Author Topic: Next up-Super Combat Streak by Walter Umland (Read 18080 times)

wwwarbird · « **on:** January 30, 2011, 10:54:11 PM »

Next project here at the "Aeroworks" is Walter Umland's "Super Combat Streak" kit. First impressions on looking over the kit, wood, and plans are typical Umland quality, superb.

I just opened the box and started in on it tonite. I plan to build it pretty much stock right out of the box, but will be making just a couple minor changes. The changes I'll be making are definitely not necessary, simply my own personal preference.

One change will be swapping to spruce spars, just a habit I've gotten into. In my opinion this makes a model much more durable, and the weight difference is minimal. The other change will be making up an aluminum two-wheel landing gear and tailwheel. I'll have to figure out and add in some structure to accomodate the mounting of those features. Other than that it should be pretty straightforward, and a fun, easy build.

I plan to finish it in a scheme replicating the original Top Flite box art, complete with custom graphics by Emily at Control Line Central, and power will be a Supertigre .35 Stunt.

Roger Vizioli · « **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2011, 08:09:06 AM »

I am sure that you will like it!

Roger V.

Gene O'Keefe · « **Reply #2 on:** January 31, 2011, 08:20:58 AM »

Very nice plane Roger....what you use/how did you cover the wing ? I really like the transperancy.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2011, 04:36:08 PM »

Roger,

What did you use for a fuel tank? Did you build it in permanently?

W.W.

Bill Little · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2011, 11:17:29 PM »

Hi Roger!

Pretty ship! Brodak .25?

Big Bear

Bill Little · « **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2011, 10:39:53 AM »

Quote from: Ty Marcucci on February 01, 2011, 01:13:44 AM

I used the G21 combat .35 ST in mine. Flat out honked. 9 x7, 25% Missle Mist, pacifier pressure tank. Couldn't find any Fox Blast.

I had one around 1971. I liked it more than any of the few regular Flite Streaks I had. I actually used a Fox .35 Stunt in mine! LOL!! Didn't have enough tank in it to fly a pattern and do all the laps required.........

It has only been in "recent years" that I've had a HOT engine. Back in the day all I had for "speed" was a Fox .36X needle bearing...........

I left the model with my flying buddy when I moved (but I took off the engine! LOL!!), such is life!

I plan on keeping this one light and using a OS .20FP for practice and rough weather meets. It will fly a great pattern once trimmed and flying to your comfort level.

Bill

Roger Vizioli · « **Reply #6 on:** February 01, 2011, 09:27:46 PM »

Hi guys,
Thanks for the comments, interest.

Gene - Brodak .25 with modified head, Ultracoat xparent blue, Rustoleum white.
Warbird - tank is a Brodak B480, uniflo 3 oz., slightly modified to move feed line inboard "about" 1/8", tank not a perm instl., top cover over tank easily removable (at home, not at the field).
"Brother Bill" - yes, Brodak .25, hemi mod to the head.

Roger V.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #7 on:** February 01, 2011, 10:04:49 PM »

Thanks Roger. I was just looking at the tank space, not much room at all there for a .35. Hopefully the Supertigre isn't too thirsty of a beast.

Bill Little · « **Reply #8 on:** February 01, 2011, 10:11:29 PM »

H iWayne,

From what I remember, 3 1/2 oz is all the metal tank that you can squeeze in, with out doing some major surgery. I hadn't thought of it before, but a plastic clunk tank of larger size "might" fit, but I think they are too "deep". A 1" thick tank is all the room for height allowed.

I had decided to go with a .20FP mainly to get enough fuel for about a 6:30 flight time.

Need to get out the plans, I guess..........

Big Bear

Bill Little · « **Reply #9 on:** February 01, 2011, 10:13:37 PM »

Quote from: Bill Little on February 01, 2011, 10:11:29 PM

H iWayne,

From what I remember, 3 1/2 oz is all the metal tank that you can squeeze in, with out doing some major surgery. I hadn't thought of it before, but a plastic clunk tank of larger size "might" fit, but I think they are too "deep". A 1" thick tank is all the room for height allowed.

I had decided to go with a .20FP mainly to get enough fuel for about a 6:30 flight time.

Mine will be a red/white two tone to match the box art, with a 1/8th black (or maybe blue?) line for color separation...... orange was considered, but I have a couple quarts of red.

Need to get out the plans, I guess..........

