Building Vintage Berkeley Stinson Reliant 42"w/s

E-Challenged · Nov 30, 2004, 02:11 PM

Finally cleared some space in on my work bench and laid down the plans. This kit was copyrighted in 1959, a Bill Effinger design. I have been coocoo about Stinson Reliants since the Comet SR-7 kit that I built as a child around 1950. This kit builds the SR9-C (1939) verison with curved windshield. I like the SR-7 version with its flat plate windshield so will modify the windshield details.The first step was to verify the completeness of this Ebay special ( "won" for $79 and change with s&h). All diecut sheets are there. The decal sheet is very yellowed and abraded. Balsa and hardwood sticks and wire are there. The second step is to read the instructions a couple of times noting things affecting wing incidence for freeflight vs U-control. I noticed that there is no dihedral recommended for the one piece gull wing. I don't plan to add dihedral as I will be using ailerons. I would probably add some if not using ailerons to help make realistic turns and to aid stability. I also notice that wing has no main spar but has partially sheeted wings with three 1/8x16 balsa spars and a 1/4" hard balsa leading edge. I think I will use basswood for the leading edge and spars. I dislike removing a wing to change battery packs so I'll probably make one cabin door functional for pack access. I plan to use my MiniAC 1215/16 brushless in a GWS B gearbox and 9X5 prop with 8 KAN 1050 NiMh cells and later on a Libpoly pack. This setup has worked well in my Switchback 3D and should be plenty/overkill for the Reliant. I will proceed slowly and will detail mods made for electric R/C conversion.

Eric.Payan · Nov 30, 2004, 03:09 PM

I love the Stinson Reliants. I build mine about ten years ago from a Sterling kit (wing span 79 cm, 31 in).

As I use a rudder/elevator control I add somme dihedral by adding a small balsa pieces under the wing support (red circle on the picture) (sorry but I don't know the english for the french "haubant"). With such dihedral, the turns are realy easy.

On this engine I use a speed 280 reducted x2,5 and a black gunther propeller. The accu is a 3s LiPo Etec 1200. The wind shield can be remove to access the battery so I can use a fixed wing.

Realy a nice plane for cool fly.

Regards.

E-Challenged · Nov 30, 2004, 04:21 PM

Hi Eric,

Interesting idea, removable windshield for battery change and solid mounted wing. How do you access the R/C gear if needed? I might use a speed 400 6v in an Mini Olympus 2.3:1 gearbox and 9X5 prop with 8 round cells just as on my 54" Aeronca Chief. That would save my brushless setup for something that needs the thrust.

gearup · Nov 30, 2004, 04:38 PM

nice subject (I did a Jr. for a friend).. the berkeleys build stong and nice, great details. How heavy is the wood pack in the kit??

Eric, I believe the word your looking for is "struts" ( haubant?)

E-Challenged · Nov 30, 2004, 05:26 PM

Gearup, all the wood in the kit including balsa, ply and hardwoods weighs 8.5 oz but some will be scrap or carved/sanded away. I am looking for suggestions on a light but opaque scale-like covering solution and where to get it. Doped silkspan is not very durable and doesn't add much strength.

gearup · Nov 30, 2004, 06:24 PM

best bet there would be 1/2 oz covering similar to "stits".. you can get it a Cloth World" Wal mart or any fabric store... it shrinks at 160* and you can apply nelson or dope or enamel... a lot of folks are using a clear covering similar to monocote, but about 1/2 the weight.. its opaque and they use krylon spray paint with good results.. plus its cheap!!!

gearup · Nov 30, 2004, 06:35 PM

clear covering is doculam.. you can buy it at DIY stores...

St. Martin · Nov 30, 2004, 07:54 PM

Reliants have always been a favorite of mine. My latest was an old Sterling 57", before that the John Bell at 42"(1" scale). All flew well. Want to convert the Sterling to Axi power in the near future. It uses a .30 Saito from my slimer days a few years ago. Good luck on your build.

Steve

E-Challenged · Nov 30, 2004, 11:29 PM

St Martin
I have the same old Sterling Reliant SR-8 kit too, a friend of mine used to fly one at Mile Square her in So Ca about nine years ago. That model seemed to be a little beefy and somewhat hard to take off and land safely. Another friend had a Cleveland Reliant around 8-foot w/s that was a pussycat, built like a huge rubber powered stick model.

