RE: Midwest 27% extra 330S?
Jay273, I have been flying the Midwest Extra for a few years. Mine is powered with a Moki 2.10. I think it flys great. way better than the other .40 & .60 size stuff I have. I do not compete but use it as a sport flyer. People tell me that when you step up in size they usually fly better. I am in the process of building a 100CC Extra from plans. It is the Hurley Extra that was in Model Aviation about 5 years ago. I think if you are used to the smaller stuff the Midwest extra will be a treat to fly. If you are flying a trainer now you will provably want to fly somthing a bit more high preformance before flying the MW Extra. Good luck. Jim
Posted on: 10/23/2009 10:17 PM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9197332

RE: 87
Fear2722, I covered mine with fabric from F & M. It is a polyester fabric that is the same as the fabric used on the full-scale airplane but is lighter weight. I used the paint from the same company. If you want to go the fabric route, which I recommend, I can highly recommend the F&M products. They have every thing needed, good instructions, and I think they have a video available. Basically you attach the fabric with Polytac. Then you heat shrink it with an iron-not a heat gun. Next comes the Polybrush a semi clear coat that fills the weave of the fabric. Then you spray a coat of polyspray a silver coat. Finally you spray the color paint called polytone. This is exactly the same process used on the full size stuff. You will never get a realistic finish with plastic film. Also a Painted finishes like this never gets loose or bubble like plastic films do. The down side of fabric is that it is a little heavier than film, It is more time consuming to repair, More time consuming to apply, more expensive when you count the paint. However I think the plusses far out weigh the minuses. The fabric looks better; it’s much stronger. And requires no maintenance. Seam doesn’t come loose and non of the plastic film problems exist. All the stuff I used to finish my 87" Stearman cost between $200 and $300. I found the build fairly straightforward but there was a lot of it. It took me one and one half years. I probably spent about 8 hours per week on average maybe less during the summer (flying season). Good luck with your build. I would be glad to tell you how I did mine if you have any questions. Jim P.s. F&M Enterprises PH 817-279-8045
Posted on: 10/19/2009 6:39 PM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9186172

RE: Increasing Zenoah G62 power
Jezmo, That is my point. I lowered the cylinder .020 which has to reduce the exhaust timing a few degrees if nothing else is changed. With the lowered cylinder I still have an exhaust duration of 159 or 160 degrees. In a past post it was suggested to me to raise the exhaust timing to 145 or 150 degrees. My point is that the G62 starts with an exhaust timing of more than 150 degrees so the exhaust port can not be raised to get a timing of 150. There is no physical way to get an exhaust timming of 145 or 150 with a stock cylinder. Jim
Posted on: 8/31/2009 6:07 PM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9059695

RE: Increasing Zenoah G62 power
RCPilot, Thanks for the information. However, I question your exhaust timming numbers. My G62 with the cylinder dropped .020 still has 160 degrees of exhaust timming. Where did you get the 145,150 numbers? Jim
Posted on: 8/30/2009 8:05 PM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9057278

Zenoah G62 cylinder gasket
Hi All, Is there a source for G62 parts other than Horizon? They seem to be out of the cylinder gasket for the engine. I think they have been out for a while. I am in need of a gasket. Jim
Posted on: 8/29/2009 12:42 PM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9054329

RE: Ziroli PT-17 87
Walt, I completed the Ziroli Stearman this spring. I powered mine with a G62. I had to play with props, increase the compression ratio ,and get a Jtec muffler to get the performance I wanted from the G62. I can now do a loop from level flight and do a fairly tall stall turn. If I were starting over I would probably go with the DA85. You should have a more than enough power with the 85. Enjoy the build! I finished mine with the Stitts polyfiber system from F&M. I also installed functional .030x.125 flying wires. Mine came out weighing 33 LBS. It is a Joy to fly Jim
Posted on: 8/10/2009 10:13 PM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9006352

RE: Increasing Zenoah G62 power
Well, I finally have a good amount of power from my G62 to fly my 32.5 LB Ziroli Stearman. I can now do a loop from level flight and do a respectably tall stall turn. For a comparison, on the first flights I could not do a loop from level flight. I did three things since the 1st flight. First I switched to a Jtec muffler. Second I repitched my xzor 22-8 prop to a 22-7. The last thing I did was turn .025 off the base of the cylinder to increase the compression ratio. This amounts to the same thing as removing the gasket. These changes made a dramatic difference. Initially I was tacking 6,700 on the ground. I think I am now around 7,800. Thanks to all for your suggestions. Jim
Posted on: 8/4/2009 11:01 PM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8990867

