Pica Duelist
08-24-2011, 09:49 AM
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Pica Duelist
I can get my hands on a Pica Duelist, but the person I can get it from says that it is really tough to build. Anyone build one of these? Did you experience any problems?
It is a great kit and I've always wanted a twin. Last kit I built was a TF Corsair, about 12 years ago, so my skills are not what they used to be. Want to build with my son and this plane is absolutely awesome.
Any assistance is appreciated.
It is a great kit and I've always wanted a twin. Last kit I built was a TF Corsair, about 12 years ago, so my skills are not what they used to be. Want to build with my son and this plane is absolutely awesome.
Any assistance is appreciated.
08-25-2011, 09:05 PM
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RE: Pica Duelist
By all means, get him. If you can't work on him now, you'll have the job for when you are more proficient in building as well as flying. The Duellist was a great design, too bad to see it go away as it did and it really hasn't been replaced with anything like it.
08-30-2011, 08:29 AM
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RE: Pica Duelist
Allamericanflyer,
I totally agree with the replies to your questions from Boingram and Roary m. The Pica Duelist is an excellent kit and is not hard to build but as mentioned above, it requires patience and the desire to enjoy the building process. You'll end up standing ankle deep in balsa shavings and balsa dust but you'll be pleased with the outcome.
The faded Polaroid picture shows my Duelist when it was first taken to the flying field many years ago. I built it when the kit first came on the market.
With two new powerful, barely muffled Fox .45's, it flew like the pattern planes of the day.
If an engine quits you can still fly it at reduced power on one engine except on a windy day. If you get caught downwind with an engine out on a windy day, you can't use high throttle to overcome the wind drag on the dead engine side because it will fly in a circle that drifts farther downwind. Still, its a great airplane.
I totally agree with the replies to your questions from Boingram and Roary m. The Pica Duelist is an excellent kit and is not hard to build but as mentioned above, it requires patience and the desire to enjoy the building process. You'll end up standing ankle deep in balsa shavings and balsa dust but you'll be pleased with the outcome.
The faded Polaroid picture shows my Duelist when it was first taken to the flying field many years ago. I built it when the kit first came on the market.
With two new powerful, barely muffled Fox .45's, it flew like the pattern planes of the day.
If an engine quits you can still fly it at reduced power on one engine except on a windy day. If you get caught downwind with an engine out on a windy day, you can't use high throttle to overcome the wind drag on the dead engine side because it will fly in a circle that drifts farther downwind. Still, its a great airplane.
08-31-2011, 08:00 PM
#8
RE: Pica Duelist
I will add my experience to the above gentlemen (they must be wise, since they agree with me!)
It was the third plane I built. A "real build," but I had no problems with instructions, technique, etc. Part luck or not, it flew nicely level and straight, despite having a builder with that little experience.
I was very discouraged at the time to have the weight come out almost 11 lbs. Don't worry. The 8 lbs they say on the box is a complete fabrication. It flies fine at 11.
18 years ago: I still have it, including the OS .46 counter-rotating engine.
It was the third plane I built. A "real build," but I had no problems with instructions, technique, etc. Part luck or not, it flew nicely level and straight, despite having a builder with that little experience.
I was very discouraged at the time to have the weight come out almost 11 lbs. Don't worry. The 8 lbs they say on the box is a complete fabrication. It flies fine at 11.
18 years ago: I still have it, including the OS .46 counter-rotating engine.
10-27-2011, 04:19 PM
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RE: Pica Duelist
the duellist is cool ,it even flies on one engine
the red one is 22 years old ...and still flying on os 40
the purple is my latest
here is video of my 2/60 os61,s 85 inch wing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99ZYq...eature=related
the red one is 22 years old ...and still flying on os 40
the purple is my latest
here is video of my 2/60 os61,s 85 inch wing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99ZYq...eature=related
11-23-2011, 10:07 PM
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RE: Pica Duelist
I'd HIGHLY recommend the GP electric planer for the build. It makes taking massive amounts of wood off in a hurry kind of fun. A must for this kit
Like everyone says, extend the gear or you won't clear the props. Additionally, I rotated my engines so that the mufflers hung straight down. I think it dramatically improved the looks, and the engines run fine at 135 degrees.
She's fast, true and really pretty in the air and on the ground
Dave
Like everyone says, extend the gear or you won't clear the props. Additionally, I rotated my engines so that the mufflers hung straight down. I think it dramatically improved the looks, and the engines run fine at 135 degrees.
She's fast, true and really pretty in the air and on the ground
Dave
