|
|
|
Discussion
Balsa USA 1/6 scale Sopwith Pup
I just picked one of these up yesterday. I didn't find much written about it. Lots out there on the 1/4 scale version.
Does anyone have any experience with this kit? I plan on powering it with an AXI 2826/10 I have in the closet. Maybe I can start a build log. It will be slow going, but hopefully folks here can spot my mistakes I am planning on making this my winter build for 2009/2010. It spans 53" with a wing area of 1084 sq". They say it weighs in at 6.5 pounds I'm hoping to get it in at around 5 pounds. Here is a link to the kit http://www.balsausa.com/store/product.php?id_product=38 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nice subject. I would encourage you to try and lighten it. 5lb is a good target and would be a good flying plane at that weight.
charlie |
|
|
|
|
|
Hi,
I picked up a BUSA 1/6 Pup a little over a year ago. I have not started building it yet, but my intent was also to build it as an electric conversion. I believe that the manual states that the propotype used a .48 four stroke and in spite of that it needed additional nose weight. With that in mind, I think that the motor you are hoping to use might be a little too small. On a plane of that size I would like to use at least a 13" prop and I think that AXI 2826/10 might have too high of a Kv for such a prop if using a 4S or 5S battery. Given that it is a biplane, the additional thrust that comes with a larger propellor would be of great help. If you want to stay with AXI, a 4120/18 would probably work well. You could also buy a gearbox for your motor and use that way as well. For my model, I was either going to use a 4120/18 or 4130/16. Depending on which one is available at the time. Good luck and please post some photos. Not much has been written about this plane. Teo |
|
Last edited by viva_peru; Sep 17, 2009 at 07:45 AM.
|
|
|
|
I have this model, built by a clubmate of mine, originally flown by him using a power 46 and 4S pack, and now fitted with an AXI 4120-18. I have not yet put my radio gear, esc, bec, and prop on the model, so I have no power data to give you yet. I plan to use a 4S4000 pack, and a 17x12 prop, which is scale dia. for this kit. I'll post results when I get it set up, hopefully in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, here's the original builder's thread on the plane, with some in-flight video:
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42988 Brad. |
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks Brad!
That Pup loolks and flies great, excellent purchase! The video is great, and since it flew so nicely I think I will use the E-Flite 46 motor. If mine flies half as nice I'll be very pleased. I really like the look of the larger prop as well. Jim |
|
|
|
|
|
Jim;
Does this have a removable wing? That sure would make it easier to transport. |
|
|
|
|
|
Signing on!
I have a Pup still in the box and am working on the 1/6 Nieuport 17 right now. I have an AXI 2826/12 that has worked great in a 7lb trainer flying on NiMh batteris so it should have more than enough power for the 17 spinning a 13" prop. There is no need to have a powerhouse motor since these are scale planes and designed to be flown at scale speeds. Dan, Yes the plane does have removable wings cooper998 |
|
|
|
|
|
Would love to see some build pictures of the Nieuport 17 as I was thinking of purchasing that kit myself.
Greg |
|
|
|
|
|
Keeping my eye on this thread, the Pup is a lovely little biplane indeed. Haven't had a Pup model since the 16" span CO2 powered free flight one I built in England, circa 1986! Always regret that, though I saw the reproduction at the Shuttleworth Collection, I only saw it in the hangar, never got to see it flying.
After a fair few glow kit 'electrocutions', I'd start by changing whatever the tailfeathers are to a lightweight frame based on laminated outlines! The essential of about every WW1 biplane with a rotary is that there's an awful lot more of the airframe aft of the CG than ahead, and we're replacing a cowl full of rotary with a very small (relatively!) leccy motor. Motor - I like that plan of a 46 on 4S swinging a close to scale diameter prop, though it will keep you awake, especially during crosswind take-offs and landings... Idle thought - have seen several WW1 bipes over the years with NiMh batteries made up from cells placed inside the cowling and then soldered up into the battery. Doubt that's feasible with LiPos, but maybe something could be done with A123 cells. Rather use cells than lead Another idle thought. The Pup was a popular 'private aircraft' for instructor pilots back in England during WW1. The type wasn't 'competitive' for long at the front - couldn't run, as it was too slow, not much of an attacker with but one gun, couldn't catch much up in a tail chase, but could out-turn most of the competition any old day. Some of these 'instructor's rides' acquired personalised colour schemes and often didn't have a gun. So, you don't have to mess with making and fitting a dummy gun and you could have a 'different' colour scheme. http://www.aviation-central.com/1914-1918/aca70.htm is, I think, a static modelling site, but scroll down the page to a well-known example of an instructor's colour scheme. Not the best image going, but the only one I could track down (and still pretend I have a life ). Otherwise, there's a lot of Pup stuff and even some museum based examples around, so it's also an easy type to scale model decently. 5lb would be great! Good luck, Dereck |
|
Last edited by Dereck; Sep 15, 2009 at 07:24 PM.
|
|
||
|
Quote:
One thing folks should look out for is the difference in size of the wing halfs on the plans. My 71 plans had the right wing almost 1/2" shorter than the left. I have built a 1/4 scale Nieuport 28 that had the same problem also, found it after I built one wing. You may want to check the Pup plans and see if they measure right. cooper998 |
|
|
Last edited by cooper998; Sep 15, 2009 at 07:41 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
Hi Cooper
Plans can be fun things, especially if done by that ancient method called 'hand drawing' as opposed to CAD. Unequal spans are not that unusual (sez he, who's hand drawn lots and lots of them...) If the plans are real bad, pick the one that will ultimately give you the nearest to scale span, build whichever wing over it, then build the other, but with LE and TE reversed - the ribs ought to locate the spars in their correct chordwise position. It's a lot easier than what amounts to a re-draw of the incorrect panel to give you such as rib spacing and aileron span. Nearly bet you a beer I could halve the kit tailplane and fin weight Regards Dereck Who still kicks himself for not buying that twin-tank'ed 1275 'S' in 1976... |
|
|
|
|
|
Don't forget about the 'modern' Pup that has a M-14 radial in it for airshows. Blue and white check finish.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Having built my share of BalsaUSA kits I always check the dimensions of the plans ever since that first screw up. Whenever I have plans that show the entire wing I fold them on the wing centerline just to be sure they match in length.
I added a pic of the right wingtip plan to show where I had to adjust the plans. And to stay on topic, I am going to dig out my Pup kit and check the plans, heck I may even start building that one too. You can never have too many projects going and besides it would be a perfect companion to the 17! cooper998 |
|
|
|
|
|
While I'm sure the wing span discrepency is a plan problem, there were some rotary engined WW1 aircraft that had more wing on one side to help with the rotary engine effect My SPAD plan had a similar problem but I was forewarned and adjusted it before building.
Pat |
|
|
Thread Tools | |
Similar Threads | |||||
Category | Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Wanted | Balsa USA 1/4 Scale Sopwith Pup kit NIB | 3D Romeo | Aircraft - Fuel - Airplanes (FS/W) | 0 | Jul 29, 2008 11:30 PM |
For Sale | balsa usa 1/3 scale sopwith pup | 48chebbie | Aircraft - Fuel - Airplanes (FS/W) | 1 | Jun 26, 2006 09:18 AM |
For Sale | FS Balsa USA 1/4 scale Sopwith Pup | fockewulf37 | Aircraft - Fuel - Airplanes (FS/W) | 1 | Jul 30, 2005 06:03 AM |