New project
 

Hi All,
Well after officially completing my Sportmaster build:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_7750322/tm.htm

The time has come to clean off the workbench and begin something new. I have a pretty large collection of kits to choose from so this hasn't been an easy decision. Although the Sportmaster was not a difficult build, it was from a short kit of an old design so some reengineering was nessescary to bring it up to modern standards. So I think I would like to build something simple this time. I also would like to go a little smaller, perhaps .25 size...I've been itching to build a vintage sport/pattern plane...
Soooo.... I have decided to break out one of my classic kits and build it rather than let it collect dust!
Airtronics New Era 111

RE: New project
 

Good choice,

I'm flying one I bought at a flyin for $10.. Bought a OS 20 at the same time. The engine is a little small, but with a paved runway it's OK. Having a blast with it. Didn't even know what the plane was for several months. Got out my old RC Modeler mags and found it. Enjoy.

RE: New project
 

JR,

Yes, great choice!

What do you have for classic kits? Make a list!

Charles

RE: New project
 

There was a thread a few months ago that asked what kits you have in your collection. I did, at the time, make a complete list of everything I have. What I consider "classic" may not be what everybody does. I collect kits that I had or wanted to have when I was a kid in the '70s and early '80s. I happen to have a fondness for GM Precision and Airtronics kits. (produced by the same company) so I have a couple New Era 111's, a New Era .40 and just about every GMP kit ever produced. I have some rare Great Planes kits including every version of the Sportster including a prestine Bipe kit. Also a couple old Berleley kits that I inherited from my dad, some old Goldberg kits..etc.. about 30-35 kits in all.
I did build a New Era III when I was a teenager but never flew it. At the time, I was more into slope soaring than power flying so I sold it at a club swapmeet. I'm excited about this build, I know these planes really fly well with todays lightweight raido gear and better engines, this one should really fly great!


-Johnny-

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Enough talking, lets get to building! I'm going to swing by Kinko's after work to copy the plans. Saturday morning the balsa dust will fly!

-Johnny-

RE: New project
 

Well the balsa dust started flying sooner than expected! I had today off from work so I decided to get busy on this project. I managed to get both wing panels framed up. Very simple D-tube construction, very nice kit! The parts fit perfectly, for those of you who haven't had the pleasure of building an Airtronics/GMP kit, they are the Rolls Royce of model kits. The sheer webs are pre-cut and fit perfectly and even the cap strips are pre-cut!


-Johnny-

RE: New project
 

I got a lot done this week..Eliminated the bell crank aileron linkage in favor of a torque rod setup, I had to move some things around to make this work. Not a big deal at all.I chose a GMS .32...lots of power and not a lot of weight at a very cheap price $63. thru Tower. I had to lengthen the fuse sides 3/8" to make room for it because this plane was designed around a Veco .19....a much smaller engine. I could have moved the firewall back but I wanted to have room for a reasonable size fuel tank. Bad news is it looks like its going to come out a bit nose heavy, I purposely didn't sheet the bottom of the fuselage aft of the wing just in case I need to locate the battery back thereto make it balance correctly

RE: New project
 

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...ngue_smile.gif

RE: New project
 

I built a New Era III back in 1975. I loved the plane. I finially retired it after 4 years and two OS Max 25's wore out in it. I would love to find another kit. I have a NIB OS 25 FSR that would fit perfectly. Yours makes medrool http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...unge_smile.gif. Great job building it.

Bruce

RE: New project
 

landeck, thanks for the kind words! This has been a fun build so far. Things went very smoothly, just a few minor changes. She's about ready to be covered after some shaping and final sanding. I'll be ironing on the finish instead of spraying it on....I want to keep the weight down. I'll post more pics soon</p>

   -Johnny- </p>

RE: New project
 

I started covering this weekend. I'm doing something different this time, I've decided to copy the covering scheme of the original plane on the box. Only difference is that I will be substituting dark blue for the black shown on the box plane. I will post some pics later today

-Johnny-

RE: New project
 

I finished covering the wing today minus the silver pin stripe below the blue. The silver covering I had on hand was not cooperating so I will have to get by the hobby shop this week for a new roll.

-Johnny-

RE: New project
 

Johnny,

good to see that you're finishing up the NE III. The glue joints should be nice and sold now... :)

I've been curious about this model since I saw the thread on the classic pattern forum.

Keep the posts coming!

David.

RE: New project
 

My dad built this one about 30 years ago and its been hanging up in our basement for all that time. Someday I want to put all new radio equipment in it and fly it again.

RE: New project
 

I should have some time to do some more covering this weekend. I will post more pics as I progress.

