jmdunstan

Bill:

Got it. Thanks. I am hoping my plans show up today. Andy e-mailed the revised manual to me this morning.

Jim

jmdunstan

Khodges:

I am interested in adopting your aluminum LG struts for my WACO.  I have contacted Adell Hobbies, who offer bent aluminum struts for several of the Hostetler planes. I used their struts for my Hostetler Skybolt, kitted by Precision Cut, and found them to be very rugged.  The Skybolt struts include an inner brace to a spring-loaded center bolt as in your design.  They have told me that they are willing to produce the WACO struts for me if I can provide a dimensioned drawing.  Since I have not received the AMA plans yet, can you or anyone else - perhaps the Brother who made yours - provide such a drawing to me?  Once I conclude my deal with Abell I will make all relevant information available on this forum.

Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks.

Jim

jmdunstan

I have read many messages about various engine options for the 1/5 scale YMF. I just reviewed the specs on the OS 160 twin, and found it is rated at 2.0 hp turning 18-inch props. I have a DLE 20 that is rated at 2.5 hp, and has proven very reliable. This engine will spin an APC 16/8 prop at just over 11,000 rpm (yikes!). With this prop, airspeed does not seem to increase noticeably between about half throttle and full throttle. This indicates to me that the engine could comfortably turn an 18-inch prop with pitch greater than 6, which seems to be one criterion for powering the WACO. I also read in the review of the Great Planes WACO ARF (sorry to use a dirty word) that with the DLE 30 (rated 3.7 hp) turning an 18-inch prop, the plane was a rocketship. Since I have no intention of ever entering a scale competition, I am not concerned about having to cut an opening in the bottom of the cowl for the cylinder head.

Would the DLE 20 be a reasonable choice for the Pica WACO?

Thanks for any input.

Jim

acerc

Jim, a couple of thing's come to mind. First and by far the most important to consider is the weight. The GP is considerately lighter than the Pica. Also it is a little more streamlined. So considering those one would probably fare better with just a little more giddy-up. I have a couple 20cc's and there is no way I would put them on this bird. I am flying mine with a 26cc, sufficient and flies fine for me. But most would probably consider it underpowered. My 26cc is turning an 18x8 @ 7800rpm. Just to give you an idea mine wiegh's 17.2lbs and pull's thru a loop very, very, very, scale like. In other word's, it takes just about all she's got to get over the top.

WacoNut

I finished re-fitting my 33% Waco with Kevcord flying wires. Does not look as nice as the metal flying wires but will cut the setup time in half. The Waco will be taking a trip to the club field Saturday and stretch it's wings.

Would post a couple pics but RCU is hosed again! 500 - Internal server error. Ten minutes later it works
Later!!
Anthony

Jaybird

Anthony,

I would be very interested in the details concerning the new flying wires if you care to share.

A pm would be fine.

Jaybird

WacoNut

Jaybird no problem,
The wires were purchased from here [link=http://www.acpsales.com/Tow-and-Cords.html]Kevcord[/link] You will need to order the cord (C-07) the crimps (C-09) and the connectors (C-11). You will also need some ball links and steel straps. I purchased (2) 7yd paclkages of cord to do the 1/3 scale.
Later!!
Anthony

Jaybird

Great information thanks.

Your pictures have been slowly appearing and I see how the crimped ends are and the brackets they attach to.

I have the much smaller Great Planes ARF and I am thinking of using the silver stretch cord from the craft store and though yours might be an alternative.

Jaybird

WacoNut

Jaybird,
The GP Waco does not not need flying wires for strength were the 33% Does. I would suggest just going with the stretch cord and a simple hook connector. This will really reduce the setup at the field. I was at 30+ minutes getting mine assembled before changing my wires and I am hoping for 15 minutes now.

If it is too much of a PITA to assemble at the field it won't get flown much.
Later!!
Anthony

Jaybird

Agreed, it's purely for a better look rather than function. I'm changing the top wing assembly to make the outer panels removable and leave the center section attached rather than a solid top wing. This way I can anchor the flying wire cords to the center section and lower fuselage and have hooks on the top and bottom wing panels. I'm hoping it will allow me to attach the "javelin" wire brace and have it stay with the cords for break down and transportation.

