FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

I can see why you have a big grin on your face!

gow589

My Feedback: (1)

Found a little more time to get some work done.

gow589

My Feedback: (1)

The pilot is just awaiting his scarf. Yes, the head moves with the ailerons!

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

So cool!

gow589

My Feedback: (1)

Thanks!

RICKSTUBBZ

You can't go wrong having Snoopy pilot this plane!

gow589

My Feedback: (1)

Thanks, he did finally get his scarf!

khodges

My Feedback: (1)

Rich, thanks for your service. You retired two years after I joined, and I flew in C-130's a little, but my primary was the C-141B, I was a Flight Nurse, and I was based at Charleston AFB. I stayed in for 8 years.

I'm one of the ones requesting a spot in the BUSA Brotherhood, working now on a 25+-year-old 1/4 scale J-3 kit, building it as a L-4, my build thread is around here somewhere.

Capt G, Beautiful Ercoupe, are the controls tied to each other like on the full scale?

Capt G

My Feedback: (8)

Yup. Model builds just like the full scale. Bellcrank in the tail for the rudders

JKEpps

My Feedback: (1)

Hey Brotherhood!
I need an assist. After years of sitting around, I'm finally trying again to balance my 1/3 D-VII. It took 20lbs to even get close to level at the tail, and she'sstill a little tail heavy. That doesn't seem right to me.
She weighs a little over 37lbs dry without weight added.
How critical is the balance, meaning how sensitive is this particular plane to being tail heavy?
Engine is a Fugi 64 with the heavy magneto/flywheel.
CG marked on the plans is about 5-3/4" back from leading edge of upper wing as shown on the plans. I'm a little behind that at 6".
Any thoughts?

georgewaldrop

My Feedback: (28)

Rich,

If you get the time, I'd love to get a Brotherhood #.
Have a Blessed Day
George Waldrop

gow589

My Feedback: (1)

Most airfoils balance around 28-31% MAC, (or back from the leading edge). In a biplane, you locate that point on the top wing then on the bottom wing. You would average the two for the final location but the two wings are NOT the same size so you have to adjust for wing area of each wing.

Once you fly the airplane you can fine tune it. An aft CG obviously is going to be pitch sensitive. A forward CG will be stable but the farther forward you go, the more the airplane will act like it's heavy and sluggish. It acts heavy and sluggish because the airplane has to pick up the nose farther away from the center of lift. This arm (distance from center of lift) requires more up elevator but downward force from the horizontal stab (to lift nose up). This added down force is adding weight on the center of lift.

Once flying, you can move the weight back with very small changes at a time. When you begin to fight pitch, you have passed the optimum point. You can return it back forward to restore solid pitch stability and that indeed will be the ideal point.

I used to fly clipped wing Ziroli Bearcat's with little bitty ailerons. I built and finished the airplane before ever selecting the engine. THEN I determined the engine that would balance the airplane. The extra HP was very helpful in getting good solid take-offs.

RICKSTUBBZ

You mentioned that your airplane has been sitting for quite some time. However, you did not mention where it was stored.
Just for good measure double check that you do not have any unpleasant surprises built in the tail.

I have stored some of my planes in a less than ideal area and the friendly dirt dobbers added a bit of unwanted weight for me.

gow589

My Feedback: (1)

I got distracted with some other projects but it is ready to fly! Engines broke in, radio is set up.

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

Snoopy went over to the other side!

3136

Hi Rich, sorry to hear of your health problems mate, I hope things improve for you.

I'll update the list, it might be an idea for a new custodian of the brotherhood that can take the load off you mate.
Perhaps some volunteers can put their hand up? (All you have to do really is update the list).

