Great Planes Giant Citabria GP/EP ARF 85"
11-05-2014, 12:18 PM
#304
11-05-2014, 01:34 PM
#305
Sorry to hear that, look at it this way, by the time the winter project is fix there will be a new, better, improved and tested main gear then you won't have to put back the softy metal that you have now.
Last edited by CARS II; 11-05-2014 at 01:39 PM.
11-05-2014, 11:04 PM
#309
While I wait for the new and improved main gear for the Citabria I decided to work on other things that needed attention, since I have not landing gear may as well get to that so it is done when the new gear arrives.
Here is my initial approach to the firewall box fix, I saw a member from FG do the fix but I think I will go a little farther extending the added supports.
See pictures from where is it coming loose from, mini cracks that are hard to see ( the weakest spot ) the soon to be added parts and how they will go on, my thoughts are that the firewall box needed to be supported a little more specially at the top, that's why I'm extending the added parts ( 3/32 hard ply ) as far as possible back and front all the way to the firewall by removing the tri wood support there and not just paralleling the original design, and supporting them with some 3/4 tri stock as far as possible to spread the load and energy coming from the engine during hard landings, the servo boxes do not extend father down that is the why I'm adding the tri wood to have the support spread even farther.
I will probably make some more minor changes to the box, and will complete the gluing of the parts some time next week.
Looking at the construction of the firewall box it gives me an impression the the designers were thinking more towards the electric community and not the gas ones ( my opinion ) nonetheless this is a very nice airplane and we are going to make it better.
Here is my initial approach to the firewall box fix, I saw a member from FG do the fix but I think I will go a little farther extending the added supports.
See pictures from where is it coming loose from, mini cracks that are hard to see ( the weakest spot ) the soon to be added parts and how they will go on, my thoughts are that the firewall box needed to be supported a little more specially at the top, that's why I'm extending the added parts ( 3/32 hard ply ) as far as possible back and front all the way to the firewall by removing the tri wood support there and not just paralleling the original design, and supporting them with some 3/4 tri stock as far as possible to spread the load and energy coming from the engine during hard landings, the servo boxes do not extend father down that is the why I'm adding the tri wood to have the support spread even farther.
I will probably make some more minor changes to the box, and will complete the gluing of the parts some time next week.
Looking at the construction of the firewall box it gives me an impression the the designers were thinking more towards the electric community and not the gas ones ( my opinion ) nonetheless this is a very nice airplane and we are going to make it better.
Last edited by CARS II; 11-05-2014 at 11:22 PM.
11-06-2014, 06:39 AM
#311
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Carlos;
I have to ask; are you doing the Firewall Mod/Reinforcing on the side of Abundance of Caution for possible Failure; OR, has the Firewall been failing on other people's Citabrias?
Thanks, Doug.
I have to ask; are you doing the Firewall Mod/Reinforcing on the side of Abundance of Caution for possible Failure; OR, has the Firewall been failing on other people's Citabrias?
Thanks, Doug.
11-06-2014, 09:51 AM
#313
[Q=dasintex;119124]Carlos;I have to ask; are you doing the Firewall Mod/Reinforcing on the side of Abundance of Caution for possible Failure; OR, has the Firewall been failing on other people's Citabrias?Thanks, Doug.[/QUOTE]
I know of at least two airplanes with loose firewalls, the one guy on FG and mine, I think mine came loose because the stiff double gear, I suppose that this is just confined to just this two. Like I said before, I'm new to gas but not building ( not an expert either ) when I saw the fire wall designe for the first time I just went, mmmm? and left it alone, now I have learned some more with this and I prefer it happened now than later since I'm in the mods doing thing for this airplane.
This airplane is so nice that I'm still planing to get another kit to build later, much later,
I post here to give the other members the option to modified, adjust or change on their own conclusions from my postings, if they think I'm wrong and don't like it then I will have to accept that
I know of at least two airplanes with loose firewalls, the one guy on FG and mine, I think mine came loose because the stiff double gear, I suppose that this is just confined to just this two. Like I said before, I'm new to gas but not building ( not an expert either ) when I saw the fire wall designe for the first time I just went, mmmm? and left it alone, now I have learned some more with this and I prefer it happened now than later since I'm in the mods doing thing for this airplane.