RE: Increasing Zenoah G62 power
CK1, The Torquemaster looks interesting but at this point I would have to redo the whole front end of my Stearman. If I knew what I know now I would have built the plane around another engine, possibly a DA85. But now I am going to stick with the G62. I switched to a Jtech muffler which added about 400 RPM's. There is no place to install a tuned Exhaust on the stearman without destroying the looks. I was wondering if I am missing an easy way to increase the HP. would raising the exhaust timing buy me anything? Jim
Posted on: 7/4/2009 1:54 PM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8906098

Increasing Zenoah G62 power
Hi All, Is there a fuel additive that can be added to gas to increase the power of a G62? Is there any engine mods that are easy to do to increase power? I think it is possible to switch to alcohol fuel but I am wondering if it would then use twice the amount of fuel? Also what steps would be required to switch to Alcohol? I am flying a 33 LB Stearman and would like a bit more power. Jim
Posted on: 6/30/2009 6:36 PM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8895679

RE: Stearman maiden flight, power,wingloading
Well, I made some changes. I purchased and installed a JTECH pitts style muffler. I also changed the pitch on my prop from 8'" to7" pitch. On a 90 degree humid day it now turns 7,400 on the ground. The good news is, after these changes, it will now do a loop and a short legged stall turn! I flew one flight this past Saturday and the performance was noticably better. Jim
Posted on: 6/23/2009 5:22 PM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8874811

RE: Old time pattern pictures
Mike, Was post 3,picture8 taken at Kickapoo woods in Harvey IL.? I can not read the sign, but it does look like that flying Field. I remember going and watching a pattern contest at Kickapoo in the 70's when I was in high school. I live about 15 min. from there. Jim DeYoung
Posted on: 6/17/2009 7:03 PM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "Classic Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8860271

G62 Muffler
Hi All, I am in the market for a wrap around Pitts style muffler for a Zenoah G62. Does anyone Know how many RPM's are lost, if any, compared to open stack,with a Jtec wrap around? I have anouther brand muffler and it knocks 500 RPM off the top. This is unacceptable for my application. Has anyone tested the Jtec on a G62? Jim
Posted on: 6/3/2009 8:06 AM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "JTEC / RADIOWAVE Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8821700

G62 power
Hi all, I am using a Zenoah G62 to power an 87" Ziroli Stearman. It seems uuder powered. It will not do a loop from level flight. Today I test ran the engine without the muffler. I picked up 500 RPM. I went from 6700 to7200 using an Xoar 22x8. Is this a typical loss for a muffler? Would 500 Rpm make the power difference to make the Stearman more aerobatic? Jim
Posted on: 5/29/2009 10:49 PM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8810315

RE: Stearman maiden flight, power,wingloading
I did some test running today. I tried screwing the high speed needle in but did not get an increase in RPM. I then tried running it without the muffler. I picked up 500 RPM. I went from 6700 to 7200 on a Xoar 22x8. Is this a typical loss of RPMs from a muffler? Jim
Posted on: 5/29/2009 10:38 PM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8810289

RE: Stearman maiden flight, power,wingloading
Aerowoof, I am using a Slimline smoke muffler. It is a pitts style muffler. Jim
Posted on: 5/26/2009 7:50 AM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8799117

RE: Stearman maiden flight, power,wingloading
Abufletcher, I am not sure how steep of a climb it can handle. So far it only has 2 flights on it. I could try a different prop. or possibly squeeze a bit more RPM out of the engine but the engine sounded strong at full RPM. I do not know if turning in the high speed needle would result in more power or not. I am starting to think that a good solution would be a DA85, but that would cost big bucks. Jim
Posted on: 5/25/2009 7:54 AM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8796363

RE: Stearman maiden flight, power,wingloading
I guess that would be a stall turn,but It"s vertical leg is almost non existant.
Posted on: 5/24/2009 8:51 PM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8795450

RE: Stearman maiden flight, power,wingloading
Chad, The prop I am using is an Xoar 22x8. I do not know how Xaor compares to other props . Jim
Posted on: 5/24/2009 8:00 PM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8795354

Stearman maiden flight, power,wingloading
Hi All, I flew my 87' Ziroli Stearman for the first time yesterday. The maiden flight went well. It needed a few clicks of up elevator and a bit of right aileron. I do have questions about the power. It will not do a loop from level flight. It falls out on the up side of the loop. I did not try ,but possibly after a dive a loop may be possible.A stall turn would be out of the question. It has a wing area of 2260 sq.in. It weighs 33.5 Lbs. That gives me a wing loading of 34 Oz./Sq.Ft. Should it do basic aerobatics at that wing loading? I am powering it with a Zenoah G62 turning a 22/8 propeller. The G62 tops out at 6800 RPMs on the ground with this prop. Any suggestions on improving performance? Jim
Posted on: 5/24/2009 2:54 PM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8794758

