Hey now
 

I have one of the few "kits" that Butch made waiting to be built. It'll be on the board as soon as my F-18 flies. I have a RAM 750 waiting to go in. I will be designing formers, etc in the mean time.

I've got some questions for Paul, just e-mailed him. :)

U2 Spyplane
 

One thing I'm currently pondering is retracts for a bird this size. I plan on building mine around the 25 lb mark. Since it has a single main gear that would handle the landing load, that retract would have to be as strong as one on a 50 lb plane - except that this thing should be landing a heck of a lot slower than most. Suggestions?

Also, there's another user here that's Building a big U-2. Jack ( Vortex00 ) is building a old-school U-2C type model. He just sent me this pic.

U2 Spyplane
 

I'd use a sail plane retract. The are desiged for CL mounting and some of the better ones have shocks built in. Good luck building your Duce. I saw one of Butch's fly on DF and it was a show stopper. Ram 750 would be too much. An 500 would be more than enough --residual thrust would be less as well.
One caution, the real U-2 is very cross-wind limited (15 kts). The model I saw hit a runway light and was damaged trying to land in cross winds.

U2 Spyplane
 

Sailplane retracts aren't good for this plane. I have a 4m sailpane with a retract. It weighs 10 lbs. Even the bigger ones aren't designed for planes much over 20 lbs. Just as important, it wouldn't look even near scale. I need an oleo strut with a dual wheel bogey. I'm just wondering which retract units are up to the job. Hopefully the guys who have already flown one of these will speak up.

As for the RAM - it's bought, paid for, & going in. 17 lbs thrust on a 25 lb airplane isn't rediculous - it'll allow for scale climbouts. Plus if there's too much idle thrust, I'll just dead stick it. :)

U2 Spyplane
 

We used spring air retract for the main. Paul made the tail wheel.The ram will be perfect for the U-2 . You will love the way it fly's. Just a reminder, The plane will not fly until the tail wheel comes off the ground. It lands great because of ground affect.Call if you need other info. Butch

U2 Spyplane
 

I'll keep a list of things to ask before I call so as not to be a pest.

I like Springair retracts, they're practically in the neighborhood. Must have been the biggest thing he sells?

U2 Spyplane
 

Here's something to help you get your ER-2 groove on :rainfro:

http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/gallery/pho...98-44829-1.jpg


Check here for more and higher res versions:


http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/gallery/pho...all/index.html

U2
 

I think the RAM 750 will work out just fine, though you may very well have to shut it down to land. And Mike is right the model doesn't do well in strong crosswinds after all its a taildragger with a fairly small rudder and centerline gear. Even with those limitations it looks great in the air.
Paul

U2 Spyplane
 

Best of luck,

Mike Youngling
USAFE U-2 ISR Plans and Programs

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

it there any 1/6 scale U2 plans or kits out there?

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

If all else fails, look at the Bertella plans (Italy). 40.00 EURO plus 25.00 Euro shpng. His is TR1 version-1600mm long, wingspan 2615mm. He has canopy. Dynamic Balsa has(had) 8' foam wings. I drew my own plans for the TR1 I've been tinkering with for years. I'm now building an SU27 from Bertella plans and they are not great, but better than nothing. If you've scratch built some, you can work with them. Absolutely no detail/instruction! His are for DF but easily-I think-convertable to turbine. Good Luck, Bill

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

T45 - Do you realize that a 1/6 U-2 would be 18' span? The one Paul shows above (and I have waiting for bench space) is 1/9 scale and spans 12 feet. Anyway, this one ( 1/9) was designed by Butch Sickels, and he told me he's working on one that's a little bigger to have more fuel capacity. Butch is real helpfull, so you should call him if you really are interested.

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

I too am interested in building a U-2. I've got a full machine shop in my basement including a CNC mill, plasma cutter and a large scale CNC hot wire cutter.

