FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

Well you have to keep the LHS in business don't you?!

acerc

I will use finishing resin because it gets hard enough to protect but not so hard as to be, well, brittle in a sense. Any of the epoxies get real hard, in an area like these I think it could do more harm than good if it were to get bumped. And it's gonna get bumped.

acerc

Today I picked up some more foam and fabric to finish the seats. Also picked up some construction paper to make the fuse panel patterns with and the aluminum for the panels. Also ordered the switches to finish up the electronics. After tomorrow there should be some good progress made. I have been thinking about making baffles for the cowl air intake, not sure if it is needed though.

speedracerntrixie

My Feedback: (29)

Robert, you have gone this far I think you should do baffles. Not only do they add that bit of scale detail but will lower your engine temps to boot. I usually make mine from 1/16 balsa that has been glassed on both sides. For your Pitts it would look slicker then you know what if you then covered them in flight metal. I'm curious why you chose not to use the fail safe switch that Smart Fly offers for the Turbo Reg that is incorporated into your Expander. I bet your looking forward to covering and painting now that you have those awesome stencils.

acerc

Well, actually, it looks like the scale version without baffles (see pic). If I go with bafflesI will make a Styrofoam insert in the holes and glass the inside of the cowl, sand and finish, The Flite metal is a good idea and I have some. And as for the stencils, Ohhhhhhhhhh Yeaaaaaaa I can't wait. PM me with some detail on this thing you called a fail safe.

speedracerntrixie

My Feedback: (29)

There is a switch available for 20.00 that plugs into the regulator. Without this switch the regulator is always on leaving the option of hooking up batteries and switches where the current runs through the switches. When using the smart switch the batteries plug directly into the regulator without switches and the smart switch turns on a circuit within the regulator. If the switch fails the system stays on. Check the Smart Fly site, I'm sure they have a more complete explanation. IMO the smart switch is the more reliable way to go but will drain the batteries slightly while in the off position.

Shawn

stevegauth30

Smart fly makes some pretty neat stuff. I use a few of there products.i like them.

acerc

Shawn if you are talking about the flagged pin I have it. But the system still uses a little current when off. So I will use their HD switches to turn off after a day of flying.

Steve, that is what I have been told. And I will find out for myself. I do know just from using it on the bench I really like the way it all goes together.

acerc

I have been tinkering on the Pitts all day, little non mentionable tid-bits. But I just finished making the fuse panel templates and thought I would show them. The seat fabric I had went and bout was a bit too good, would not give enough to show the contours. And there is no way I am going out today to get more, tomorrow (after Black Friday) sounds good.

flyingagin

Man I hear that. I have a car tire to get plugged (nail) but there is no way I am going to leave the house. So I am still in my jammies working on my bibe. Little putzing around work as I figure how to make my interplane struts and attachments for the bolts. I finally got the height set between wings and cut a piece of the hollow carbon rod that forms the heart of the struts. So I am looking at it and going well heck now what? I used my jigs I posted earlier to set my wings above the work table for height and fore and aft position.

Ken

acerc

LOL! Sometimes tinkering achieves more than all out working on it. Speaking of, I just finished installing the airspeed indicator.

Cub Flyer Fresno

Ah, the good ol' pitot tube. Is it functional? I'm mean, as long as you're going for scale....

acerc

Absolutely, along with rpm and temp on both cylinders.

stevegauth30

Nice. Deck it out ace. A plane like that deserves the full Monty. A little off the path, but what radio do you fly with?just curious.

acerc

Futaba T8FG-14 cannel.

Cub Flyer Fresno

That is going to be one COOL Pitts! Gee, I wish I could see it in person.

stevegauth30

Yeah, me too.

acerc

You guys are welcome to come for the maiden. You have plenty of time to plan for it.

acerc

Anyone have any opinion in regard to wing load. I just calculated mine out, at a finish weight of 40lbs, and I got 31oz. Is that good, bad, or average?

WacoNut

Robert,
I just calculated my WACO at 35oz wing loading dry. She will float on landings. I would say at 31oz you are just fine.
Later!!
Anthony

WacoNut

Robert,
Interesting subject on wing loadings. The Reynolds Factor comes into play. ( I am by no means an expert on it) The larger the airframe the more wing loading per sq. ft. it can carry. My WACO at a 35oz wing loading will not behave the same as your Pitts at 31oz. My WACO has 3996sq in. of wing area. Any small sport model would be a brick at 35oz wing loading. Most .60 size sport models have a wing loading between 20-25oz.

With that being said I still believe you will be fine. I know of WACO's flying at 40oz wing loading and fly fine. Would be interesting to hear from other Pitts guys.
Later!!
Anthony

acerc

Whoops! That was the wrong number, the wing load was 22oz, and at 45lbs near 25oz. That is length by width by weight by both wings, right?
I have actually had two other owners of the same size kit and same engine tell me their weight. From that I can go to 45lbs and believe I would be very happy with the flight characteristics. I had some concerns on my little one because everyone kept telling me it was going to be to heavy with all the detail. And was also told it was going to be underpowered with the given engine choice. Well that is far from the case. And I hope that holds true through this big one.

vasek

My Feedback: (4)

I'm sure you will be fine as long as the detailing/ finishing doesn't make you ad weight to balance out the plane at the end. i would leave myself some wiggle room to move the internals for that purpose.

Cheers,V.

WacoNut

Robert,
Even at 25 oz wing loading it should handle really nice. What kind of tires are you using on the plane? If you are using air filled tires put just enough air in them to hold the plane up. You should see a little bulge in the tire while sitting on the ground. I had a hard time taming the landings on my WACO until I reduced the air pressure, it helped immensely.
Later!!
Anthony

tl671

My Feedback: (1)

A little full scale Pitts action, courtesy of Xjet, out of Tokoroa, NZ.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSHiD...em-uploademail