Hi,

I know it's not quite a full kit, but it sure does feel like one to build, it has taken about 2 months of slow evening building. Anyway I'm just about to finish putting one together, my first none ARTF. I'm really happy with myself for taking on this project and I'm generally happy with how it's turned out. I've learnt a lot when I’ve been building it and I’m sure my next kit (a Spitfire waiting for me) will be all the better for my experiences with this one.

I’ll get some pictures up, I’ve still got a few things to finish off but it’s nearly there. I’ve gone for a YS 91AC, balanced right on the money with this engine, I’ve also gone for a pull, pull system on the rudder with a Futuba S3152 digital, a Hitec 545BB on the elevator and a single standard servo on the ailerons. I’ve used normal felt type hinges, which I’m about to pin, everything else was standard hardware from the kit.

Does anyone have any advice for this plane? I know that it’s famous for snapping, so movements will be kept low and the C of G will be a little forward for the first flight.

Congratulations on getting past the nonexistent instructions.

I would be a little concerned about using CA hinges on the ailerons, since the wing is balsa-covered foam. CA will normally dissolve foam rather than creating a nice strong joint. I used plastic hinges on mine glued in place with epoxy.

The instructions are quite funny, I looked at them, and just got on with it. I really should have paid more attention, some of the little mistakes I made where pointed out in the instructions. Nothing major when wrong, thankfully.

I didn’t even think about that! I think I’ll be OK by accident rather than good planning as I think my CA glue is foam safe, but I’ll have to check. Thank you for pointing this out, it could have been a nasty shock.

I have had a couple and still have one framed awaiting covering. Go easy on the flying till you get use to it and then practice slow flight. After that they're a hoot...I had one for well over 20yrs and it was flown hard, finally had to throw her away after I stripped the covering and found the entire plane just about oil soaked. Tried K2 without success, it was everywhere. Man I loved that plane. Took months of moveing it around the shop just to keep her, but finally gave up.

I had a ModelTech Cap21 about 7 years ago, nice kit now out pf production. I built mine per the manual with an OS60. Came out a tad on the heavy side but flow great. I installed a pull pull rudder on mine. The plane would knife edge forever and I believe is possible of doing a knife edge loop if it had more power. Snap maneuvers were quite violent but recovered well. Keep your speed up when doing maneuvers as it well snap on you as mine did twice. The second time I totaled it. I had another one but sold it. Not because I didn't like it just too many kits. You should be able to find a fiberglass cowl for it. When the model was in production, Fiberglass Specialties made one for it but not now.

Thanks for all the comments, I do plan to take it easy to get use to the aircraft before I try anything stupid. I've also installed a pull-pull rudder, shoudl let me do a knife edge loop with a YS91.

I thought that it would be finished by now, but I've still got things to do. It always take ages just putting those finishing touches on. I was hoping that it would be ready for the weekend but I don't want to rush it and get something wrong, so I guess that it will be ready when it's ready.

Here are some pics so far

happyal,

Were and when did you buy the kit? I wouldn't mind having another one. Maybe I'll give Ebay a try.

Funny you should mention e-bay, that's exactly where I found this one. Got it very cheap, I guess no one wants to build any more

This was one of the first decent Snap 21's (ARC) made back in the early 90's, I don't think they are still made. I had one and put 100's of flights on it, very good flying plane once you got everything set up right on it. The CG, control throws, airspeed, ect are important on this plane. It can and will snap on you if you have too much elevator throw, CG off or if you get too slow on landing. Get some altitude and check out high and low speed stall - don't flair on landing until 1 foot off ground. Althought the wings are foam, there is a balsa trailing edge to CA hinges - I always pin after and seal all hingelines. Very good flying plane when set up right -

It's older than the 90's...my club had several of these flying in 1986. Good flyer, just watch out for the "snap".

They are a lot of fun while intact

I had a Lion mfg Cap 21 that lasted 15 seconds. The cg was right on the factory marks on fuse. Since then I have learned on the 231's and Chipmunk to reflex both ailerons UP 1/8 to 3/16" to create wing tip washout and have cg at least 1/2" ahead of suggested point. These will get you past the maiden flight with a complete plane and you can adjust back as you gain feel. Also, watch the elevator max. throw to keep it at the minimum also.