I can do a nice job on balsa or obechie covered foam wings. I use a computer controlled foam cutter to cut the cores and then sheet with a thin veneer followed by a very light (.6 oz) fiberglass cloth. I use very little resin and the entire wing is then vacuum bagged and heated until cured.

If anybody gets the fuselage mold going I'd be willing to work out a deal doing some wings/tail surfaces in exchange for a glass fuse.

Best to all,

Lawrence Feir
Innovation Robotics
336/274-4846

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

I happened to be talking to Mark Hambleton at DCU the other day and he mentioned that he had the last Butch Sickles TR-1/U-2R fuse that he wanted to sell. I think he mentioned 500 bucks. You can email him at:

[email protected]

No kit, no nothing except for the fuse.

Mark is rather out of the jet biz these days and is doing lots of composite work for LM Aero.

I think DCM needs to get cracking and CNC a new 1/9 or 1/8 scale model...:)

I actually prefer the original U-2C, myself.

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

Has there been any further movement on this whole U-2 Thing? I have contacted Butch S. and PS2727 about theirs and the possibility to make more. Has anyone else moved forward with one? I would love a 1/8th one but a 1/9 would work fine as well.

Thanks,
FastMover

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

Anymore U-2 kits or plans or buildups outthere? Tried to get ahold of Butch Sickels about his previous builds but was not able to contact him.

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

Fast mover,
There is a kit in development but not from the Texas gang.
I'll have to look thru my stuff to find the info again.
Paul

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

Sam Snyder from Tyler Tx is building a U2 from scratch.

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

Hi There Fast Mover,
I Started working on this about a year ago now, and have run into a few problems allong the way, but the span on the aircraft is 3.9Meters, fully built up structure, and will be powered By a BVM 96 Fan. I figure if it gets off the ground with this then I will look at putting a Turbine into it. Retract wise It will fit a Trim Aircraft Retract, (since there is Limited space, a turbine will cure this instantly), which Turns through 90 degrees to save space. The Original plan I saw was a Bertella Plan which was lacking in all the detail to say the least, so I scaled the Plan and Redrew half of it to make it more scale based on an Italari Kit, although this U2 will never be a 100% scale, I will have a prototype from which I can build a second, and learn from the mistake of the first, (Foam wings will be the first thin I cut next time), If you would like more pics or info let me know
Regards
Sean

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

I have a set of plans that I purchased on ebay. They are designed and drawn by Jack Bale sometime back in the 70's. Problem is, I have never sratch built before. The plans call for a K&B 7.5 Turbax fan and have a 1:8 scale to them. I would like to find a kit for a ducted fan model, as I am not ready to spend the money on turbines. Any help would be great.

Jason

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

Sean,
Great looking model. I'm not sure a fan will fly that monster. Mine is 11.5 feet and the guys who've flown it say it needs a P-80 or better. The real U-2 takes off at a 60 degree angle. Just make sure you've got a long runway for the test flight. The U-2 drivers I work with say it does take kindly to stalls.[X(]

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

Hi Mike,
Thus far as you see the aircraft plus the fan, servos retracts, wheels, tanks etc... the all up weight is 11.5lbs, there is really no weight to the fuselage at all everything I have done to this aircraft is basically, carbon fibre strengthened skin of 3mm Balsa, the wings contain most of the weight. I expect the aircraft to be below 17lbs once all together. The Horizontal stab should help out slightly, as I am testing my luck as the fullsize has a inverted cross section. Your Fuz looks a lot more roomy then mine I am guessing, this is because the older version was a shorter wingspan, this is a TR-1 or U-2R version.

Is there anyone building U-2 from Scratch that has a plan in any CAD format? I would
Regards
Sean

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

Hi everyone,

can anyone direct me as to who can sell me plans or a kit of a U2 or TR 1 for turbine power? There seem to be a number of individuals working on such a project, is any one willing to sell plans or kits of the plane?

Best regards

Joseph

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

G. Bertella in Italy has plans for a TR1. Many of the model magazines has address. I believe the folks at Dynamic Balsa can make you some foam wings for a 106" wingspan U2/TR1, I bought some a while back from them. As for kits, I personally don't know of any. Bill S.

