Topic: What plane meets this criteria?

I am considering something like a Brian Taylor or similar quality kit of a war bird to add to the ever growing fleet, not a bi-plane type thing, more like a mustang or hurricane, have fancied a nice hurricane for years now but they seem difficult to get hold of.

I fancy something not too big, so no bigger than 1/4 scale, preferably that will take a petrol engine, something that will happily fly from a reasonable size grass strip and has most of the parts included in the kit.

I dont mind building from a plan, but it can make getting reasonable canopies and the such like hard to get hold of, hence some form of kit would be nice.

Above all, it should fly really nicely.

Does anyone know what meets this criteria and where you can get hold of said kit? Like I say, I am after peoples real experiences rather than word of mouth hence my asking.

Thanks
Steve

DB Hurricane

 

DB Hurricane

 

That looks awesome, do they fly nice? 

ANy idea if a 50cc engine would be way over the top for this, assuming good throttle management of course, more weight wise? 

I've only heard good things about DB designs but as for the engine size, it's a bit out of my sphere.

I'm sure there will be somebody with experience of big smelly motors along soon. 

I've only heard good things about DB designs but as for the engine size, it's a bit out of my sphere.

I'm sure there will be somebody with experience of big smelly motors along soon. 

LOL  thanks 

Mine has Quadra 35. Anything from that size up, 38 Zenoah or any 40 will be fine. Dont go mad, its a Hurricane, not a T-bolt!

The DB Hurricane has pedigree as long as they come, and is totally proven. The new Falcon 96 inch Hurricane also looks like it could be a winner. Falcon had an example on display at the recent LMA show in Wigan. Looked impressive.

Mine has Quadra 35. Anything from that size up, 38 Zenoah or any 40 will be fine. Dont go mad, its a Hurricane, not a T-bolt!

LOL, its more for weight I was thinking, power is not an issue as I found the throttle stick a while back and found it goes down as well as up, lol. Thinking of also going to a 3 or maybe even 4 balde prop to not only to make it quiter but that should nicely disperse some of the power away. Thoughts on that one??  

Could go to a large zenoah, depends what people have got on well with. I have only had one zenoah, a 62, and that was quite old and a bit of a pain to start, but have used a lot of the modern day 50cc engines with great sucess.

Happy to take advice from anyone that knows these things as I dont confess to

The DB Hurricane has pedigree as long as they come, and is totally proven. The new Falcon 96 inch Hurricane also looks like it could be a winner. Falcon had an example on display at the recent LMA show in Wigan. Looked impressive.

Sounds very promosing, do you have a link to where I may find the Falcon one? 

Yes.

here.....    http://www.falcon-aviation.com/

Yes.

here.....    http://www.falcon-aviation.com/

Thanks, but I cant seem to find any reference to the hurricane on there, is it a new kit they are yet to release?

It's new, and still at the prototype stages. Didn't look too far away to me though. Could be worth contacting Falcon for more info if you're interested.

It's new, and still at the prototype stages. Didn't look too far away to me though. Could be worth contacting Falcon for more info if you're interested.

Definately interested, anything around that sort of size would be ideal I believe, many thanks 

Well I just gave them a call and they are sending me some pics of it  Fantastic stuff. Sounds like its not that far away too, I think this may be "the one", we shall see 

Have you seen this Steve.

• Information

Stueysheep had one with a Z38 in it and it was really nice. Broke mt heart when he sold it.

Charlie C

Have you seen this Steve.

• Information

Stueysheep had one with a Z38 in it and it was really nice. Broke mt heart when he sold it.

Charlie C

I have already emailed the man to see if he still has it, many thanks 

I have already emailed the man to see if he still has it, many thanks 

thats a bargain! The goodwin retracts are what I have- look really scale.

Unfortunately that one is sold, back to the drawing board 

Personaly I'd go for the DB Sport and Scale Hurricane, it's on my list once I get the workshop sorted.

The DB Hurricane has pedigree as long as they come, and is totally proven. The new Falcon 96 inch Hurricane also looks like it could be a winner. Falcon had an example on display at the recent LMA show in Wigan. Looked impressive.

