 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stearman N2S-1 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome to my latest project. I recently purchased a Kyosho Stearman PT-17. The Kyosho kit is a .40 sized ARF made entirely of wood and covered with iron-on mylar (econokote). The plane is from Kyoshos SQS (Super Quality Series) and is one of THE best ARF's I have seen in a long time. On these pages I'll be documenting the build process. This particular plane has been reviewed before; but in it's prior configuration of the Super Stearman. Since the Super Stearman was such a success Kyosho obviously decided to continue that with the military trainer on which the Super Stearman was based.
I'm never content with anything straight out of the box. So for this model I wanted something different than the standard Army blue and yellow trainer scheme. I've decided to model this kit after the N2S-1 trainer used by the U.S. Navy in WWII. The most obvious difference between the Army trainer and the Navy version is the color scheme. The Navy Stearmans were all yellow. Since this particular ARF is all wood and covered in monokote the ability to change color schemes is relatively easy. Cub yellow monokote is a perfect match for the yellow covering furnished on the kit. With this advantage and a wealth of N2S schemes to choose from it shouldn't be too hard to have a unique looking and excellent flying ARF. Click here to see the full scale plane this model will be based on. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(click on any of the photos for a larger view) |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The bottom of the fuse showing the landing gear plate cover and the interior where the radio and servos will go. |
|
|
|
The fuse with the dark blue covering removed. The covering was very easy to remove. You can see the all balsa construction |
|
|
|
|
Here's the kit as it comes out of the box. Excellent packaging and quality of workmanship |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This is the aileron cutout on the bottom of the wing. A string has been included by Kyosho to help route the aileron extension cord. |
|
|
|
The wing halves have been joined and the 'Y' Harness routed. You can see the tab that locks the front of the wing in place with the fuse. |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
The intended powerplant: OS52 four stroke, swinging a 12-6 prop. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
click on the logo for the history of the Stearman |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Click here for more info on the real Stearman |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Skip the details....take me to the flight report |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The elvator halves are joined with a wire joiner epoxied in place. I placed them up against the stab and weighted the assembly down to keep things straight. Notice the covering removed for the epoxy joint with the fuse. |
|
|
|
This is the fuse after recovering. The extra effort was definitely worth it. The basic covering is monokote with the markings cut from Utracote. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Back to the main R/C page |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On to the next page of construction photos |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The lower wing, stab and fin have been mated to the fuse. Now it's starting to look like an airplane. Kyosho uses standard steel bolts to attach the wing. I'm not sure if I will replace these with metric nylon. The ailerons and elevators are hinged using CA type hinges that are furnished. |
|
|
This is the fin and rudder. You'll have to cut the covering away to get a good bond when epoxying the fin in place. |
|
|
|
|