-Johnny-

RE: New project
 

Well I spent most of the day covering. Although the sceme looks simple, there is a lot of mesuring to do to make sure everything looks right. I will cover the fin and rudder in the morning. Hopefully i'll have time to glue up the tail tomorrow then the canopy will be next.

-Johnny-

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Covering is done!

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looking good!

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Looks great! Be sure to tell us how she flys.

Bruce

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Thanks guys! Ok I need some input. Canopy placement can really change the looks of a plane, where do you think it looks best? Forward makes it look more Jet-Fighter like while back further makes it look more Quick-Fly like...


-Johnny-

RE: New project
 

I kind of like it more toward the front so either picture 1 or 2 looks best to me. JMHO

David

RE: New project
 

R T F!!!

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Johnny, she's a bute! Now you HAVE to get the heck out of the shop and go fly some of those planes! (It's not like your field still has snow on it or something...:D)

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Your right Craig....Maybe even next week. I have 3 new planes ready to maiden!


-Johnny-

RE: New project
 

A couple more...(little blurry)

RE: New project
 

I was a little worried when I finally screwed a glow plug into my brand new GMS .32 yesterday morning in preparation for a break-in run....This thing has almost NO compression!! I can feel the "click' at TDC like an ABC motor should have but it just seems to have zero resistance..On a hunch, I checked the head screws and you guessed it, all but one was not only loose but backed off a couple turns!![:@] All ends well, after I tightened everything up, she fired right up and broke in nicely! This motor really screams!! Unfortunetly I was only able to squeeze in a 4oz tank so flights wont be very long. I'm not a "fly around at full throttle" kind of flyer so I'm hoping for about 10 mins. This plane was designed around an old Veco .19 so I think this .32 will be way overkill so it should be fun!!


-Johnny-

RE: New project
 

Is anybody interested in this plane? Its been sitting here collecting dust in my shop since I finished it..Brand new, never flown with a brand new GMS .32 New servos and battery...I cant see anything smaller than .40 size anymore!


-Johnny-

RE: New project
 

MAIDEN FLIGHT!!

Well the first flight was an absolute success! Engine was running perfectly, just a click or two of down elevator and about the same of right aileron. Wow! What a sweet flying plane! It really flys more like a .40 size pattern plane than a .25 size. Rolls are a little barrel like so I will add some differential to the ailerons. I will have to do this mechanically since I have just one servo. Landing was uneventful, not the smoothest but we do have a strong crosswind at our field. Trouble began on the second flight, I still am not sure what the promlem was but the engine sagged as soon as I took off so I quickly went to half throttle to try to keep it running but it quit just as I was completing my first turn. Luckily I was high enough to do another 180 and head back down the runway, basicly one lap around the field. Played around with the needle a little bit and she seemed to be running right again on the ground so I gave her another shot. Same thing only this time I wasnt very high when the engine quit. But again, luck was with me and I was able to get her back to the runway although I was landing across it! Ok now its time to figure out whats going on here.. I took the needle valve completely out and blew through the muffler pressure line forcing fuel out the needle valve hole. There must have been a speck of dirt in there or something because after reinstalling the needle, she ran perfectly again. One more flight with no problems. In fact this motor is a SCREAMER!!! Pulls it straight up out of sight! Nice big loops, smooth point and slow rolls, stall turns, all were done with ease. It will hold a knife edge with 3/4 throttle and half the rudder. Inverted needs some down elevator but I do have it a tad bit nose heavy, on purpose for the first flights.
All in all, I am thrilled with this little plane! I wasn't sure if I was even going to keep it because my eyes are getting so bad that I've been trying to stick with .40 and .60 size planes. This is without a doubt the best flying .25 size plane I've ever flown. Glad I kept it!

-Johnny-

RE: New project
 

Johnny,

last you posted was summer 2010 and no one congratulated you on a successful and enjoyable maiden! So congrats are in order.

I recently picked up a kit of this model and was planning on building it for electric power. Did you build yours stock and if so, do have an AUW for your model with the 32? What radio gear do you have in it?

I've been considering replacing the 3/16" fuse sides for 3/32" sides with a possible 1/32" ply doubler hollowed out at front for some additional strength. Should be lighter. I also thought about retracts but it doesn't make much sense on this design - simple design so I'll keep it simple and go with the kit contents as much as possible. I'm just missing a canopy and instructions but I can live without those.

David.

RE: New project
 

I don't even remember it, I spend most of my time on Classic Pattern. neat model, seems perfect for a little Classic pattern actually. We're going to have a Camarillo Fly-In soon. Look on the Classic pattern board sometime, Johnny. BTW, where do you fly?
Chris...