zpainter

Has anyone built this and flown it? I am thinking about getting one going very soon and I can't find anyone that has built one or flown one

wingspar

My Feedback: (3)

I haven't built that perticular model but the one Smith plane I do have, at least framed up the parts fit left alot to be desired.[:@] I'm currently working on the Vailly 113" FW-190 and I would strongly consider building his version at 90" which is about the same size as the Smith 190. If you get it do your self a favor and use Sierra retracts. You won't be disapaointed.

Dave

zpainter

Hey Dave, I know, the Sierra retarcts look really good. I am more curious about anyone building and flying a don smith. I framed up a ds fw 190 about 15 years ago and could not complete the project due to the gear. I have that sorted out now, now that Glennis and others are out there. They both seem to build alike (very little room in the tail). I am going to use my old fw fuse as a guide.

How far along are you on the 113 Vailly?

wingspar

My Feedback: (3)

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_84..._1/key_/tm.htm

Dave

Evil_Merlin

My Feedback: (13)

Its the typical over engineered Smith plan, with little real thought of the final plane. There are a lot of Smith plans worse, and there are a couple better than the 190.

If you are looking to do an accurate 190 that flies well, pick something else from the other 190 plans out there, like ImpScale, Miester, Vailly, Jack Devine or some other plans.

zpainter

Hey evil merlin

I know the DS plans are vague at best. As far as being over engineered, I think the builder would have to re-engineer quite a bit to get it to work, that is

DS plans are mostly about the outline. You have to use your own construction techniques to make it work and fly properly

Evil_Merlin

My Feedback: (13)

Which is why the Smith plans are not worth it. If you have to go and draw stuff out and figure it all out for yourself, may as well draw a new set of plans.

The Smith plans are not all that scale anyways.

dpav8r

My Feedback: (6)

Hi zpainter, I built DS FW190A8 back in 94. It came out at 25 pounds and flew fantastic. When I left Hawaii in 2000 I sold it and last check it was still flying.
Dave

zpainter

Thats what I wanted to hear. 25 lbs is light compared to Vailly (30+) Did you have retracts?

dpav8r

My Feedback: (6)

Robart retracts,Zenoa 62,Robart retract tailwheel, painted in desert scheme,tan on top with skyblue on bottom. Beware of the long struts, If Iremember
14" long. It was probably the most fun plane I've built/flown and back then know one was flying them See if you can dig up ASRCC.com, you might see a pic.
Was it diffucult to build? Kinda, but at that time I did not have much building experiance.That was a 7 month project. Hope that helps.
Dave

zpainter

Helps alot Dave. I am going to get started as soon as I get the Glennis wheels. I will look up that site and see your plane. I don't think it will be too dificult to build. I framed up the fuse and built a foam wing. Problem back then was the gear and wheels. I'm going to use the old fuse as a cadaver. Hopefully the gear will now fit with the new tires in a new wing. I am hoping for 30 lbs
Fred

zpainter

dave, I looked and looked and can't find the photo. Maybe us "old timers" need a shot of Ginco!

stephanmk1

hello zpainter!!

o.k....take a look at sks top gun video 1998....you will see a nice fw-190 a8 built from don smith plans....jim wilkinson is the builder of this superd model...it weights only 27 pounds and saito300twin for power....in the video the fw-190 flies extremely well and lands like a cub!!

I just completed a ki-84 frank from don smith plans...no laser cut....the big frank weights 25 pounds.......saito 300 twin for power....my next scale project is a DON SMITH FW-190!!!!
Got the plans and cowl/spinner from pck...did not go for laser cut parts...rather cut my own

Evil_Merlin

My Feedback: (13)

Fantastic looking Frank Stephan!

Ramstein44

My Feedback: (157)

Zpainter,

I have the DS 190A8 in kit form now. I'm plan to start this kit in a month or so. It's my winter build. I have all the parts except the retracts. I wanted to mod the wing to accept Sierra gear useing the plans from Vaillys 190 wing as the kit was cut for robart gear. There is a forum on RCScale builder of a DS 190A kit with the sierra retracts.

NCIS

My 2 cents worth are that Don Smith plans are only for the Master builder that can use his own engineering to make an outline fly. I had a DS 1/4 scale Corsair and it didn't even show where the wing hold down bolts were supposed to go. He just had them going into thin air. I built it but it ended up a brick so now I am building a blown up 124" Ziroli Corsair. I tore everything out of the brick and tossed it into the crap pile. Plus it looked like it was pregnant. Fat and Heavy!!!!![:-]

Gibbs

wulf190

My Feedback: (19)

Can't say it's a bad choice, as, hey, it's an FW! . Personally, after 4 of them, I gotta give the nod to the Vailly, or the Holman planes all things considered. Having built/flown 3 different Holman 190's has instilled a love for them in me, but I do admire the Vailly's and the Smith planes that I've seen. My buddy did the 110 and, with some extra effort in several places of the build, it was an absolutely beautiful plane.

M.

David Jackson

My Feedback: (15)

Ditto to everything previously stated by Barry. Wished I had thought about enlarged Ziroli's plan for the Corsair before starting the 1/4 scale project using DS plans. Ready to get back to it again, (3 years)maybe I can finish it this year.[8D]

Ramstein44

My Feedback: (157)

Every kit requires a certain level of building skill, some more than others. Unlike the topflite kits which are designed to be as simple as possible and come with insrtuctions, the larger kits allow you to place items where you want them according to your needs and they just give you the basics of the build. I personally like that freedom. Most larger kits if not all of them require you to have some sort of building experience and when you go bigger, I'ts assumed that you do.

But personally like Wulf190.. I've built and flown the Vailly, holman, meister, IMP, TF and platt 190 and of them all, I prefer the Holman, Meister and the Vailly kits. Looking at the plans, the Vailly is a simplier kit but it's a little fat in the fuse where the DS isn't. You'll have pick and choose your battles. Fat and easier over better looking and harder to build.

I picked up my kit on RCUniverse some time ago. It will be interesting, but not complicated! If anyone is interested, I'll post picks of the plans of the DS kit for reference. LMK

Ramstein44

My Feedback: (157)

Here are some pics of the DS kit I found serching for info before I got mine.

David Jackson

My Feedback: (15)

In my opinion, DS plans are not very user friendly as some of the information noted in the plans is not very clear. I have built planes using Ziroli, Palmers and a couple of others. Of course, everyone has a particular plan they enjoy best. I personally like Ziroli Plans simply because most of the guest work is removed. I enjoy a challenge , and I must say that DS plans has provide it. I will complete the DS 1/4 scale Corsair that is currently under construction, and I am quite confident that it will fly to my satisfaction.[8D]

wulf190

My Feedback: (19)

Rammstein's got as much experience as anyone building the 190's (and does them well ), and I totally agree with his summation above. I'm interested to see a build thread on the DS plane for sure. Wouldn't say it's a problem area, but shoehorning the wheels into the wells is tricky on every FW I've ever seen...tight fit with multiple angles to adjust, so don't be discouraged going thru that part. We can empathize with anyone trying to get 'em tucked up all the way in the wells.