The plastic for the mains rules it out for me. My landings always leave something to be desired and I don't think the plastic would help.

plastic? on those retracts? I imagine they're still pretty tough. We'll wait until the fellow has them set up and take a look then. I don't suppose there will be much flying until spring time though...

consider my raptor50 came out with plastic blade grips before I upgraded, I would not be concerned about plastic on the retracts as long as its high quality I may set them up mixed with my throttle so that if I have to abort the landing they turn off

actually with the weight of this beast I really think the air brakes will be cosmetic.... yes to flaps but you should come in at a good pace to avoid a stall a meter off the runway!

Yeah no tip stalling allowed LOL, but, the airbrakes COULD be deployed once the plane has touched wheels to tarmac to help slow it down since, as you put it, you should come in at a good pace to avoid a stall a yard off the runway. Just a thought :0

You really can't tell it but the "plastic" is really pretty rigid and is definitely some type of FRP. Remember, the Robart gear for the TF GS Mustang have a plastic body as well where the cam moves. They held up well for me on several "imperfect" landings. I sold the Mustang to a fella up in Ohio and he loves it, retracts and all! JMTC!

Happy Flying!

Loopman

Im gonna order a pair of these just to check them out as well. I can always use them in something else if they are light for this application.

Steve

What strust will you use with the new retracts and will they give you a longer leg vs the Sierra ones made for this bird ?
Has anyone used the sierra gear made for the KMPBF109 gear yet and shown pics of the mods needed ?

It looks like evil merlin started a thread on this:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8258308/tm.htm

I would guess the mods will be similar to the mods listed on pages 7,8, and 9 of this thread:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_78..._7/key_/tm.htm

Shindin retracts also look similar, so see this thread for another example:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...896517&page=24

VIDEOS? I see there is still only one.......

I can do a video of the motor spinning the prop, but, not much else since its 10 degrees F outside.

bummer heading to mid summer here now, guess I should get my butt into gear and finish it.....

Okay, got the Gene Barton spinner from Fliteskin, anybody have any suggestions on how to cut it? Also, what's the best way to drill and tap it for the mounting screws and what type of screw do I need to use? I also got my powerplant today, a SAITO 1.80 I was thinking of a Graupner 3 Blade prop but havn't the foggiest idea of what size to use. I should start to work on it now in earnest this weekend.

Happy Flying!

Loopman

a saito 180 can spin a 16x8x3 just fine once its broken in. A 16x10x3 is possible once the motor has many, many gallons run through it.

Loopman,
I have the same spinner. I made a template out of paper for the prop openings for a precision fit and so that they were both the same. Then I used a 4-40 tap and button head screws. Be very careful tapping aluminum! Use lots of oil and go slowly to prevent your tap from breaking. The Graupner 15-8 x 3 blade prop would work best for a Saito 180. These are great props. I have used them for many years.
Dave

From what i have read on here the cmp spinner should be tossed, right??? I did call dave platt and he said he would get me one of his after the holidays.
Also the canopy that came with my 109 is terrible,, very brittle, and you can hardly see through it,,,,, very foggy plastic, any solutions on this, or a good replacements??????

Yes, the CMP spinner is crap.

Yes, the CMP canopy is crap (I've had two of them, both cracked badly and unusable). The KMP sized BF 109 is close, but after my experience with the retracts I am loath to buy from them again. The SkyShark Bf 109 is too small and the ImpScale BF 109 is too large. The Platt canopy should fit, but Dave has been cranky about breaking up his short kits last time I heard so you may not be able to get one from him. Since the Bf109 canopy is mostly flat panels, you may want to use the crap that CMP shipped to make the canopy frame and roll your own canopy.

Typical CMP canopy. I always glue them on with Zap a Dap a Goo since drilling a hole usually leads to cracking. No joy on getting rid of the "foggy" look either. Maybe we will get lucky and someone will make some like Luke who did my CMP Hellcat canopy.

Looks easy enought to build your own frame and replace the panels with acetate incerts , may even add well needed depth .

I put a short video of the CMP 109 on youtube...

here is the link

Camera man is my 13 year old so ..........

A hard landing due to my thumb being nervous and dropping the elevator to much.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX6px__yLUo

Steve

Steve very nice job , congrats on the smooth flight .A few questions ,
1)do you think the spinner is safe to use based on adding a aluminum backplate ?
2)did you say OS 108 ? It looked powerful , so i am assuming I dont need to go bigget then a 140 -4 stroke what do you think ?
3)Seemed amazingly smooth , whats you call on the characteristics ?
Thanks , if you dont respond before xmas have a great holiday
TY
Lou

Scalecraft

Where did you get the aluminum back plate???????

ah awsome Steve, well done! Now with the holidays here I am ntending to do mine in the next few days and I will try for a vid too, seems quite fast! did your prop and spinner survive the nose in? that hit quite hard

SCALEFAN has also flown his over at RCG

got all excited tonight after seeing that vid, set up my CG tonight at about 116mm back from the leading edge, this required the battery toward the back half of the wing and a nice lump of lead in the tail, Guess the ASP180 weighs guite alot.... now I always set my CG with a full tank of fuel and with low wing always upside down, what do you do? might move it foward to 110mm yet?