3136

Balsa USA Brothers

#1 jwrich, (Rich), Enid, OK, USA
#2 Jeffo New Baltimore, MI, USA
#3 ARUP KY USA
#4 RCKen Lawton, OK, USA (RCU Forum Manager/Admin)
#5 mattnew, Haverhill, MA, USA
#6 surmovik60 VA USA
#7 GerKonig, Levittown, PA, USA
#8 Granpooba, Queensbury, NY, USA
#9 radfordc (Charlie), Lansing, KS, USA
#10 balsa brain, Jacksonville, FL, USA
#11 3136 Victoria Austrialia **
#12 wwoneguy, Beltsville, MD, USA
#13 vertical grimmace, Ft. Collins, CO, USA
#14 rcmiket, El Paso, TX, USA
#15 bpoates25, Riverview, FL, USA
#16 PiperDriver, Rolling Meadows, IL, USA
#17 68goat Alabaster, AL, USA
#18 jlsimon, Long Valley, NJ, USA
#19 pat s, Candor, NC, USA
#20 pending IN USA
#21 Steve Percifield, Noblesville, IN, USA (Sir Percy)
#22 opol, Two Harbors, MN, USA
#23 Zero, Houston, TX, USA
#24 tonyos, Madison Heights, VA, USA
#25 b206, Opdyke, IL, USA
#26 LonnieMcc, Carriere, MS, USA
#27 eindecer3, McMinnville, TN, USA
#28 flyer35, Ilion, NY, USA
#29 jeffEE, Farnington, NM, USA
#30 s3nfo, (Jerry), Queen Creek, AZ, USA
#31 Kwikfli, Winfield, KS, USA
#32 JDHammer, Slippery Rock, PA, USA
#33 Ikruse, Lawton, OK, USA
#34 bobbailey, Chesapeake, VA, USA
#35 Vampire, Bath, PA, USA
#36 zemkes_wolfpack, Winamac, IN, USA
#37 triumphman49, Decatur, AL, USA
#38 SRQFlyer, Sarasota, FL, USA
#39 Daniel-EL, Maumee, OH, USA
#40 hairy46, Sinclair, WY' USA
#41 pettit, Durham, NC, USA
#42 Hrannar, Patrekfjordur, Iceland **
#43 lowbubba, Miamisburg, OH, USA
#45 FokkerD7, Cable, OH, USA
#44 FireBee, Chesapeake, VA, USA
#46 iampilot2, Middletown, OH, USA
#47 Wagon1,Penscola, FL, USA
#48 darren 4, Eau Claire, WI, USA
#49 Luxuswaffe, Hialeah, FL, USA
#50 dryverman, West Rutland, VT, USA
#51 otterrc FL USA
#52 cooper998, Newark, DE, USA
#53 lazyace, Buffalo, NY, USA
#54 wings2an3 Monroe, NY, USA
#55 The Pamster, Dallas, TX, USA
#56 lucasar15, Pottsville, PA, USA
#57 AMA74894, Spicer, MN, USA (Moderator Jim Buzzeo)
#58 squidman, Waco, TX, USA
#59 M_Callahan, South Lebanon, OH, USA
#60 Karp050555, Philadelphia, PA, USA
#61 optech, San Diego, CA, USA
#62 ashby NSW Australia **
#63 R/C Art, Shelbyville, IN, USA
#64 on_your_six MD USA
#65 Highflyer2, Alpharetta, GA, USA
#66 dddaviddean NJ USA
#67 Quagmire, Costa Mesa, CA, USA
#68 pending CA USA
#69 ratshooter, Burleson, TX, USA
#70 TXAG96, Augusta, MI, USA
#71 R/C Ray, Valley Cottage, NY, USA
#72 feep, Pelham, NH, USA
#73 sdcranford, Willard, MO, USA
#74 buzzard bait, Ithaca, NY, USA
#75 chadasmus, Freedom WI, USA, (BUSA Team Pilot, Builder and Designer)
#76 fokv25, Westfield, IN, USA
#77 Dynamic, Stratford, WI, USA
#78 WinterHawke, Waukesha, WI, USA
#79 t6racer NSW Australia **
#80 NM2K, Ringgold, GA, USA
#81 rcjunky67, Belleview, FL, USA
#82 AndyF Ft. Wayne, IN, USA
#83 freefall2907, Ottumwa, IA, USA
#84 a65l, Virginia Beach, VA, USA
#85 Grimracer, Urbana, IL, USA
#86 Corsair2013, Granytsville, UT, USA
#87 Chevelle NY USA
#88 eagledancer, Orlando, FL, USA
#89 Leroy Gardner ID USA
#90 ANZAC Australia **
#91 Spadsriver09, Southbend, IN, USA
#92 PSB, Malven, OH, USA
#93 bradpaul, Apopka, FL, USA
