RE: ESM Spitfire 72.5
Tom, Awesome news. I'm glad you got your plane flying!! I have about 6 flights on mine and have not put the gear doors or guns on either. Actually, I haven't put any of the extra plastic or fiberglass parts on yet... I'm still tinkering with how it flies. I meant to take it out today but was too windy. I hope to get out early tomorrow. It flies great for me in the wind, I've flown it in 15mph before. I haven't flown it recently through, since the last 4 times I've taken it to the field, the engine won't stay running. At home on the driveway, it's fine. Field... not fine. Go figure. I put in new ESM aluminum wheels after I got a bind in my other aluminum wheels that came with my ESM retracts, and I wish I would have used your balsa lining technique. I thought about it but went with the plastic inserts. They are big enough for me, BARELY. My brother is making me some replicated vaccu formed parts, hence why I haven't put them on yet, to include the radiators made out of much tougher plastic. I love this plane, it looks so awesome in the air. I have the 120 OS two stroke through, so sound isn't the same, but it still sounds oh so nice. I still have my buzz bomb dream. One day...
Posted on: 6/28/2012 8:57 PM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11135960

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
Hello everyone. Still looking for a Staggerwing for sale. I'm hoping to find a kit w/ retracts for about $700, shipped. I see the one in IL on the classifieds, just checking if there are any other options. If any of you are interested in seling a complete plane for more, I'd be open. Send me a PM if you're interested. Love this plane. thanks! sorry i misased out on yours, AL. i was going to be up your way in about 2 weeks. Mike
Posted on: 4/27/2012 6:53 PM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11059580

RE: New Hanger 9 p-51 mustang **Trainer?!?**
Jorgy, thanks. I'm intermediate-plus level. Figuring the owner didn't balance it right and it was tail heavy. I was just surprised that flaps down was the standard setup. I'm going to raise flaps when I test it again for my buddy. He admitted to me (later) that he didn't balance it at 4.5 inches. I'm going to double check it for him when I get my hands on it again. Hes already got it repaired. I appreciate the info! Mike
Posted on: 4/18/2012 1:54 PM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11047524

RE: New Hanger 9 p-51 mustang **Trainer?!?**
Wing droops attached and static flaps all the way down
Posted on: 4/17/2012 5:20 PM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11046367

RE: New Hanger 9 p-51 mustang **Trainer?!?**
I figured something like that. It's not my plane... Someone else's. The owner assembled it and wanted me to fly it for him. I never saw the direction booklet; the owner told me that it said to balance by the stickers... So I wasn't sure. It didn't sound right to me.
Posted on: 4/16/2012 4:08 AM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11043846

RE: CMP 160 sized Texan
got some. thanks guys!
Posted on: 4/15/2012 5:41 PM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11043349

RE: New Hanger 9 p-51 mustang **Trainer?!?**
has anyone had issues with this plane shooting STRAIGHT UP on takeoff? i was maidening it for a friend of mine, checked all the throws and everything, and on take off (after messing with the engine for about 30 minutes to get it running right) it took off and went straight up. I did not have enought throw on down elevator to level the plane out. It happened so fast that even cutting the power didn't keep it down. I'm assuming i,t was tail heavy. I did not balance the plane myself, the owner did and said he did so as per the instructions (apparently they say balance it where the stickers on the fuselage are). Im assuming the plane was tail heavy. Did anyone ever have a similar problem? By the way it crashed and now he is rebuilding the firewall, ordering replacement cowl, etc. He's not upset, he's actually excited to learn kto fix planes, good attitude! Anyway, just wondering if anyone had issues with the balance or perhaps the flaps are providing way too much "up pitch" I am surprised that this starts guys with a bad habit of taking off with flaps down... I've always been taught that is dangerous. Any thoughts?
Posted on: 4/15/2012 8:30 AM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11042702

RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
Any of you guys selling one of these? I've seen a few here an there through the thread, but not recently... let me know. Love this plane. Mike
Posted on: 4/9/2012 1:02 PM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11034804

