Sterling RIMFIRE
 

Looking for plans for the old Sterling Rimfire. Had one in the 70's, would like to build another.

ChiefK

RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
 

I don't think this is the same Rimfire as the Sterlihg kit, but i'll post it anyway. From December 1968 RCM.

Ray

RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
 

That's not like it . Sterling one was trike gear ,foreward canopy & much thinner fuse.Had a tapered cord wing also. Buddy built one . Max H.

RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
 

Hi Chief,

You might also try posting in the classic pattern section here as well. As I recall the Rimfire was a sport pattern plane, the one pictured on the kit box was red with white & blue trim? Its been along time since Ive seen a kit...

Carlos G

RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
 

I stand corrected - this is the chap ChiefK is after. Sorry, don't have the plans.

Ray

RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
 

It is a different airplane, but an interesting one. The flat bottom airfoil, though, would seem to make it a much different flying machine.

ChiefK

RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
 

There was a kit available on e**y a day or two ago, but it went for a surprising $157.00. For that kind of money, I'd rather build from scratch.

ChiefK

RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
 

That's the one... I didn't remember that it only cost 27.95 for the kit! It did come with full size plans, so hopefully we'll find someone who hasn't tossed them.

ChiefK

RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
 

Plans for the Sterling RimFire (FS-27) circa 1971 are not listed at the Jeff Coons Sterling site.


Wm.

RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
 

I'm still looking.... Trying to contact one or two folks I know who have had Rimfires.

ChiefK

RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
 

I too have been looking for a Rimfire plan. I had one as a kid at 12. Never finished it. I always thought it was a great looking airplane.

Bob Harris

RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
 

I agree with the "good looking" part. I flew mine ( photo several messages above ) a lot and it was certainly a great flying airplane too. Its demise was at a "fun fly", where after winning the "spins" event, was just flying around and lost it in a fog bank. Power was a Webra .40. If I build a new one, power will be a O.S. .55AX.

Since I now fly off grass, if I can find a plan, I'll build it as a tail dragger (and stay away from any fog). If you find a plan, please let me know.

Thanks,

ChiefK

RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
 

I have the plans somewhere and a kit also that I would like to duplicate but trying to figure how to cut the diamond shaped leading edges for the wing has stopped me so far.thinking of making a wedge to resaw some square stock on mt band saw with a rip fence

RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
 

I don't remember a diamond shaped leading edge ( it was about 30 years ago ). Was it not just something like a 1/2" strip turned sideways? Look for those plans! We need them.

ChiefK

RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
 

no it's a true diamond shape,I tried to see if lonestar would cut some for me before they had the fire but the cost was not worth it.

RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
 

There's got to be an easier ( more straight forward ) way to do it. We'll know more when we get to see a set of plans.

ChiefK

RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
 

A friend of mine built one when we were both in the Army 73 or 74 it had a badly warped wing. I witnessed the first flight he was a lot better pilot than I and was able to get it back down in one piece. If I recall he pulled the engine and radio out after the first flight. I think even if the wings had not been warped it would have been a handful very thin airfoil and heavy but with lots of power.

Richard

RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
 

Any airplane with a badly warped wing is going to be a basket case, thin airfoil or thick. I'm surprised he tried to fly it that way. My original Rimfire was straight and flew great, I was a fairly new RC pilot at the time and don't recall having any trouble handling the airplane.

ChiefK

RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
 

the rimfire is a great flying plane.I had an inverted webra .40 blackhead in mine it was fast and manuerverable like a paatern plane and it slowed down nice for landings with out any bad tendencies.One thing about sterling kits was they flew nice once they were built straight.some kits had heavy wood some had bad fitting parts but we overcame.

RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
 

I agree 100%. I also had a Webra .40 Blackhead (side mounted) in mine. If I can find plans to build a remake, I'll put an OS .55AX in this one ( I no longer have a decent .40 engine ). I do have a possible lead on a set of plans. Not firm yet, but I'm hopeful.

ChiefK

RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
 

Hi Chief,

A possible solution to your dilemma would be to take a Sig Kougar and "Bash" it a bit. The specs are pretty close to a Rimfire. The weight of the Rimfire is without the engine and radio stuff, while the Kougar I believe includes those items in its weight estimate.

You would just need to delete the plastic turtle deck of the Kougar, install a built-up deck instead along with a P-51 canopy , re-cut the tail feathers to those of the rimfires shape, and you would darn near have yourself a Rimfire clone.

Just a thought to stir the creative juices...

Carlos G

RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
 

Thanks for the thought Carlos. I've never given the Kougar a "look" before. Can't hurt...... another alternative I've just started considering is the Tsunmai. Kit can be had for $66.00!

ChiefK

RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
 

I did finf foam wing cores available from the people that bought dynamic balsa.would make installing retracts easier.

RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
 

I'm gonna keep it simple. Built up wing with fixed gear (taildragger) blown up to about 600 sq in. for my old Kraft .61. The whole airplane will be enlarged about 13%. One outstanding issue is the wing dihedral. The plans don't specify what that should be. I do like Carlos's suggestion for a P-51 canopy. I now see what you meant about the "diamond" leading edge. I'm not going to try to duplicate that. I'm just gonna use a NACA 63-015A airfoil ( it's a dead ringer for the original airfoil with just a very slightly softer leading edge ), with a regular 1/2" square leading edge.

My OS .55AX will have a new home in the Tsunami kit I have on order.

Have you made any decision about a Rimfire rebuild yet?

ChiefK

RE: Sterling RIMFIRE
 

Hey ChiefK...did you ever find the Rimfire plans? I stumbled across a set while looking for Cox engine parts...

epay #300301784009