Don Smith Constellation,A Real "Looker" & IT FLIES!!!!!!!!
01-12-2002, 11:05 PM
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Don Smith Constellation,A Real "Looker" & IT FLIES!!!!!!!!
Thought you guys might like to see Miguel Beristains latest. It's built from Don Smith plans. Has 4 Magnum 91 4 strokes, CJM retracts & weighs about 45lbs(we think). Not flown yet, still running in the motors and ironing out all the kinks.
01-13-2002, 05:44 AM
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Connie!
Where's my drool bucket?!!! That one has been on my "want" list ever since Don released the plan. Sure wish I could afford that gear and all those engines. Nice bird, best of luck with it. Regards, Chad.
01-13-2002, 07:58 AM
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CONNIE
NICE JOB ON THAT BIRD, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE A .40 SIZE COMPARED TO ERIC DERN'S. BREAK THOSE ENGINES IN GOOD. YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER DUEL RECEIVERS IN THAT MASTERPIECE. KEEP US INFORMED ON THE MAIDEN FLIGHT. GOTTA LOVE THOSE KNEE KNOCKERS.
01-20-2002, 11:44 PM
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IT FLIES!!!!!!!
Miguel & testpilot Greg flew the "Connie" today. It was magnificent. Flies at about 1/2 - 3/4 power. Won't hardly land w/ flaps, justs floats on by. Did'nt try any real slow flight, so we still don't know how slow it will go, but will probably slow way down w/ flaps. Takes off in about 300' on grass no flaps.
Oh yeah, you bet it'll be at Bomber Field. Miguel always takes all his stuff.
Oh yeah, you bet it'll be at Bomber Field. Miguel always takes all his stuff.
01-21-2002, 04:57 AM
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Don Smith Constellation,A Real "Looker" & IT FLIES!!!!!!!!
I am green with envy. Now I might have to come down to visit my Daughter in Aransas Pass just so I can droll all over the front of my shirt, and look like a fool!!!! 
02-12-2002, 05:46 PM
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Don Smith Constellation,A Real "Looker" & IT FLIES!!!!!!!!
I worked on the full size when I was in the USAF, all I can say is awesome!!!
Interesting side note...the orange on the full size was a sticky back product, USAF put on most of the aircraft in it's fleet. Lessthan 18 months later we had to take the all the orange off the airplanes because the aircraft were corroding under it.
What a pain that was....almost as bad as taking the sticky back covering off some ARFs.
Interesting side note...the orange on the full size was a sticky back product, USAF put on most of the aircraft in it's fleet. Lessthan 18 months later we had to take the all the orange off the airplanes because the aircraft were corroding under it.
What a pain that was....almost as bad as taking the sticky back covering off some ARFs.
02-13-2002, 03:10 PM
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Don Smith Constellation,A Real "Looker" & IT FLIES!!!!!!!!
Some guy named Dick T. did the grafics 
, & I can tell you they look great. He has done several others for the flyers here, and they are top notch.
, & I can tell you they look great. He has done several others for the flyers here, and they are top notch.
11-09-2002, 12:22 AM
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WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just saw a special on this plane on the discovery wings channel and thought, huh, that is a really cool plane, I think I'll go on RC Universe and see if anybody has ever built one. I know it has already been said but WOW!!!!!!!!!!! that is truly amazing. Thanks for posting the pics.
11-09-2002, 01:54 AM
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Don Smith Constellation,A Real "Looker" & IT FLIES!!!!!!!!
This bird was lost on a demonstration flight at Top Gun this year. We think possibly a switch shorted. Found some melted contacts and wires. BUT, all is not lost. All the retracts engines and other accy's survived, and Miguel now has a new one framed-up. He is doing a "Super Connie" this time. I will see if I can get some pics and will post them here.
We think possibly a switch shorted. Found some melted contacts and wires. BUT, all is not lost. All the retracts engines and other accy's survived, and Miguel now has a new one framed-up. He is doing a "Super Connie" this time. I will see if I can get some pics and will post them here.
11-10-2002, 02:19 AM
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Connie.....
Terry....Had to relive TopGun all over again .......I Have Plans ,Cowls...Canopy....so far....talked to Bob Walker @ Robart and am going to get his gear....not satisfied with CJM set....looked at one several months ago.....finishing Ziroli B-25 as we speak...just starting panel lines and rivets....should be done by 20th of this month...Will start Connie in January.....Is Miguel going to build another one?....By the way I'll be doing the "1049" the longer variant......Bill
11-10-2002, 03:24 AM
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Don Smith Constellation,A Real "Looker" & IT FLIES!!!!!!!!
Bill,
he is well into theframe-up of the Super Connie. I have'nt seen it yet, but hear he making good progress.
he is well into theframe-up of the Super Connie. I have'nt seen it yet, but hear he making good progress.
06-09-2006, 07:04 AM
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RE: Don Smith Constellation,A Real "Looker" & IT FLIES!!!!!!!!
The replacement has been flying for about a year or so. Some vids & a couple of pics, here from Bomber Field Warbird meet.:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4359110/tm.htm
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4359110/tm.htm
