24" Micro Pitts

[t-turley]

Here are a couple photos of my 24" Micro Pitts, a 2X version of Chris O'Riley's plans ( see 12 inch Micro Pitts (http://www.radiocontrolzone.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=95735) ). Mine is a straight up enlargement of those excellent drawings, with very little deviation other than being larger. What deviations I made were minor, and were made to accommodate different equipment, and to very slightly beef up the structure due to the much heavier power system. I used 1/16" balsa instead of 1/32" like the original, and that caused me lots of grief in getting the fuselage joints glued. Numerous cracks repaired and one very nasty cold later (due to the CA), I had a nice, tight fuselage, but in retrospect, I think even the bigger plane could have used 1/32".

My final version weighs 9 oz. exactly, with the following equipment:

Orion Elite Micro Modified with homemade 6:1 gearbox (ball bearings and all!)
APC 9x6 SF
2 x Qualcom 830s
2 x GWS pico servos
FMA micro AM receiver
Azaar M72 antenna

First flights were yesterday, on a remote hilltop with a spectacular view and almost no wind! :D Although I had to dial in a lot of "up" trim because I had too much "down" built into the MM, the little plane flew great. I tried to get pics, but it was just too quick, and I wasn't comfortable enough with it yet to risk really focusing on the photo attempts.

Thanks to Chris for a great design and the generosity to share his plans.

Tony Turley

[t-turley]

Next:

[Dave Robelen]

Hi Tony,
A very neat job! I have a soft spot for biplanes, but especially the Pitts S-1. When I was just a little younger;) Bett Skelton flew a show at an airport in my neighborhood. That started a lifetime love affair. Best of luck with yours.
Regards, Dave

[flyinhigh]

Hello T-Turley
Thats a mighty fine looking plane,very nice finishing job,did you use covering for that?also is the prop a lil big,looks like in relation with the landing gear it would hit the ground:eek: or almost...
A very good job I must say:) you guys do terrific jobs on your planes makes me just want to stop buying kits and start scratching everything lol If you can some inflights would be Fantatsic! I know its hard to do alone tho but if you get an extra hand you know.
Have Fun
Michael

[t-turley]

Thanks guys. I really had a good beginning: Chris's drawings are great! This is actually the first balsa plane I've built in quite a while; the past several years have been all foamies. I just had a strong desire to do a balsa plane. :D There is actually no covering - I colored the plane! Specifically, I used red ink markers, as shown in the photo. I tried to make sure my overlapping strokes were horizontal, and not vertical. That gave a very nice finish. As you can see, it is tough to tell from the photos.

Tony

[William Robison]

Hey, Dave, I hadn thought about Betty Skelton for years. Are you going to build an S-1 to memorialize her? (and enjoy flying, of course) If you do be sure to have her cute little skunk next to the words "Little Stinker!"

Gotta have a twin, or we wont let you in!

WLR

[Dave Robelen]

Hello William,
When, not if, I build the Pitts, it would almost have to be the "Little Stinker". The logo would be important too, your'e right. The one thing I am not sure about is what to do about the little Chihuhua? My poor old memory does not tell me if he rode with her.
Cheers, Dave

[William Robison]

Dave,
You must be thinking about Ol' Roscoe. "Colonel" Turner even had a parachute made for Gilmore, his pet lion cub. Colonel is in quotes because no one ever knew who had commissioned him. I had great admiration for him, he was one of the few who made aviation pay in the period between the wars. But he was also the butt of one of the funniest pet/pilot incidents I ever heard; Dear little Gilmore put his forepaws up on Roscoe's chest, started likcing him to show affection, and at the same time let fly from the opposite end and wet Roscoe down properly. I know, if you feel empathy for Roscoe it's not funny, but you must also remember that the basis for almost all humor is embarassment at best.
Betty Skelton took her dog in the plane when she made ferry flights, but not during an exhibition. She also would often have someone else do the ferry while she rode the train.
The first model I built of the Pitts was a real disappointment to me, everything warped and I couldn't get it straight. Oh well.

Only one? You better RUN!

WLR

[RS4rally1124]

i have been flying 1/12 for a while and i know that i had a few difficulties with the kit even. first where do you get the plans because they look great and second what is the average run time on those little babies and are they fast enough to be fun. i also would like to know the motor size because i have an old motor from a fan boat projectand if i could get plans for 1 of these little babies it woud be a lot of fun.


JT

[William Robison]

Dave;

Regards Betty S. and her pup. I think you should have the little rat (Also known as a Mexican Hairless, or chihuhua) peeking out over the cockpit coaming. Just think. Nobody (nobody who counts, anyway) builds an open cockpit without a pilot figure. This way you would have a "One-holer" with a pilot, AND a co-pilot.

RS4rally, look back through the thread - you have missed several sources for plans and ideas. If your motor has a reasonable power to weight ratio, and very few do not, you should be able to find one of the right size for it.

Speed? Current electric R/C record is around 140mph. Fast enough? You're not going to do it with a "Can" motor, though. Check out "Electric Pylon," can't give you a URL but shouldn't be hard to find

Anyway, welcome to the electric world. And to the thread. (If you'll let me take your place in the welcome, Dave.)

Want to fly with your PUP? Use a twin and get it UP!

Bill