I just got one of the new Sportsman Aviation Corby Starlet ARFs, this one in 38.5% size.

Yep, it's almost a 40% size plane.

Hobby People carry the plane kit, about $450.00 and it's pretty complete.

No, the spinner doesn't come with it.

With a wingspan of about 85" and a total weight of about 18 pounds, this plane will do OK with the Zenoah G-26 on the nose.

Here's a few photos

Dick, lets see how it flys. The smaller scaled one is OK but it certainly is not a beginners plane. Believe it or not, this plane flys a lot better with floats under it. Let's hear your report first and go from there. Seeya, MM

I like my smaller one and think it flies great except that it is a bear to land without bouncing. I've been thinking of adding flaps to mine but I think what it really needs is about 2-3 inches more tail moment. I bet the bigger one will be a pleasure to fly but I look forward to your flight report on it to confirm those suspicions.

Here's a few photos of the 38% Corby Starlet from Hobby People. 85" span, 17.5 pounds.

The Zenoah G-26 is plenty of power for normal flight and moderate aerobatics.

This one floats on landing but I still don't have the engine idle low enough.

I Have a Kavan 50cc twin that would look and sound great in that thing! How wide is the cowl about 2-3 inches back from backplate?

Thats an 18" prop on the G-26 so you can gauge how big the cowl is. I'd guess about 14".

That engine may look and sound nice, but it's way too much weight and power for a 17 pound plane.

But, on the other hand, some people just feel the need for speed....

The engine barely puts out any more than a G-26. It is not a powerhouse by any means. It would be lucky to turn and 18x8 at 7000 rpm. It is heavy that part is true. It sounds like a VW, so in that respect, it would be scale since the full scale used VW engines.

Jeff

That is a nice model. What size is the pilot you used Dick?

The real Corby is a hot rod:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4_IS2AWtTc4

The pilot is a 33% figure from Great Planes. I got the unpainted one, added a 2" booster made from styrofoam under him, trimmed and sanded it to match the body and painted it with acrylic paints.

I got a few photos of the full scale Starlet registered in Brazil and had Kirby's Kustom Graphics make up a set of letters for my Starlet.

Here's how it looks now

i want to get one of these corby starlets, But i liked the other color sceme better on the 70 size starlets.

Hi Dick,
I`m thinking of buying this airplane.Do you think a Fuji 43 would go well with this kit?Approx same weight as theZeonah 26 but alittle more power?

Thanks by the way for writing such great articles!

Kind Regards


Steve

Yes, probably a good choice.

Why didn't I use a Fuji 43?

Because I didn't happen to have one at the time.

Steve

The Giant scale Corby manual says 6" (152mm) between the firewall and the front of prop hub; with that distance the cowl fits exactly where it must; The Fuji 41EI has 6.7" (171mm) front of prop hub to rear of engine mount flanges.

I'll use the os FT300 twin.

WRUFW

Been flying one about the same size for about 15 yrs. Bought it from a fellow modeller who built it so I don't know who designed it. This is the earlier open cockpit version. Quadra 42 for power. This one needs the weight up front as it's on the edge of tail heavy. Does great aerobatics with no bad habits. Flies like a great big foamy. Friend of mine is looking for one so I'll put him onto that one. Thanks Dick. Great stuff.

WRUFW,

Have you put the Starlet together? Would be interested to see the FT300 installation ?

Steve

Hi,
I'm looking for a Corby Starlet, the smaller yellow version.
Let me know if anyone is selling one. Hobby People does not stock them anymore.
Shubova
[8D]

Just got my 38.5% Corby Starlet delivered. They're down in price now, mine was ~$320 from Hobby People as opposed to Dick Pettit's $450 in 2007. I have a Moki 180 w/radial mount and Bisson Pitts style muffler that I'm thinking of installing. This kit is a beauty - can't wait until Spring. I'll probably change the tail wheel bracket and wheel, and buy some decent main wheels - I hate foamies. I have always like the Corby Starlet ever since I saw one fly at Oshkosh years ago. VW power, wood construction, this airplane was cheap and easy to build and flew great.....surprisingly very stable for such a short coupled airplane. I still would like to build a full size Corby someday, but would install pezio gyro, GPS, and up-to-date digital instrumentation. No more steam gauges for me.

Just looked at Hobby People's site and the Corby is now $250![:@]
[link=http://tinyurl.com/y8nnnwg]38.5% Corby Starlet[/link]

Ask them to price match their lower price for you. Not sure about Hobby People, but I know Tower has done that in the past for people. They don't usually want their customers to feel screwed just because an item went on sale a couple weeks after they bought it.

Nice plane. I noticed you placed the servos in the tail, good idea. What are you using for this?
Thanks

Good idea. I just contacted them by email, so..... let's see what happens.

I have been looking at this plane for a while, since this is sportsman aviation , what type of covering are they using? If its not monokote or ultracoat, then it must chinakote, any one know for sure?....thanks

My instruction book makes no mention of brand name for the covering.......just says its a "real iron-on, heat-shrink covering material". On another page it says it's a "premium iron-on covering". My guess: Chinakote.[sm=72_72.gif]

Here's the reply I got:

We can price match sales within about a week of the original purchase date. Unfortunately too much time has passed between when your order was placed and the sale started, we are not able to credit you for the difference.

Gee, they'd really like to help me out, ya know, but no can do - I'm just a week too late. Surprise, surprise!