RE: 87
Dstiebs, Here are a couple of pictures of the tail bracing wires,they are made the same as the flying wires. The yellow metal bracket is made out of .032 thick 4130 steal. It is screwed to the tail with a 4-40 screw, which is screwed into a threaded insert which is threaded into a hardwood block inside the tail. the clevis is a small Robart clevis. The clevis is attached to the yellow bracket with a 2-56 button head screw and nut. The 4-40 end soldered to the flying wire was threaded on a lathe and then slit on a milling machine to accept the flat flying wire stock. The flat flying wire stock was purchased from a company called Procter. It is not completely scale but I think it is not a bad approximation. If you search on line there is a company that makes truley scale wires and clevices but they are kind of expensive. I think for my Stearman it might have cost $500 or so. Good luck with your Stearman! I might fly mine on its maiden flight next weekend if the weather is good. Jim
Posted on: 5/18/2009 9:40 PM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8780270

RE: 87
Dstiebs, I will take a picture tonight and post it so you can see how I did the flying wires. Jim
Posted on: 5/18/2009 7:32 AM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8778266

RE: 87
Geoarrdsog5, The plans show the C.G. range between 25% and 30%. I balanced mine at the 25% mark. I think these percentages are an average of the top and bottom wing. On the airplane the 25% mark is slightly behind the leading edge of the bottom wing. Jim
Posted on: 5/17/2009 8:39 AM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8775696

RE: 87
And finally the finished plane: The young man in the pics is my son Jon. Jim
Posted on: 5/16/2009 5:51 PM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8774363

RE: 87
More Pictures:
Posted on: 5/16/2009 5:46 PM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8774356

87" Ziroli Stearman Finished
Hi All, It's finished. Here are some facts: Weighs 33.5 Lbs 1.75 Lbs of led in nose to balance covered and finished with the Stits system Spektrum DX7 radio 2 1650 mha RX batteries JR 8611a servos TME smoke system Zenoah G62 engine-converted to electronic ignition functional .125x.030 flying and landing wires 1year 6months to build built from Ziroli plans with no laser cut parts Here are some pictures .
Posted on: 5/16/2009 5:42 PM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8774347

RE: 87
Well it's finished. It needed 1.75 lbs of weight in the nose to balance. The total weight is 33.5 Lbs. This is less than I expected. It has not flown yet. I will start anouther post with some pictures. Jim
Posted on: 5/16/2009 5:18 PM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8774300

Extra airfoil thickness
Hi All,I am planning on building the Project Extra designed by Mike Hurley, published in MA about 5 years ago. It has a span of 106" and is powered by a 100 cc twin. I am wondering about the wing airfoils. It has a 14% wing root and a 12% wing tip airfoil. It seems to me that this would encourage tip stalling. I would think the tip should be thicker than the root. What do you guys think?Jim
Posted on: 5/15/2009 10:19 PM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "Aerodynamics"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8772649

DL 55 IN 35cc Extra 260
Hi All, I am helping a friend set up the AW 35cc Extra 260 with a DL 55. The first problem we ran into is Engine spacing. With the supplied standoffs the spinner backplate is 6 3/4" from the firewall. The carburetor is about 1/4" from the firewall. The instructions call for a spacing of 6". I can make new shorter standoffs (I have a lathe) any length I need. However if I make the spacing 6" about 1/2 of the carburetor will be inside the engine box. Is this a problem or is it ok to have the carb. Inside the engine box? I would also have to enlarge the hole in the firewall to allow the carb. To fit through. If some gas drips out of the carb. It would be in the fuselage. What do you guys think? Jim
Posted on: 4/18/2009 8:15 AM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "Aero-Works Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8692362

RE: Stearman Propeller
I decided not to put any foil on the flying prop. If I do anything I will paint the L.E. to simulate the metal. The foil tape does sound like it could be used in other places on a scale model. Jim
Posted on: 4/14/2009 8:10 PM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8681800

Stearman Propeller
Hi All, During the WWII timeframe would a Stearman's wooden prop be a Sensenich or some other brand? I am finishing a Ziroli 87" Stearman and would like to have a realistic looking prop. Also what is a good way to simulate the metal on the leading edge of the prop? Jim
Posted on: 3/24/2009 10:51 PM by Author "jim52519" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8613597