Kon-Tiki

I've been offered a 90" Clipped-wing Taylorcraft kit made by Ace. I am told it's about 4 years old and never been started. The price is 85 GB.pounds (about $135). The Guy selling it confirms all the pre-cut wooden parts are there plus a Huge GRP Cowl & Spats and windows (but less Wheels and Tank).

Seems a good price and a good kit but I've not been able to find anything on internet about it. I wonder if anyone has any information or has built one.

Thanks - Bye for now

tonyc

My Feedback: (4)

I built one last year. The kit builds quick. I covered mine with fabric and painted it with a Nelson water based paint.

I used a Saito 180 for power. This was too much power. A good 120 4 stroke would fly this in a very scale manner. The Plane is big enough to accept a gas engine.

It was a very fun airplane to fly. You should enjoy it.

Tonyc

Kon-Tiki

TonyC

GREAT ... . . you said everything I hoped you'd say. Very encouraging! It should be here sometime next week and I can't wait to get started. Do you know if/where there is anything about it on Internet?

I've converted a 21cc McCulloch Gas Engine, which is now run-in and seems to be running well.
http://www.skylites.freeserve.co.uk/photogal/pc.htm

Many thanks - bye for now

tonyc

My Feedback: (4)

I have never found any thing on this plane. Ace has been out of business for some time now. This was always a 1st.class company. Great kits and great people. I meet a lot of them. Ace , a long time ago, held float flies at their home turf. Complete with Saturday night cook out. Great people. All their kits fly very well.

Mine was overpowered. Yours wont be with the motor you choose.

I would make one change. The wing struts attach to the fuse with a short piece of aluminum strip that is attached to the fuse. Its about 1/2 wide by 1.5 inches long. I would change this out for something made out of stronger metal. Mine tore in half after a bunch of flights. I was flying much too fast and putting the plane through some tough maneuvers. Much more than what was intended for this airplane.

Hope this helps

tonyc

Kon-Tiki

Thanks for the info. I will look at the Wing Strut attachment points at a very early stage. I have aluminium sheet, bar, tube, almost everything in my workshop. Grp sheet and some angles as well. Probably fabricate something but talk to you again about it later. Perhaps a "one piece" fitting that goes right under the fuselarge from side to side. Won't know until I see it! Also talk to you later about the canvas covering.

Getting excited now!

Bye for now . . . . .

bluther

I built mine 7 or 8 years ago, still have it. Flys great with a G-38. Kit goes together very well. Covered mine with Century 21st.

Bill

Walter D

My Feedback: (16)

Guys, do not use aluminum stock material for wing strut attachment, it fatigues (and worst of all cannot be seen) and always in flight, of course, will crack and there goes your airplane, use brass sheet instead of same thickness, it will not fatigue.

Kon-Tiki

Thanks for all the info. Can't wait to start building!

Point taken about Aluminium. Not yet got the kit so I've not seen the position/angle of the attachments. The bracket presumably has got to be at an angle of about 45º I have some Brass sheet in 16 and 18 swg or maybe an idea to laminate something using GRP/woven matt.

In the meantime, I now have a nice clear workshop and the weather is slowly getting warmer & dryer. Should have the Kit by the end of next week and no doubt it'll be on the table within a few hours!

Kon-Tiki

bluther

What size prop do you use with your G38?

bluther

Steve I use a Zinger 18-6-10.

Bill

Kon-Tiki

bluther > Steve I use a Zinger 18-6-10. Bill

OK I've got an 18 X 6 on the McCulloch 21cc now and it's too big. Will borow some 16" and see whats best (PS: Plane not built yet, so no rush!)

bluther

Steve, I run a 16-8 on my g23's and they work just fine.
Bill