RE: CMP 160 sized Texan
Anyone willing to sell a set of used retracts for this plane? -Mike
Posted on: 4/9/2012 12:53 PM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11034791

RE: ESM Spitfire 72.5
I'll have to measure them... they were definitely thinner than the dubro wheels... I have those too. When I shimmed the gear forward, I have to grind an angle on the leading gear mounting rails so the retract mechanism would fit in there and sit at an angle. If you haven't done that, that may be part of why your wheels aren't fitting and you're having to block up your retract. I did switch to another set of aluminum wheels, the 4" ESM replacement wheels, but they are fatter than the ones that originally came with my retracts. The ones I'm using now are just about the same as my plastic 4" dubro wheels' thickness. I had similar problems to what you're having until I ground the leading gear mounting rails in the wing. Once I made them angled, things started fitting and working properly. Holes were just in the top, accidental collision with a dowel rod. I'm thinking about covering it with monokote and painting it.
Posted on: 3/18/2012 5:48 PM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11006106

RE: ESM Spitfire 72.5
Me410... how's your build going? I've had no issues with the gear mount... I think you are good without reinforcement, but it would never hurt!
Posted on: 3/4/2012 5:51 PM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10986596

RE: ESM Spitfire 72.5
Gentlemen, I've poked a couple holes in my wing on accident in transport... Does anyone have any good ideas for repair? Is there a certain type of covering, paint, or airbrush technique that would be best to use? I was planning on covering it with monokote or ultracote and then airbrushing it with tamaya military colors and then dull coting it with fuel proof paint. Am I on target here or does someone have better ideas? Thanks! Mike
Posted on: 3/4/2012 5:50 PM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10986595

RE: ESM Spitfire 72.5
Post anything you'd like, I don't mind. This is for conversing about the spitfire model, so anything ESM/KMP/YT spitfire is good!
Posted on: 2/28/2012 11:35 AM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10980212

RE: ESM Spitfire 72.5
I'm pretty sure I've had Spititus for a long time.
Posted on: 2/22/2012 5:32 PM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10971364

RE: ESM Spitfire 72.5
Now that I have it all figured out, I'll get the exhaust and the gun blisters on! Sweet. Also going to look into the cockpit kit. I have a pilot already, I may stick him in there today, so I have someone to blame besides me if the plane crashes.
Posted on: 2/18/2012 4:47 AM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10964255

RE: Home made Stooge?
JH 313, I'd love to see some photos! John, that's awesome... thanks for the info! Does SAM Speaks have online e-magazine? I'll see what I can find. I appreciate it, guys!!
Posted on: 2/18/2012 4:43 AM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "Tips & Techniques"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10964252

RE: ESM Spitfire 72.5
Had another successful flight today... this makes 4! It was nosing over really bad on the first 3 flights. On the 3rd flight, it completely flipped and cracked my canopy. I've already gotten a new canopy, but after fixing the gear seizing issues, I decided to bite the bullet and order replacement axles and wheels. I got the 4" ESM aluminum wheels, but they aren't the same as the ones that come with the retracts. They are just as pretty, but they don't have solid hubs... they have a ring of holes circling the hub. They are fatter, so they didn't fit well on the ESM retract axle. I made some mods and it works fine and looks great. I also shimmed the gears and move the wheels forward about 1/2 inch. Then, I practiced landing for about a week on Phoenix RC flight simulator.... All in all, great flight day. Even got in the maiden on the Top Flite P-51. I have the warbird landing pretty much licked. *Edit. I also lubed the crap out of the axles and wheels; hopefully no more binding.
Posted on: 2/17/2012 5:03 PM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10963818

RE: Home made Stooge?
Hammer, that would be great! I'd appeciate it!
Posted on: 2/15/2012 6:59 PM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "Tips & Techniques"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10961001

RE: ARF PROs
https://www.arfpromodelplanes.com/
Posted on: 2/6/2012 6:23 PM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10947261

