Newflee

Regarding the window support. That is one of those Hostetler details(very, very few) that isn't quite spelled out clearly isn't it? I am going to do the same as you did.

Are you planning to put your rudder/ elevator servos in a rear compartment?

Newflee

Hey Jeff
Ifyou want to fly off floats later, put the supports in now. If you would like a photo of a Champion product on floats for location and can't find one I will post it.

inthetrees

Yes I'm learning to read between the lines ..

I do not know about servo position yet probably up front on a pull pull set up .

will keep you posted

btw thats Stans gear & pants if you hadn't guessed already

cowl fits firewall like a glove ! Jeff

Big_Bird

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Jeff, when you put the three cowls side by bide, Stans looks pretty good.

New subject:
I have a good friend who has been building 3-D big birds that are extremely light. Along these lines I am modifying the engine mount to accept my Brison 6.4 twin. The 3/8" aircraft firewall will be replaced with 1/8" lite ply and a motor box just like his 3-D birds. This box provides a convenient way to mount the tank. The box has a slant cutoff at the rear in case I want to do a scale cockpit.

I noticed that Wendell didn't put any right thrust in the motor mount. If you have flown a big bird without right thrust then you know what a bear it can be on take off. I have included 2 degrees of right thrust. Even this may not be enough but it will have to do.

Here is the first photo.

Ken

Big_Bird

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It's not shown but the sides of the motor box (1/4" lite ply) will be attached with a filler former to the sides of the fuselage near the rear of the box.

Next photo:

Big_Bird

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All I was trying to show with this photo was that the front upper formers will have to be cut out to provide space for the motor box.

Next photo:

Big_Bird

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Last motor box photo:

Big_Bird

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From looking at many photos of a Super Decathlon, I have concluded that the outer fuselage sheeting should end at F17.

inthetrees

Big Bird,

Thanks for all the tips . I hadn't thought about rt thrust but I will put some in , I also like your motor box set up . I also think your right about fuse sheeting , but I will go with plans.


Newflee,
any info on aileron design changes/hinges??

yes this is my first Big aircraft .


Thanks all. Jeff

Ron Eisner

My Feedback: (4)

Newflee... I see in your post dated 10/21 that you are also rigging for floats. I have a set of 1/3rd scale Balsa USA's planned for the SD and was wondering if you have figured out the rear mount yet. And, are you using the stock front gear mount location for the float front mount?
BTW... I ordered the cowl, pants and gear from Stans earlier this week. His cowl is close enough and I'll add panel lines and the correct rivets and fasteners to it as I finish the plane.
Wendells SD at Toledo had a BME 102 twin in it... nice fit. I'm thinking the ZDZ or DA 100...
Can you say WOW!!!

Ron Eisner
www.randdaero.com

Newflee

No I'm sorry I am going to try to get into these issues asap. Perhaps tonight. I second Ken's note about fuse side sheeting. The full scale does only extend to f17. I am going to do as scale

Just a note: The plan indicates 1/8 balsa for F5-F8. I am going to go with 1/8 Lite ply with lightening holes instead. Granted the structural integrity of the fuse is coming from the full length ply side below the CL but the portion above the CL (at least with my Nosen Citabria) seems to be especially vulnerable to hanger/ Transport rash. Also addressing this issue I am going to upgrade the stringers to spruce rather than balsa 1/8*1/2. The addition in weight will be only ounces. I feel that the cosmetic insurance will be worth the weight. The second time I recovered by Nosen I replaced all stringers with spruce and have been very pleased with it.
You guys both build and fly the big birds so you know that we will have a lot of room for weight placement. I am going to build in a little extra strength and decide on radio/ servo/ battery placement as a final ballance item. I don't want to have to add lead to the tail to counterballance a big twin.

Lee

Newflee

Hi Madmax,

Your gonna have plenty of poop for floats aren't you?
Image attatched shows mounting point for rear. Front mount is at same point as LG.

How far along are you in your progress? Looks like this thread is getting popular.

Newflee

Hey guys,
Checked into the flap thing and your right, the SD has never had them.
Incorporating scale aileron LE and hinges might be more trouble than its worth. I don't have any good pics on hand of the full scale but there is a Citabria at my local rural airport that I will go check out.
If a scale looking cockpit is desired I would adjust F2BA. See photo for actual shape. I made this mod on my nosen and it looks much better even if an instrument panel is not installed. Also, in the full scale there is a boot cowl from the cowl to F2BA that is sheet aluminum. I plan to cover the SD from F2BA back with fabric and painted 1/32 ply forward with proper panel lines and simulated fasteners. If a guy really wanted to get scale he could use thin sheet aluminum and mini fasteners. Then you could get in at goodies that you might be planning to keep up front.

Lee

Newflee

another pic

Newflee

Anybody considering plug in horizontal stab. I did so on my Nosen - helped for transport. Here are some photos of another nosen that I got the idea from.

Newflee

Well Ken I just ordered my cowl and pants and had thenm fedex'd out. Should get them tomorow(friday). If the cowl needs work I'll let you know right away. If not I suggest you order from stan's right away. Seems this Hostetler thing is getting out of hand.
Good for wendell.
I just wish that a Cessna 185 would come off his drawing board one of these years.

Bye the way if any of you American guys want to know what it costs a Canadian to build this craft, let's just say that the balsa and spruce alone cost $300.00+. Too bad the market for snow is so weak.

Newflee

Oh forgot to say. Regarding the engine thrust question and whatever may pop up in the future; why not drop Wendell an email? He responds quickly and doesn't seem to be bothered by inquiries.

Lee

Newflee

I'm begining to think that I'm talking to myself. Well it is starting to get cold up here. Brain freeze?
Do you other guys have a life? Thats not fair.

inthetrees

Your not alone yes I have anoother life but I try to get it to revolve around R/c airplanes but it doesn't always work that way that life includes fixing these after hitting the wall or blower explosions



Jeff

Newflee

Wow you must know your way around fiberglass and milling machines. Is that a funny?

I am a biologist and just had to make an emergency call to a Casino to to look after a shark problem. Turns out that they like to eat other fish and the customers didn't know that. Go figure.

Cub_Boy

My Feedback: (6)

Guys,

I am currently working on the GSP Super Decathlon (which is a remake of the Pilot Kit 1/4 Scale) This plane depicts the Balanca Version which uses the old style wheelpants (long).

I am trying to respresent the newer style ACA Version that has the shorter wheelpants like seen in some of the photos in this thread.

I have tried the conventional route to find these pants to no avail. Outside of building new ones myself (which will just never get made) does anyone have any sources or suggestions on where to located the newer style for a true 1/4 scale Decath???

Did I hear some excellent builder say they would help and build me a pair??? lol

Thanks in advance!

Rick,

DMyer

My Feedback: (2)

I see ou live in Lanham MD. You race that drag racing thing at Capital Raceway? Also do you fly at PGRC?

inthetrees

The car is not mine we work on them part time at our body shop in Beltsville. Yes I've flown at PGRC currently fly mostly at Freestate Aeromodelers field in Laurel.

FYI the body is carbon / kevlar foam core Nitro Funny class !

If you look at the pic you can see what hapens when they hit the wall at 200+ not too bad for speed...

also underneath is one of our frame machines which has a milled surface its great to use to get big models straight...

Jeff

Newflee

Rick, the pants that I use on my 1/4 scale nosen were bought years ago from Fiberglass masters if I remember correctly. I have taken a couple pics of them and will post them as soon as I can.

Lee

Newflee

and another