kram

My Feedback: (7)

Bo:

Ditto from me!

O.S. .46's rule.

I've got a reverse rotating .46 on the right side of my Duellist.

15 years old and runs better than the new AX on the other side.

Better, not stronger.


Funny story about weight and speed:

16 years ago I built this plane as my first twin. Glassed it and it came in at 11 lbs (3# over kit weight). It flew/landed like a manhole cover and I was convinced I had built an unflyable plane. I didn't have the advantage of RCU and the internet to let me know that EVERY Duellist comes in around 11 lbs, so I put it in deep storage and didn't bring it out for 14 years. By that time, I was heavily into twin warbirds, P-38's especially, and the Duellist seemed like a really nice airplane to fly: landing speeds don't seem that bad at all! With the counter-rotating engines, it rolls like it's on a wire.

mt

Montague

What's wrong with the kit tanks? Is it the tanks or the stoppers? I often replace ARF stopper assemblies with Sullivan, and that usually fixes leak problems. If you're using a non-stock tank in your ARF, what tank and size are you using? I usually like to cram in over-size fuel tanks when I can, but the Cox/Pica ARF doesn't appear to have much room at first glance for that kind of thing, so I'm curious what other guys have done.

boingram

....over a period of time the stopper hardends and is useless....Bo

Montague

Ok, thanks, standard ARF stopper replacement then, cool, pretty much SOP for me anyway. (I even have the stoppers sitting on the bench, just haven't done the tanks for mine yet).

tdifan

Kris,

I put in DuBro S10 10oz square tanks, which I bought from the LHS. Here is the link: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXD718&P=6

They fit like a glove.....

Hope this helps.....


Cheers,
Andreas

speed-panzer

My Feedback: (1)

Finally pics - start up and flying.

photorob

Hey everyone. I'm new to this forum and have already read some incredible things. Thanks for the info. Me? I started flying and never recieved my "wings" about 16 years ago. I built and crashed my first plane, a Cub Cadet.And back then Ipurchased a Pica Duelist 240 with the hopes to build a fantastic plane. I have the full un-opened kit with out a splinter missing sitting in my basement for the past 16 years. I moved and lost my work space, and haven't had the chance to build it.
I love to build and I'm technically minded. I'm just wondering if I should build something else first, sell it, or just dive in. The photos in this forum are awesome!!! What do you think??

boingram

Unless u r a very experienced builder and pilot....stay very far away. Wonderful plane...i have had several but this is not a build or flyer for the faint of heart.

Ebay prices r over $200.

Bo

photorob

That's what I was thinking, Bo. This plane is too sharp to screw up.

boingram

...is yours a dave platt ot pica kit and is it a mark II....bo

photorob

It's a Pica kit from 1994, built in Miami FL. I didn't see Mark II on it any where.

Roary m

My Feedback: (67)

Unless you are really short on cash, don't get rid of him. I can't get over the popularity of this ship and the length of run in terms of manufacturing it has enjoyed over the years. You will get better at your flying, fly a twin stick or like to get used to twins and want to put this guy in the air. He is moderately difficult to build but a great flier, a twin engined pattern ship. Don't get scared on the engine out thing; it's a high performance plane so you just have to figure on stuff happening.

walter3rd

this is my pica duallist that i switched to electric. my second kit build ever! it was a challenge for sure. waiting on a spring maiden. i added flaps and electric retracts. touch over 10lbs. i have her close to the 4.5 cg but i want to put her on a balancer so i can get it perfect! i don't need her any more nose heavy than needed. landing speed is the reason. waiting on spring weather and excited AND nervous.

got2retire

Ed Peel,
And to all...
Got2retire here...

Have owned a COX Duallist for more years than I want to admit to. Decided either finish it (with other than the factory graphics) or sell it.. Chose the later, after finding a picture of your Dualist on the net while looking for a theme for new graphics. Beautiful... Theme is similar... Pictures will be posted when it's done
I do have a couple of uncertianties regarding the engine mounting. I plan to power it with counter rotating Saito 56's. Chose to have them counter rotate to eliminate the "p" factor, and minimize the critical engine out issue?
That being said, there is the issue of the firewalls being offset from perpendicular to the centerline of the plane, which I suspect was to aid with the "P" factor. With the counter rotation, would I be wise/safe to shim the motor mounts to bring the thrust lines of the engines parallel to the center line?
Also have a 1/5 scale OV-10 Bronco underway, with the thrust lines parallel to the centerline, however it's a twin boom arrangement with a rudder behind each engine. Not exactly the same issue, but similar.

Looking forward to everyone's thoughts...

got2retire (actually/finally) did..

Tom

edp

My Feedback: (5)

The firewalls are offset to help w/ single engine flight. During takeoff w/ full power, only a little rudder was really needed. In the air it tracked arrow straight as it was designed to be a pattern bird. I have since sold mine as a guy had to have it.
Good luck w/ yours as I'm sticking with Ballistic Pattern ( Old AMA Pattern)