Midwest Citabria Build Thread
11-08-2006 | 07:12 PM
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From: Dallas,
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Midwest Citabria Build Thread
Hello Everyone,
I am starting a MW Citabria build thread. I have been looking around and haven't found an in-depth one. This is my first kit build in a while (I built a Sig Kadet Senior). I would like any suggestions (with photo's if possible) about servo's, engines, and building tips/modifications. I received the kit this afternoon. I will be inventorying the kit this evening and plan on starting construction tomorrow. I would like to keep the kit as original as possible. Example: no clipped wings or shortening fuse. However, I would like build modifications that ease maintence or need to be done in order to help prolong the model's lifespan.
Patrick
I am starting a MW Citabria build thread. I have been looking around and haven't found an in-depth one. This is my first kit build in a while (I built a Sig Kadet Senior). I would like any suggestions (with photo's if possible) about servo's, engines, and building tips/modifications. I received the kit this afternoon. I will be inventorying the kit this evening and plan on starting construction tomorrow. I would like to keep the kit as original as possible. Example: no clipped wings or shortening fuse. However, I would like build modifications that ease maintence or need to be done in order to help prolong the model's lifespan.
Patrick
11-08-2006 | 07:18 PM
#2
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RE: Midwest Citabria Build Thread
Patrick,
Andrew Wisc. is building the same model as you are. He is just getting underway and maybe you two could check out each other's threads. I don't know if he is posting pictures but this is his first build. He would love to see your build pic's. Maybe you can help him with the pic's. Just a thought. Anyway good luck with the build. I downloaded the instruction manual to help him and it looks like a pretty easy and quick build.
Gibbs
Andrew Wisc. is building the same model as you are. He is just getting underway and maybe you two could check out each other's threads. I don't know if he is posting pictures but this is his first build. He would love to see your build pic's. Maybe you can help him with the pic's. Just a thought. Anyway good luck with the build. I downloaded the instruction manual to help him and it looks like a pretty easy and quick build.
Gibbs
11-08-2006 | 08:50 PM
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From: Leesburg,
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RE: Midwest Citabria Build Thread
Sorry that I didn't keep good notes and records during my build back in 1999, but I did keep enough records to know that I ended up adding 2+ degrees of up thrust and 2 degrees of right thrust. As you can see from the couple of pictures attached, I was planning from the start to put the plane on floats - as well as wheels.
11-08-2006 | 10:26 PM
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RE: Midwest Citabria Build Thread
Newc,
Great pics!! Thanks for the thrust angles. I just finished counting all the parts and separating them into the appropriate sub-structures (wing, fuse, and tail). I might get a little done this evening. However, looks like the build begins tomorrow! Thanks for looking and the info.
Patrick
Great pics!! Thanks for the thrust angles. I just finished counting all the parts and separating them into the appropriate sub-structures (wing, fuse, and tail). I might get a little done this evening. However, looks like the build begins tomorrow! Thanks for looking and the info.
Patrick
11-09-2006 | 11:20 PM
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RE: Midwest Citabria Build Thread
Built one back in the late '90's....only suggestions I would make would be to mount the aileron servos in a normal manner - NOT like the way shown on the plans (you'll never get them out w/o ripping up the wing) and 2) use spruce stringers along the bottom of the fuse - mine kept getting broke when someone picked the plane up!
Had a .91 Saito and fiberglass cowl/wheel pants from Stans' and LOVED the plane - had to fly with the struts because it make the neatest sound as the wind whistled through them!
Had a .91 Saito and fiberglass cowl/wheel pants from Stans' and LOVED the plane - had to fly with the struts because it make the neatest sound as the wind whistled through them!
11-10-2006 | 12:44 AM
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RE: Midwest Citabria Build Thread
tailskid,
Thanks for the information. I will look into mounting the servo's the correct way (I assume you mean make a hatch and mount the servo to the hatch). I didn't even think about the bottom stringers being weak because of he balsa. I wonder if anyone else has had similar problems. Thought I was going to start on the build this evening, but I had some family arrive unexpectedly
. Anyways, I am always open to suggestions and/or problems people have had with the construction/flying of this model. Does anyone have servo recomendations?
