Boneswamped
St. Croix Models Long-EZ:

Just picked this kit up from an old friend. Complete, Un-started in original packaging. All the documentation is in the box and all the parts are in pristine condition. I can’t wait to get this gem from 1984 started. Anyone that has one of these kits please leave pics of your build, and any info you have. I will be updating many of the build techniques to today’s standard. The aircraft will be electric as well. More to follow as soon as I get started. 😁

I first saw this conversion on justwingit’s YouTube channel while he was covering Collin Harrington’s bird

E-flite Carbon-Z Cessna 150 2.1m - Colin Harrington's TEXAS TAIL-DRAGGER! SEFF 2018 (8 min 24 sec)

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I knew I had to convert mine as soon as I saw it. I began researching the conversion I’d seen and found that the parts used in the video were very expensive. PR Bush wheels provided the main and tail wheel for his conversion (extremely high quality but very expensive), while the leading edge slats came from flex innovations and are used on their Cessna 170.

I was able to source my main wheels from Dubro ($28 on Amazon), and the tail wheel is a generic assembly from amazon for 30cc gas airplanes ($18 on Amazon). The leading edge slats from Flex innovations were $24.99 plus shipping. https://www.flexinnovations.com/product-p/fpm317015.htm

I had to do a little exploratory surgery on the bottom of the aircraft while slicing it open to move the gear forward. Wasn’t too difficult after I committed to making the first slices in the fuselage. I built a light ply box to mount the main gear to in its new forward position, and used another piece cut into the tail to mount the new tail assembly on. Epoxy was used in both cases for strength.

The end result in my opinion is a much more capable aircraft that flys like a giant Timber. It does all the fun STOL stuff and is still fully aerobatic. There is a little coupling that occurs in a knife edge now as a result of the giant Dubro wheels but I’m good with it. The added weight doesn’t seem to have made a bit of difference either. If you like the Timber and you have the Carbon-Z Cessna... I highly recommend the mod!

Well, I finally retired from the U.S. Army. On 31 Oct 2011, I became a civilian again for the first time in 22 1/2 years. I don't have a single regret from my military service. I'm honored to have been able to serve my Country, and my fellow Soldiers.

I'm starting a new job this month flying a new aircraft that I've never seen in person as of yet. I'll be away for 90 days or so at a time.

I will be out of the net for the most part, but certainly not out of the RC hobby. Quite the opposite actually, the new job will allow me to have more playtime, and cash to support my interests.

All of you guys on the forum stay in touch, be safe, and enjoy the hobby for me while I'm away.

Best Regards,
-Mike

I'm posting links to a few of the builds I've done on R/C groups. I wish I had a log for everything I've built over the years, but there was no internet when I started.

Flying Balsa "Scout":https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=1419676

Pitcairn PCA-2:https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...1#post15056911

RPG Autogyro:https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=1024517

AcoA Kellett modification:https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=1199070

WNF 342 Doblehoff:https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=1215460

Profile Kellett:https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=1117672

Pogo VTOL:https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=1170071

More to Follow

Here's a little about my aviation background:
I've been flying full scale since I was 16 years old, and started with gliders and fixed wing. I have both fixed wing, and helicopter commercial and instrument ratings.
In my military career I've been rated in the UH-1, OH-58A, OH-58C, OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, and the LUH-72 Lakota. I'm a maintenance test pilot, and an Instructor pilot. Here's a few pics of some of the full scale aircraft I fly in the military. I have been in the U.S. Army for almost 22 years now, and I'm looking forward to retirement. I would much rather fly R/C.

Civilian and foriegn military helicopters I have flown include: R-22, Jet Ranger, Skycrane, Bo-105, Gazelle, Lynx, and Mi-2.

Fixed wing aircraft I don't have very many photos, but the list includes: Schwiezer gliders, many variants of the Cessna single engine series, Pitts S-2, Stearman, Cub, Rutan Long E-Z,and a king air 100.

My aviation education aside from flight training includes aviation management, and aerodynamics.
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Some of my Aircraft pics, more to follow.
Regards,
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