Bridi Aero Commander
02-17-2005, 11:09 PM
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Bridi Aero Commander
Anyone out there who has built and or flown the Bridi Aero Commander kit? Probably next in my building que and I am in the research mode now.
02-18-2005, 10:14 AM
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RE: Bridi Aero Commander
Gee, we are considering something of a few years ago.
As I remember some of the kit parts fit properly, but most of the big parts did not. Mainly due to the need for hand sanding or beveling to fit correctly.
It flew OK, but as many flights were an equal number of questions as just what was it? The proportions did not make it look as a real one. Only the box told you what the A/C was.
I think there are several others out on the market in kit form or plan that come closer appearing to a real one and are not quite so "solidly built". The new lightweight radio gear and engines will trim the overall weight down, but may create a tail heavy condition in which you need to add ballast back in.
But, it you got it, why not fly it befre it just becomes another obscure kit.
Wm.
As I remember some of the kit parts fit properly, but most of the big parts did not. Mainly due to the need for hand sanding or beveling to fit correctly.
It flew OK, but as many flights were an equal number of questions as just what was it? The proportions did not make it look as a real one. Only the box told you what the A/C was.
I think there are several others out on the market in kit form or plan that come closer appearing to a real one and are not quite so "solidly built". The new lightweight radio gear and engines will trim the overall weight down, but may create a tail heavy condition in which you need to add ballast back in.
But, it you got it, why not fly it befre it just becomes another obscure kit.
Wm.
02-18-2005, 10:42 AM
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RE: Bridi Aero Commander
Do a search, as there quite a bit of info on RCU about this plane. It's been a year or so, but if I rember correctly, the wing needs more washout to prevent a serious tip stall problem. Pretty sure there was someone who is cutting cores with extra washout.
02-18-2005, 11:46 AM
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RE: Bridi Aero Commander
My friend Bill Laughton and I are building one right now. I respectfully disagree with CoosBayLumber, Bill used to own a Shrike and has the original manual and the outline is actually very close to the full scale plane. I did follow the threads here on RCU, they are very informative. The original had a great tendency to tip stall. The solution was to increase the the width of the wing tips and add washout. There is a company in California (check out the threads--as TLH101 says--the name of the company and contact info is in the thread). You can get new 1/64 ply from Sig for the wing skins. We are using Robart retracts and the engines are OS 40 FX's. They will fit in the cowels--just barely. We put mini servos in the nacels for throttle. Much easier than the linkage show on the plans. We also are using Hi-tech aileron servos and the fit into the wing just fine.
Rich
Rich
