FMS Stearman PT-17

[doctormike]

Do any of you guys own one of these? I can't believe the scale detail! Seriously wanting one. Doc

[ryramZ]

RE: FMS Stearman PT-17

Excellent plane, great looks, great flyer! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hpw82X7b3HU

[SOB8604]

RE: FMS Stearman PT-17

Just ordered one and 4 batteries for it yesterday! Super excited for this one to arrive! I'll keep you posted!

[retiredflyer]

RE: FMS Stearman PT-17

Been looking at this for a while too. My fleet is becoming mostly biplanes! Looks like the same rigging scheme as the WACO!

[SOB8604]

RE: FMS Stearman PT-17

Mines scheduled to be delivered on Friday, I have it going to my work since there's always someone there 24/7 to receive and sign for packages, and that stop seems to be always pretty early on the route for the big brown truck. I'm really hoping it comes in around 10/11am which could give me the chance to unbox, build and maiden before the sun sets!

[retiredflyer]

RE: FMS Stearman PT-17

Mines scheduled to be delivered on Friday, I have it going to my work since there's always someone there 24/7 to receive and sign for packages, and that stop seems to be always pretty early on the route for the big brown truck. I'm really hoping it comes in around 10/11am which could give me the chance to unbox, build and maiden before the sun sets!

Boy, you are FAST.  It usually takes me a week to assemble, CG, electronics check, etc., before I can even come close to a maiden.  Especially with the rigging on this one too.  It took me several days for the WACO.

[SOB8604]

RE: FMS Stearman PT-17

^ hmm that is true. I didn't account for rigging. That could take me a while, but we shall see where we go. I've only assembled 2 aircraft on my own and assisted with a friend of mines so this will be my 4th, they have all gone pretty quick and I don't rush. I read, re-read and re-read everything before I even start. But either way I'll keep the build process posted.

[SOB8604]

RE: FMS Stearman PT-17

Got the Stearman in today around 1030, began working on it around 1230/1pm. Had the plane largely built by 315 or so, took a break to go flying (see the video in the FW190 Return to Flight). Came home to finish the plane, overall the assembly was very easy, few things that I noticed which isn't anything new at-least in the experience I've had with the FMS planes is that the screws overall are not that great and will strip easily, this became an issue when attempting to put the lower wing on, the screws are identified in the manual but are not labeled in the bag, so its was more of a guessing game as to which screws to use. Either way the screws had a hard time going in, felt like the they were to thick for what they were going into (which I have read on other Stearman threads is the case) So I have one screw which is not totally flush to the bottom of the fuselage. Either way I also glued the wing on as well and it feels quite sturdy.

The fake engine that comes with the plane is a pretty ugly black plastic, I took it upon myself and used some of my Tamiya paints to pain the engine to give it a more realistic look, also should catch the sun nicely when flying by. Did a rough bore on the bottom of the engine where it has been suggested to do in other threads to allow more air into the fuselage to alleviate the esc from getting warm which I'll clean up with a file later. Rigging the aircraft between the wings is a bit of a pain in the ass and there are no instructions provided to guide the rigging, however it is fairly self explanatory. Tying the elasticized line that they provide is also tough and I ended up tying it in a loop wit a square knot, when stretched between the springs that are provided it looks pretty darn good.

I was going to attempt to maiden this plane today however it was pretty windy out upwards of 20MPH so that wasn't happening, so I'll check the CG and all that sometime this weekend early next week before my next flying opportunity, looking forward to flying this plane and seeing what she's all about, but for one thing she really looks great!

[Loneflier]

RE: FMS Stearman PT-17

Great looking PT-17 there SOB8604. You really did a nice job with the rigging too. I am anxious to hear how she flies. I just built and flew the Dynam Tiger Moth, and absolutely love the way it flies. Nice and stable, low slow passes are really fun. I am sure this PT-17 of yours will do just as nicely! Biplanes are so much fun and great relaxing flyers.

[retiredflyer]

RE: FMS Stearman PT-17

Great job. I like the engine painting, that is what I was going to do if I get one. Adds a lot to the look, especially with the whole thing hanging out there. Nice job with the rigging too. Now that I've done the WACO this should be easier. Good luck with the maiden, still too windy and cold here in Maine.

[doctormike]

RE: FMS Stearman PT-17

Great looking plane! I would love to have 2 of these. One stock and one that I would paint with an air show scheme. I would also add an engine coweling like a bull stearman. Doc

[SOB8604]

RE: FMS Stearman PT-17

Thanks!

She's in need of repairs however. Not quite sure what happened, took off and immediately rolled to the right and into the ground. CG checked out, as did control surface movement, etc. First time there was no damage, tried again and had the same result.

Damage is minimal, bent the prop shaft, and the gear popped out but in one piece, just needs to be glued back in, intrawing strut as well. Once repairs get made this coming week will re-do CG check along with everything else. Can't explain really what happened, natural take off roll, didn't force it into the air, following the same take off routine I have been using with the FW190, slow application of power, smooth inputs on the controls.

Only thing I did differently was screwin' around with the mix settings for the heck of it, not sure if they were activated at the time, I need to look at my radio, and even then not sure if that would cause the issue I had.

[doctormike]

RE: FMS Stearman PT-17

Sounds like a balance problem to me, if your sure your controls are centered. Try moving your battery foreward a bit. I've found it's always best to start out just a tad nose heavy, and then adjust. I've had a few squirly planes that fly great after shifting the battery foreward. Good luck. Doc

[skillett]

RE: FMS Stearman PT-17

Finally got to maiden mine, lasted maybe 10 seconds. Took off; slow roll to right and coming into downwind right top tip drug ground and cartwheeled tearing top wing off. A quick one for sure. Back home trying to see if I can get top wing back where it should be for another flight later on.

