Hey Sun Devil -

Always enjoyed your builds.

I'm just catching up with this thread and noticed your Fleet. If you are still in need of a muffler for the Q35, I may be able to help you out. I bought one for my Fleet and as I recall it had a few mufflers with it. One may have been a Tatone or Bennett, but the other was a Snuffler Muffler with two exhausts, not just pipes. If it helps you, I can send you one.

Let me know.

Gordon

Okie Dokes, much delayed roll out but now I've only a few details to work and she is ready for a second maiden flight. I'll wait until the weather moderates as the temps in August are not conducive to old man skin.



From the crash until rebuild only a bit more than a year but there were lots of days and weeks I did nothing on it.

Major upgrades are: One piece lower wing, one piece top wing, on board glow, new brazed landing gear wire, new covering and color, new windshields, and rudder/tailwheel mods.

A bit heavier I suppose but she never lacked power with the Enya VT2.40 up front.

1/3 scale is largely finished as well but may offer it up for sale.

Next up is Charlie Kellogg's TBF but found I had a Dave Platt Bucher Yungmeister kit that I don't remember ever buying. I've an engine and Super Shrink Coverite left so it may take precedence.

Ray W.

Some of the Fleet's I see have a nice rounded nose on the cowl...The one I received from Fiberglass Specialties has a flat front right behind the prop. Perhaps the rounded front cowls I am seeing are built up from balas..>Does anyone have any thoughts on that?

I've used both 1/4 and 1/3 scale cowls from Fiberglass Specialties and both were rounded as the prototype. There was a model 7G that was built for the RAF and had an inverted 6 so the cowl looks sorta like a Gypsy Moth.

Other that that, I can't explain the flat spot unless the unit was allowed to sit before the epoxy cured?

Ray W.

I have an original Concept Models 25% Fleet kit. Box is in just OK shape. Would be interested in trading for a WWI kit of comparable or larger size. [email protected] Rich (707) 693-9537

Hope this thread isn't dead. I will be building a 1/4 scale down the road a bit.

It's still read by enthusiasts.

Ray W

Thanks. That's good to hear. I haven't built any planes in a long time so I'm sure I'll be looking for advice and help along the way. Looks like a really fun project. Wish I could say when I'll be able to start, but I have a shop to set up and thought I'd build a Waco YMF 3 1/6 standoff scale before I tackle my first true scale subject.

There are a lot of pieces to assemble and I'd suggest cut out new one piece ribs instead of the 3 pieces provided per rib. Or....make a jig and assemble the 3 rib pieces into one piece... thus, they will be all aligned together. When I built mine, a bit of over sight when I glued the TE ribs on upside down in relation to the other pieces.

Good luck , she flies great.

Bazinga...Yes this thread needs some new life..so welcome ! I got mine already built and refurbished it completely. I do know that you have to pay close attention to making sure you have the ribs right side up as they are near symetric while building the wings. I also added ailerons to the top wing which really transforms this plane to more acrobatic..otherwise it's a very docile plane to fly.
I have deflated Cub tires that are perfect for this non-sprung landing gear.....low bounce and greaser landings with no tendency to nose over...its a great plane to fly generally..
Good luck, keep us posted !

My first Fleet, which I obtained from someone who had previously built it, had its upper wing built upside down. It flew just fine. I found this out when I had to build a section of the wing that was damaged and saw that the airfoil was not lining up with what I built.

I know I'm looking way, way ahead but considering power plants for it. Very wide range of choices seem to be out there now as compared to 25 years ago. This includes huge price range. I'm most interested in scale flight with a good sound without mortgaging my house for an engine. Any advice and some range of choices would be appreciated. I'm thinking of going all gas for my future builds.

Thanks
Mike

Hey Guys,
New to the forum. Currently starting a Concept 1/4 scale Fleet from plans. I have restored and currently own, going on 23 years, a full size 1929 Model 2 Fleet with a 125 hp Kinner B5R engine. Sweet flying old airplane. I have wanted to build Concept for years and waited too long for a kit.
If anyone has any questions, I would be glad to answer. From my reading of this forum I can offer: 1)fabric is screwed to the wing ribs, rudder ribs, stab ribs, fin ribs, but the wood ailerons are rib stitched. 2)all ribs run for and aft with the direction of flight except the aileron ribs are set diagonally to the line of flight. 3)ailerons and elevator are activated with push pull tubes. Only the rudder is controlled by cable. 4)my weight and balance is such that I can fly it from either seat, however - the front cockpit has a little more room. Most Americans flew them out of the rear seat and had flat spin problems - the Canadians flew them out of the front seat and never heard of a flat spin. I have flow two different Model 2's and one Model 16B - all from the front seat. From the front seat you have a little trouble getting the tail all the way down for a three point landing. It make NICE tail low wheel landings with the low pressure tires and the 14" shock strut travel.
Question: I am assuming my OS 1.2 Max 4 cycle would not be enough power - LOL
Later,
Mike

Hi Mike,

My 1/4 sale Fleet has a Quadra 35 which is what the original was designed to be powered with. It flies very scale-like with the Q35, but power is marginal, ie, unless the engine running at full max, flight is a bit scarry. A Zenoah G-38 would be about perfect and provide you with a margin of power to make flying more calming.

Dave

So I received an email notifying me of a new post by someone who wanted to join the Fleet Brotherhood. I clicked the link and the newest post I see is #814. What gives?

Don't know. I got his request in lieu. His name was Rick but I have nothing else. Good to read you again. I've sorta taken a sabbatical but eagerly will get back to building soon. I've left all the clubs I was a member, IMAA defunct, and it is such a long drive to any able flying field.

Ray W.

I've done the same thing Ray, but I still belong to a club. I don't know if I'll get back to it since I've developed other interests. I still have all my RC stuff.

I keep my AMA current as it keeps me interested even though I disagree with much. I have completed my 1/3 scale Fleet 16B and turns out it is just too big for my enjoyment. I'll put it on the market soon.

Ray W.

Here ya go Fleet fans:
my USNavy fleet maiden in 1984 and still flying after a new fire wall and landing gear reinforcements. Some of the wood was oil soaked and needed replacement. I made a new firewall of 1/4" ply laminated with .016" aircraft alclad. New fuse fabric and rib tape with 7 coats of aluminum dope. Felix was stenciled with vinyl and spray painted with black enamel.

This beauty is now for sale.



JG

Stenciled Felix. All metal panels are lithoplated

Slow roller Fleet

Nice work all around.

Ray W

wake up old thread.

For those of you who used the wooden cowl did you attach it to the fuse differently than the kit suggests?

I have an idea or two but curious for your ideas.

Thanks

Scott

Hello all!
I just purchased a very well nice built Fleet with a Zenoah G38 from a local hobby store. The plane looks to have maybe two or three flights and that goes for the motor as well.
I fly mainly electric now a days after selling my turbine and gas planes but I had to buy this Fleet because of the era and build. Now my question is… how hard would it be to convert to a 12s configuration? Thanks

I don't know much about electric set ups and I'm not a real fan of such but that bird is a pure beauty as is. Great find.

I'm nearly out of the hobby for various reasons, thus, my 1/3 scale Fleet and 1/4 Fleets are sellable for the right offer.


Ron Weiss 1/3 Fleet

Ray W. in South Carolina.