Big Bear

wwwarbird · « **Reply #10 on:** February 01, 2011, 10:42:15 PM »

Not a big deal Bill, I'm just gonna fit whatever will fit. I'm not into building tanks, and I'm not going to here, but am hoping I can get at least 3oz squeezed in somehow with an off-the-shelf tank.

...Roger,

I just looked and the Brodak BH-480 3oz tank is 1"H x 1-3/4"W x 3-3/4"L according to their catalog. Height and width would be perfect, but the tank compartment as designed is only 3-1/8" long. Did you modify the compartment on yours?

Bill Little · « **Reply #11 on:** February 01, 2011, 10:51:32 PM »

Quote from: wwwarbird on February 01, 2011, 10:42:15 PM

Not a big deal Bill, I'm just gonna fit whatever will fit. I'm not into building tanks, and I'm not going to here, but am hoping I can get at least 3oz squeezed in somehow with an off-the-shelf tank.

HI Wayne,

I don't really like to build tanks, either! LOL!!

I "think" a 3 1/2 oz tank will fit, right? IIRC, there's 3 1/2" between the firewall and next former. As you know, a standard 2" wide X 1" tall tank holds one ounce per inch.

Keep posting pics, I enjoy seeing your work! Right now it is a "vicarious" situation! LOL!!

Bill

Bill Little · « **Reply #12 on:** February 01, 2011, 10:54:12 PM »

Is that ST .35 the flat top or baffle piston version? One of the sweetest 4-2 engines I ever saw was Tommy Luper's baffle piston ST C.35.

Big Bear

wwwarbird · « **Reply #13 on:** February 01, 2011, 10:58:07 PM »

It's the baffle jobbie.

Got'er off Ebay not too long ago for 80 bucks to my door. A few guys tell me I stole it.

Bill Little · « **Reply #14 on:** February 02, 2011, 01:09:21 AM »

Quote from: wwwarbird on February 01, 2011, 10:58:07 PM

It's the baffle jobbie. Got'er off Ebay not too long ago for 80 bucks to my door. A few guys tell me I stole it.

Well, I have to clue as to the price, but I know the ones I have seen (I also have one) will really do a good "classic 4-2" stunt run. Not so much so, the flat top piston ones!

Roger Vizioli · « **Reply #15 on:** February 02, 2011, 07:30:57 AM »

...Roger,

I just looked and the Brodak BH-480 3oz tank is 1"H x 1-3/4"W x 3-3/4"L according to their catalog. Height and width would be perfect, but the tank compartment as designed is only 3-1/8" long. Did you modify the compartment on yours?
[/quote]

Oops, my error!

Thanks for checking. I had two tanks selected when finishing this model. I just looked in my tank drawer, the BH-480 is still in the drawer. I used the BH-548, 1"hx2"wx3"l, 3 oz, uniflow, with the feed line moved in slightly. Sorry for the bad info.
Roger

Bill Little · « **Reply #16 on:** February 02, 2011, 02:15:27 PM »

Quote from: Ty Marcucci on February 02, 2011, 10:36:24 AM

stunt??? I flew mine in combat. 3 minutes is all you needed and it barely got 2.5. Usually got a kill or killed in 1 minute or less.

Good afternoon Chief!

I never really ever considered spending the time to do a built up fuselage to fly around in the circle while another guy's is there, also. Especially when the models are trying to "kill" each other! No, just profiles or wings for the tiny bit of combat I ever tried.

The Combat Streak is a better "Stunt" plane than the Profile Flite Streak in my experience.

Big Bear

wwwarbird · « **Reply #17 on:** February 02, 2011, 11:13:58 PM »

Roger,

Not that it matters a whole lot, but you must have actually used the BH-557 tank. The BH-548 has the fill tube coming out of the top and it would never fit under the top sheeting without modification of the tank.

Anyway, I can't seem to make my mind up how I want to do mine yet. Could you possibly show me a close up photo of the nose and fuel line arrangement etc. on yours? Maybe a light bulb will pop on for me at some point, I've just got to decide what I want to do.

SURVEY TIME HERE:

I'm leaning heavily toward the BH-557 uniflow tank. Typically I never run anything uniflow, again just my own preference.

How do you guys think the ST .35 Stunt engine would like uniflow?

Bill Little · « **Reply #18 on:** February 03, 2011, 07:47:22 PM »

Hi Wayne,

Yes, it will run great on Uniflow. At least Tommy's (he also uses muffler pressure) and mine do!