Awesome looking plane.

COG - added 17 pennies in batt/esc cavity always frontward.

[SOB8604]

RE: FMS Stearman PT-17

Sounds like a balance problem to me, if your sure your controls are centered. Try moving your battery foreward a bit. I've found it's always best to start out just a tad nose heavy, and then adjust. I've had a few squirly planes that fly great after shifting the battery foreward. Good luck. Doc

I'll double check that for sure. Got everything back together with the exception of the motor part which arrive here tomorrow. Depending on when that does get in, I may have a chance to fly again tomorrow or on Friday to see if we've got it sorted out!

[doctormike]

RE: FMS Stearman PT-17

Let us know how it worked out. Doc

[Loneflier]

RE: FMS Stearman PT-17

Hey Guys,

I have been watching this post as I built my PT-17. The build on mine went easily, I gave up on the rubber rigging and bought some 0.8mm elastic thread that was much easier to use, and looks great on the plane. The one thing I noticed during the build that has a potential for trouble was the way the elevators are set up. There is no rod through the tail to assure that the elevator halves are level with each other. If not corrected, this could lead to some really odd flying characteristics. It is easy enough to check since the rudder has that nice flag striping. Just look on each side and make sure your elevator halves line up with the same stripes.

I did maiden mine this morning. Conditions were really good, almost no wind, just a touch of overcast to block some of the sun. The manual does not list any suggested control throws for this plane, so I went with low rate at 70% throws on all surfaces, with 20% expo, and for high rates I used 100% throws with 30% expo. I plugged in a 2200mAH battery, and checked CG at the recommended spot. It seemed right on. Lining up on the grass, I started advancing the throttle slowly until the tail came up, increased more power and she was up. And up, and up...yep, a bit tail heavy. I was flying with all my down trim used up, and still a slight down pressure on the stick to fly level. Aileron and rudder trims were very close, only a couple of clicks to get them set. I made a couple of circles, and brought her back down. She really does float nicely, and the gear performs nicely on the grass. I readjusted the elevator for a bit more down throw, and took off again. Much better, but I will add about 0.5oz weight to the nose before the next flight. Otherwise, she really flew well. Loops look great, and that blue and yellow scheme looks great flying over the field. Landings are a breeze, biplanes seem to just do well on approach and settle in nicely. I didn't get too wild since I knew it was slightly tail heavy, but at least the maiden flight is out of the way, and now she should be set up well and ready for the next flight!

[SOB8604]

RE: FMS Stearman PT-17

Loneflier glad to hear the maiden went well.

In regards to my situation:
I ended up adding about 1.5 oz to the front of my plane which finally solved my issues which was it being tail heavy all along, so learned a valuable lesson about really ensuring that the CG is accurate!

Flying went well, on my second flight the day I maidened I didn't tighten the prop nut down enough (Was not using the stock replacement) and the prop flew off the airplane, turns out it glides quite well, and came down soft in some tall grass, no harm no foul. Have since added a lighter wooden prop to the front with a washer and the stock prop nut and flew it yesterday, all seemed well but it was pretty windy so I only went up for a lap and back down. Going to bring it out again this evening as conditions should be pretty calm.

And I'll loneflier that agree the blue and yellow really is great looking as it cruises past!
[hr]
And here she is with a 1:48 scale model I knocked up! Awesome looking airplanes!

[Loneflier]

RE: FMS Stearman PT-17

Hey SOB8604-

Love the "mini-me" brother to the big boy! I particularly like the detailing you did on the motor. Mine is still stock, except that I did drill out the grill work on the bottom of the plastic motor to allow more airflow.

So where did you find the best place for the CG on your plane? I am going by the stock location, 85mm I think, but I don't have the manual here with me, and I really think it should be a bit forward of that. Maybe around the 75-80mm range?

Glad you found the problem and was able to get her in the air successfully. This makes the third biplane in a row that I've built and flow, and love all of them. The Dynam Tiger Moth, a Great Planes Sopwith Camel, and now this PT-17. Great fun all of them!

[SOB8604]

RE: FMS Stearman PT-17

I'd agree that the CG was forward of the 85, and I think you on there with the 75-80 range. But I took it flying tonight, still had more wind than I would like for it, I noticed tonight that it still seems to want to climb a bit almost if it were still wanting to be tail heavy (especially when I'd throttle up), added in some trim to compensate but it didn't leave me with much room for down elevator, so I'm thinking about adding another .25 or .50oz of weight, I learned to fly with a nose heavy FW 190 so I'd much rather it be nose heavy if nothing else.

Was a bit windy than I'd like for this one, seems to get bounced around alot, still learning the power curve for coming down on approach but am getting there. All in all I like this plane for the few short flights I've had her on and am looking forward to getting more comfortable with it, I've never messed with Gyros before but I have an Eagle A3L sitting around that I may go grab a 6ch receiver and set up and see how that works out too.

Nothing special here, but a quick vid from this evening:

https://youtu.be/yzCH00wWRiI

Regarding the engine, yeah I had to do something, the black plastic radial looked pretty awful to me, I may refine the way I've got mine painted at the moment a little more, and will definitely paint that black ring around the front of the plane an aluminum when I get the chance.