RE: Helio Stallion
I flew one back in the early seventies. Thought that it was better handling than the Pilatus but it is hard to keep politics out of the equation. Probably that is why only around thirty were ever built plus the price at that time was pretty steep. When it came to getting in or out of a small rough field with a load though it was always up to the job.
Posted on: 11/20/2009 3:40 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Airplanes - Full Scale"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9267967

RE: which charger can handle a common negative ground?
Like Dan I use the Hughes Spectra 4 and also the earlier Hughes chargers for the very reason that you mentioned. Also the Minron charger will handle a common ground but they are hard to come by in the US plus they cost even more than the Hughes. The common ground problem can also be handled by using two cheap chargers and plugging them into your charge jacks. One charger does not recognize the other even though they are on a common ground in the airplane.
Posted on: 11/13/2009 6:07 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9251725

RE: DA-150 power?
Thanks, here is a link to a flight made last month at Bomber Field. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zk-oughpNo
Posted on: 10/29/2009 11:38 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9214063

RE: DA-150 power?
[quote]ORIGINAL: NCIS As most of you have seen I am building a 124'' Corsair and wondered how the DA-150 would compare to the Moki 250 for power output. Does anybody have any idea? Does anybody have both engines to compare power output? Will the DA-150 fly a 65 to 70 lb plane with any authority? I don't think so but I am curious anyway. Barry www.canopyrailsforwarbirds.com [/quote] I think that the DA-150 will do a good job on a 75# airplane based on my personal experience with the engines in two radically different airframes. As others have said they are like a tank if you keep them properly cooled and don't feed them dirt.
Posted on: 10/29/2009 7:49 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9213414

RE: TBM warbird warranty question
[quote]ORIGINAL: rc34074 I am not interested in your opinion. This thread is only directed to TBM. No one else should post here except TBM. Ed [/quote] I would be greatly surprised if TBM would respond to your original question here or anywhere else. By the time you start flying models of the size and type offered by TBM it becomes incumbent on the you to assess whether the model will stand up to the type of flying that you want to perform. Larger models do not respond well to yank and bank full throttle any attitude flying. U-tube and many crasher videos have this pretty well documented. I doubt that you will get any type of hold harmless or guaranteed fit for service statement from any model supplier TBM included. Also, I do fly the big ones, including those that have weight restriction waivers on them.
Posted on: 10/29/2009 12:42 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9212304

RE: NETRC IMAA MINI-FEST
Gus, it was good to see you again. Like Ken, I am sorry that I had to leave Saturday but I had a great time there. Maybe We will see each other at Benbrook the next warbird fly in. Ross
Posted on: 10/26/2009 3:08 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9203521

RE: Stinson SR 10 Down Under
The Hostettler stinson is an excellent choice. I am slowly trying to finish one that I started 4 years ago. I plan to change it from a SR-10 to the SR-8 carrying the refistration VH-UXL which was owned by Mobil Oil in the 1930s. Good luck with your venture. Ross
Posted on: 10/18/2009 10:37 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9184052

RE: Running dual receiver set-ups in your giant scale?
There is no easy answer to the question and I am sure that you will get all kinds of answers to your question. Here is how I have done it for the last 19 years of giant scale flying. 1. Use two batteries and two switches feeding a common receiver. Check both switches before each flight 2. Use a battery isolator if the total servo current draw exceeds the listed buss capacity of the receiver. 3. Take care that the receiver is isolated from vibration and is securely mounted. 4. Watch the antenna routing keeping it as far as possible from servo wiring and ignition components. 5. Use a reliable battery monitoring device before each flight. 6. Check the batteries at least twice a year for drops in capacity. 7. Don't use bargain batteries to power the receiver. 8. Mechanically secure all battery and switch connections and avoid silver plated connectors if at all possible in favor of gold plated ones. This has worked for me in all types and sizes of giant scale planes. If you go to my gallery pictures you can see the range of planes that share the above listed techniques.
Posted on: 10/18/2009 10:18 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9184008

RE: firewall mounted servos
If you go to the "Giant Scale Other" page and find post # 38 in the 42% Super Decathlon Build you can see the picture of the throttle, choke and kill switch servos mounted on the engine box. The servo leads are connected through a powerbox to the receiver as shown in later posts. The airplane has flown multiple times in multiple airfields around the state with no sign of radio problems. Two things that I would stress are range checking as others here have already said and use quality full size servos for any application where they are mounted close to the engine. The minature servos just don't have the durability to stand up against engine vibration. On a final note I have found over the years that a high resolution servo works best on Gas engine carbs. they are not very linear compared to a glow rotary barrel carb plus most are very sensitive at the low end of the idle where a few thousandths movement is the difference between a too fast idle for landing and a dead stick coming down on final approach. Good luck with your new bird. Hostetlers stuff always flys great.
Posted on: 10/15/2009 12:01 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9175271