ARF PROs
I just wanted to post a thread about a good experience with a distributor/merchant. Everyone has horror stories about crappy customer service, bad products, etc. I want to share one of my good experiences. I have an ESM spitfire 72.5" warbird, and had to order some replacement parts. I looked around to find a good place. ARF PROs was the place that had some particular parts I needed. In short, Patrick and Carmen were extremely helpful and responded to my emails promptly. They shipped my order quick, and even sent me non-inventory items from a retract set that I desperately needed to repair some aluminum parts for my ESM retract set. Shipping was fast, cost was reasonable, and now my plane is as beautiful as ever (after some had lessons learned on how to land it properly... you can see the thread). I'm not a fan-boy or anything, just wanted to throw out some good news for some people looking for a reliable ESM distributor here in the US.
Posted on: 2/6/2012 4:24 PM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10947087

RE: ESM Spitfire 72.5
Here are the photos. Hard to see the spacer.. the way it's supposed to be.
Posted on: 1/31/2012 1:17 PM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10937206

RE: ESM Spitfire 72.5
So, more on the landing gear... I couldn't find axles... but I COULD find a hardware store. I don't want to wait (I still ordered axles and a new wheel, so this is temporary). Temp fix: Got M6 button head screws to fit in as the axle. Bought a 1/4 bearing sleeve, put it over the M6 screw "axle." Used finishing washers to keep the small allen hub screws on the wheel from rubbing. Bearing sleeve is 1/16 wider than the wheel on each side. Finishing washers do the trick. There is no torque on the wheels or axle at all now. Aluminum wheel on a brass bearing sleeve on a steel screw. sleeve is also a spacer, so when I tighten the screw, it's tight with no friction on the wheel. Had to drill out the wheel with the patented Mike Anderson drill press. It's even, and works great. I'll put up some pics when I find my cell phone.
Posted on: 1/31/2012 11:38 AM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10937072

RE: ESM Spitfire 72.5
No on the mustang... I never went back out to the field yesterday.. got distracted working on the Spitfire's retracts. I messed with my retract servo on the P51 and got annoyed with the mechanical retracts and ordered Eflite electric retracts. Got overnight shipping so I should have them today. I'll rebalance it and fly it with the 15% nitro later today or tomorrow... probably tomorrow. Looking forward to getting the 4-stroke dialed in. I'm about to leave the house and hunt for new axles. I want to get the Spit going well again, so I can fly it on nice days and work on my P51/P40 on windy/crappy days. I also ordered a new prop adapter nut for my spinner for the Spit, so I can get it going. I got the Dave Brown spinner, which requires an x-long spinner nut. I should have it in a day or two. Today will be dedicated mostly to shimming the landing gears on both planes, finding a spitfire axle, etc. Once I get the spinner on, I'll rebalance it an take it out again. I posted some stuff on an ESM retract thread... looks like people are having problems with the aluminum retracts all around, because of the soft metal. I surmize that's where you got some of your info on the wheels binding? Lots of people are shearing the oleo strut screw... the one that rides up and down in the slot, preventing strut rotation. Also lots of air leaks. I have no air leak issues at all, I like the ESM retracts, once I get all of the bugs worked out. I had to drill the axle out. There was no other way... drilled it a bit and then hammered it out with a thick piece of wire and a hammer on a vise. nicked the wheel a TINY bit, but otherwise the wheel was ok. The axle was destroyed, and the "hub" of the wheel (the axle hole) was pretty messy... drilled it out just enough to smooth it out and I'll get a slightly thicker diameter axle. Lots of grease, too. I may have to go back to plastic wheels if this doesn't work. I'm looking forward to getting this fixed and combined with good sticking techniques, getting some good landings. Everytime I land someone is there and sees me nose it over, heh. Then again, I'm the only person there who flies tail dragger warbirds. My field is pretty littered with small holes and thick grass. Everyone else either flies electrics, giant 3d planes, or trikes. I'm the only scale warbird dude at the entire club. So screw em, they fly "easy stuff." Heh.
Posted on: 1/31/2012 8:57 AM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10936825