To be honest, the only engine I have run on "standard vent" (of .20 size or larger) over the past 20 plus years, is a Fox .35. And the Fox .35's always seems to run better on a standard vent tank, less need to raise the tank as much in my experience.

Big Bear

wwwarbird · « **Reply #19 on:** February 03, 2011, 09:48:44 PM »

That's how I run my Fox .35's too, "old-school" standard vent wedge no pressure and lots of oil, seems like that's what makes them happy for me.

I run almost everything else, including my four-strokes, with standard vent wedge tanks using muffler pressure. On occasion I'll use a clunk tank, also with muffler pressure. I feel muffler pressure helps consistency a lot, again just my preference. I seem to have excellent results with these setups and I'm a big time "if it ain't broke don't fix it" guy.

I can't really talk either way about uniflow, never dunnit. I'm thinking of it in this case strictly because of fitment and space issues.

Roger Vizioli · « **Reply #20 on:** February 03, 2011, 10:05:34 PM »

Quote from: wwwarbird on February 02, 2011, 11:13:58 PM

Roger,

Not that it matters a whole lot, but you must have actually used the BH-557 tank. The BH-548 has the fill tube coming out of the top and it would never fit under the top sheeting without modification of the tank.

Anyway, I can't seem to make my mind up how I want to do mine yet. Could you possibly show me a close up photo of the nose and fuel line arrangement etc. on yours? Maybe a light bulb will pop on for me at some point, I've just got to decide what I want to do.

SURVEY TIME HERE:

I'm leaning heavily toward the BH-557 uniflow tank. Typically I never run anything uniflow, again just my own preference.

How do you guys think the ST .35 Stunt engine would like uniflow?

Wayne,
will get pics tomorrow.
Roger

wwwarbird · « **Reply #21 on:** February 16, 2011, 09:46:45 PM »

Ok Walter, you might want to close your eyes here.

I've got a little more done on the Super Combat Streak. I'll mention a few mods here, but again want to clarify that none of them are necessary, I'm just changing/adding a few things to suit my own preference.

The 3oz Brodak #BH-557 uniflow tank barely fits the kit as designed. Depending on which tank the builder goes with, you will have to make the necessary fuel tube holes. I did have to grind away a little of the plywood inner doublers to squeez'er in but it went. In hindsight, I'd probably make new forward fuselage formers about an 1/8" wider side to side.

I've also installed a 3" Brodak bellcrank with a carbon pushrod and titanium ends from Central Hobbies. Du-Bro 4-40 ball links are also used. High Zoot stuff for a 'Streak.

The kit as designed only has a single wheel landing gear and tail skid. I'm not sure if the original even had that. Since I'll just be flying this one for fun, I wanted to be able to takeoff and land it like a "normal" model. As a result I added mounts to be able to install a shiny aluminum landing gear and tailwheel.

I think that will be it for modifications and the rest should be pretty straightforward, we'll see.

Bill Little · « **Reply #22 on:** February 17, 2011, 03:41:30 AM »

Hi Wayne,

Mine, around 1972 or so, had a two wheel LG. I might have made it that way, not sure. Pretty sure I mounted it to the rear firewall.

Bill

john e. holliday · « **Reply #23 on:** February 20, 2011, 04:23:04 PM »

Wayne the Streak is looking good. It should make a great plane for playing around. One thing about smaller tanks is you get more practice starting, taking off and landing. To me the three maneuvers that make a pattern.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #24 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:57:35 PM »

Pain pill Ty, or do you need better ventilation in your shop?

W.D. Roland · « **Reply #25 on:** February 21, 2011, 06:22:36 PM »

Wayne
The baffle piston S.T. 35 engine is a shaker. High frequency, can be worse than worst Fox.
Mine wore out an entire control system in less than 10 flights.

The crank is balanced for the S.T. flat top(lighter) and is very smooth running. Depending on the exhaust duration
will give very good mileage. 31/2oz fuel should go along ways!

The baffle version of bushe engine= S.T. .35s
non baffle= S.T. .35c
Both have big C on case.

The above is what I think I know!

wwwarbird · « **Reply #26 on:** February 21, 2011, 07:55:24 PM »

I've never run any ST.35's. I guess I'll be finding out first hand if this one is a shaker or not.