RE: Hostetler Red Lion video available??
I don't have a video of the Red Lion but I may have some video of my Wedell Williams Racer which is the same plane in another paint scheme. This particular one is a Byron but it used the Hostetler wing construction with a Fiberglass Fuselage instead of the built up balsa and lite ply. Other than that, the construction is straight from the Hostetler plans which Byron acknowledges in their construction booklet. The airplane is an excellent flying model but it does have the take off and landing difficulties that any narrow tread landing gear and small vertical fin and rudder airplane would have. This doesn't mean that every take off and landing is a white knuckle experience but you shouldn't be talking to your spotter about what you are going to have for lunch. If you do not concentrate on the take off or landing phase, the plane has the ability to eat your lunch for you. It is a plane worthy of building plus the Red Lion paint scheme is absolutely gorgeous.
Posted on: 10/14/2009 4:58 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9173288

RE: Wanted Top Flite Beechcraft Bonanza Kit NIB
[quote]ORIGINAL: Jake Ruddy Hey guys, Want ads are ok but please keep the selling part in PMs. You can also put a wanted ad in the buy and sell section for free which might increase your chances of finding what you are looking for. [/quote] Don't think that there is any selling going on here.[;)]
Posted on: 10/14/2009 4:37 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9173235

RE: Wanted Top Flite Beechcraft Bonanza Kit NIB
[quote]ORIGINAL: turnnburn Looking for a Top Flite Beechcraft Bonanza kit new in the box unstarted. [/quote] Have a friend in Grand Prairie that has the kit along with a fiberglass turtledeck to replace the plastic. I will see if he wants to sell it.
Posted on: 10/14/2009 12:17 AM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9171607

RE: GIANT WARBIRD SLOW POKE
[quote]ORIGINAL: pettit Wadda ya mean, not a warbird? I know full well that these planes were actually used as primary trainers by The Duchy of Grand Fenwick. Look it up. [/quote] I noticed the invasion stripes and did a little research. The Duchy did participate in the Normandy invasion. Unfortunately between the departure ceremonies and a very strong headwind they arrived two weeks late. They did however inflict casualties on the enemy when a retreating column was struck by a picnic basket containing stale cucumber sandwiches and a bottle of flat champaigne was jettisoned by the squadron as they hurried home to participate in the homecoming gala. One of the aircraft still remains on display in the second sub basement of the Imperial War Museum.
Posted on: 10/12/2009 11:56 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9168583

RE: NETRC IMAA MINI-FEST
Gus, can you give us an update on Wednesday or Thursday? Ken and I are planning to bring the 42% Super Decathlon down and will need to know where we can park the trailer. Thanks, Ross
Posted on: 10/10/2009 2:07 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9161845

RE: Ikon N west kits
Probably most of what you are going to find will come from the internet at this point. The last owner put out a very small amount of stuff and then went silent. The kits are dated in design in that they have a lot more wood in them than is necessary either for the scale outlines or structural needs. They all tend to build a little heavy but they are still good fliers and are mostly seldom modeled subjects.
Posted on: 10/2/2009 8:35 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9142203

RE: Luscombe Plans
[quote]ORIGINAL: lakerat Yes you are right my spelling was wrong now do you know of any available plans . [/quote] The only plans that I am aware of are the old Cleveland plans that are either enlarged or reduced to make the desired scale. They have spans from around 18" up to 101". With Cleveland plans you get good scale outlines but you are on your own as to how you want to adapt them to RC use. Also Pat Trittle has done a set for a small Rubber/electric model but again it would be up to you to make a suitable adaptation to RC. There may be some British plans available but I do not have a ready listing before me to check on that. I did a followup later today and found that the January 2008 Flying Scale Models had a set of pull out plans for a 42" electric version. Also Dave Bodington did a set for this plane, Good luck with your search.
Posted on: 9/28/2009 7:42 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9130074

RE: Rhinebeck '09 photos
[quote]ORIGINAL: bokuda I posted photos I took at the Rhinebeck Jamboree this year here: http://bokudasphotos.shutterfly.com/1385 [/quote] I thought that I had the only Howard Hunington 1914 Clam in the country but I see that I was wrong.
Posted on: 9/25/2009 9:15 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9124253

