Great Planes Giant Citabria GP/EP ARF 85"
 

Hi all

I always wanted a gas airplane since ever, some time ago I almost got me one ( 50cc ) but I had to invest the money ( around $1500 ) on our van's engine to get it rebuild ( thanks to my lovely wife :rolleyes: )

Any how, at the moment I have no room to build nor the time from a kit so, I'm going ARF again ( work and family, love the kids sure wife too ;) )

The GP 30cc Citabria that is to be on the market around July/August looks like a good candidate for my first gasser, I like the DLE 35ccRE as the power plant for it ( over kill? maybe )

They recomend a minimum of 85oz for the servos, I have some JR digitals MG servos above 100oz for the Ail/Flaps/Elev and a HS 333oz for the Rudder that has never seen any use.

I never ran/run a gasoline engine before so this is exciting for me ( I have been doing this for over mmmmmm,,,,,,,,,,30 years by now, I think ) I have all the skils to do it but not the experince on gas ( I have flown everything you can imagine )

Also when I decided to work on a new project I read and research and watch and so on everything on the subject before I start to make sure it is what I want and to be prepared for the construction and operation of it.

So, here I am asking for suggestions and help from the ones that have ran/run gas before me.

Thank you for posting your opinions and suggestion are welcome.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1992535http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1992533http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1992534http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1992534http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1992532


http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXDYWM&P=ML

Running a gasser is easy. Just watch the guys at your local field, and ask them a few questions, if need be.

With your 30+ years of experience, this stuff will come easily to you. I bought my first Zenoah during my second year in the hobby. I learned how to operate it by watching others, and asking them questions.

It looks like it should be a good flying model. Easy to see, also!

Tom is right. Running a gasser is easy, and ask lots of questions. I started flying 22cc gas airplanes after only 12 months flying electric foamies. Now I run two OS GT22s - Taylorcraft and Sea Fury - with a 60cc Corsair on the assembly bench. That will challenge me!! Like you, I research everything carefully and take my time. I found the transition pretty easy, and you have way more experience than I. Good luck. Sean

Tom, Lifer, Sean. Thank you for the replies, I also think so, ask as many questions as possible, this will be fun.

Well, I called a good friend last night, he has been running gas for years, we don't fly as often as a few years ago when we where flying every weekend, I mention to him my interest to run gas and he said he was thining the fleet of gassers so, he told me to stop by his place ( he is about an hour drive ) to pick up a profile gasser with a DLE 30 on it and something else to take home, perfect timing and I had no idea I was going to have my first big gas airplane by Friday.

We are having the IMAA West Coast festival at Castle airport here in Cali. this memorial weekend ( like two weeks from today ) lots of big stuff flys there, I will bring the profile to participate in the event if I can get it ready with at least a few flighs on it.

Best regards!

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1994889http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1994890

This is what I got from my friend yesterday, a Pasific madels Bee Gee Y with a BME 61cc twin cylinder

You will love this plane.Great flying characteristics,never tip stalls,and with a 61cc will go like a bat out of hell.I have 2 one ARC,one ARF,the only complaint is the covering,once it starts peeling,it won't reattatch itself even with balsarite.jeffo

I am a little interested in this GP Citabria, but only if I can install the VVRC 40 cc twin in it. So I am wondering what is the width of this aircraft, at the cowl that is. I don't like to cut a lot of big holes in the cowl. And if this twin wont fit in it, I may look for something else.
Anyone know the dimensions of this cowl?

This is what I came out with, I measure the distance on the bottom of my DLERE 35 engine mount holes, transfer that to the computer screen to find the right size by enlarging the image, now with the right size of the image I measure the width of the fuse and came up with roughly 10 inches from side to side at the center of the fuse, not accurate, it may be a little wider but this should give you an idea if it will work for you.

Good luck, I hope this helps.


http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2023015http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2023016http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2023017http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2023018

At least this step will work for this combo airplane/VVRC 40.