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #27 on:** February 21, 2011, 08:50:43 PM »

Just another opinion here, but I don't think the ST shakes that much. I've used a bunch of them, flat top and baffle versions and never had any big vibration problems. The SuperTigre is a "man's engine", meaning it's loud, powerful, and lots of fun!

wwwarbird · « **Reply #28 on:** February 21, 2011, 10:38:22 PM »

Quote from: Clint Ormosen on February 21, 2011, 08:50:43 PM

Just another opinion here, but I don't think the ST shakes that much. I've used a bunch of them, flat top and baffle versions and never had any big vibration problems. The SuperTigre is a "man's engine", meaning it's loud, powerful, and lots of fun!

Good to hear Clint, and that was kind of my hunch with this one. Other than the "modern" .36 and .51 C/L engines, the only real first hand experience I've had with Supertigre engines was way back in the early eighties. A flying friend of mine had an R/C Pattern ship with a blue head ST.60. It was a sleek but kind of heavy bird and the thing flew like a flippin' cruise missle.

Tonight I finally finished sanding and fitting the wing on the 'Streak. The install in these photos is just the first test fit.

It should be pretty gravy from here on out.

Bill Little · « **Reply #29 on:** February 22, 2011, 01:27:14 PM »

As usual, looking great, Wayne! Just like my memory of mine.

You should like the baffle piston ST .35. Tommy Luper used one that ran like a top, and was box stock.

Fill me in on the large LG "spreader" axle. For a rough field?

Big Bear

wwwarbird · « **Reply #30 on:** February 22, 2011, 02:48:12 PM »

Quote from: Bill Little on February 22, 2011, 01:27:14 PM

Fill me in on the large LG "spreader" axle. For a rough field?

Big Bear

Thanks Bill.

The "axle" is just a scrap chunk of 5/32" wire shoved through the L/G for eyeballing and setup purposes, it's not permanent.

Bill Little · « **Reply #31 on:** February 23, 2011, 03:22:17 AM »

Quote from: wwwarbird on February 22, 2011, 02:48:12 PM

Thanks Bill.

The "axle" is just a scrap chunk of 5/32" wire shoved through the L/G for eyeballing and setup purposes, it's not permanent.

I knew you had spoke of having to fly off a "rough" field.........

Keep going, and more pictures!

Bill

wwwarbird · « **Reply #32 on:** February 23, 2011, 06:11:21 PM »

Bill,

It's not really rough, ours is a good mowed grass field, but I don't care for single wheel gears. I just want to be able to takeoff and land it like a "normal" model. Sometimes I need to fly with a stooge too and this will work much better for that.

Bill Little · « **Reply #33 on:** February 23, 2011, 10:14:58 PM »

No doubt, I like a two wheel LG a lot better than a single wheel, also.

I put a 1/8th wire (two wheel) LG on my first Combat Streak. I *think* I tied it to the bottom of the motor mounts. But, that was around 1972-1973, and all I remember is that it flew really nice, and I liked it better than the profile Flite Streak!

Bill

wwwarbird · « **Reply #34 on:** February 28, 2011, 12:38:09 AM »

Well I've got a little more done. In these pics the plane is just put together for some more test fitting. I've put the top fuse sheeting on before gluing the wing in. It will be much easier to sand the lengthwise radius along the top edges without having to work around the wing. I did substitute 1/8" sheeting instead of the provided 1/16" so that I would have more leeway for sanding and be able finish it with a more rounded edge. Again not necessary, just my preference. I'll install the wing before doing the bottom sheeting though so that I can make sure it's glued in nice and solid. I got rid of the "straight axle" for you too Bill.

Bill Little · « **Reply #35 on:** February 28, 2011, 12:57:13 AM »

Looking real good, Wayne! You should enjoy this one.

I did like mine better than the profile Flite Streak.

Big Bear

john e. holliday · « **Reply #36 on:** March 02, 2011, 09:16:33 AM »

That is looking good.

Of course an Umland kit does make it a lot easier.

Now don't hit me for saying that as his kits are great.

dennis lipsett · « **Reply #37 on:** March 05, 2011, 01:44:47 AM »

Wayne,
One should never sand a radius on the fuselage on a Combat streak. It is after all combat streak. Making or attempting to tart it up too much will kill your urge to get a little wild with it, thereby reducing your fun factor by 50%.
To reduce it to a mundane stunt thing is really a capitol offense. LOL
dennis

Bill Little · « **Reply #38 on:** March 05, 2011, 02:02:38 AM »

Quote from: dennis lipsett on March 05, 2011, 01:44:47 AM

Wayne,
One should never sand a radius on the fuselage on a Combat streak. It is after all combat streak. Making or attempting to tart it up too much will kill your urge to get a little wild with it, thereby reducing your fun factor by 50%.
To reduce it to a mundane stunt thing is really a capitol offense. LOL
dennis