Are there any other makers out there that do a Hurricane, or is there another plane that would suit the criteria I am looking for? I dont mind something, not so common as your usual spitfires and mustangs 

TJD Models have just been prototyping a Hurricane from a Tony Nijhuis design, which will be kitted by SLEC. First flight reports are very good.

Chris Willis's big Tiffy is going to be available in kit form too.

My personal favourite though is the Lavochkin LA-7. Available from Jerry Bates or Don Smith and as a kit from Belair.

My personal favourite though is the Lavochkin LA-7. Available from Jerry Bates or Don Smith and as a kit from Belair.

I do like that one, look very nice indeed, I will do some investigation into this and see how what comes out 

I have to say that his seems quite a departure from your current fleet of aerobats. Why the move towards a warbird? You could save yourself a lot of money and hassle and paint one of them in a DPM (camo) paint job.

I have to say that his seems quite a departure from your current fleet of aerobats. Why the move towards a warbird? You could save yourself a lot of money and hassle and paint one of them in a DPM paint job.

I have owned previsouly a P51D mustang, a Corsair, and built from kit an old WW1 bipe for a guy many many moons ago. My passion for the hobby all started with building only and not flying, I am a very keen modellor and have repaired planes for people that they have literally been ready to put in the bin. I have done a numer of repairs for people at my own club, and love the building side, never charged for doing so, just for the passion of doing so. I once had a plane go in on its second flight through radio problems, I rebuilt it literally just from the rudder, tail fin and elevators, the rest was completely new.

Last year I started to get into learning 3D, which is exremely difficult and have been working my way towards that with my current fleet. I reckon my 3d and fun fleet is just about complete and now my passion for building strives through again. I want something that I can pick up and put down at will, no pressure to build, nice and relaxing, something I can be proud of when its comepte. 

Something for that lovely summers day that I dont have to blow my mind with stick twiddling, something nice to take to other clubs when I go visit and something petrol powered as I love petrol compared to glow.

Never did facy a yak done in camo, lol 

If you know of anything that will suit my requirements then please put your suggestions forwards, building really isnt an issue so anything is a possibility 

Cheers
Steve

Never did facy a yak done in camo, lol 

Hmm.

I have an old, beat up Extra that might have to get done in a warbird scheme, though.

Hmm.

I have an old, beat up Extra that might have to get done in a warbird scheme, though.

i am sure that would look lovely    Bets of luck with it 

Well, it would make a change from the shell suits these type of 'planes normally wear.

Well, it would make a change from the shell suits these type of 'planes normally wear.

Aye, thats true, just hope you post up some pics of it when its done 

It's at the back of a fairly big list, but I'm sure I'll get round to it at some point.

Well after much contemplation, I think its eiher going to be the DB Hurricane, or I might wait till the bigger falcon Hurricane comes out and go for that, the guy from falcon sent me some pics of it and it does look a nice work of art 

Well don't keep it a secret- post the pics!

If you know of anything that will suit my requirements then please put your suggestions forwards, building really isnt an issue so anything is a possibility 
Cheers
Steve

Steve

If you weren't already aware, we're now offering the full range of Jerry Bates plans.......he's not one for the 'run of the mill' models, so no Spitfires, Thunderbolts etc here.................some V nice, well prooven designs though, many suitable for your 50cc petrol engine....................

Sea Fury, Bearcat, Dauntless, Tempest II, Tempest V, P-40 to name just a few.............(Belair do laser cut kits for the majority as well)

Jerry Bates plans....from Fighteraces

Phil

Steve

If you weren't already aware, we're now offering the full range of Jerry Bates plans.......he's not one for the 'run of the mill' models, so no Spitfires, Thunderbolts etc here.................some V nice, well prooven designs though, many suitable for your 50cc petrol engine....................

Sea Fury, Bearcat, Dauntless, Tempest II, Tempest V, P-40 to name just a few.............(Belair do laser cut kits for the majority as well)

Jerry Bates plans....from Fighteraces

Phil

Phil, some lovely models on that site, love the bearcat  Out of laziness, is there any kits forms of any of  these, i.e. precut formers etc?

Ideally looking for something that will take a 55cc engine as I think I am shortly going to have one of these spare  Also, do any of these come with formed parts such as cnopy and cowl?

