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Great Planes Proud Bird

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  • #1

    Great Planes Proud Bird

    Hello All,

    I recently won a Great Planes Proud Bird at a raffle at one of the flyins I recently went to. I am wondering does anyone have one and what do you think?

    I don't buy planes like this and I am trying to sell it. However I think I am not going to have any luck.

    So I would like to hear opinions on this plane.
    My YouTube Channel
    Tags: None
  • #2
    RE: Great Planes Proud Bird

    I do not have one or flown on but I was at a pylon race this weekend and for it's class that was the plane of choice. You might be able to de-tune it and fly it. Have you thought about using it to trade instead of sell? Sure is a nice looking plane.

    Kevin
    Off with one helluva roar!
    AMA 1085465

    Comment

    • #3
      RE: Great Planes Proud Bird

      Thanks, I would be also will to trade it.
      My YouTube Channel

      Comment

      • #4
        RE: Great Planes Proud Bird

        It is a very nice flying airplane. Other than needing a flat landing approach, most that are beyond the basic trainer stage should have no problems. The NMPRA formed this class of racing as an entry level event into pylon racing. Speeds and wing loadings are low so take the opportunity to fly one. I did not like the wheel pants nor the CA hinges that come in the kit.


        Here is a bit of what I said at another forum site. I used dual aileron servos. In fact I like the model so much I've bought two. I have so say I was impressed at how easy they are to fly, they groove very well! I even liked how they land even more if one uses dual aileron servos and set them up as spoilerons. Raising the ailerons about 12mm as spoilers requires about 60% down elevator compensation, using the GP suggested throws for racing. I liked the CofG as noted in the manual (one of the ships flew best with the CofG just ahead of this point and the other just behind this point, so test fly to find what works best for you.

        Now I need to bring some issue to light. First the CA hinges are horrible! The GP CA hinges delaminate just looking at them. It looks like the Tyvex like laminate is only attached to the mylar core by static cling! If you have any, use Radio South or Sig’s CA hinges instead. It makes glueing the control surfaces in place so much easier!. The two kits I built had minor issues with surface alignment. I’d have thought that with jigged tooling the control surfaces would line up correctly, not high or low to the main surface. The 4 screws that hold the cowl in place protrude into the battery compartment. There should be more backing to help keep the sharp screw ends from tearing up your batteries! And last, while the wheel pants are supported on both sides of the wheel the out board support need to be glued in much better (make an epoxy fillet around the plywood doughnut. Also the wheel hubs are not symmetrical. So test fit to see which way they fit best. I also found that I needed to use several #8 washers to keep the wheels centered on the axels. This made it a pain to install the retention nuts. 

        Keep her and fly her.
        Don't bother with the over priced OS motor. Do look to the E-Flight motor or the RimFire.

        All the best,
        Konrad

        P.S.
        This should fill the bill for the sport performance wood aircraft you are looking for!

        Comment

        • #5
          RE: Great Planes Proud Bird

          Thanks, I will probably just keep the plane and use the sport plane setup as on the Great Planes web site.


          Originally posted by Konrad
          It is a very nice flying airplane. Other than needing a flat landing approach, most that are beyond the basic trainer stage should have no problems. The NMPRA formed this class of racing as an entry level event into pylon racing. Speeds and wing loadings are low so take the opportunity to fly one. I did not like the wheel pants nor the CA hinges that come in the kit.


          Here is a bit of what I said at another forum site. I used dual aileron servos. In fact I like the model so much I've bought two. I have so say I was impressed at how easy they are to fly, they groove very well! I even liked how they land even more if one uses dual aileron servos and set them up as spoilerons. Raising the ailerons about 12mm as spoilers requires about 60% down elevator compensation, using the GP suggested throws for racing. I liked the CofG as noted in the manual (one of the ships flew best with the CofG just ahead of this point and the other just behind this point, so test fly to find what works best for you.

          Now I need to bring some issue to light. First the CA hinges are horrible! The GP CA hinges delaminate just looking at them. It looks like the Tyvex like laminate is only attached to the mylar core by static cling! If you have any, use Radio South or Sig’s CA hinges instead. It makes glueing the control surfaces in place so much easier!. The two kits I built had minor issues with surface alignment. I’d have thought that with jigged tooling the control surfaces would line up correctly, not high or low to the main surface. The 4 screws that hold the cowl in place protrude into the battery compartment. There should be more backing to help keep the sharp screw ends from tearing up your batteries! And last, while the wheel pants are supported on both sides of the wheel the out board support need to be glued in much better (make an epoxy fillet around the plywood doughnut. Also the wheel hubs are not symmetrical. So test fit to see which way they fit best. I also found that I needed to use several #8 washers to keep the wheels centered on the axels. This made it a pain to install the retention nuts. 

          Keep her and fly her.
          Don't bother with the over priced OS motor. Do look to the E-Flight motor or the RimFire.

          All the best,
          Konrad

          P.S.
          This should fill the bill for the sport performance wood aircraft you are looking for!
          My YouTube Channel

          Comment

          • #6
            RE: Great Planes Proud Bird

            Well I am putting this Proud Bird together. I must say I think I hate this plane. I recently put a Sig 4 star 54 together and this is so much different.
            I had a GP Escapade MX I put together and I thought all GP planes would be similar boy was I wrong.
            My YouTube Channel

            Comment

            • #7
              RE: Great Planes Proud Bird

              The Proud Bird is an NMPRA spec'd model, as such it couldn't not be all molded. Yep all those plastic parts take a bit of time to cut out. But other than that I don't recall much if any issues with its assembly. True it isn't a model that assembles with single digit screw or bolt count.

              What in particular is giving you fits?

              All the best,
              Konrad

              Comment

              • #8
                RE: Great Planes Proud Bird

                That explains why it is so different. I am at the point of cutting out the plastic. Maybe it is my eye sight but I can barley see the lines. Not my favorite that's for sure.

                Glad I did not buy it.
                My YouTube Channel

                Comment

                • #9
                  RE: Great Planes Proud Bird

                  Well, I've been so satisfied with the Proud Bird that I've bought and assembled 3, getting ready for next racing season!

                  Comment

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