plumberdeluxe

My Feedback: (209)

I started to cover the tail first and then the fuse.
Decided on bright Orange, neon blue Ultracote for the main colors.

I used black Ultracote for the windows instead of the Monocote trim, made dowel doublers inside the fuse, and installed 5/16 wing dowels.

I'll fuel proof the engine compartment and finish assembling the fuselage.

plumberdeluxe

My Feedback: (209)

Fuselage is almost done now.
The stab is made to bolt on........I thought this was crazy until I put it together and it turned out to be a handy option.

I have a 16 oz. tank installed with plenty of room to spare.
The Classic should be able to fly at full throttle for 20 minutes which is perfect for training newbies and giving me some time in the air as well.

Almost ready to install the radio gear and cover the wing.

Dave

plumberdeluxe

My Feedback: (209)

A few decals added, rods and servos installed and the fuse is pretty much done.
Final balancing will be done after the wing is covered.

We got snow so maybe it will get finished this weekend.

The colors are bright and very visible, perfect for cloudy flying, haze, or bright sunny days.

Almost done!

plumberdeluxe

My Feedback: (209)

Wing is covered and the plane is basically done aside a few minor things.
I placed the battery pack under the tank and the plane balanced perfectly.

This is indeed an excellent kit, hope you can find one for sale.
A Good addition to any RC guys collection of fun to fly planes.
I've tried to show the planes constuction from start to finish, and just how nice it falls together.

Kudos to Allen Flowers of Checkerboard Air for creating this great little plane kit.
His hard work has not gone un-noticed.
I can not compliment him enough for the excellent quality, engineering, parts selection and craftmanship.
This plane gets a rock solid 10 on all the above.
It will be fun to see it in the air.

Looking forward to the first flight.

Dave Carroll/Plumberdeluxe

plumberdeluxe

My Feedback: (209)

One last obstacle.....................................

Skis?
More later


Thanks for looking,
Dave

BILLYFLYS

My Feedback: (277)

Hello PlumberDeluxe.... You are a very fast builder (very impressed), and I have been watching this thread very closely, I have to get mine on the table after the hollidays.... Your choice of colors give it alot of class!! You should be able to see it from a 1000 yards forsure.... Ha! I bet you can't wait to fly it! Maybe somebody on here could give you a few pointers on how to make a set of skii's for it?? Wish I could watch the maiden flight........... Anyway, hope all goes well on the first flight.... And Thanks Alot For Such A Detailed Construction Thread On It.... Later,
BILLY

plumberdeluxe

My Feedback: (209)

Thanks Bill,

I really can't say enough about the kit and the designer.
I've been doing these planes for a number of years, but I don't remember a top wing that was so interesting to build.
I happened to see it for sale on Ebay a couple months ago.
Glad I did, it's been a real fun plane.
Hope you get yours out and have some fun as well.
Thanks for the nice comments
Dave

wfortney99

My Feedback: (310)

Hello Dave,

Thanks for your efforts in educating the RCU members. I am sure that you have inspired several members to find and build one in the near future…including myself. You are a prolific builder (that means productive, creative and abundant) plus your skills in building, covering and photography continue to excel. The color scheme selected is both cool and should be highly visible…something my aging eyes needs more of. []

Mine will be a tail dragger with bolt on wings, powered by an AX46, JR equiped, and covered with your color scheme but in Monocote. I can’t seem to get you educated on the advantages of Monocote.

Until the next build……best of luck.
Bill in Icy Kansas

plumberdeluxe

My Feedback: (209)

Thanks Bill,

I think you would really like this one alot, but you might want the Classic Sport.
It has the taildragger set up.
Both kits were made with limited production runs.
Allen autographed and numbered the servo trays which is pretty cool.

If you find any extra kits, let me know.
I would like to keep these flying.
Several guys have wrote me asking where they can get one.


Maybe Allen will make another run?


Thanks for the kudos

Dave

allanflowers

Gee, you are fast builder. Too bad there is so much snow there. I can't wait to hear about your flights.
Good job!

plumberdeluxe

My Feedback: (209)

Thanks Al,
It was a fun and and easy build.
It took about 2 weeks at a hit and miss pace.
Snow will not slow me down.
I ordered a set of skis which will be in tomorrow.
I'll get it set up to fly in the snow soon after they arrive.
Pics will be on as soon as I can get them taken.

Looking forward to seeing how well this ski thing works.
Thanks again,
Dave

plumberdeluxe

My Feedback: (209)

Dubro skis are mounted and everything seems good to go.

I'll run the engine in a bit and get ready for the first flight off the snow packed
Plumberdeluxe International airport.

Charging the battery and will fly it tomorrow.
The weather guy says wind but thats fine by me.

Bright huh?

plumberdeluxe

My Feedback: (209)

OH Man What a Riot!!!!.........LOL
I have been playing around with the skis in the front yard and what a blast.
This is gonna be fun


More soon
Dave

plumberdeluxe

My Feedback: (209)

First flight went excellent, had 25 mph crosswinds and this thing handled like there was no wind at all.
Amazing how fast it is with a .46
It wasn't on the ground long, but the skis worked well.
Pics soon

Dave

allanflowers

Congrats on your maiden flight. Your skis have given me the idea of buying floats for mine (we dont' need skis in San Diego very often).
What is your weight, ready to fly (minus fuel)?
Classics are fast but you should be able to fly it really slow too. If you have a deadstick, it will glide a long way which can be a very good thing.

plumberdeluxe

My Feedback: (209)

Allen,
Thanks for staying with me.
I don't have a weight yet, but a guess would be 5 1/2-6 pounds.

Most trainers feel doggy, lethargic, and unresponsive, but the Classic feels smooth like a low wing, quite responsive, and it cuts the through wind with authority.

I did notice that at half throttle in a 25 mph wind, the plane was still moving faster than most planes do.

It's landing was graceful, smooth and predictable, even in 6 inches of powder, the engine stayed at idle to taxi it back to the house.

I like it much more than I thought I would or could.
It flies like a dream.

To date I can not find anything negative about the kit or it's flying charicterisics.
I mean nothing at all!!
That speaks volumes and is quite uncommon, especially in todays market.
Damn fine kit Sir!
Rock solid 10

Stay with me, flying pics are coming
Dave

BILLYFLYS

My Feedback: (277)

WOW Dave...... You build very fast and accurate.. I am very impressed with your thread about the Checkerboard plane.. I need to get mine on the table and built, but I won't do that until it starts raining..... Take Care!!!

plumberdeluxe

My Feedback: (209)

It's 12 degrees in Nothern Iowa with some clouds and a 5-10 mph breeze.
A perfect day to fly, so I conned my daughter to take pics for me while I played around.
The plane flys like a million bucks.
Looks great in the air too.
Dave

plumberdeluxe

My Feedback: (209)

Heres a couple more.
Thanks for looking!
Dave

Skycam41

I have one of these kits that has been in storage for many years and I am going to build it with the goal of putting a camera on board for aerial photography. I would like to build it as a tail dragger. I can not find the construction manual. Is there anyone out there that can scan and email a copy of the manual please?
Cheers
Mike

Thank you Allan for his help in obtaining a manual!! I have started to build both wing panels just going by the plans, pretty straight forward so far. I will be using an AXI 4120 on 6 cell lipo's at 976 watts so power will not be a problem

If anyone is interested I can rekindle this thread and show my modifications for aerial platform for taking stills and HD movies for golf courses etc. I think the Checkerboard Classic (mine will be a tail dragger) with its semi symetrical airfoil will be well suited for my use.