RE: Bearcat Color Schemes, any sites???
[quote]ORIGINAL: Chad Veich Don't forget the G-58a and G-58b. I am particularly fond of the first one. [img]http://www.warbirdregistry.org/f8fregistry/images/f8f-n700a-2.jpg[/img] [img]http://aerofiles.com/grum-g58a.jpg[/img] [/quote] The first one was referred to as the "Red Plane" By Grumman. The GulfHawk 4 flown by major Al Williams shows up in higher contrast when flown as a model. Picture of mine taken a few years back.
Posted on: 9/24/2009 11:33 AM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9120326

RE: 42% Super Decathlon Build
[quote]ORIGINAL: RICKSTUBBZ Ken, In those side shots of the pilot...He looks scared to death[:D]... [/quote] If he knew what Ken and I know he should look even more up tight. I just hope that he doesn't pull the emergency door release and bail out on us. See you at Bomber Field this week. Ross
Posted on: 9/14/2009 3:02 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9095068

RE: Byron 1/4 scale cub
[quote]ORIGINAL: Tom R. I have a Byron 1/4 scale cub and I am thinking about putting a OS160 twin in it ( which I have ) Was wondering if it would be enough power. Will be flying scale. Thank you for all input. Tom [/quote] The 160 twin will make a good powerplant for that plane. Try to use something like an APC 16X10 Narrow blade to allow the motor to turn up in the high 7000s and it will be a happy camper. I have flown the 160s since the early 90s and have found them to be trouble free and very reliable requiring no on board glow or anything else. Here was one of my old beater CAPs sporting a 160 twin.
Posted on: 9/9/2009 12:00 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9081537

RE: Mac Hodges NEW B-29
I look forward to seeing it fly once again at Bomber Field in September.
Posted on: 8/26/2009 4:02 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Events, Shows and Fun Fly's - Airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9047176

RE: This Citabria doesn't want to roll!!?!
[quote]ORIGINAL: Sport_Pilot I cannot see the video, and somehow thought that you were talking about full scale. IMO the aileron stick pressure is not nearly that great on a Citabria, elivator is a lot worse.. Don't know about the Decathalon though. [/quote] Just checked the link and it seems to be fine. Try full aileron deflection at about 90 kts and get back to me.
Posted on: 8/21/2009 7:02 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Aerodynamics"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9034386

RE: This Citabria doesn't want to roll!!?!
[quote]ORIGINAL: Sport_Pilot Full scale Citabria? You can't do anyting except make sure the stock rigging is correctly adjusted. Against the law to do otherwise. [/quote] We are talking about the model in the link. Having instructed in a Citabria, I know how to get the maximum roll rate out of it. Use free weights on your right arm and build it up to where you can do 3 one armed pushups in 10 seconds.[8D]
Posted on: 8/21/2009 2:13 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Aerodynamics"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9033820

RE: This Citabria doesn't want to roll!!?!
[quote]ORIGINAL: TexasSkyPilot I don't even need to look at it to know that I didn't set that one up. Because if I had, I can assure you the roll rate would have been higher than that. I'll let you believe what you want to. I've had several Decathlons and Citabrias, and they are GREAT flying planes, and they are aerobatic, which is of course how Citabria got its name. Spell Citabria backwards sometime if you don't believe me. The Decathlon is just a Citabria with a bigger engine and a few more advancements. Jim [/quote] Always looking for good suggestions on set up. What would you do on this one to improve the roll rate?
Posted on: 8/21/2009 12:29 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Aerodynamics"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9033606

RE: This Citabria doesn't want to roll!!?!
Here is a link to a Super Decathlon test flight that shows the aileron at deflection and the rather lazy roll that results. The time is between 1:43 and 2:06 that shows the deflection. Barndoor ailerons just don't produce high rates of roll on scale type high wing models. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDRxXi02y4o
Posted on: 8/20/2009 8:58 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Aerodynamics"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9032202

RE: Crash Details
Sorry for the slow return but the NTSB is listing non U.S. registered aircraft and crashes in other countries on their site. The year 2009 in ythe first 2 months lists crashes in Brazil, Switzerland, Vietnam, France an a couple of other countries. I have no idea as to why they are involved or what authority they have but the listings and the details are on their site. As for the original subject, A. Kotrov is listed on the 2009 Russian aerobatic team but I have not seen any listing telling what type of aircraft he is flying.
Posted on: 8/19/2009 11:49 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Airplanes - Full Scale"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9029860

