[slash60]

I am throwing this out for whoever may have had the experience of building this plane and of what powerplant (gas/ did they use) I am thinking of using a spare dl 50 for it to give it more vertical ability. With a projected AUW of 16-18lbs., I know it is sufficient so for those who opted to use this engine, what prop did you guys used sufficient to clear the ground?Any help is appreciated.

[DO335]

The airframe is mostly cheap, flimsy lite ply - including the firewall and the LG mount - in the fuselage. You'll find heavy balsa elsewhere, typical of the Bad Old Days of Great Planes kits.

Additionally, the LG supplied is very weak. To top it off, the plane tends to build very tail heavy.

Ran a ST 2500 in mine. Running 5" diameter wheels, a 20" prop still had sufficient ground clearance. The guys running DL50s seem to be using 22" or 23" props. That would be a problem.

And even if you do run a 50cc engine, you won't turn it into a 3D plane. The ailerons are not very powerful. With more than recommended throws, I found it to be quite sluggish in roll.

If you have not yet purchased the kit, I'd suggest looking for something else. You'll spend a ton of money on it (and time) by the time you are done, since there is no hardware included and much of the building is fiddly. Everyone also tells the truth when they say that the plastic parts are best suited to the trash can. A substitute fg cowl runs about another 30 bucks.

Then you wind up with a leisurley performing plane which is pretty far off from even stand off scale. At least if it were a hot rod, I could have lived with the very fudged appearance. Or if it were dead on for scale apperance, I could have lived with the lethargic flight performance.

IMO, my old Sig 1/4 size clipped wing Cub with an OS 1.08 was a much better flying, more satisfying plane. It also came with a complete, useable hardware set.

[newfly]

I had one years ago as my 2nd plane. The best thing I can say is that it made me a much better pilot trying to keep it in one piece.

It had a US Engines 41cc with magneto ignition. It was a real lead sled. Tail heavy, really fast on approach, and way underpowered.

I agree with DO335, if you don't already own the plane get yourself something like the RCGuys Super Decathlon. I flew one for 2 years and it was a good flyer with a 26cc China engine.

[Trumpetman]

OK here is a different opinion. I really enjoy mine and it flys great! I built mine with a DA50. You have to shoe horn it in pretty good but it will fit. You will have to run a 3 blade prop to get enough ground clearance. I strengthened the firewall to handle the additional power but otherwise built it pretty much stock. This is not a kit where you shake the pieces out of the box and all the laser cut parts fall together! You have to build and occasionally you have to sand a part to fit. Use carpenters glue for the lite ply parts and try to take out unnecessary weight where ever you find it. I flew it all last winter on skiis and I just finished a set of Sig 1/4 scale floats. Hope to get it out on the water soon.

[slash60]

Thank you all for the input. Information you all have given will help me in a lot of ways. I have bought the kits here in RCC, a deal I would say is fair with a motor included. I do not intend to fly it as a 3D plane, much like your basic pattern/aerobatic. I have another plane for that. As for the DL50, it would fit. I agree the woods supplied are not that great/strong but will do what is necessary to reinforce that part of the plane. Landing gear can be done up. Have one which can be used for more ground clearance.
I heard about the tail heaviness thus the DL50 to offset it with useful weight. Overall, I appreciate all the input and will do the necessary modification especially the ground clearance and firewall plus some other areas to be strengthen such as the wings.Thanks you all. Any other input will be greatly appreciated.

[DO335]

Just so you know I'm not fibbing, here's mine.

I will admit it is tough though. Went deadstick once on base, just truning final and could not make it to the field (too heavy, glides worse than a brick without an engine!). Flew through a tree which wishes it had not been in the way. Only one small tear in the lower wing covering resulted, along with a ruined tree.

[slash60]

do335,
I believe what you say. I saw your plane previously, looks good. I read the weight once done is around the 16-18lbs, it is heavy. I will try to shed off some places and reinforce on others, hope it will even out to a good flying weight once all are in.
With all this information plus some build thread on the net, I will be able to progress quite reasonably and foresee things which will help me make the build better, thanks, again.

[dean2287]

Originally Posted by Trumpetman

OK here is a different opinion. I really enjoy mine and it flys great! I built mine with a DA50. You have to shoe horn it in pretty good but it will fit. You will have to run a 3 blade prop to get enough ground clearance. I strengthened the firewall to handle the additional power but otherwise built it pretty much stock. This is not a kit where you shake the pieces out of the box and all the laser cut parts fall together! You have to build and occasionally you have to sand a part to fit. Use carpenters glue for the lite ply parts and try to take out unnecessary weight where ever you find it. I flew it all last winter on skiis and I just finished a set of Sig 1/4 scale floats. Hope to get it out on the water soon.

Very nice Decathlon!

[Max]

Originally Posted by newfly

I had one years ago as my 2nd plane. The best thing I can say is that it made me a much better pilot trying to keep it in one piece.

HA HA-- thanks for the chuckle!

Slash60: Good luck with the build

[raptuck]

I built mine about 5 years ago and love it. Zenoah 38, 19-8 prop on wheels and a 20-6 APC for water.Floats are blue foam, fiberglassed also put smoke on it. When pulling a loop with floats, have to pull a lot of up elevator to get it to come over, wants to stay inverted. Had heavier and taller landing gear built for the wheels and float atachment.