ckreef

Just got back from the Perry, GA swap meet where I purchased the parts I needed to convert my Great Planes ElectroStik to glow.

There are many glow versions of this plane but I had the ElectroStik and I have never been happy with it as an electic plane so I decided to convert it to glow. It is a slightly smaller version then their .40 sized glow so I was going to buy a TT Pro .36 for it but ............... I have a brand new TT Pro .46 sitting around that has just enough run time to be broken in. It will be a slightly large engine for this plane but only slightly. The ElectroStik came as a tail dragger but I ripped the tail wheel off last flight taxing through grass so I am also going to convert it to a tri gear plane.

Off to start the conversion and will post pics as it progresses.


p.s. At Perry, GA I also bought another electric ARF I am going to convert to glow. Once this conversion is finished I will start a new thread for the next conversion.

Twin_Flyer

My Feedback: (4)

I bet your going to find that the .46 is way too much power for that plane and your first choice of the Pro .36 will be much better.

Whats the second plane you picked up?

Bill S.

ckreef

You just might be right. I have been debating the .36 or .46 motor for some time now. I guess I need to give it some more thought. Anybody else have an opinion ????

I picked up a Maxford USA Gee Bee "Y" ARF kit. I plan on converting it to glow with a OS .15cv-a (pitts style muffler). After getting it home and making a bunch of measurements it appears doable with a bit of work.

Now onto this conversion. I first wanted to move the main landing gear back so I could convert it into a tri gear plane. (The last electric flight I ripped the tail wheel off taxiing it in grass).


Well I'm trying to upload the pics but RCu is not cooperating. Will try again in a little bit.

ckreef

Cut out an opening in the middle 2 of the electric vent holes.

ckreef

You can see the original main gear position (on left) compared to the new position.

ckreef

Double 1/8" ply main landing gear plate.

ckreef

Main landing gear plate installed w/ blind nuts.

ckreef

Sorry RCU would only let me post 1 pic per message whats up with that ???


Main landing gear installed. I used some spare red MonoKote to cover the exposed wood. (Not exactly the same shade but close)

Twin_Flyer

My Feedback: (4)

Looking good!!

Bill S.

ckreef

Here is the servos reconfigured. I had to move the rudder servo more towards the middle to give room for the stearing linkage. I installed an additional servo for throttle. Also pictured is the charge jack/on/off switch installed.

ckreef

This is the charge jack/on/off switch installed (outside view).

ckreef

A 200 cc fuel tank (approx. 6.75 oz). 1/4" foam installed everywhere it will touch the fuselage directly.

ckreef

Tank temporarly installed in the battery hatch (to check the fit).

ckreef

Ok, I had a brain fart. The original location of the charge jack was going to conflict with the stearing linkage so I reinstalled it more towards the rear behind all the servos and under their linkage.

ckreef

The back side of the new firewall (sideways). Blind nuts installed for the motor mount and the nose gear assembly.

ckreef

Stearing linkage hooked up to rudder servo temporarily.

ckreef

Firewall installed. Stearing assembly and linkage hooked up temprarily. I still need to cut the top of the stearing arm dowm and install the stearing arm linkage and cut the stearing cable to length. Slowly but surely it's all comming together.

phatboy

Cool build man. Thanks.

ckreef

It's an awesome day for flying

The conversion is complete. All I need to do is hookup and adjust the trottle and stearing linkages. The maiden voyage is in my grasp.

OHCRAP - I forgot to charge the Rx battery last night I am completely bummed out.

To top it all off I can't fly tomorrow (previous engagement) which is our normal club day at the field. Oh well will fly later in the week and take a few final pictures of the build tonight or tomorrow.

ckreef

After my previous post I hooked the charger up to the Rx and let it go for about 3 hours. I then finished up the conversion and went flying.

WOW I am one happy camper. The conversion was a complete success. This just might be my new best plane. Very smooth flying, decent speed, and decent power. I flew it for 5 tank fulls. Here are the original and the conversion specs.

Great Planes ElectroSTIK origannly speced:
Wingspan 52.75"
Wing Area 589 sq in.
AUW 3 - 3.5 lbs.
Wing loading 11.7 - 13.6 oz/sq ft
Length 45.5 in.
Brushless motor equivelant to a .25 - .30
2200 mah 3s
Tail Dragger

My New conversion specs (same physical size)
AUW 4.25 lbs.
Wing Loading 16.6 oz/sq ft
Glow Motor OS .40 LA
Fuel Tank 6.75 oz.
12 + mins flying time @ 75% of the time WOT
Tricycle Gear.

I was able to acheive proper CG by installing the Rx battery in the fuselage just behind the trailing edge.

This conversion was such a success that I am now going to start on my next conversion. A Maxford USA electric Gee Bee "Y" w/ a 39 in wingspan. Will post a new build thread as that progresses.

landeck

My Feedback: (1)

Very nicely done! You have saved a plane from the dark side!

Bruce

ckreef

A while back I swapped out the .40 LA for a TT Pro .46. She was a screemer with unlimited vertical.

Unfortunatly this Saturday I was really flying her hard at WOT making very tight pylon raceing, full banked turns. Towords the end of the fuel tank the elevator servo started to go out. I cut the throttle way down and attempted to come around for a landing. On the last turn into final the elevator servo totally stripped out. I straightened her out but she slowly sank into the farmers field (past end of runway) doing a cartwheel upon hitting the ground.

Although not a total waste I am not planning on fixing her. I have another more approiate plane I'm looking at to house the TT Pro .46

If anyone attempts this conversion, totally cutout the servo bay and make a new servo plate, one that will hold full size servos. (hind sight is 20/20)

JaredW

My Feedback: (1)

So how did you like flying it with the OS .40? I have the Electrostik but I am tired of charging batteries. So I want to go glow, but leave as a tail dragger. Do you think I will be happy with it.

jymz

I did one last year and it was great. Used a OS 40FP.

JaredW

My Feedback: (1)

Thanks. I bought a new 40 OS max I found on eBay and I will upgrade the servos to standards like someone said on YouTube. To handle it. I have not started yet but soon. Looking forward to it. Thanks for the picture I was not sure where the fuel tank needed to be. Which brings up another question. Do you check center of gravity with full or empty tanks?