St. Martin · Dec 01, 2004, 12:02 AM

Yes, I agree. This is my 4th one. First one was 6-1/2# This one is 46oz with a full size radio and 700mah rec batt. It is a floater. Covered in silk and Randolphs dope.

Steve

gearup · Dec 01, 2004, 12:11 AM

Steve,

PRETTY!!!!!!!!

I forgot about the Bell kits ( I still have the "short" kit lol.. plans, decals and a cowl!!!) GREAT detail though!!

St. Martin · Dec 01, 2004, 12:32 AM

I still have the plans, and recieved a new cowl from John Bell through an ezone member. Had the Berkeley kit yrs ago, as a kid. Never finished it. So this thread has definate meaning to me.

Could someone scan the Stinson logo for me? I need a replacement decal.

Steve

mu2freighter · Dec 01, 2004, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by St. Martin

I still have the plans, and recieved a new cowl from John Bell through an ezone member. Had the Berkeley kit yrs ago, as a kid. Never finished it. So this thread has definate meaning to me.

Could someone scan the Stinson logo for me? I need a replacement decal.

Steve

Hey Steve-

Found this on an eBay auction of all places; you might be able to make a logo out of it if you clean it up in Photoshop or the like.

Glenn

St. Martin · Dec 01, 2004, 08:55 AM

Thanks Glenn, I'll try it.

Steve

gearup · Dec 01, 2004, 11:03 AM

if not, I got you covered...

Hey Glenn!! getting there on the MU2!!! ( yeah yeah I AM slow!!!)

Nov 30, 2004, 02:11 PM	#1
E-Challenged Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Garden Grove, CA, USA Posts: 5,819	Building Vintage Berkeley Stinson Reliant 42"w/s Finally cleared some space in on my work bench and laid down the plans. This kit was copyrighted in 1959, a Bill Effinger design. I have been coocoo about Stinson Reliants since the Comet SR-7 kit that I built as a child around 1950. This kit builds the SR9-C (1939) verison with curved windshield. I like the SR-7 version with its flat plate windshield so will modify the windshield details.The first step was to verify the completeness of this Ebay special ( "won" for $79 and change with s&h). All diecut sheets are there. The decal sheet is very yellowed and abraded. Balsa and hardwood sticks and wire are there. The second step is to read the instructions a couple of times noting things affecting wing incidence for freeflight vs U-control. I noticed that there is no dihedral recommended for the one piece gull wing. I don't plan to add dihedral as I will be using ailerons. I would probably add some if not using ailerons to help make realistic turns and to aid stability. I also notice that wing has no main spar but has partially sheeted wings with three 1/8x16 balsa spars and a 1/4" hard balsa leading edge. I think I will use basswood for the leading edge and spars. I dislike removing a wing to change battery packs so I'll probably make one cabin door functional for pack access. I plan to use my MiniAC 1215/16 brushless in a GWS B gearbox and 9X5 prop with 8 KAN 1050 NiMh cells and later on a Libpoly pack. This setup has worked well in my Switchback 3D and should be plenty/overkill for the Reliant. I will proceed slowly and will detail mods made for electric R/C conversion. Attached Thumbnails 72.5 KB · Views: 1020

Nov 30, 2004, 03:09 PM	#2
Eric.Payan Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lyon (France) Posts: 245	I love the Stinson Reliants. I build mine about ten years ago from a Sterling kit (wing span 79 cm, 31 in). As I use a rudder/elevator control I add somme dihedral by adding a small balsa pieces under the wing support (red circle on the picture) (sorry but I don't know the english for the french "haubant"). With such dihedral, the turns are realy easy. On this engine I use a speed 280 reducted x2,5 and a black gunther propeller. The accu is a 3s LiPo Etec 1200. The wind shield can be remove to access the battery so I can use a fixed wing. Realy a nice plane for cool fly. Regards. Attached Thumbnails 42.6 KB · Views: 1041 41.8 KB · Views: 1045

Nov 30, 2004, 07:54 PM	#8
St. Martin Area ruled? sure.. Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Skunk Water, Rhode Island Posts: 8,442	Reliants have always been a favorite of mine. My latest was an old Sterling 57", before that the John Bell at 42"(1" scale). All flew well. Want to convert the Sterling to Axi power in the near future. It uses a .30 Saito from my slimer days a few years ago. Good luck on your build. Steve Attached Thumbnails 67.3 KB · Views: 1023