Many thanks
Steve

Yes...Belair offer short kits (laser cut ribs/formers) for the majority of these designs.......cowls/canopies are available for the majority as well. We've only been dealing with Jerry about 1 month to date, so until we see how demand pans out, we're supplying cowls/canopies direct from the US at present.

Phil

Yes...Belair offer short kits (laser cut ribs/formers) for the majority of these designs.......cowls/canopies are available for the majority as well. We've only been dealing with Jerry about 1 month to date, so until we see how demand pans out, we're supplying cowls/canopies direct from the US at present.

Phil

Thanks Phil, does that mean I have to order from the US for cowls/canopies? Or does it mean I would get stung for any duty on these? Or finally, does it just mean there would be a delay from ordering to delivery as you would deal with all of that bit?

If its the latter then that would be fine as I dare say the build would take a while before needing the other parts. 

Still undecided on which one to get, such a wide variety of lovely models in this arena 

Or finally, does it just mean there would be a delay from ordering to delivery as you would deal with all of that bit?

If its the latter then that would be fine as I dare say the build would take a while before needing the other parts. 

Still undecided on which one to get, such a wide variety of lovely models in this arena 

The latter........I deal with everything, you just wait for the parts to drop through your door............

Plans come direct from the printers, take no more than a couple of days. Cowl/canopies take normally 2-3 weeks to arrive with me from the US.

Phil

Phil

Just had someone on the phone giving you a BIG thumbs up 

Out of interest, do any of the larger wooden kit planes (50cc ish size) come with wings that come in 2 pieces for transport, or is this something you just do when building if you want to do it?

Cheers
Steve

Any chance of seeing the Hurricane pics you were sent?

Any chance of seeing the Hurricane pics you were sent?

BB-Q, I dont feel right putting the piccies online as these were sent to me via personal email and I am not sure an open public forum would right without asking Falcon's permission first. If you would like to see them, drop Falcon a phone call and I am sure they will send you the same ones as they sent me. Honestly, its worth doing, it is truely a work of art 

Phil

Just had someone on the phone giving you a BIG thumbs up 

Out of interest, do any of the larger wooden kit planes (50cc ish size) come with wings that come in 2 pieces for transport, or is this something you just do when building if you want to do it?

Cheers
Steve

Thanks to 'whoever' was on the phone 

Most of the 80" models have a 1 piece wing.......2 (and some 3) piece wings normally appear on the 100"+ models.............

It's the 80" range that is going to be most suited to your 50cc engine.....the 100"+ range is going to need 60-80cc.

Phil

Ah, the man on the phone called you his "saturday boy", lol  

So what 60 - 80 cc engine would suit the ones with 2 peice wings? Which ones have 2 peiece wings?

I was going to PM you to ask, but feel other may find this information useful too  

As with the majority of 'Warbirds'.....they all have short noses, so most builders opt for a 'heavier' engine as fitting 'useful' weight up front is seen as more beneficial than one of the current crop of lighter weight, electronic engines + lead. You'll find that Zenoah it at the top of the pile with the majority...................so the 62cc single would be a minimum, or the 80cc flat twin are the 2 that will be best suited to the 100" model with flying weights from around 32-35lb and up................

Models with 2 (or 3) piece wings are as follows.................

100" SBD Dauntless (3 piece)
100" SB2C Helldiver (2 piece)
84" & 100" Brewster Buffalo (2 piece)
101" & 115" Sea Fury (3 piece)
112" Grumman Guardian (2 piece)
91.25" Grumman Wildcat (2 piece)

If you want to see what's involved with 2 of the above, Mat (Mudflap) has just stared a 100" SBD in a thread here on RCMF, and we've just finished a 115" Sea Fury for a customer.......thread in the 'Fighteraces' section also here on RCMF)

Phil

OK, search over, picked up my new project tonight, will post some details of it over the weekend   

Thanks to everyone for their input 

Phil, I will be in touch as I beleive the one I have picked up at a bargin, couldn't refuse price is one you re-drew  Think I will need some advice on this along the way, and Walter M said he would lend me a hand with it as he seems to think he knows something about them too.