Balsa USA Fly Baby Bipe
 

This is kind of a resurrection of a project. I had been working on it on and off for about 10 years. It had been sitting in my various shops in different stages of construction. I think I started this kit before it was cool to post a build on the internet. Anyway, I decided that 2011 will be the year this plane would be finished, I hope .
Power will be a RCGF 45cc gas engine, spectrum radio with Hitec servos. Solartex covering with Rustoleum paint, Cub yellow and burgundy scheme for the scale look.
Here are some of the pictures so far.

RE: Balsa USA Fly Baby Bipe
 

more pics

RE: Balsa USA Fly Baby Bipe
 

more pics

RE: Balsa USA Fly Baby Bipe
 

This will be the colors on Solartex. One coat of nitrate dope, one coat of white primer (OSH), one coat of Rustoleum, one coat of clear.

RE: Balsa USA Fly Baby Bipe
 

Hi, nice build.....
I've got one too, built in 1983 and completely renovated in 2002. Covered with Oratex and spray painted with DK2 automotive paint. Flies very well and is a very gracious lady in the air after all these years. Being a gentle flier etc etc, I can however, not get it to fly upside down. Can you shed light on this perhaps?

I think mine could be a littlesmaller than yours

Cheers

Bundu

RE: Balsa USA Fly Baby Bipe
 

Bundu,
That is a 28 year old airplane you have, must be a record. I just sold a 1/4 Sig clipped wing Cub I had for 20 year and only because I had to make room in the hanger for this Fly Baby Bipe. From what I see in your picture your is not a Balsa USA 1/3 scale. What kit was it build from and what is the size? I looks very nice. What do you have for power?
As far as not being able to fly inverted, this is propably due to the Clark Y airfoil (flat bottom) and the negative incidence when upside down.

RE: Balsa USA Fly Baby Bipe
 

here is mine 3 yrs old koveral & dope brison 2.4 engine

RE: Balsa USA Fly Baby Bipe
 

I like the paint scheme, nice colors!

RE: Balsa USA Fly Baby Bipe
 

Worked on the landing gear this weekend. I have to say, this was not my idea. All credit the Dick Petit on this one. In order to be able to remove the gear for covering and general maintenance, I cut it in half and will solder a brass piece of tubing after the plane is covered and painted. Thank you Dick!

Also received my engine last week, RCGF 45CC side carb. Looks very nice and very affordable.

RE: Balsa USA Fly Baby Bipe
 

Thanks for the kind words.

I still have my FBB and fly it a lot, when the temperature gets below 100 degrees that is!

Can't find photos of that plane but here is the link to the video in case someone is interested.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYmhOfeRHUI

Good luck with your FBB.

BTW, Balsa USA is re-releasing the monoplane version soon in 1/3 scale, with the folding wing option.

I'm on the list!

RE: Balsa USA Fly Baby Bipe
 

Subscribed! Nice!

RE: Balsa USA Fly Baby Bipe
 

Finished up the bottom fairing. I decided to cover the front of the fuse and bottom of the wing with 3/32 balsa sheeting to prevent hangar rash. Originaly the plan calls for just covering the area, not sure about that.
Also, shapped and sanded the cabanes.

RE: Balsa USA Fly Baby Bipe
 

Added hard points to the vertical and horizontal fins to attached tail braces.

RE: Balsa USA Fly Baby Bipe
 

I am back, trying to find some time to work on this bird has been a chalenge, anyway.
Sanded the cabane fairings, and landing gear to airfoil shape. Next I will cover them with fiberglass to incapsulate the music wire and fairing together.

RE: Balsa USA Fly Baby Bipe
 

I will use this methode to glass the fairings

RE: Balsa USA Fly Baby Bipe
 

Glued the horizontal and vertical fin to the fuselage

RE: Balsa USA Fly Baby Bipe
 

Forgot to say that I added 1/16 sheeting to the fins. It did not seem very strong with just on open bay frame, especialy when I will be hanging a gasser in the front.
It is amazing what 1/16 sheeting will do, stif as a surf board and very light.

RE: Balsa USA Fly Baby Bipe
 

Some of my best memories of early club days was watching a member fly one of these gentle giants.

RE: Balsa USA Fly Baby Bipe
 

sheeting is not needed just added wt

RE: Balsa USA Fly Baby Bipe
 

Glassed the cabane and landing gear legs. Will need to sand it.

RE: Balsa USA Fly Baby Bipe
 

I have one of these kits too.  It was partially finished 20 something years ago and has been on the shelf since then.  I got back into RC a few years ago and took this model down to look at the other day.  I really want to finally get it done. 

I am a little unfamiliar setting up the metal tabs for the rigging wire and am really confused by what to do with the N-Struts.  I get that metal tabs go on them but I am not sure how to attach them to the wing.  If there are any pictures or advice available I would appreciate it.

I still have rolls of Coverite I was going to use to cover the plane and paint it.  Is 20+ year old covering still good?  I am thinking Solartex in color would weigh less.

Thanks</p>

RE: Balsa USA Fly Baby Bipe
 

Springer,

I pitched the metal tabs for the N struts and went to closed end (bent to sit flat on the surface) electric terminals. They solder easily to the music wire and have held up well over time. My EAA Bipe has been flying since about 1990 and the N struts have been faultless.

Have fun with it!

Bedford

RE: Balsa USA Fly Baby Bipe
 

Yes I am still here and back working on the Baby. Had to take a break through the holidays.
Stay tuned

RE: Balsa USA Fly Baby Bipe
 

Finaly it is starting to look like a Baby :D
Next I need to glue and the fitting on the end of the N struts. Drill and insert a toothpick into it and glass the end of the strut.
Then I will tackel fitting the cowl [>:]

Here are some pics

RE: Balsa USA Fly Baby Bipe
 

More pics