Which Biplane?

[Iowa54]

Ok I have a Waco (Dynam) that I knew the 1st time I flew it I found my calling LOL Anyway I would like to add another one to my little hanger but, not sure what I want next. Thinking about the Tigermoth ,Albatross, or another Waco and do a little customizing to it. Any ideas??? :)

[Konrad]

RE: Which Biplane?

They do fly different. What do you like about biplanes over monoplanes?

As a sport scale model I like, love, the Staggerwing.
http://www.hobbysquawk.com/Thread-RocHobby-Beech-Staggerwing

As for aerobatics the Ultimates are a blast. They do tend to have more wing rock than others as a result of the swept Leading Edge.
http://www.motionrc.com/e-flite-ultimate-bnf-basic-with-as3x-955mm-37-6-wingspan-bnf/

And this little Pitts actually makes me look good at 3D flight.
http://www.motionrc.com/e-flite-umx-pitts-s-1s-basic-with-as3x-430mm-17-wingspan-bnf/

And my current favorite flyable bipe is this.
http://www.motionrc.com/e-flite-viking-model-12-280-with-as3x-565mm-22-2-wingspan-bnf/

All the best,
Konrad

[Iowa54]

RE: Which Biplane?

They do fly different. What do you like about biplanes over monoplanes?

As a sport scale model I like no love the Staggerwing.
http://www.hobbysquawk.com/Thread-RocHobby-Beech-Staggerwing

As for aerobatics the Ultimates are a blast. They do tend to have more wing rock than others as a result of the swept Leading Edge

Its hard to explain but, I just feel at home flying the Waco. They seem to have a gracefulness to me that mono planes don't although I do like the open cockpit style. Maybe I'm an old Barnstormer at heart LOL

[Konrad]

RE: Which Biplane?

I find that I like them for exactly the opposite reason, they are not graceful they have a lot of coupling issues and high drag. I love the challenge of a bipe. Monoplanes with their often much cleaner (lower drag) can gracefully use their momentum to fly through that rough maneuver I often make. Not so with the bipes.

All the best,
Konrad

[Iowa54]

RE: Which Biplane?

I find that I like them for exactly the opposite reason, they are not graceful they have a lot of coupling issues and high drag. I love the challenge of a bipe. Monoplanes with their often much cleaner (lower drag) can gracefully use their momentum to fly through that rough maneuver I often make. Not so with the bipes.

All the best,
Konrad

Doing a slow flyby with a scarf flowing in the wind always brings a smile to my face...... Beauty is in the eye of the beholder ;)

[Thosmosis]

RE: Which Biplane?

I have one biplane. I love it. But it's such a beauty that I am always scared that I'll crash it. It's the Parkzone Albatros, which is no longer made... But I think Dynam makes one as well...

[Konrad]

RE: Which Biplane?

Visions of the Great Waldo Pepper.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073075/

[Iowa54]

RE: Which Biplane?

Visions of the Great Waldo Pepper.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073075/

Great Movie, Been awhile since I have seen it. I gave my 3 choices of Biplanes because I like the 50 inch wing span and I am pretty much just a scale flyer. I do like the Dynam Pitts though but, I wouldn't trust it to my flying skills at the moment.

[Konrad]

RE: Which Biplane?

Wow, that was 40years ago!

Are you aware that the flying characteristic of the full size has little or no bearing on the model? You can trim the Pitts to be very mild in the air. On the ground well, she will be more of a handful than the Tigermoth.

If you want a Dynam Pitts get it. Place the CofG a little forward, turn down the throws, up the expo and have fun. Later you can reverse all this and add more power. The added benefit even if you crash and have to replace the detuned model, is that you will have become comfortable with how she looks in the air, and be able to fly the replacement that much better.

It is because of this comfort with an airframe that I often buy the same competition (any model) model over and over. While other airframes might be better I know what to expect and how to extract the best for my old tried and true models. This is why I can often beat guys with the latest and greatest stuff. I know the strength and limitation of the models I fly. One can only get that by flying the model a lot.

All the best,
Konrad

[boomer108]

RE: Which Biplane?

Welcome Iowa!

   I don't have a lot of experience with biplanes but like you found a special affinity for them when I got my first one last year, the Roc Hobby Yellow Waco. Great flyer but I found it a little touchy on high rates. I keep it in low rate 70 percent and 40 percent expo it flies beautifully. I'm going to get the red and white Waco but would also like to have the Dynam Waco, 30's vintage biplanes are in a class of their own graceful and fun to fly. Good luck on your selection an good flying!

Roy B.

[Iowa54]

RE: Which Biplane?

Wow, that was 40years ago!

More like 50yrs ago LOL Damn I'm getting old!! I don't mind doing some aerobatic flying but, anything past a few loops, rolls ect isn't my thing. (ohh that's sounds so 60's LOL) 50in wing span for easier sight, 4S to be compatible with what I already have and easy to get parts for.
I got awhile to decide as any good flying weather is still a few months away.

[Konrad]

RE: Which Biplane?

I thought the movie came out in 75, are you using the book as the basis for your time line?

I too have vision issues (getting old) I actually find that those light small models can actually be kept in close comfortably. While historically I do like how the larger models fly. These new light foam, gyroed model have changed the whole equation. Regardless of the model's size those that are in close are easier to see, therefore one is less likely to loose one's orientation (situational awareness).

May I ask why you don't want to try more advanced aerobatics?