Hi Dennis,

I cannot decide on lethal injection, cyanide gas, or voltage.............. my original was kinda tarted up, and my next one will be too. Heaven forbid, but I put a bubble canopy on it!
LOL!!!

john e. holliday · « **Reply #39 on:** March 05, 2011, 07:23:06 AM »

I still remember when I started this madness. Combat was one of the events flown along with Rat Race. There were some really prettied up combat ships at the time. Also if you had a back up, you were considered lucky. For contest I watched as they put a plane back together for the next round of combat. Amazing how fast dope drys in the Kansas sun.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #40 on:** March 05, 2011, 09:44:52 PM »

Sorry to disappoint, but there will be radiuses all around fellas. I am refraining from a canopy though. I've thought about adding one quite a few times, but then I slap myself immediately thereafter!

Bill Little · « **Reply #41 on:** March 05, 2011, 10:50:00 PM »

Quote from: wwwarbird on March 05, 2011, 09:44:52 PM

Sorry to disappoint, but there will be radiuses all around fellas. I am refraining from a canopy though. I've thought about adding one quite a few times, but then I slap myself immediately thereafter!

HI Wayne,

IIRC, the original Top Flite plans hd a bubble canopy shown. Like a Sig WWII bubble, P-51 style. I used it, makes it actually look more like a "real" airplane, besides the profile FS has one.

Either way, mine will have one like the first one I did almost 40 years ago!

Big Bear

wwwarbird · « **Reply #42 on:** March 15, 2011, 10:44:02 PM »

Haven't got a lot done lately, I had a lack of ambition for a bit.

Back on it now though and in the last week I've gotten the wing covered with Polyspan and installed, wingtips done with my normal silkspan, and tonight I did the bottom sheeting. The fuel tank is in there for life now, hope it ain't a leaker! (I did test it)

All of the tail surfaces are built, sanded, silkspanned, hinged etc. and ready to attach. The only silkspan work left is the fuselage once I finish sanding it. Things should go pretty quickly from here if I can stay out of the chair.

dennis lipsett · « **Reply #43 on:** March 17, 2011, 09:02:58 PM »

Wayne, I hope that you don't mind if I throw mine in your thread. It's another of walts and I guess that we will have to have a match .Monokote and Rustoleum. Untarted ,plain,it's light and should be good. Haven't flown one since I was 15.
Dennis

wwwarbird · « **Reply #44 on:** March 18, 2011, 12:19:08 AM »

No problem Dennis, I'm always up for more pics. Looks pretty angry with that 'ol Enya in there!

Roger Vizioli · « **Reply #45 on:** March 18, 2011, 10:36:52 AM »

Quote from: wwwarbird on March 15, 2011, 10:44:02 PM

Haven't got a lot done lately, I had a lack of ambition for a bit.

Back on it now though and in the last week I've gotten the wing covered with Polyspan and installed, wingtips done with my normal silkspan, and tonight I did the bottom sheeting. The fuel tank is in there for life now, hope it ain't a leaker! (I did test it)

All of the tail surfaces are built, sanded, silkspanned, hinged etc. and ready to attach. The only silkspan work left is the fuselage once I finish sanding it. Things should go pretty quickly from here if I can stay out of the chair.

Waine,
I also have one of those "chairs!" Yes, they do take away from building time!

Roger V.

dennis lipsett · « **Reply #46 on:** March 18, 2011, 12:56:58 PM »

Wayne,
Flew mine today and it was as much fun as I remember and pretty much a non event for any fligiht problems. You'll enjoy it.
Dennis

wwwarbird · « **Reply #47 on:** March 29, 2011, 06:05:49 PM »

I've been having a little trouble finding shop time lately. I have been chipping away in small bits here and there though. I finally finished the silkspan work on the fuse last week. Last night I finished attaching the tail surfaces.
Barring any unforseen issues I just have to pin the elevator hinges, decide if I'm going to add a pushrod exit residue deflector or not, then do the fillets and construction is done. After that it'll be another couple coats of clear with a little touch up sanding, then it's time for color.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #48 on:** March 29, 2011, 06:07:42 PM »

It's looking good.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #49 on:** March 29, 2011, 06:31:15 PM »

Thanks Doc. Coming to Polk City May 7-8?

...just got up from the shop. I decided to go ahead and put a pushrod exit thingie on. Fillets start tomorrow night.