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Pat's New Stinson Reliant Design	E-Challenged	Scale Electric Planes	39	Aug 05, 2006 10:39 PM
My Stinson Reliant SR-7 building	Rembold	Scale Electric Planes	24	Jan 08, 2006 01:48 PM
Best Power Setup for 42" Stinson Reliant	E-Challenged	Power Systems	5	Dec 06, 2004 11:00 AM
JR Models JR 70 CAP-232 ARF (55"w/s)	YVR	Sport Planes	6	Apr 12, 2002 09:02 PM
Andy W's complusion	avdflyer	Electric Plane Talk	7	Jun 29, 2001 09:58 PM

Nov 30, 2004, 04:21 PM	#3
E-Challenged Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Garden Grove, CA, USA Posts: 5,819	Hi Eric, Interesting idea, removable windshield for battery change and solid mounted wing. How do you access the R/C gear if needed? I might use a speed 400 6v in an Mini Olympus 2.3:1 gearbox and 9X5 prop with 8 round cells just as on my 54" Aeronca Chief. That would save my brushless setup for something that needs the thrust.

Nov 30, 2004, 04:38 PM	#4
gearup Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,172	nice subject (I did a Jr. for a friend).. the berkeleys build stong and nice, great details. How heavy is the wood pack in the kit?? Eric, I believe the word your looking for is "struts" ( haubant?)

Nov 30, 2004, 05:26 PM	#5
E-Challenged Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Garden Grove, CA, USA Posts: 5,819	Gearup, all the wood in the kit including balsa, ply and hardwoods weighs 8.5 oz but some will be scrap or carved/sanded away. I am looking for suggestions on a light but opaque scale-like covering solution and where to get it. Doped silkspan is not very durable and doesn't add much strength.

Nov 30, 2004, 06:24 PM	#6
gearup Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,172	best bet there would be 1/2 oz covering similar to "stits".. you can get it a Cloth World" Wal mart or any fabric store... it shrinks at 160* and you can apply nelson or dope or enamel... a lot of folks are using a clear covering similar to monocote, but about 1/2 the weight.. its opaque and they use krylon spray paint with good results.. plus its cheap!!!

Nov 30, 2004, 06:35 PM	#7
gearup Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,172	clear covering is doculam.. you can buy it at DIY stores...

Nov 30, 2004, 11:29 PM	#9
E-Challenged Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Garden Grove, CA, USA Posts: 5,819	St Martin I have the same old Sterling Reliant SR-8 kit too, a friend of mine used to fly one at Mile Square her in So Ca about nine years ago. That model seemed to be a little beefy and somewhat hard to take off and land safely. Another friend had a Cleveland Reliant around 8-foot w/s that was a pussycat, built like a huge rubber powered stick model.

Dec 01, 2004, 12:02 AM	#10
St. Martin Area ruled? sure.. Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Skunk Water, Rhode Island Posts: 8,442	Yes, I agree. This is my 4th one. First one was 6-1/2# This one is 46oz with a full size radio and 700mah rec batt. It is a floater. Covered in silk and Randolphs dope. Steve

Dec 01, 2004, 12:11 AM	#11
gearup Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,172	Steve, PRETTY!!!!!!!! I forgot about the Bell kits ( I still have the "short" kit lol.. plans, decals and a cowl!!!) GREAT detail though!!

Dec 01, 2004, 12:32 AM	#12
St. Martin Area ruled? sure.. Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Skunk Water, Rhode Island Posts: 8,442	I still have the plans, and recieved a new cowl from John Bell through an ezone member. Had the Berkeley kit yrs ago, as a kid. Never finished it. So this thread has definate meaning to me. Could someone scan the Stinson logo for me? I need a replacement decal. Steve

Dec 01, 2004, 08:55 AM	#14
St. Martin Area ruled? sure.. Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Skunk Water, Rhode Island Posts: 8,442	Thanks Glenn, I'll try it. Steve

Dec 01, 2004, 11:03 AM	#15
gearup Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,172	if not, I got you covered... Hey Glenn!! getting there on the MU2!!! ( yeah yeah I AM slow!!!)