RE: ESM current retracts
Guys, I have the ESM retracts for the ESM 72.5 in Spitfire. they hold air well, the only leak I've identified is in my quick disconnects that came with my robart tank and valve. Easy fix. Soft aluminum is a problem, I had a screw shear like some of you, and I used long set screws and replaced the oleo slot screws with them. Luckily it sheared while taxiing before the maiden, so I was able to fix it before it caused problems. One thing I DIDNT see coming was the axle that seized my aluminum wheel that came with the retract. On my 3rd landing, they seized and the plane flipped onto it's back,, smashing the canopy. It's already a bear to keep from nosing over on landing, with the binding in the axles, it's impossible to avoid. I'm replacing my axles with steel bolt on axles. And, I'm doing to lube the crap out of them. Aluminum wheels with aluminum axles and little lube is a bad idea on these retracts, especially after one or two hard landings (which is my MO, unfortunately). I'll reemphasize.. I think they are great retracts, they hold air, and I can get about 12 cycles with 100 psi... no retracting or lowering issues. The issues all have to do with soft metal, requiring loctite on the screws and lube on the axles. Also, if you loctite the screws in the strut / slot of the oleo... make sure after it dries, you check oleo operation to make sure loctite didn't seep out of the screw hole... else you have no shock absorption. That happened to me; I had to remove the screw again, clean up the strut, and redo it correctly, with less loctite. I'm happy with the retracts, once I get all of the *&^&%&^^(&* ing problems fixed. I think they are worth the money, if you do the prep work to ensure they function correctly. Also, they look very scale with the robart valve, mine even retract unevenly, like the full scale spitfire. Again, I'd recommend paying a lot of attention to your axles if you have metal wheels like I do. I like them enough that I'm getting ESM retracts for my ESM corsair. Now I know how to deal with them and save some money. I might go the electric route with the upgrade board from TBM so I have 10 second retracts instead of 40 second retracts. -Mike
Posted on: 1/31/2012 7:08 AM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10936684

RE: ESM Spitfire 72.5
Tevan and Rich, Thanks much for the advice. I'm going to take the landing advice for sure. I added some expo on all control surfaces, but need to add more on the elevator for sure. Also, I'm going to rake the gears forward with some shims.. going to do it gradually. it made a big difference on my phoenix models spitfire. That also had a nose-over problem, and it was a .40 size, and I got it to land and taxi on the grass, so I'm sure I can do the same with this model. I've found that the ESM retracts, while good, have issues. Rich was right about the gears binding. I took it out to fly yesterday and it wouldn't even taxi... the left gear seized up. I ruined the axle getting it unstuck. Now I'm going on a quest today to get a replacement bolt on axle for the retract. i'm going to get steel axles instead of aluminum and grease the heck out of the axles. It seems we never stop learning new lessons.
Posted on: 1/31/2012 6:25 AM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10936621

RE: ESM Spitfire 72.5
Tevan, Thanks! I appreciate your tips. They were very helpful, and I'm sure they are a big part of why the maiden went well. I'm also "enjoying" learning how to land this plane... I have nosed it over every time, the last one (3rd flight) gave it a bit of rash. Nothing too bad, but now I need to dust off the painting/touch up skills. Just some cracked paint on the tail and wing is all. last landing actually nosed over all of the way and cracked the canopy. Looks like I'll be getting a replacement. I think I may be coming in too slow, although I'm now sure. It's just a spitfire, and they are hard to touch down just right. I reviewed your video and saw that you were coming in a little hotter than I was trying to... I'm going to keep at the practicing.
Posted on: 1/30/2012 6:11 AM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10934835

