Brandy Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 I've inherited a partly built Stearman, I would like to get it finished. I think it's all there apart from the plans. Can anyone help? Regards James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 Welcome Brandy, There are many different model designs of the Stearman so it would help if you could post some more information - wingspan and photos would help identify the designer/manufacturer for someone to be able to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 (edited) It says Flair in the heading. Flair plans are difficult to obtain now. Edited January 19 by kc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted January 19 Author Share Posted January 19 Thanks! its a Flair kit. I have instructions, a partially built fuselage and port lower wing a fully built horizontal stabiliser, elevator rudder and fin.. I'm estimating the kit is from 2002ish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 There is some info here including a link to a review by Simon Delaney which might help. I don't know what the latest info is on Flair but their large model plans are much in demand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 Frankly you should try very hard to find the original plans as they alone would be worth money! Have you got the remaining wing ribs? With the plans an experienced builder could make a good model of those parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 The review is actually by John Carpenter - it notes the dummy engine cylinders are part of the kit - try hard to find these as they are essential to the look of the model. Also all mouldings and strut parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted January 19 Author Share Posted January 19 I've got the lot apart from drawings. It's not really possible to build the rest without plans unless I had another completely built one next to me. I have plenty of experience and if needed I could design, manufacture and build a new one thats even better than the flair model.. but its not worth it. And it wouldn't be this particular bunch of wood. I will keep looking for the plans this end but I hold not much hope as people do like to "clear up to help" ( throw importantish stuff out) It's mildly infuriating. Regards James. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted January 19 Author Share Posted January 19 I will probably save my pennies up and get a seven or nine cylinder radial. It would be rude not to. I may even change the undercarriage for the robart ziroli gear... I may also do none of the above if I can't find plans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted January 19 Author Share Posted January 19 There has been a development...... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 (edited) If you have all 3 sheets of the plan then you are all set....... I suggest working from photocopies rather than on originals though. And a thorough search for any other bits that might come from the kit - there is mention of a moulding for the tail in the review, maybe other insignicant looking bits lurking somewhere ....... Perhaps the intended engine is hidden somewhere from prying eyes.... Good luck with the model. Edited January 19 by kc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted January 19 Author Share Posted January 19 I think it is set up for a laser, once I have all the framing done I'll look at re adjusting the firewall to hang a radial. Thanks James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 What I was hinting at is the Laser might be well hidden. Some men like to buy such things, hide them away then produce them when needed and can tell 'She Who Must be Obeyed ' "....Oh that old thing I have had it for years! " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff S Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 9 minutes ago, kc said: What I was hinting at is the Laser might be well hidden. Some men like to buy such things, hide them away then produce them when needed and can tell 'She Who Must be Obeyed ' "....Oh that old thing I have had it for years! " I suppose my wife must be super tolerant. I've never needed to do that. She only mildly objects to the space my models occupy and tries to institute a one in - one out policy 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted January 19 Author Share Posted January 19 32 minutes ago, Geoff S said: I suppose my wife must be super tolerant. I've never needed to do that. She only mildly objects to the space my models occupy and tries to institute a one in - one out policy 🙂 Yes I'm the same, keep it tidy and it's all good. I earn my money so I'll spend it on what I want as long as bills and other nonsense is paid for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod Parsons 1 Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 Hello I have one of these ( Flair Stearman) in the stash, waiting to start. I was thinking a Saito triple 90cc would be nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin b Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 PM sent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindsay Todd Posted January 20 Share Posted January 20 I built one of the original kit versions when they were quite new back in 99/2000 so 24 years old now and still going strong, i have mine powered by a Zenoha 45 and i think Neil had a laser 180 in the prototype. I would say mine has adequate power rather than excessive. The only issue I had was when the model first flew it need excessive down elevator trim which i believe was a plan fault which was subsequently corrected. The model flies like a dream so enjoy. Photo courtesy of the late great AW Linds 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted January 29 Author Share Posted January 29 It appears on further inspection I'm having to undo a lot of the work that's been carried out. I don't know if it's worth logging this unbuild build.. might be worth a laugh and education. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 It might be worth discussing the ways to strengthen joints ( assuming poor glue joints might be the problem ) such as gussets from balsa or 1/64 ply etc or adding glue such as SuperPhatic etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 You are a sucker for punishment. As a fellow self flagilator, I’m curious, but only if it doesn’t hurt too much. I have a 1/4 scale Svenson Stampe, picked up casually that has been eating time for years as I get enthusiasm to get it a little further. I also have a 1/4 scale Precident Stampe, ditto. That one is not quite as bad, it might fly come late spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RottenRow Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 A friend bought a partly built Flair Stearman in a similar state to yours. The fuselage was not straight, viewed from the side the longerons could be seen to be wavy along their length. He described it as looking ‘as though it had been built over someone’s knee.’ Perhaps these fuselages don’t like being stored for any length of time without any covering in place (which would stiffen things up). In his case, he stripped the fuselage back down to the ply formers and they were all reusable. He then sold the ‘kit’ to another scale builder who has now completed it and will be entering it in this year’s BMFA comps. Brian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 Just resurrecting an old plan built Stearman for an old Laser 150, I'll test fly it and if any good might look at adding a dummy radial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted January 29 Author Share Posted January 29 Multiple scarfs in a row that don't follow the minimum 4:1 raitio. 48" lengths required that will put any scarfs needed at either end of the fuselage at low stress points where the is additional ply formers and stringers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted January 29 Author Share Posted January 29 Much of the same here... I think given the opportunity the craft my snap around the middle CA is quite brittle. With torsional loads plus stress from take off and landing it may end in tears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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