My Current Project

Hi Guys:

Well it is another Slowpoke. Can't help it I love the things.

Tom


This is the Saito 90 R-3 I had in the Flyin King. At 12-lbs it was too much.
The Slowpoke at this point is 6.4-lbs, staying at less than 9-lbs will be a breeze.


Robart hinge pins, HiTec HS5645-MG servos on 4 channels and HiTec
HS82-MG for the throttle.


The little Saito should really be cool in my Slowpoke.

Lookin good Tom!! I'm sure that little 3 cyl will pull that one around no problem What colors ya gonna do it in??

Hi Dave- I think I will go all top surfaces orange with white sunburst, underside all white with couple of checkerboard panels on wing and stab.

Tom

Super job!!

Hey Tom. Super build as usual. That wing must be super strong. Looks like eight spars Plus shear webbing. Don't see much of that in U control.

Roger Beltmann wrote:Hey Tom. Super build as usual. That wing must be super strong. Looks like eight spars Plus shear webbing. Don't see much of that in U control.

Hi Roger & Roger- thanks for the comments guys, beefy airframe. One of the problems with being a engineer, we always add a gusset here and a doubler there. But I can say I have never (knock on wood) had a airframe failure. This particular airframe the webbing is my addition. plans call for a surface web in the first two bays- I added between the spars all bays to form the "I" beam, actually a "H".

Tom

Looks cool Tom. The look of the engine adds to it.

That engine is crying for a wood prop.

rwcd wrote:That engine is crying for a wood prop.

Hey Roger, absolutely right. I usually use Master Airscrew Scimitar's on her but I stuck the composite on to see where the bones CG was at. Looks like I will be able fly wood. I hate to fly lead around so I am always checking CG at points where changes can be made to preclude it.

Tom

rprager wrote:Looks cool Tom. The look of the engine adds to it.

Thanks Rob, those are my sentiments exactly. Being as old as I am and being a airport groupie since I was old enough to say "wow, look at that" I have loved round engines. The Golden Age of aviation had many and I was fortunate enough to see many.

Tom

Hi Guys:

Well as the monkey said when he got his tail caught in the prop, "it won't be long now".

At this point the only thing left is to install the receiver and batteries and little more cosmetic work, trim, cockpit, pilot and overall clear flat spray to seal everything.

The AUW at this point is 7.8-lbs. Two 1650mah/6.0V batteries, receiver about 12.0-oz's so I will be well below my target of 9.0-lbs.

Feel really good about CG, dead on with no lead. Place batteries over CG and go fly.

Tom






Orange is my favorite color.

Add the windscreen and stab trim to round out.


Used Cub wheels for that sport look.


Didn't have any 2.0" checkerboard but I guess the 1.0" won't be too bad.


Yeahhh !

Do they have a PYLON racing class for those planes. Looks Like it's going a 100 plus sitting there. Super Nice Job Tom.

WOW Tom!!!!!! That looks fantastic!!

DIDO!!

Thanks Guys- I really appreciate your comments.

I hope she will be the new Queen of my hangar. Yeah Steve I was going for the "pylon racer" look. I remember seeing so many of them as a kid, the bright colors, checkerboards and sunbursts were everywhere. The little county airfield I use to ride my bike to was my real home, I pretty much raised myself so I could stay as long as I wanted. When the the airshows came to town this little field seemed to be the choice for overflow from Opalocka where the races were held. It was all grass but the small wheels of the racers never had a problem with it.

Tom

Hi Guys- well she is finished. Just got my Keleo ring muffler in and installed. All that is left now is re-kitting 101.

Tom




The Century 21 fabric looks pretty good, the flash bleeds color out however. Flat overspray.


Made a framed windscreen this time, fits the era I was looking for.


Pilot in, switches for both receiver batteries and the glow driver battery in the cockpit, also the glow driver "ON" light.

Man That's over the top !!!!!!!!

Ultra cool!!!!!!

Hi Guys:

Well I was at the field yesterday (Saturday) and flew her maiden. All went well, trimmed out very easily. Still have to get the prop selection refined, flew with a 14 X 6 but thinking I will try a 13 X 8. The 14 was excellent but I want to hold the R-3 back a little and take advantage of it's torque.

Rick, Frank and Roger B. were there, the weather was the best this season I believe.

Tom

Sorry I missed it Tom. I didn't get there until around 2.

Tom you missed Scott's maiden on his 1/4 Cub. It was great. Landed it with one cylinder dead.

Hi Roger- sorry I missed seeing you, enjoy our talks. Really sorry I missed Scotts Cub maiden. What engine is he using? I thought he was going with a Saito 180 single, although he was really giving my ASP twin in the Eindecker the once over. If he is multi cylinder get him a McDaniel ordered, I never fly a twin without a O/B driver.

Tom

That is what it was. A Saito 1.80. He came in dead stick. just having a little fun.

rwcd wrote:That is what it was. A Saito 1.80. He came in dead stick. just having a little fun.

You got me Roger, I better check my shorts and see if my muffler fell off.

Tom

Awesome set up Tom!!!! Cant wait to see ( and hear ) that one fly!!