RE: ESM Spitfire 72.5
[quote]ORIGINAL: H.Dale I'm building the 72.5 Spitfire also. I used the Dynamic Balsa cokpit also and cut it off so I didn't have to re do the pull-pull cables. Did you take any pictures of the installation? I was going to leave off the sides since you can't see them. Jus wondering if you put them in? I am waiting to see if Robart will have some electric retracts that will fit. I was wondering if anyone knows what size might work? I have a DLE 30 for mine and am trying my hand at weathering. So far it looks pretty good. Will try and post some pictures soon. Hal [/quote] Hal, Found some electric retracts. http://www.troybuiltmodels.com/items/ESMSPITF-73ER.html -Mike
Posted on: 1/30/2012 2:54 AM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10934669

RE: Home made Stooge?
[quote]ORIGINAL: SeamusG Most of the guys at our field with big planes do not use human help. Rather they have a soft strap looped over the tail as pictured and use a carabiner that's easily unhooked with one hand. Our field has a chain linked fence between the hot pits and the setup tables which the use to hook up to. In the absence of a fence maybe a stake in the ground or a 20# weight. [/quote] Seamus, Nice drawing! I have used that method too, and it works great. I'm trying to also find a strap that I can use FASTEX buckles on, so I can just unclick the strap, like buckles on luggage straps. That method works well, and is cheaper and faster than a stooge. The good thing about a stooge is that it works anywhere... fence or no fence, concrete, dirt, grass, etc. I'll keep you guys posted on this thread as to the progress. It should be simple, portable, robust, and most of all, effective at restraining a big plane but also gentle as not to dent any leading edges.
Posted on: 1/29/2012 8:31 AM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "Tips & Techniques"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10933616

RE: Home made Stooge?
Fellas, Actually, I expected waaay more 3 Stooges jokes... so no worries! I do indeed mean a restraint system. Guys normally have stakes in the ground or some kind of yoke that sticks into the ground, allowing you to run up your engine and tune it. Much like the restraining posts on the flight tables at your local flying field. I want to create one of these that anchors into the soil, and the restraint flips down on a hinge, so I don't have to pull up stakes or pick up the airplane with it running. This is mostly a concern for me when I'm by myself at the field. I imagine that a gate latch would do the trick, with a couple pieces of bent wire or rebar and a spring. a bit like a mousetrap. I wouldn't want a strong spring.. and hell, probably don't need one at all. I fly a lot of tail-dragger warbirds and they swing big props, so picking up the tail to clear the tops of the stakes I have isn't the beat way to keep props healthy. People around here call it a "Stooge," maybe its a regional thing. A couple guys talk about them, and it's a pretty intuitive idea, but nobody here has one and before I make one, i was interested in finding plans for a "refined" or "tried and true" design, before I spend lots of time shopping for material or tinkering with design ideas. Heh, I like spending time on the plane more than the other stuff. In any case, it's not an emergency or anything, and I can handle things the way I do them now just fine. I was just wondering if any of you fine, experienced fellows on here had any good "stooge tips," besides tips for the stooge pilots I have tripping their ways up and down my pits at the field... heh. Thanks guys Mike
Posted on: 1/29/2012 8:26 AM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "Tips & Techniques"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10933608

RE: ESM Spitfire 72.5
Successful maiden! two flights. Home-made gear strut for the tail wheel worked great. Plane had no issues. I just added about 50% expo on the 2nd flight. Flaps gave no pitch tendencies... flew straight as an arrow. Tevan and Emil, your CG tips paid off. 110 - 107 mm is perfect. I didn't raise the gears, so we'll see soon how that affects flight. No issues with throw, I just added expo but kept the throw as per instructions. took offl ike a rocket with OS 1.20. it's a bit hard to pin the tail on landing to keep it from nosing over, so I'll practice that some more, but all in all, it flew beautifully. rich, you were right. Giant warbirds fly great. It was 5 mph winds, gusts to 10, and it flew like a dream. I barely even had to trim it after takeoff. tomorrow I'll get an appropriate spinner screw so I can mount the giant aluminum spinner. I'll also add the fiberglass scoop and blisters. I didn't get any video today, I'll try and get one tomorrow with my mini-cam.
Posted on: 1/28/2012 5:49 PM by Author "hombresinropa" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10932891