Last year I built a 42" Cleveland Fleetster (see other Blog entry) from original 1939 plans and a Klarich short kit. I enjoyed it so much I thought I do one more; oldtimer that is... this time it's a 108" Ben Shereshaw 1937 Champion. Like before, started with original FF plans and a Klarich short kit. Will be converting to 3-channel RC and electric propulsion. Others on RCgroups have been kind enough to post the original construction article from Flying Aces which I've represented here. Really fun to read this article as the style of building (and method for describing it) has really changed over the years

This is a relatively unknown Chinese manufacturer to the US market. It's from a company called Cheng-Yang Model Factory or CY Models. They produce several giant scale warbird and civilian models. This is my first model from CY. To my knowledge, Easy Tiger Models is the only North American distributor but there are other international distributors you can purchase from. I bought mine through Austars Models in Australia. Dealt with a gentlemen by the name of Steve and the service was outstanding. Enough on where it came from, let's get down to business

This is a 96" wingspan ARF meant for 60~85cc gas or equivalent electric power. It has a fiberglass fuselage with integral fin with the rest of the airframe components of built up wood construction. The flying surface components are covered in some type of heat shrink film, most likely Oracover/Ultracote and the whole plane painted in a beautiful matte finish. Fuselage has nice detailing for panel lines, rivets, etc. Fixed main landing gear components are not supplied nor is the model set up to accept a fixed gear. It is meant for retracts and Robarts 631RS units readily fit or you can purchase a custom set from CY models. As for the tailwheel gear, the kit comes with a fixed strut type assembly but, again, the fuse is set up to take a retractable unit (with a little work) if you so choose.

I selected a DA-85 with J-tec pitts style muffler for power. There's a 24oz tank which should supply 10~12mins of full power...Continue Reading

The SuperStichin .25 size race plane was originally designed by Lewie Kear of the Arizona Model Aviators club in 2001 as a simple to build, but competitive racer for the .25 size glow engine racing class. The wingspan is 44.75" and the wing area is 402.75 sq in.

In 2011, the East Valley Aviators club decided to join the AMA club on the 'racing circuit'. In support of that, the EVA club obtained a copy of Lewie's plans and produced 25 short kits for those in the club interested in building this race plane. Plans and a short kit can be obtained from our club treasurer, Verlin Boeder, for a modest cost.

This blog is to document my build of the Stichin and hopefully provide a useful and simple set of build instructions. This plane is about as simple to construct as any traditional 'balsa and ply' type model so it's a great initiation to classic model building. Along the way, I will deviate from what's shown on the plans in a few areas which I feel will result in a stronger and straighter airframe. The other major deviation from Lewie's original is this will be electric powered, not glow powered. The intent is the weight and performance of the model will be virtually unchanged from the original design.

So let's get started!! First two pictures show the plans and short kit components. In addition to these, you'll need to supply some stock wood sizes. Here's the list

Wing
3/8" x 3/8" x 48" medium balsa stick (1)
1/4" x 1/4" x 48" spruce stick (2)
1/4" x 1/2" x 48" medium balsa stick (1)
1/16" x 3" x 36" medium balsa sheet (1)
3/16" x 3" x 36" soft balsa sheet (1)

Here's some pictures of my recently completed Cleveland Fleetster. Built from original 1939 Cleveland plans and a short kit from Klarich, I've converted it to 3channel electric powered RC. Finish is cream Litespan with Sig 'Tennesse Red' dope for the painted trim color. RTF weight is 17oz with 3.5oz of that as lead ballast to achieve proper balance. A real fun build and look at all those curves; I just love it. Maiden flight is this weekend

...Continue Reading