phaeton biplane and smoothie back (kits)
03-16-2015, 05:56 AM
#1
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phaeton biplane and smoothie back (kits)
I haven't been here for a while and I just found out. Sorry if its already been discussed.
I took a year off from flying and getting back into the hobby I needed some wood so after going to Balsa USA.com, I see they have brought back the famous and popular Phaeton bi plane and Smoothie plane (kits). I have both and they fly great.
I took a year off from flying and getting back into the hobby I needed some wood so after going to Balsa USA.com, I see they have brought back the famous and popular Phaeton bi plane and Smoothie plane (kits). I have both and they fly great.
09-15-2015, 06:05 PM
#3
They have not brought back the original Phaeton, unfortunately, but two larger versions. People seem to like them, but I wish the smaller and simpler original was still available.
Jim
Jim
09-21-2015, 04:56 AM
#8
I'll be interested in the report. What prop?
Also, how did it balance? You've probably got a much lighter engine on the front than most. I'd be interested in knowing if you were able to balance it with the light engine without using nose weight. In the other thread I noticed you said total weight is 5 lbs 9 oz, which sounds very good for that plane.
Good luck with the maiden.
Jim
Also, how did it balance? You've probably got a much lighter engine on the front than most. I'd be interested in knowing if you were able to balance it with the light engine without using nose weight. In the other thread I noticed you said total weight is 5 lbs 9 oz, which sounds very good for that plane.
Good luck with the maiden.
Jim
Last edited by buzzard bait; 09-21-2015 at 05:01 AM.
09-21-2015, 05:55 PM
#9
My Feedback: (11)
Hey Jim,
The prop that is recommended is an 11 x 6, and I had a Top Flite wooden prop in my stash, so used that for that nostalgic effect. I lightened up a lot of the pieces, especially the tail, and substituted some of the wood in order to get the weight down, and just had to install the battery under the fuel tank to get perfect balance.
The prop that is recommended is an 11 x 6, and I had a Top Flite wooden prop in my stash, so used that for that nostalgic effect. I lightened up a lot of the pieces, especially the tail, and substituted some of the wood in order to get the weight down, and just had to install the battery under the fuel tank to get perfect balance.
09-22-2015, 03:56 AM
#10
Good job getting the weight down. I like to do that too. If you had built it stock and it weighed more I would say your NV 40 gasser would be a bit marginal, but at 5 lbs 9 ozs it should be a good flyer. I like the way my smaller one flies very much, and yes, someone went to a lot of trouble to make a nice "birdcage" canopy.
Nice to know it can be balanced with such a light engine; I'm sure lightening the tail helped a lot.
Jim
Nice to know it can be balanced with such a light engine; I'm sure lightening the tail helped a lot.
Jim
09-24-2015, 05:05 PM
#11
Older Phaeton Biplane
I've got one of the older Phaeton Biplanes. I actually found it in someone's trash!!! It wasn't crashed-just needed bodywork as it was oil soaked. The wings were fine.
I originally gave it to my father back in 1991 and he fixed it up and it became one of his favorites.
He has passed away and now I have it in my fleet. It has a GMS 60 on it.
Haven't flown it yet but plan to very soon!
I originally gave it to my father back in 1991 and he fixed it up and it became one of his favorites.
He has passed away and now I have it in my fleet. It has a GMS 60 on it.
Haven't flown it yet but plan to very soon!
Last edited by Hortco; 09-24-2015 at 05:20 PM.
09-24-2015, 05:35 PM
#12
Great story. GMS 60, holy smokes, mine has a lot of power on an old Enya 45! Also, mine balances perfectly, so with that engine you must have crammed the radio gear into the back.
What did your dad use for power? Converted to wing bolts?
Mine came apart from oil soaking too, but I got it back together with epoxy. It's the smaller original one too; photo in the other thread.
Jim
What did your dad use for power? Converted to wing bolts?
Mine came apart from oil soaking too, but I got it back together with epoxy. It's the smaller original one too; photo in the other thread.
Jim
09-25-2015, 06:00 AM
#13
Hi JIM
MY father put the .60 on it. He always overpowered all of his planes. Yes the radio gear is far back. He converted it to bolts too. He also had a Phaeton .90 which he beefed up with a chain saw engine, dual ailerons and a smoke system. He left that one to his flying buddy Bob but Bob told me when he goes he wants me to have it.
I do have a Phaeton .90 kit that I bought at a garage sale just waiting to be built. I have a Turnigy 55 cc that I plan to use on it. That may be a winter project.
MY father put the .60 on it. He always overpowered all of his planes. Yes the radio gear is far back. He converted it to bolts too. He also had a Phaeton .90 which he beefed up with a chain saw engine, dual ailerons and a smoke system. He left that one to his flying buddy Bob but Bob told me when he goes he wants me to have it.
I do have a Phaeton .90 kit that I bought at a garage sale just waiting to be built. I have a Turnigy 55 cc that I plan to use on it. That may be a winter project.
09-25-2015, 06:06 AM
#14
Sounds like you know what you're doing. Hope you build that Phaeton 90. I have Big John I really like, about the same size. If you're anywhere near Ithaca NY come to our biplane event. It's tomorrow.
Jim
Jim