Getting a bit off topic while I too like the 50" class I'm starting to like using 6 cell set up in this size model. Much the same power draw as the 4 cell just easier on the electrical components. As most Dynam ESC are rated at 6 cells there should be no added cost there. I'd like to see motors in the 450 to 480 kv range, if kept at close to the same power rating (weight) there should be little change in cost. Maybe an idea for MotionRC to think about. They have the ROC Hobbies High Speed option. How about a sport high voltage option?

All the best,
Konraad

[DonRhone]

RE: Which Biplane?

One of the Biplanes which interests me is the HS 123. One of the fellows who flys at the local RC Site has one that he brings out on occasion.  He certainly is no novice, has been flying for years and has quite a number of planes.

As nice as the HS 123 flys he just can not land the plane without the plane dipping its nose and prop just as he has landed and is still taxing.  No matter what he tries for landing techniques, and this is landing on pavement, he just can not keep the plane from lowering its nose into the runway.

Landing on grass, is of course more prone to tipping than on pavement.

I would have bought one of these if it was not for the tipping of the nose on landings.  

[Konrad]

RE: Which Biplane?

Not sure what the guy's issue might be. Often it can be the wheels binding on the pants.
In the video on MotionRC's sale page you can see how forgiving the model actually is. Ryan is still experimenting with the flaps and while not all the landing were great they all were presentable. On the grass video you do see some tip over on the last landing, but you will also notice he had no power on (little airflow over the stab).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_xjynikh4o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niSKBxlhWV0

Now I will say that with full flaps I tend to slow down my models too slow. Not so slow as the stall. But too slow to effect elevator response when needed. This was an issue I had with the Staggerwing. But landing faster than I needed solved that.

All the best,
Konrad

[Iowa54]

RE: Which Biplane?

Konrad, The Blue Max came out in 1966. As far as the 3D flying I enjoy watching some of the other pilots doing their stunts ect.. its just not relaxing for me to do myself and that's why I just enjoy scale flying. I enjoy watching Nascar but ,I don't want to be driving 200mph with another car pushing my back bumper. As long as we can all agree that flying is fun and everyone can have there own personal enjoyment out what they chose to fly I'm happy..

[fhhuber]

RE: Which Biplane?

My favorite Bipe has always been the Tiger Moth.

They all seem to fly the same regardless of scale... as long as they aren't overweight.

They are the only bipe I have recommended as someone's first RC airplane. More stable than a lot of the high wing traditional trainers, and yet more aerobatic. I haven't gone without having a Tiger Moth in the fleet in 20 years.

[Iowa54]

RE: Which Biplane?

My favorite Bipe has always been the Tiger Moth.

They all seem to fly the same regardless of scale... as long as they aren't overweight.

They are the only bipe I have recommended as someone's first RC airplane.  More stable than a lot of the high wing traditional trainers, and yet more aerobatic.  I haven't gone without having a Tiger Moth in the fleet in 20 years.

KInda leaning towards a a Tiger Moth or another Waco. We have a swap meet coming up the end of the month so I'll probably wait till then and see if anything shows up there.

[farmflyer]

RE: Which Biplane?

My favorite bipe is the Se5a by Parkzone sadly discontinued. It has great flight characteristics able to fly slow and smooth or rip up the sky the dual ailerons really give you the ability to really throw it around in confined spaces allowing you to fly in smaller parks.

[doctormike]

RE: Which Biplane?

I have an SE-5a, a Waco, a Tiger Moth. I love them all, but... NOTHING flies like a Pitts! Doc

[Konrad]

RE: Which Biplane?

Konrad, The Blue Max came out in 1966. As far as the 3D flying I enjoy watching some of the other pilots doing their stunts etc.. its just not relaxing for me to do myself and that's why I just enjoy scale flying. I enjoy watching Nascar but ,I don't want to be driving 200mph with another car pushing my back bumper. As long as we can all agree that flying is fun and everyone can have there own personal enjoyment out what they chose to fly I'm happy..

The Great Waldo Pepper was the 1975 movie with Robert Redford. All I remember of the Blue Max 1966 was Ursula Anderson and that damned towel.

The question had no judgment associated with it. I often want to know the whys of a particular position.

I have found that many folks progress to the point were they can land and take off and then stop with the skill progression. This is often called the first learning level plateau. The second level is being able to use the rudder for other than taxing. Like right rudder with up elevator inputs and left for down elevator inputs. This opens up a lot of weather conditions, that actually become comfortable to fly in, like cross winds. Also adverse conditions like post stalls are often best controlled with application of rudder.

As a scale pilot I find the command of the rudder is critical with high wing loaded scale model. Not so much with the models that MotionRC sells but other highly detailed (read heavy) models.

By your first post I assumed you were wanting at add some scale features. These often add weight that require skills that are often beyond the first level skill plateau if the model is to last for any time. I mention rudder work not 3D flight.

Scale flight really takes a great deal of skill, as the model can't be blazing by at Mach 2. Rather it needs to be flown through the maneuvers. I don't know how much full size piloting skills you have, but I will tell you there is a lot of dancing on those rudder peddles. The same rudder work on the full-size need to done with the scale (miniature) flight profile to effect scale flight.

All the best,
Konrad
[hr]

I have an SE-5a, a Waco, a Tiger Moth. I love them all, but... NOTHING flies like a Pitts! Doc

Is that an endorsement or a warning about the Pitts? ;-)

All the best,
Konrad