Shotgun, i took the "Fleet" logo off the concept plans, up to the local sign shop and had them make dry transfer copies from self stick yellow vinyl.it worked out well.

Hi every1 more shots of my Fleet! wood work almost done... A little more to go! will send more after covering...ALex

Hi Fleet gang; its time to report the first flights of my 1/6 Fleet last Sunday 29/04: In one word: FANTASTIC!
The plane was finished in Solar tex with a few light clear coats of automotive laquer (laca metal). No tail-heavy side effects to report as the plane balanced with no need of noseweight.
I even had the lukury of installing a not very light "scale" steel spring tailweel.
Total weight came out at 5.11 Pounds or 2.3 Kg. which turns into a great wing loading of 13.15 Oz/Ft2 (calculated in a straight mode like a monoplane with no "biplane effect" corrections)
The plane is extremely easy to fly, very stable and very importantly very esy to land. I am just an average pilot so when I say "easy" is really easy. I installed a ram on board igniter (actually is the only nose weight) to fully enjoy those low pasess at walking speeds with no fear of an engine quit.
The pictures show standard wheeels with a soda bottom covers but I also have a set of trexlers which are quite nice also.
The engine is a Saito 56; looots of power. There was a little wing on the test flights even a bit crossed and the plane handled it quite well for a light weight bipe.
I have built many biplanes (more than a dozen) and this is among my favorites.

Folks, does any one knows what might have happeneded with Concept Models? Their traditional web page is no longer there. I was trying to buy myself another 1/6 Fleet but I fear the Concept guys may be just another talented aeromodelling manufacturer to dissapear. I hope it is just a web technical problem but it has persisted for more than a week now since my intial attempts.

Thanks in advance for any clues.

It is my understanding that Concept Models is no longer active with there website and are not in business anymore. If you hear otherwise I will be thrilled to be proven wrong!
David

Hi balsadave, I don't know if Romey quit cutting the Fleet or not? I bought one last summer from him... this is Concept's phone #& address



Concept Models
6505 Urich Ter.
Madison WI
53719 (608) 848 4108


Alex

Alex,

Thank you for the information! I will call the number you gave me to find out if he is still producing kits. I received a partially built 1/6 scale Fleet and need the Landing gear and Cabane wire.

David

1/4 scale Concept fleet biplane kits come up regularly on ebay. I'd try that if the manufacturer has ceased production.




www.rcaircraftworks.com

Just spoke to Romey and he is still in business,his website is www.conceptmodelsllc.com




Waldo
Waco brotherhood #22

Hi Fleet guys, I'm starting the covering,

Looking good, what are you covering it with and how are you going to finish (paint) it ?. regards, John R.

HI John, I use Koverall & Brodak Butyrate Dope.... I'm a old die hard! I really like Brodak, very flexible, has alot of vinyl in It....made by Randolph.... They have alot of colors..... going to cover the wings today, I hope?.... will post....ALEX

looks really good Alex, Can't wait to see it finished. keep up the good work...... Steve

Hi guys, a few more shots, wings covered & rib tape next! ALL COVERED!!!!! now the real work starts!

I see you have turned your williams bros. Wright cylinders around to look like a Kinner. - Very nice! J.R.

Hi Gang:
I'm in the final stages of construction on my 1/4 Fleet and the cabanes are giving me fits. [sm=drowning.gif] I have the front made as in the plans but when I get the rear one adjusted as stated in the instructions the diagonal brace is no where near fitting it seems like its to long. Also these wires seem somewhat soft and I'm unsure of their ability to maintain if and when I do get the setup correct. Any comments would be helpful.[sm=confused.gif]
I'm doing mine as an IAR F-10G that was a license built fleet used as a trainer by the Romanian air force in WWII. The only difference is in the fin / rudder shape and the fact that they used an inverted Gypsy Moth engine so the cowl is longer and slicker.

Frank

Hi, are you sure there not mixed up! the front cabanes are shorter then the rear.... check that.... Al

Got that right, I've double checked and the front is shorter. Really seems to be an awful lot of bending for pre bent wire. I'm considering making my own with piano wire.

I just thought I would jump in here and say that I just got my 1/4 scale kit from Romey after seeing him fly the first one back in the mid seventies. I haven't opened the box yet, but plan on taking lot's of pictures along the way.

Romey, and concept models still exists, although he is only producing the 1/6 and the 1/4 size fleets any more, and those are on a by order basis.

I will keep every posted as it goes.

Dave

Finally got the cabanes all rebent and soldered up, starting to look good. Mocked it up this PM and here's a shot of it in the "bones". 80% done 70% to go if you know what I mean.

Man, thats great news. I was very saddened when his web site when down.
Edwin

Hi, Looks good!!! like that model 7 rudder! what do you have for HORSE POWER... ALEX

Alex

G-38

Frank

I powered my Fleet with an Enya-240 twin. Flew quite well with no bad habits but building is certainly not for the squeemish.

No reason the use built up spars and 3 piece ribs as it will be coverup eventually.

I'm almost temped to purchase another but the construction problems I had pours cold water on me. Cabane struts and overall aligning and trueing took several attempts and lots of bubble levels and dial cord. I took the 16B rudder just to have something different. Took to banner towing like a Stearman.

Landing gear attachment needs serious beefing. One thing I did like was the center top wing assy. Once the aligning and finish it became the center of truing up. Seems when I assembled it at the field, the flying wires were often missaligned and flying trims could be a click or two different from the last flying event.

My bird got retired after campiegning it up and down the South East and is now happily collecting dust hanging from a ceiling of a friends house.

Ray W.