This airplane is so nice that I'm still planing to get another kit to build later, much later,
I post here to give the other members the option to modified, adjust or change on their own conclusions from my postings, if they think I'm wrong and don't like it then I will have to accept that
Last edited by CARS II; 11-06-2014 at 04:41 PM.
11-06-2014, 10:23 AM
#314
CarsII,
I agree with you. I've said for quite a while, if you like a plane, buy one. If you really like it, buy another because it will eventually be off the market. I went ARF-Happy about 10 years ago and just about every plane I have bought is now discontinued. Thankfully, I know how to scratch-build my sport models.
I agree with you. I've said for quite a while, if you like a plane, buy one. If you really like it, buy another because it will eventually be off the market. I went ARF-Happy about 10 years ago and just about every plane I have bought is now discontinued. Thankfully, I know how to scratch-build my sport models.
11-06-2014, 04:52 PM
#316
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Carlos, did you abandon your Doubled Up Gear?
We need a field report on the TNT Gear when someone tries them out!
Last edited by dasintex; 11-06-2014 at 04:55 PM.
11-06-2014, 06:56 PM
#319
das
Yes, I did in fact, TNT used that gear to get the dimensions for their new offerings. so I'm gear less 'till the new set arrives. oh yes, I want to be the first one to try them out, but wait! here is your pre-report on the new mains, WOW! they are awesome!
I know I will be saying that, nothing more.
Yes, I did in fact, TNT used that gear to get the dimensions for their new offerings. so I'm gear less 'till the new set arrives. oh yes, I want to be the first one to try them out, but wait! here is your pre-report on the new mains, WOW! they are awesome!
I know I will be saying that, nothing more.
Last edited by CARS II; 11-06-2014 at 11:58 PM.
11-09-2014, 01:01 PM
#322
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I read an article in the recent issue of AMA's Model Aviation. We were discussing this very same thing early on in this forum. Batty backup! Page 117 November issue. Only $25 for a true battery backup system. (Other than the second battery, switch, and a y splitter). Here is the link for RBS. [email protected]. I haven't been there my self yet. Still wondering if I should get one.
11-10-2014, 05:51 PM
#323
First, I would like to thank all who have posted on this thread (CarsII, M-gutzmer, drdoom, najet, etc), your findings and fixes are a huge help. As I stated in the beginning, this is the first ARF airplane I have bought, I have been building (plans & kits) and flying RC for more than 30 years. I still think it is a great model but there major problems in its construction. Assembly of the wing to the fuselage (damage to the fuselage sides), weak landing gear legs, but most damaging failure is the glue used in high stress areas is a crash waiting to happen. Assembling and flying this airplane, as describe in the manual, will result in a short lived beautiful airplane.
Because of have had cataract surgery (1 more eye t go) has given me time to try to correct these major flaws. I have first, tempered and painted the gear legs, shortened the wing struts and replaced longer mounting tabs and add triangle stock around the firewall box, added screws and a ply former. In removing the gear, 2 of the blind nuts broke free, 1 on each side, requiring cutting into the fuselage bottom. I have some pictures of the repairs and mods made, again thanks to all.
I hope to maiden the Citabra before the end of the year
Take Care
Rich
Because of have had cataract surgery (1 more eye t go) has given me time to try to correct these major flaws. I have first, tempered and painted the gear legs, shortened the wing struts and replaced longer mounting tabs and add triangle stock around the firewall box, added screws and a ply former. In removing the gear, 2 of the blind nuts broke free, 1 on each side, requiring cutting into the fuselage bottom. I have some pictures of the repairs and mods made, again thanks to all.
I hope to maiden the Citabra before the end of the year
Take Care
Rich
Last edited by jwrich; 11-10-2014 at 06:01 PM.