RE: This Citabria doesn't want to roll!!?!
One of the very first things that I would check is the linkage geometry to make sure that the moment arm isn't too small at maximum deflection. Many times the servo or servos have plenty of power just off of neutral but run out of steam when the aileron is trying to get to full deflection at higher flying speeds. Try pulling into a vertical position and see if the roll rate increases as the speed bleeds off. If it stays the same or increases then the flight surface is forcing or stalling the servo to a position less than full deflection. The solution is to either get the linkage in a position of better mechanical when the aileron is at full deflection, or use a higher torque servo.
Posted on: 8/19/2009 12:49 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Aerodynamics"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9028287

RE: CARBURETORS, BERNOULLI, AIR COMPRESSION, LEAN OR RICH????
[quote]ORIGINAL: Bax [quote]ORIGINAL: BMatthews Dick, you and I are probably just about the only two folks here that know what a Carter's Little Liver Pill looks like and the container it came in.... :D I used that old phrase for years but stopped a few years back when I realized that everyone was looking at me with a confused or ''another old geezer'' sympathetic look at the mention of Carter's Little Liver pills.... :D [/quote] ....and I'm old enough to know what they are, too. My mother used the expression ''more [something] than Carter's got pills''. How about something a former Scoutmaster used to call us...''You guys look worse than Coxey's Army''. [/quote] Can we get Hogan's Goat in here too?[;)]
Posted on: 8/17/2009 12:05 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Aerodynamics"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9022823

RE: CARBURETORS, BERNOULLI, AIR COMPRESSION, LEAN OR RICH????
[quote]ORIGINAL: combatpigg [quote]ORIGINAL: airbusdrvr [quote]ORIGINAL: combatpigg I bought the pumped 1.20 when it first came out. It ran perfectly when the pump was working. To wake up the pump I had to push and pull fuel through the system with a syringe. I never had it apart, all it ever needed was to get something inside the pump loose at the start of the flying season, then just run it at least weekly after that. That engine will pull 9.5 pounds straight up to Jupiter with a 15x6 prop. I understand that the YS is King of the Hill now, in this size range. If so, they must be truly awesome... I never had to ''set up'' a quality model engine that was brand new. [/quote] We are discussing the OS FT-120 twin cylinder four-stroke engine. It doesn't have a pump and is strictly venturi fuel draw without muffler pressure to the tank. [/quote] Uhhh....did you ever stop to consider why OS felt the need to come out with a pumped 1.20? Maybe because of the anemic 1.20 predecessors? Would your engine benefit from having a pressurized system? Would you be able to more easily tune it on the ground for the way you want it to run like in the air? I think so, but carry on... [/quote] A bigger carb on the 120 and 160 twins won't make enough difference to bother with. However more agressive valve timing would get things exciting including hard starting and higher idle speeds. The other thing would be to supercharge them like the 120 single or the YS pulse chamber. The pumped 1.20 was a step up albeit a short step.
Posted on: 8/14/2009 8:49 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Aerodynamics"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9017110

RE: CARBURETORS, BERNOULLI, AIR COMPRESSION, LEAN OR RICH????
[quote]ORIGINAL: dick Hanson how many of you guys actually ran and setup the OS 4 strokers? [/quote] I ran 56 gallons of fuel through the FT 120 gemini II before the right jug blew off of the crankcase due to metal fatigue. The carb on mine was the old design airbleed for the idle mixture. The idle mixture was set just slightly rich which worked fine at 458 ft. ASL. Never had a flameout or a dropped cylinder in the 100 plus hrs of run time. I also ran 2 of the 160 twins which make enough power for a pretty good sport motor. One had the old airbleed carb while the other had the newer twin needle unit. I ran 10 and 15% Omega fuel in them summer and winter and could tell little difference in the carb performance between the two. The 120 Gemini II and the FT160 are good reliable smooth not too powerfull engines that require very little maintenence or needle valve adjustment once they are set up. Adjust and lube the valve train a couple of times per year and change the plugs out about every 10 gallons of fuel whether they need it or not and turn the needle valve in or out about 5 or 6 clicks summer to winter and you are good to go at these altitudes. I still have a new in box 120 Gemini II that has been here for years since I slid over into gas back in the 90s.
Posted on: 8/14/2009 12:56 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Aerodynamics"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9016122