Patrick
Thanks for the information. I will look into mounting the servo's the correct way (I assume you mean make a hatch and mount the servo to the hatch). I didn't even think about the bottom stringers being weak because of he balsa. I wonder if anyone else has had similar problems. Thought I was going to start on the build this evening, but I had some family arrive unexpectedly
. Anyways, I am always open to suggestions and/or problems people have had with the construction/flying of this model. Does anyone have servo recomendations?Patrick
11-10-2006 | 07:17 AM
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From: Leesburg,
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RE: Midwest Citabria Build Thread
use spruce stringers along the bottom of the fuse - mine kept getting broke when someone picked the plane up!
I also use a Saito .91, and it's a great combination - except when on floats. As you can see from the photos I posted earlier, the floats for this size plane are pretty large - each one about the size of .60-size plane's fuselage! - and due to the drag of these I believe a 1.20 would be better if floats are in your future.
11-16-2006 | 12:43 AM
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From: Lewiston,
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RE: Midwest Citabria Build Thread
I just finished one about two months ago, The kit came without half a wing so I dieced to build a clipped wing, scratch built the other half. The wing was built flat on the table with 3/8 washout, the wing is 72 " long. I changed the way they wanted the aileron sevos mounted, to hard to get servo mounting screws in. Look up clipped wing citabria in this forum. I didn't really do any thing else except put hard wood spruce stringers on the bottom of the plane, seems they are the ones that alway get broken. powered it OS .91 surpass great engine. You will need about 2 degrees down thust and two to 3 degrees right thrust. You could build this in with the fire wall mounting or just add washes behind your Dave Brown motor mount.
Midwest kit are very good kits just becareful when you are seoearting parts from sheets.
Happy building
Midwest kit are very good kits just becareful when you are seoearting parts from sheets.
Happy building
11-16-2006 | 02:08 PM
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RE: Midwest Citabria Build Thread
ORIGINAL: onewinglow
I just finished one about two months ago, The kit came without half a wing so I dieced to build a clipped wing, scratch built the other half. The wing was built flat on the table with 3/8 washout, the wing is 72 " long. I changed the way they wanted the aileron sevos mounted, to hard to get servo mounting screws in. Look up clipped wing citabria in this forum. I didn't really do any thing else except put hard wood spruce stringers on the bottom of the plane, seems they are the ones that alway get broken. powered it OS .91 surpass great engine. You will need about 2 degrees down thust and two to 3 degrees right thrust. You could build this in with the fire wall mounting or just add washes behind your Dave Brown motor mount.
Midwest kit are very good kits just becareful when you are seoearting parts from sheets.
Happy building
I just finished one about two months ago, The kit came without half a wing so I dieced to build a clipped wing, scratch built the other half. The wing was built flat on the table with 3/8 washout, the wing is 72 " long. I changed the way they wanted the aileron sevos mounted, to hard to get servo mounting screws in. Look up clipped wing citabria in this forum. I didn't really do any thing else except put hard wood spruce stringers on the bottom of the plane, seems they are the ones that alway get broken. powered it OS .91 surpass great engine. You will need about 2 degrees down thust and two to 3 degrees right thrust. You could build this in with the fire wall mounting or just add washes behind your Dave Brown motor mount.
Midwest kit are very good kits just becareful when you are seoearting parts from sheets.
Happy building
11-18-2006 | 08:15 AM
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From: Lewiston,
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RE: Midwest Citabria Build Thread
If you diecied to use the pvc plastic parts the best glue that I have found is all pupose pvc cement used to glue pipe together. It also works good for putting on the fiberglass reienfocements inside the cowl and pants.
I ussually go with aftermarket fiberglass parts but decieded that I would give the pvc plastic a try. It tooks some work but it came out pretty good.
I ussually go with aftermarket fiberglass parts but decieded that I would give the pvc plastic a try. It tooks some work but it came out pretty good.
11-21-2006 | 11:02 PM
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From: Mackinaw,
IL
RE: Midwest Citabria Build Thread
I just got a midwest citabria today, but it is in real bad shape. I am missing all the control sufaces, not sure how that happened
. Could anyone with the plans shoot a copy of the the rudder, eleavator and ail to me?
. Could anyone with the plans shoot a copy of the the rudder, eleavator and ail to me?
