David Hayward. Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Hi, planning ahead a little here as I am in the throws of learning to fly with a Pegasus Boomerang built from a kit; however when the time is right I would like to build a Bi-Plane and am looking for suggestions on what would make a suitable subject, either a kit or a plan but not RTF or ARTF. Although learning to fly all over again I have returned after 25 years away to start again so I have experience of building from plans in the past having built a Pronto trainer and then a Spirit; both RCM&E plans I believe. I have just finished building a middle phase, trainer version with dihedral, rudder and elevator control. About to start on Peter Miller's Ballerina which I will not be flying for some time however, liked it so much and just like to keep building. I look forward to suggestions anyone may have and thank you in advance. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WolstonFlyer Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 How about a Tinker Major from D.B. Sport & Scale **LINK** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hayward. Posted December 21, 2015 Author Share Posted December 21, 2015 Wow, that was a quick response, thank you that looks like a contender and the plan is only £10.00. Thanks again, it will be interesting to see what other suggestions are made. David. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WolstonFlyer Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 No worries They also do a smaller version Tinker and a Bi-Stormer Edited By WolstonFlyer on 21/12/2015 16:00:56 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanN Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Also from the DB stable the Scout - SE5 lookalike Involves a little struttery so not quite as simple a build as the Tinker, but in all other respects very straightforwards. Strong, and a good flier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hayward. Posted December 21, 2015 Author Share Posted December 21, 2015 The Scout sounds interesting; would that be OK as a second model from a Trainer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Don't forget that these DB designs- Tnker, Bistormer, Scout etc- have rib sets available at reasonable prices -!3 pounds for Tinker. These are laser cut sets I think and the ones I have for the Tyro Major are beautifully cut. Buy with the plans to save postage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanN Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 No reason why not My Scout was very forgiving, with none of the traits that some biplanes can exhibit that might catch you out (e.g, opposite aileron required in turns) The usual provisos would apply re just because you've gone solo on your trainer, don't automatically assume you're required to "go it alone" from that point on. Get an instructor or experienced hand to guide you through the first few flights of your second model until you're comfortable with it - be that a Scout, Tinker, Ballerina, or something completely different - and it should be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Laughton Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Wots Wot kit...? Put an engine in that is the smallest recommended and then I am sure you will find it forgiving enough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Flair Puppeteer is another choice If you fancy something smaller and electric there's this little Tiger Moth from Traplet, I flew my friends brushless version and it flew great. We are just building a Keith Humber Towrag, a biplane V tailed tow plane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff S Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Well you could always try this Tiger Moth. Tim Hooper has just finished his and very nice it looks, too if the pictures he posted on RCGroups here are anything to go by. Other than that I'd suggest any of the bi-planes at DB Sport and Scale. There are several to choose from. Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John F Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 +1 for the Tinker Major plus you can add ailerons if you wanted. The pattern sheets are very effective at giving you a lovely set of parts for the body. and the ribs are top notch too giving a lovely, even, build for the wing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hayward. Posted December 21, 2015 Author Share Posted December 21, 2015 Thank you very much to everyone that has responded, this has been really helpful and given me confidence to make a choice based on some sound advice. I have not actually made that choice yet as I would like to mull over the information given, but as the Ballerina build comes towards the end I shall want to decide then so I can have the next project ready to start. David. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Gardiner Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Hi David. Have you thought about a mini panic from Avicraft. I built one as a first build and a first biplane. It's a really nice flyer - you can do mad stuff but slow it down and it could be a trainer. My plane can be seen here. Geoff... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hayward. Posted December 21, 2015 Author Share Posted December 21, 2015 Hi Geoff, thank you for that, something else to consider. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff S Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 One thing worth considering with a biplane is the ease of assembly if it's too big to carry with wings attached. Biplanes can easily become hangar queens if it's too much trouble to get them ready to fly. Believe me, I love them too, but mine very rarely get an outing because of the faff. I'm hoping my latest one won't suffer that problem. Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dai Fledermaus Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 David, have a look at the free plans website Outerzone If you type Bipe into the search box, you'll be spoilt for choice. As I said, the plans and in many cases the build article, are free to download to your PC and you can print them off on your own printer on A4 paper and tape them together. The website explains how to do this. I've printed several this way, it's easy to do. My pick is the 4-40 BIPE by Doc Mathews which was produced in kit form by Ace Model Aircraft in the US where it was very popular and easy flying Biplane. Here's one, fitted with floats, which lost it's top wing during a flight and the pilot managed to get down safely Edited By Dai Fledermaus on 22/12/2015 09:51:54 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hayward. Posted December 22, 2015 Author Share Posted December 22, 2015 The 4-40 Bipe looks nice; I have downloaded the plan, just need to work out how to print it off in sections. Thank you for your suggestion. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dai Fledermaus Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 This might help David. Use 3m Magic Tape to join the sheets, instead of the normal shiny Selotape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich too Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 Posted by Geoff Sleath on 21/12/2015 17:10:39: Well you could always try this Tiger Moth. Tim Hooper has just finished his and very nice it looks, too if the pictures he posted on RCGroups here are anything to go by. Other than that I'd suggest any of the bi-planes at DB Sport and Scale. There are several to choose from. Geoff That's what I would suggest. My Tiger Moth flies like a trainer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hayward. Posted August 25, 2016 Author Share Posted August 25, 2016 So an update to my 'First Biplane'; I opted for the 4-40 Bipe available as a free plan from Outerzone and after a few months she is now ready for covering. I made a couple of minor changes to the original plan: side mounted the engine and fabricated a vintage style undercarriage as I am going to finish this as a Warbird lookalike. Here's a couple of shots: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broken Prop Posted August 25, 2016 Share Posted August 25, 2016 That's nice David. If you are looking for a warbird paint scheme, have a look at the Heinkel He51. They had some great colour variations. Good luck with the maiden! Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Cotsford Posted August 25, 2016 Share Posted August 25, 2016 or a Curtiss P6? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dai Fledermaus Posted August 25, 2016 Share Posted August 25, 2016 Looks impressive David. I'd be really interested to know how well it flies, please keep us updated. I notice someone has provided a Outerzone with a page with was missing from the original accompanying article by Doc Mathews. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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