Carl Goldberg Chipmunk conversion
#1

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I purchased a used Carl Goldberg Super Chipmunk at a swap meet recently fro $30.00. It was missing the cowl. It had old Airtronics servos in it, complete with flaps. I swapped out servos and ordered a one piece cowl from Fiberglass Specialties. I repainted the canopy frame white.
I had owned a used one years ago and flew it best with a .91 four stroke motor.
For this one, I had the idea to convert it to electric. I got the idea after searching on the web and seeing how others did their conversions. There weren't too many to choose from.
I decided to put a hatch in the top just behind the cowling. I used small PVC downspout cut into a battery tray for a 6 cell. I made motor standoffs out of wood. I asked HeadsUp RC what to put in this thing, and it has the system they recommended. I can tell you it flies great off grass and has ample power for everything but hovering. I currently have a 16 X 8 prop, and I will soon go to a 17 inch prop.
1 | B-130 | Emax BL4030 400kv Outrunner Brushless Motor | $49.95 |
1 | H-115 | Sky Power 80A ESC with Switchmode BEC | $37.95 |
1 | F-656 | 22.2v 4200mah 50C EZ Flite Pro Lipo Battery | $78.95 |
maybe these photos will give someone else ideas.
billrad
I had owned a used one years ago and flew it best with a .91 four stroke motor.
For this one, I had the idea to convert it to electric. I got the idea after searching on the web and seeing how others did their conversions. There weren't too many to choose from.
I decided to put a hatch in the top just behind the cowling. I used small PVC downspout cut into a battery tray for a 6 cell. I made motor standoffs out of wood. I asked HeadsUp RC what to put in this thing, and it has the system they recommended. I can tell you it flies great off grass and has ample power for everything but hovering. I currently have a 16 X 8 prop, and I will soon go to a 17 inch prop.
1 | B-130 | Emax BL4030 400kv Outrunner Brushless Motor | $49.95 |
1 | H-115 | Sky Power 80A ESC with Switchmode BEC | $37.95 |
1 | F-656 | 22.2v 4200mah 50C EZ Flite Pro Lipo Battery | $78.95 |
maybe these photos will give someone else ideas.
billrad
Last edited by Bill Rademacher; 05-08-2014 at 11:46 AM. Reason: remove spaces
#2

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So I have a few flights on this now, with the 17 inch prop. It has tons of power. I fly around at half throttle.
If you've never had a Goldberg Chipmunk, the plane flies like a dream. Extremely easy to land. Just like I remembered.

billrad
If you've never had a Goldberg Chipmunk, the plane flies like a dream. Extremely easy to land. Just like I remembered.
billrad
Last edited by Bill Rademacher; 05-19-2014 at 05:32 AM. Reason: upload
#4


I loved my Chipmunk for the years I flew her. She would be as gentle to fly as any trainer, yet spin and snap with the best of them. Slow her down to where the wings are rocking yet still have good control.
I have been tempted to build another. I have a world models Chipmunk right now with a Magnum 91 in it. If I even did get another i would go electric with it.
I have this power set in another 60 sized plane we use for a glider tug. I can get over 30 minutes of mixed flying on this setup. I to run a 16X8 prop. Good all around prop for this combo.
Motor
http://www.hobbypartz.com/96m606-big...030-400kv.html
ESC
http://www.hobbypartz.com/07e06-proton-60a.html
Battery
http://www.hobbypartz.com/98p-25c-5500-6s1p.html
Buzz.
I have been tempted to build another. I have a world models Chipmunk right now with a Magnum 91 in it. If I even did get another i would go electric with it.
I have this power set in another 60 sized plane we use for a glider tug. I can get over 30 minutes of mixed flying on this setup. I to run a 16X8 prop. Good all around prop for this combo.
Motor
http://www.hobbypartz.com/96m606-big...030-400kv.html
ESC
http://www.hobbypartz.com/07e06-proton-60a.html
Battery
http://www.hobbypartz.com/98p-25c-5500-6s1p.html
Buzz.
#5

Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: , FL
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I have not taken apart a Tacon motor but I have five or six Rocket motors from HP. They are an excellent set of parts, the windings from the OEM as typically found on lower cost motors was the weak link. I fixed that problem with some beefy custom winding. Don't get me wrong the motors ran fine out of the box. What a difference some good wire makes on a good set of guts. I'm thinking the Tacon motor may well be the same story. As an example the Rocket motor has .2mm stator lamination thickness, vs .35mm on a Suppo motor of similar size and cost. The more lams in the stator the more flux lines the more power (in a nut shell). It's a bit of nostalgia for me to see the Chipmunk still out there, some things do not improve with time. If your Tacon motor ever gives you a problem let me know. I'll give it a world class winding at no cost to you. I do it for folks all the time, I just like winding motors and the look on someone face when they open the throttle the first time.
#8


How about a little more information? 4s what? Need to know what motor, battery, prop you are thinking of running?
Why are you looking at a 4s setup?
As an example, this motor running on 6s uses a 14, 15, 16 inch prop.
GForce G60 Brushless Outrunner Motor (5065-400KV) - Outrunner for Airplanes - Motors - Power | Value Hobby
So, if you are dropping the voltage that much, you may end up with a 20-24 inch prop?
For giggles, I used the Turnigy, G60 motor on 4s. It takes a 23x14 prop to get 180 ounces of thrust. If you MUST use a 4s, you would most likely need way to large of a prop.
Buzz.
Why are you looking at a 4s setup?
As an example, this motor running on 6s uses a 14, 15, 16 inch prop.
GForce G60 Brushless Outrunner Motor (5065-400KV) - Outrunner for Airplanes - Motors - Power | Value Hobby
So, if you are dropping the voltage that much, you may end up with a 20-24 inch prop?
For giggles, I used the Turnigy, G60 motor on 4s. It takes a 23x14 prop to get 180 ounces of thrust. If you MUST use a 4s, you would most likely need way to large of a prop.
Buzz.
#9
Junior Member

Hi all!
I bought a Carl Goldberg Super Chipmunk kit probably 20 years ago.
I started it but then life got in the way and it got put into storage.
Well now page 1 of the plans that had the profile layout is dry rotted and falling apart like it’s a Dead Sea scroll.
The kit is in PERFECT condition so I’d love to build it since I have all the parts and even back then it’s probably a $1000 investment but without a good set of plans I’m betting it’ll be almost impossible to correctly build it.
REALLY hoping someone knows of a source for the plans.
Google wasn’t very helpful.
There are “chipmunk” plans out there but not the Carl Goldberg model.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
Scott
I bought a Carl Goldberg Super Chipmunk kit probably 20 years ago.
I started it but then life got in the way and it got put into storage.
Well now page 1 of the plans that had the profile layout is dry rotted and falling apart like it’s a Dead Sea scroll.
The kit is in PERFECT condition so I’d love to build it since I have all the parts and even back then it’s probably a $1000 investment but without a good set of plans I’m betting it’ll be almost impossible to correctly build it.
REALLY hoping someone knows of a source for the plans.
Google wasn’t very helpful.
There are “chipmunk” plans out there but not the Carl Goldberg model.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
Scott