GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

I finally got my Sky Bolt in and man I am anxious to get started. It looks like it is going to be pretty easy. But I have one question. With the Saito 120, is there enough room for the pitts muffler with smoke? I have got to put a smoke system on it, its the only way to go.

Thanks,
JunkMan

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

I couldn't answer that, I mounted mine inverted with the standard muffler

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

Make a search with Skybolt there's a post answering the smoke situation.

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

Thanks for the info. Now I have a few more questions if you dont mind.....

1. What glues did you use; all CA and Epoxy?
2. Can I get a fiberglass cowl & wheel pants?
3. Did you use the control rods that came with the kit?
4. What incidences did you use for the wings?
5. Did you have to use any spacers between the firewall and motor mount for the Saito 120?
6. Did you find any errors in the instructions or had to do anything different?

Thank you for your time.

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

I've got the smaller Sig Skybolt, so can only help with the link for cowl and pants.
http://www.stansfibertech.com/

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

1.- I use ZAP CA and epoxy.
2.- www.stanfibertech.com or www.fibreglasspecialities.com sells a fiberglass cowl and wheel pants.
3.- Yes, you don't need anything different.
4.- The incidences according to the plans and instructions(not sure but bottom wing 0, top wing -1 and stab also -1).
5.- I'm using the Saito 100 and a GP engine mount and no spacers.
6.- Not really.

The only change I made was to install a tail wheel assembly that isolate the wheel from the rudder, It's a matter of personal preference, I use a Sullivan but I think a Carl Goldberg will work better.

It took me 320 hours to get the beauty airborne; hope this help you.

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

For anyone who's trying those links, here are the actual ones.

[link=http://www.stansfibertech.com/]http://www.stansfibertech.com/[/link]
[link=http://www.fiberglassspecialtiesinc.com/]http://www.fiberglassspecialtiesinc.com/[/link]

Kerry

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

Thank you all for all your help. The information means alot. God Bless all of you.

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

The best advice I can give you here is follow the instructions, there are very clear and easy, then get a GP electric razor plane your arm will love it.

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

Has anyone had a problem with the two bottom wing halves not lining up when the top wing is mounted to the fuse and the fuse is turned upside down? When when the two halves are layed in place, the wings are swept forward 1 degree.

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

I didn't have that problem, but I would just sand some of the Leading edge where it hits the fuse to correct it.

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

Well it doesnt hit the fuse. It's just that the trailing edge doesnt touch at the center.

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

Im at the point where I glue the two Bottom wings halves together. I attached the top wing which is already sheeted to the fuse and turned the plane upside down. I layed the two bottom halves together on the fuse and attached it to the top wing using the two "I" peices. As the bottom wing sits there the trailing edge does not touch in the center. The bottom wing is swept forward 1 degree. Did this happen to you? If I slide the I thing back some on the top wing it pushes the trailing edge of the bottom wing together but then it's real close to comming out.

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

I've had my Super Skybolt for about 2 years. It is a beautiful airplane. I guess I don't quite understand your description. I remember that the outboard wing cabanes (I guess thats what you call them) were not fully seated when slid home but that seems to allow for some slop. After I got the bottom wing finished and bolted in place with the top wing. I had to shim a bit under one fuse wing root to make it fit tight.

I think you have to bite the bullet, glue tham together and start fitting.

My incidence came out perfect (dumb luck maybe). I have an OS 120 in it and still have the ABS cowl and pants. Unlike my Goldberg Extra 300, The ABS cowl has not cracked and still looks great. I did line it with glass cloth and resin.

The only thing I don't like is that I will probably have to cut the fuse apart if I have to remove the fuel tank.

You will love it when you get it flying.

Good Luck,

Bob

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

This is the first time I used this. I tried to upload a photo for moral support. I'll try again.

Bob

[img][/img]

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

MinnFlyer says you can just pull the fuel tank out through the back Bob (through the radio compartment area). Is this not the case?

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

Hi Depeche,

I appreciate the answer. When I built it, I only tied the tank down to the foam with one tie wrap with the thought that just maybe I could slide it out. I can reach and snip the tie wrap. I'm not sure it will clear the wing mount and servo stuff. But if I ever have to do it I will sure try it.

Thanks,

Bob

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

That is a BEAUTIFUL Skybolt Bob.