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

I have the U-2R or TR-1 in a CAD file. I will work something out with you if that is what you want. I have plans to CNC the plugs out later this year but I can't start till I finish my other project. It is drawn in at full scale but it can be change with one button. Let me know, I will help YA ! That's You in TEXAS ! Butch [email protected]

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

Hi Bill, thanks for the reply, but the Bertella plan is too small for turbine power.

Butch, have sent you an e mail.

Thanks and best regards

Joseph

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

try here dont know if thay are still around but the web page is still working
http://www.jensenjetmodels.com/id28.htm

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

As someone mention before. The Knights of the Air stuff was sold to a guy in New Jersey. I can't remember his name but in talking to him over the phone he did'nt really know what he got into and quit selling the stuff. I got a F-106 from him. It's still flying today. The U2 looked like a "C" model and appears to be to small for turbines. But with this new stuff who nows. Several years ago Aeroloft Designs here in Mesa, AZ. somehow ended up with the fuselage plug that Butch Sickles made. it was a pretty good size and it appeared the wingspan would be over 100". I don't know what happened to it. You may want to check with Aeroloft. Good luck
Austin

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

Thanks for the info Austin, Butch Sickels is to send me the plans.

Best regards

Joseph

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

Hi All,

Has any more work been done on the U-2/TR-1? Really like to have one and am about to start making a plug for a mold unless somone else already has.

Thanks!

Jimmy

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

Have a set of Jack Lynn Bale 1/8 116" wingspan U2. Says at the bottom of the plans that a company called dreamsoft.com/jackbale/ has vacuum form parts for these plans. Looked them up on the net but can't find any info on company. Anyone have any info on any companies or persons that make any parts for the Jack Lynn Bale plans?

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

I believe I have the same plans. But I thought it was 117". Haven't look in my boxes for a while.

Jack passed away many years ago.
- website is gone
- any parts are gone, but a canopy is no big deal to make anyways.

I have these in Cad now, and can blow them up to just about anything.

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

Hi Mike,

Could you please let me know how much you will charge me to post a set of plans blown up to 160" wing span? Post is to Malta, Europe.

Thanks and regards

Joseph

RE: Info on German Forums
 

I have one of butchs U-2.
It is fir sale,my phone is 734-981-1321
james smith

RE: Info on German Forums
 

Is it NIB? Do you have a price in mind?

Don

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

It would cost $50.00 blown up to 160"

And it's $40.00 to ship to Malta. Package weight is going to be about 2 1/2 - 3 pounds!

You can get my mailing address off the web site at: www.cmsmithplans.com

RE: Info on German Forums
 

Do you have any info on cost for the kit? Really interested.

Thanks,

Jimmy

RE: Info on German Forums
 

The U-2 is now produced by PAF models in Germany [/link] :http://www.paf-shop.de/
He also sells tanks and pipe as well.

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

Hi Mike,
It's been ages, but I never really had much time to get the U-2 Done, but It looks set to fly in two weeks time. Weight wise, after finishing and adding all the servos the weight is up quite bit. I need to do some final spraying, which will hopefully create a panel look. I haven't weighed it yet but, it definitely close to 20lbs. I agree I need a long runway that's why it's going to happen on a full size runway. I think if it flies well on the BVM 96, I will definitely put an Electric DF in it. I think Acceleration will be a little slow initially, it's running a BVM T-33 Tail pipe set up. This Motor did well to fly a 22lb BVM T-33. I included some pic's I took yesterday, It's good to be almost complete. Pogo's have been finished last night, Canopy will be done tonight, then it's Balancing and running the engine...

RE: U2 Spyplane
 

I just noticed this thread originally started in 2002!, i would like to know if Werner Kranz is still in business or not. Last i was told that he went out of business many years ago but it would be great to know if he is still around. I have his B727-200 kit that i may build it or sell it i don't know yet. His U-2 would be another interesting project.