Can anyone out there identify this aircraft? I purchased it from DC May who cannot remember the make or kit manufacturer. Based on the servos (JR NES-L4001 & NES-L501, HiTec HS-500) I assume it is around 20 years old. It has a 100 inch wingspan, half span ailerons and half span flaps. The formers have ink-stamped oriental characters so I know it's a kit. The wing splits into two-pieces and has two struts per side. The struts are in a "V" and terminate at one attach point per side. Folding jury struts allow the main struts to collapse against the wings for compact storage. The landing gear used to be wire but DC upgraded it to curved aluminum, probably from an Extra. The complete airplane RTF weighs just under 17 lbs with the Enya 120R.

After much cleanup, painting, repair, servo replacement, and 4 new engine bearings, it flys GREAT, even with a far-aft CG due to the too-light engine. Into an 8-knot wind, with flaps down, it takes off in about 6 feet and can climb, indefinitely, at a 45-degree angle. What a hoot to fly! No luck identifying it after some internet research and asking around to the "old-timers" I know.

I'm 90% certain that it is a Bud Nosen Citabria with Aeronca Champ style rear windows. I need to see the top of the cowl and fuselage for proper identification.
Doug

Here are some more photos:

Having seen a Bud Nosen 1/4 Scale Citabria build thread online I am certain this is not that (unless there are two dramatically different versions).

Well, the fuselage construction doesn't mach the Nosen Citabria, so that's out the window.

Next guess, a Bud Nosen Trainer with a Citabria style tail and Champ cowling. And, I bet I'm right too!

I agree with Firstplaceaviator, Looks like a composite of the Nosen Trainer and Citabria 1/4 scale.

JimO

It is certainly part Champ and part Citabra. Mostly what's different from a Citrabra is the cabin windows which looks to me that the top cabin area about the windows has been replaced Champion style from a accident.

It's been a while since I've seen one...Could that be a "Flying King"?

Nope, the Flying King has a polyhedral wing.

Firstplaceaviator,

You could be right but there are enough minor discrepencies between the Nosen Trainer specs I found from a guy selling a NIB kit and my bird. Specs say span 102" and mine is 100". Specs say length 70" mine is 68". Specs say stab span 32" mine is 34-1/2". Specs say weight 10 to 12# (probably assuming a .60 to .90) and mine is 17# with the Enya. These are all within reasonable build variations, especially if the builder changed the tail feathers to be more .Citabria-like" (I've yet to find a photo of the Nosen Trainer). But I read that the Trainer used tubes to join the wings and mine has spar joiner plates. Also, remember the oriental characters stamped on the formers. Did Nosen have any kits cut overseas?

OK, just found photos of two different Bud Nosen 102" Trainers. Not even close to my plane and totally different structurally. Any other guesses?

If we guess correctly, is there a prize?

best guess - is a Midwest Balsa kit along with some scratch building

looks to be a Telemaster with a Cowl Just a guess

Maybe a Precedent T180 or T240?

Decafl. tail Cub fuse Bash

Cottco,

A correct guess will win a very generous prize: my best personal regards![sm=wink_smile.gif]

So far lots of helpful guesses but none that I've been able to confirm as correct.

Joe

TooLow,

Nope. Not a Telemaster.[&o]

"Old Fart In Training",

I found video of the Precedent T240 and confirmed the size is right...but it's structurally too different even for something thoroughly kit bashed. Thanks for the try, but no cigar. This is turning out to be harder than I expected. [sm=72_72.gif]

Live Wire,
The Champ-looking windows and Citabria (or Decathalon) tail-feathers stumped me too. Then there's the Cub-like turtle deck with the aft fuse stretched rather long. Knowing the builder I think this kit was built without significant modifications. I also think the kit designer just designed "an airplane", without attempting to scale any one specific make or model. Based on how hard it is to identify I suspect the kit was not financially successful. Sure flys nice, considering it is so "anonymous".

If this helps at all, the fin and stab are built into a single assembly that fits into a notch on top of the fuse and is attached by a #12 bolt going up through the bottom of the fuse just ahead of the tail wheel.

I have the Bud Nosen Trainer. If that is it, it was modded a good bit. Mostly in the cockpit area, mine does not have windows. The tail feathers do look the same though. I will go and look at the wing construction for some more clues. Is the wing flat or symetrical?

Dissarray,

The airfoil profile is flat bottom. Thanks for trying but Firstplaceaviator and JimO both already guessed incorrectly that it is a Bud Nosen trainer. Having seen photographs recently I can assure you it is not a Bud Nosen Trainer.

It's a Pilot Kits "Big Rainbow". Recognize the wing-fasteners.
Just got an almost completed kit. Love it. Going gas on it.

Here's mine.

Is there really a price?

HansKaare wins the prize...my undying admiration and respect! Seriously, though, this ID request has been out there a long time and you are the first to make a correct identification. Where did you get this kit? Any idea how old it is? After many large meets I have never seen another one of these airframes. I can confirm that it is fun and easy to fly. A small gas motor around 25cc would be perfect. It costs more to feed the Enya 120 and it is a little fussy, but I keep it for the nostalgia value. I use flap servos and drooped ailerons to play "bush-pilot" frequently. I decided to get the CG closer to where it belongs by adding 8 ounces of weight to the firewall. It now handles more "cub-like". Of my seven RC planes, up to and including a 50cc Extreme Flight Extra, this is still my favorite to fly.