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

My new SkyBolt is finally finished. All JR equipment, Saito 1.20, covered in monocote white and metalic blue. Here are some pics....

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/gallery/galleryitemSolo.cfm?itemid=16312]Picture 1[/link]
[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/gallery/galleryitemSolo.cfm?itemid=16310]Picture 2[/link]
[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/gallery/galleryitemSolo.cfm?itemid=16311]Picture 3[/link]

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

Way to go Junk Man, nice job. On a side note, make sure those stripes are ironed down real good, about 2 weeks ago I was flying mine and a stripe on the top wing and a stripe on the bottom wing let go. The turbulence caused by the flapping stripes made the wing to stall. The plane began to drop like a rock, finally the stripes ripped clear and I was able to recover about 20 ft off the ground. Talk about a pucker factor, sheesh.

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

Thanks for the note. I will make sure again before I fly it. Havent got to fly it yet but maybe sometime this week.

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

I also want to thank BedfordBob for giving me the idea on how to stripe it. I followed the picture he posted above but used metalic blue insted. Turned out beautiful. But so is Bob's SkyBolt. Thanks Bob.

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

Oh yea... That IS looking sweet!

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

Hey Guys! I just got my Skybolt finished and flew it for the first time today although the wind was blowing. I put a Saito 100 in it and although it pulls it well, it only weighs 21 ounces so I had to add 14 ozs weight to engine mount. With the extra weight, the plane weighed 9.25 lbs. I plan on adding smoke as soon as I can. Im not sure where I can put the smoke tank as the CG is so far foward. Well anyway heres a pic........

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

JunkMan,
The only thing I would offer after all of the other great suggestions is watch the weight!!! The fus. builds heavy and I had to add about a pound in the nose with a OS 91FS up front (built it to plans). There are some great threads on how to lighten up the plane.

Regards and good luck.

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

Man, you guys have some nice looking Skybolts there. I am gonna start looking for one to put under the shelf until the winter build rolls around again. Have an RV-4 waiting, but I want a Skybolt too.
Ropermike, how did you do that spinner? Looks trick.

Max

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

Jollypopper.......The spinner took about 5 minutes. I cut a strip of red electrical tape you can buy at wallmart starting narrow about 1/8" and gradually getting wider too about 1/4". Start at the tip of the spinner and wind it on.

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

Well I finally flew my SkyBolt. It was AWESOME!! I do have to put some more right trust in it though and it has a nasty jerk to the left if you take off to quick. Mainly because of the Saito 120 on the front. And I want to say thanks to everyone who answered my questions through this project and for everyones advice. It's great that we help each other in this wonderful hobby.

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

Junkman, don't mess with the thrust angle, it may interfere with the flight tendencies. I have Saito 120 on mine also, don't jam the throttle to full. Slowly advance it, by the time it gets to 1/2 the plane will be flying. Hold alittle rudder to keep it straight on the initial roll out. Try this before you do anything else.

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

A big DITTO to everything rc_sport said!

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

Hey Junkman,

I haven't logged in to this thread in a while and as I was paging down I saw the photo of your SkyBolt and it stopped me in my tracks. It looked just like mine only blue!!.

I think it looks great. I see later that you credit me for the design scheme. I'm glad you like it.

I had two of my stripes start to come loose but only for a half inch or so. I took it home and resealed them with BalsaRite and iron. I've never heard of that affecting the stall of the wing. I'm glad I fixed it before it got to that level. I haven't had any trouble since and the bird still flies great.

Bob

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

I glad you said something rc-sport. I havent got a chance to fly it yet again but it seems like it was flying great around half throttle. You are right if I gave too much throttle too quickly it would jerk to the left on take off. But if I slowly went into the throttle then by the time I reached half it was flying. You cant give any hard throttle movements while flying either. Everything has to be slow and smooth. I brought it down the runway once nice and slow and when I got to the end I brought the nose up and began a slow increase on the throttle and she just kept climbing and climbing. It was a very graceful and smooth vertical. Man I love that airplane and I LOVE THIS HOBBY!!! Everybody take the day off and go fly.

Thanks again for everything,
Kevin

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

Kevin, thanks for the day off, I'm outta here.

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

Your very welcome.[8D]

RE: GP Sky Bolt is HERE!!!!
 

Did any one have to put weight in the nose. if so hou [email protected]