up rc stuff but still neat to look at. Let me know Thanks Kevin

I don't know if this is the Viper you guys are reffering to but it's one of the nicest C/L planes I've seen

No. This Viper is one in a series of stunters designed and built by Robert Storick, also known as Sparky he has a very popular web site and forum.
www.stunthanger.com

The diamond airfoil is generally quite poor flying wise. Done for ease of building, the center of pressure jumps all over between the leading edge and the high point of the airfoil in turns. Old combat jobslike the Dumas Diamond were especially bad fliers.

Agreed. Since it's a cute little plane, wonder how well it would fly with a smooth-flow airfoil?

George

It'd be easy enough to do. Build the wing and mount it on the fuselage, then draw out a series of half ribs the airfoil you desired and glue them on top and then bottom like an I-Beam wing.<div>Any 1/2A model with a decent wing area should have a Wasp or Norvel 049 or better, 061 engine. They run great and have a ton of power.
<div>Chris...</div></div>

Since I would be building from plans I would use airfoiled ribs from the start. Although I have some Norvels I believe this plane is way too small for them. I probably would use a Black Widow or a Golden Bee.

George

Sorry. Double post.