[ATTACH]2023019[/IMG]

Spark Plug Size: CM6
Displacement: 40 cc
Bore x Stroke: 32 x 26 mm
Carburetor: Genuine Walbro
Ignition: Rcexl
Propeller: 20 x 8 @ 7000 rpm
Maximum Output: 4.7 hp / 7500 rpm
Speed Range: 1500 - 7500 rpm
Gas/Oil Mix Ratio: 32-40:1, 87 octane, recommend 32:1
Power Supply: 4.8 – 8.4 V
Weight with ignition and muffler: 44.00 oz
Weight without ignition and muffler: 34.1 oz
Distance from backplate to prop face of prop hub: 140mm (160mm with included standoffs)

Thank you for your reply and efforts. It seems that there is more than enough room. I just return from VVRC website and this is what I found.
This new 40cc gas engine was developed in collaboration between Valley View RC and Quzhou Jjinnuo Machinery Co.,Ltd. After several design changes and many hours of testing I feel we have developed the only twin cylinder engine that will fit most 30cc airplanes and will also fit inside a 30cc airplane cowl. The distance between spark plug caps is 7-7/8". The use of a smaller 1/4 X 32 spark plug and angling the plug in the cylinder makes this possible.

I think their price is about $449. A smooth running twin with a little more power than needed, I think would be a perfect combo for this. I will think on it hard for a while before making up my mind.

A little FYI, if the cowl is 10" wide the CRRC 55cc twin would fit. I have a couple and they are sweet and only $409 at http://www.prcmodel.com/modeng/name/...ore/category/5. Just sayin...

Now I'm wondering if the DLE 61cc twin would fit. I have heard that the 61 twin is not as powerful as the 55 cc is, but runs smoother.

I just found this thread regarding the VVRC 40T, post #19, around 7.8 inches width from spark cap to spark cap.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/gas-...40cc-twin.html

just answered my own question, no it wont. The plugs and wires would stick out on each side. The DLE 40 twin would fit, but it cost a few more dollars.
So for the reviews, price, size, and power, I am betting on the VVRC 40 Twin.
My next project.

If you get the Citabria don't forget to post your progress and pictures of your install.

I did not that about the small plugs. But since there is still enough room with the standard plugs, that is the one I will go with.

Will order one as soon as they are back in stock.

just ordered the VVRC 40cc twin standard. $451.80 delivered. I just finished paying off that credit card too.

Congrats on both counts, now we wait on the Citabria.

My 40cc twin is on it's way, and now they are backordered again. Been looking at the Citabria manual again. A few things I dont like, but may be able to modify. The way GP does their linkage on their elevator and rudder. this may be just fine for 60 size planes, but I really dont believe it is best for this size of an aircraft and the high torque servos. I would prefer they did what they did on their giant Revolver. (pull pull rudder and elevator servos at the tail) However, having slamed them for that, I applaud them for what they did get right. The tail wheel assembly is CF, which is different than what they supplied on their Giant Revolver. I replaced that Revolver tail wheel assy with a CF one since the metal one kept bending. Also, and this I even wrote to the company two years ago, the two piece landing gear is NOT a great move. I added a splice plate to all of my Revolvers to avoid the stress on the LG block. They did this to this Citabria. A great move to avoid problems to the wood structure. Most everything else I am just fine with.
I would like to hear anyones ideas on how best to modify the elev / rud linkage on this Citabria. The pull pull on the rudder would be easy, but not sure on the two elevators.

Overpowered??
 

WOW! 50 to 60 cc. in this Citabria designed for 35 cc??? Wouldn't this be WAY overpowered????
BTW, do any of you guys wonder if the windshield will pull off this plane in flight? It's only held on with magnets. I want to get one, but will probably use a couple screws to hold windshield in place. Will be using a DLE-35. Called Tower yesterday, and the plane is out of stock until early Sept.

Originally Posted by [email protected]


WOW! 50 to 60 cc. in this Citabria designed for a 35 cc??? Wouldn't this be WAY overpowered???? The 40 cc twin sounds nice, but a 50-60 cc would tear the airframe apart I think.


BTW, do any of you guys wonder if the windshield will pull off this plane in flight? It's only held on with magnets. I want to get one, but will probably use a couple screws to hold windshield in place. Will be using a DLE-35. Called Tower yesterday, and the plane is out of stock until early Sept.

Over powering is not a problem. I put a DLE 20 in a Revolver 70. Perfect match for a. 60 size plane.