#94 MRadu, Los Gatos, CA, USA
#95 HorsePowerAviation, Cincinnati, OH, USA
#96 Shoestring, Granite, MN, USA
#97 David Gladwin, Cookham Berkshire, United Kingdom **
#98 Rich6170, Springfield, OH, USA
#99 Wildbills21, Menominee, MI, USA, (Team BUSA, pilot, builder,& chief mechanic)
#100 Rickj, Akron, OH, USA
#101 Geezeraviation (Doc), Houston, TX, USA
#102 Flyboy077, Uniontown, OH, USA
#103 Shelstrm. The other Doc), Lancaster, WI, USA
#104 Drude, North Port, FL, USA
#105 bschatz, West Hills, CA, USA
#106 RCDuffer, Valley Center, CA, USA
#107 capnpaul, Orillia, ON, Canada **
#108 p38nut, Indianapolis, IN, USA
#109 yoda64, Bloxon, VA, USA
#110 Jaybird, Hallowell, ME, USA
#111 mbnt, IL, USA
#112 Foodstick (Lance), Ankeny, IA, USA
#113 adec, Perth, Australia **
#114 Navy, Orange Park, FL, USA
#115 RD Jeff, Anchorage, AK, USA
#116 Mistral 12, Granbury, TX, USA
117 JKEpps, Greenbelt, MD, USA
#118 FlyerInOKC, Okla, City, OK, USA
#119 PT19, Buna, TX, USA
#120 Jim Scott, ?
#121 Srecker, Erie, PA, USA
#122 bigbird3, Williamstown, VT, USA
#123 Monsour, Fisherville, KY, USA
#124 Marksp (Mark), Redmond, WA, USA
#125 Quidleywins , Kyneton Victoria, Australia**
#126 M.Casper (Michael), Perry, IO, USA
#127 Twin_Flyer (Bill), Westhampton Beach, NY, USA
#128 Big Stikflyer (Jay), Machesney, IL, USA
#129 SkinnyBob (Bob), Park Falls, WI, USA
#130 Jetset, (Myles), Picton, ON, Canada**
#131 John Taylor, Macedon, NY, USA
#132 dwreel (Dick), Southern Pines, NC, USA
#133 jimbrock (Jim), Houston. TX, USA
#134 Bandit59, Irmo, SC, USA
#135 Check6, (Fred), N.Scituate, RI, USA
#136 OldScaleGuy, (Steve), Seymour, IN, USA
#137 N1EDM, (Bob), Brockton, MA, USA
#138 Str8aero, (Lee), Sheridan, WY, USA
#139 SAProbuster, (Bob), San Antonio, TX, USA
#140 TomCrump, (Tom), Traverse City, MI, USA
#141 spaceworm, (Richard), Guilford, CT, USA
#142 a8ter, (Larry), Dickinson, TX, USA
#143 NC state, (Tom), Albuquerque, NM, USA
#144 mac2286, (Jimmy), Commiskey, IN, USA
#145 crawler tech, Cocoa, FL, USA
#146 RobMason, (Rob), Henderdsonville, NC, USA
#148 Redtail (Chic), Alexandria, VA, USA
#149 golf4two, (Rick), South, GA, USA
#150 Bcool831, (Barry), Macomb, MI, USA
#151 mariok, (Mario), Valinhos, Brazil**(Director of COBRA (Brazilian equivalent of AMA)
#152 Lucky Do, (Mike), Columbus, IN, USA
#153 dogs4dux, (?), Fronhna, MO
#154 mgnostic, (Matt), Kamay, TX,USA
#155 Yank II, (Jim), Salom, AZ
#156 Jerry-RCU, (Jerry), Siler City, NC, USA
#157 Deanz406, (Dean), Latrobe, PA, USA
#158 smkrcflyer, (Steve), Hamburg, PA, USA
#159 PaulD, (Paul), Coquitlam. B.C., Canada**
#160 Modeltronic, (Pete), Cross Plains, TX, USA
#161 Michael wood, (Michael) Linden, TN, USA
# 162, (Paul), Santee, CA, USA
# 163 RAMMJETT, (Roger), Nobel ON. Canada **
# 164 khodges, ( ? ), Newton, NC, USA
# 165 Skyrydr2, (Keith), Tempteton, MA, USA
# 166 Flyboywbl, Matt, Mahtomedi, MN, USA
# 167 Capt. G, ( ? ), Las Vegas, NV, USA
# 168 Bauer, Yakima, WA, USA
# 169 N11 Bloomingdale, NJ, USA
# 170 Wild-flyer Olympia WA
# 171 cafguy
# 172 Khodges Newton NC
# 173 Georgewaldrop Mustang OK
# 174 20181c Kalispell MT

