Great Planes Super Stearman - build thread

[grosbeak]

Instrument panels in.




Installing the cockpit coaming.




Attaching the windshields.




Pilots in.




Almost done...



radio settings, decals and flying wires are left.

[tbrum]

When is the maiden John???

Are you starting to develop these uncontrollable twitches??

[grosbeak]

When is the maiden John???

Are you starting to develop these uncontrollable twitches??

Is THAT what that is? I thought my servos were defective. :P

Still a bit of work to do. Unfortunately I started this project late and we've got some work to do on our travel trailer before our first trip three weeks from now. I hope to get the plane finished before then but I can't be sure.

[grosbeak]

Decals are designed and sent to Callie Graphics... more on that when they arrive. Tonight was spent on the flying wires.

As the manual suggested, I used beading cord elastic. I found it at a beading specialty store but it's available on Amazon too.




Here's the first 50" length cut for the tail wires.




Anchored near the tail wheel.




Wires strung. This stuff is SUPER stretchy.




Anchor holes for the upper N-struts. I followed the manual for the starboard side but realized after doing two that it's MUCH easier to glue both ends in the holes BEFORE stretching the wire around the struts. For glue I used medium CA and kicker.




Gauging the cord length - the manual doesn't specify. 40" is about right.




Upper strut wires strung.




Flying wires finished!






While I am waiting for the decals I will take some time to adjust the control surfaces and to check and adjust the CG.

[grosbeak]

Last night I got the throws and rates dialed in. I checked the CG and was very pleased to find it bang on. I guess moving the battery and ignition so far forward was just the ticket.

I used the scale method first (results below) and verified it with the fingertip method. The manual specifies a flying weight of 14.5 to 15.5 pounds and mine came in at 14.3. Woo hoo! I finally built a light airplane! :P






Just waiting for decals now... Callie ships tomorrow!

[grosbeak]

My order from Callie Graphics arrived today.




Callie does great work. I am very pleased with the way the graphics went on and the way they look.

[grosbeak]

Got it outside late last week for a run-up. Much easier once I got the throttle servo going in the right direction. :P

Got a reliable idle set and the engine is responding well. It should - this is the third plane it's been in and it's got a few gallons through it.




Yes, I did it without attaching the wings. I know, I know... it was just for a couple of minutes...

No flying weather here last weekend and we're camping this one. Hope to get it maidened next week or weekend.

[grosbeak]

Yesterday was a great day for a maiden flight.

It took almost half an hour to get everything unpacked and assembled at the field. I had a friend look everything over and he also acted as my spotter and trimmer for the first couple of flights.

After a short takeoff run the plane leapt off the ground and stooged around nose-high as if tail heavy. I had checked the CG before and did so again at the field and I may yet add some nose weight, but in the interim 12 clicks of down elevator solved the problem.

The engine was a little lean in the top end; it sagged and threatened to quit when I throttled up after a low-speed pass, so I richened it an eighth of a turn after landing - that solved the problem. It still pops a bit in the mid range so I am leaning out the low end a tiny bit after each flight. The DLE 20 is an excellent match for this airplane, which cruises between 1/3 and 1/2 throttle. A ten minute flight uses about 90 mL from the 330 mL gas tank (27%).

The aileron throws were too high at first - I dialed those down a little after each of the first two flights. By the third the Stearman was flying beautifully; it is a joy in the air and hasn't shown any nasty tendencies.

I checked before disassembly and was very pleased to find that the plane fits into my truck fully assembled. I was also able to carry it assembled into the basement and set it on the stand. This will cut down on non-flying time on trips to the field.

I recharged the single 2500 mAh A123 battery when I got home; for 27.5 minutes of total flying I put 550 mAh back into it. This gives me more than enough capacity for an event or a typical day of flying.

There were a couple of photographers at the field - photo credits to Jim Denyer and Armon Kolaei.

[Carlisler]

Congrats John!!

[Machzx]

Congrats