I have sevaral small biplanes and they do take a while to set up even without attaching flying wires each time. I have an old Dave Platt/Top Flite 1/6 scale SE5a that is designed around single piece bent wire braces for all the fying wires with the intent that the modeler would install all 12 individual wires each time. I changed that over to pull-pull cable and 2-56 clevises that clip onto metal brackets. It still takes a while but at least I don't have to figure out which one goes where. The fying wires on this plane are needed as it has a scale undercambered wing and it is very flexible without the wires. Luckily it fits in my car assembled!

Jaybird

WacoNut

Nice looking SE5.

LesUyeda

"silver stretch cord from the craft store and though yours might be an alternative."

The problem with stretch cord is that it does stretch, forever. I built some kit or other old timer that came with that stuff and used it. After I thightened it way too many times, I had stored the plane in the garage, and the next time I came out, ALL of the cords had stretched out AGAIN. Not worth the effort. Use real stuff.

Les

Jaybird

Yes, I'm aware of that issue and have been concerned about it in flight as well as storage. Although, when it's taken apart the cords can relax, but I'm sure they weren't made with this in mind. I'll fly it without any wires for now and add them later.

Thanks for the heads up!

Jaybird

WacoNut

My 1/3 Waco went in today. [][:@][:@][]
You can see pics in the scale forum.
Anthony

dadrivet

sadly a fellow member at our club passed away recently and i dont want to sound to pleased but his wife has just sold of his aircraft and equipment and i have just become the owner of a pica 1/5 kit still in unopened box,so it looks like a lot of reading on here for a while but i,m in love allready

acerc

Anthony, word's can not describe my sorrow for your Waco.

WacoNut

Thanks Robert,
It is really a bummer but when you fly them it can happen. The plane was flying great. I made a couple errors on landing and the Waco paid for it. Due to the slight cross wind I was a little wide on the landing and as I corrected for that I lost airspeed which was hard to detect due to the angle at which I was viewing the plane(almost straight on) I shoud have just throttled up and went around.
Later!!
Anthony

Jim Henley

Anthony, not wanting to seem morbid, which scale forum did you post pictures on? Is you aircraft totaled?
Thanks

WacoNut

Jim,
Here are a few pics from flying yesterday. The Waco was flying great. The ffront half of the fuse was destroyed. The wing appear to have minor damage but will need the covering stripped for inspection. The back half of the fuse does not appear to be damaged. I may try to get the parts to splice in a new front half to the fuse. The cowling, boot cowl will need to be replaced. The fiberglass hood survived the crash with minor damage. The wing tubes are bent and need replaced.
A quick assesment say's it can be repaired and I am estimating 400+hrs of work. On a good note the engine and all the radio gear were not damaged at all. Repairs will start this fall when flying season ends.
Later!!
Anthony

rcjunky67

'DAMN'!!... That plane surewasbeautiful , as I'm sure it one day will be again. Anthony , I'm sorry to see that happened to you brother. But I'm sure you will restore her to her glory . Don't let it get you down man. She was a nice bird and will be again. After all , you can rebuild her , make her stronger , make her faster. You have the technology , ect,ect,ect. Keep your chin up bro , take care

Jim Henley

Anthony, thanks for posting some pictures, that is a beautiful airplane, hopefully you will be able to make repairs this winter.

WacoNut

She will be back together eventually.

I have 2 ARF's I need to finsih the radio installation on for a buddy then I am starting a quick build of a Stick 30 for myself. Once those are out of the way the Waco will make it way back into the hobby room for a tear down.

I love to finish and detail planes I just didn't want to have to do the Waco twice
Anthony

WacoNut

On a funny side note: In the pics above you will see our Club vice-president holding the Waco while I did an engine warm-up. He started freaking out and shaking his head when I got to 3/4 throttle, he said it was going to pull him over the engine was pulling so hard.
The guys at the field were really impressed with the Waco and were commenting on how great it looked in the air. I pulled the Waco thru a couple huge loops and she was putting on a good show.
Later!!
Anthony

LesUyeda

Waconut.

You certainly have my condolences. I have been there, done that, more times than I can count. It is good that you have several other projects to do before the repair, then when you do get to it, it will be like a new project.

Les

tmac48

A bloody shame about your WACO Nut, I have been away fishing for 10 days and when I got back I was confronted with two holes in the top of one of the bottom wings punched through with the handlebars of the granddaughters push bike. I was not all that impressed but I guess you would swap damage with me. I really hope you get yours fixed and in the air again for she sure is a fine looking ship. As for the granddaughter I still love her to death.
Regards tmac.