Welcome on board new brothers !

sensei

So your saying that your model will be around 57 or more pounds to get it balanced, the first thing I ask is what is the wing area of this model?

Bob

Firewalkerd1

My Feedback: (1)

I have built several balsa USA kits. I have built a stick 40, Aronica champ and the giant trainer. I have a giant fly baby that I am going to build next I would also like to join your brotherhood

DWPOWER

I am building a 1/6 scale Moonraker from Balsa USA and using the electric conversion kit. I was wondering if anyone on this site has installed one of these kits.

Thanks

Driver9

My Feedback: (1)

I have a Balsa USA Albatros on the way and was wondering if anyone has installed a DA100cc inline engine? I see from JeffEE that he used a DLA 116cc. Maybe he could chime in as to how much modification he had to do. I would like to stay away from the DA85cc if possible.
Thanks

AndyF

My Feedback: (2)

Here is a copy of one of the original Balsa USA Manuals for the Sopwith Pup.

jeffEE

My Feedback: (5)

My DLA 116 was mounted upside down, so the piston heads stuck out the botom to keep the heads in the cool air as much as possible. Even with the built in fan back plate that came with the kit, I don't think it would have kept the motor from over heating mounted upright.
If I mounted the DAL upright, I would have had to carve up the dummy motor WAY too much for my taste. Modifacations,,,,,of course the fire wall was moved a bit back, but not really a problem as the kit has a lot of room for that. the biggest modifacation was the cutting of the bottom fuse for air flow. I added some strength to the frame in that area. Also setting up space for the two batteries, two ignitions, etc. without them being seen took some thinking ahead. I wish you success with your build. It really is impressive at the field.
I also went with a larger diamiter axel. I don't recall what comes in the kit, but I went to the local hardware store and went up to the next size. The axel that comes with the kit is too thin for the weight of the airframe.
PS. I have a set of Mick Reeves 1/3 scale WWI wheels if you need them. They came off my DVII that only flew once (radio TX issues, lost two planes due to that). I wil try to get a picture of them.

Driver9

My Feedback: (1)

Thanks Jeff, this is very helpful. The plane won't be here until Monday so I don't have any plans to look at. One of my concerns was the length of the engine but it sounds like the average 100cc engine should fit. I'm thinking of a DA100, Kolm 100cc or a DLE 111cc inline. I'm partial to the Kolm as the sound is sweet.
Thanks again,
Adolfo Alvarez

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

If you are worried about cooling here is an idea from the 1969 Scottish Champion Sopwith baby.