Author Topic: Staggerwing, my VSC ride (Read 6240 times)

John Miller · « **on:** February 28, 2012, 03:50:56 PM »

Among other things I've been working on, I finished up the re-do of my VSC ride.

Back in 2000, I built a Sheeks Staggerwing Beech and powered it with an OS Wankle engine. It was my plan to fly it at the VSC in 2001. To make a long story short, I blew my transmission on the way there, and didn't make it for several years after that.

I did demo-fly the "Stag", with the Wankle at Nil's contest in Oregon, and I also flew it in sport scale at Whittier narrows a year or so later. Sometime, perhaps 6 years ago, I sold the Wankle.

I felt the balance was pretty good with the heavier Wankle, so I figured the moment arm to balance at the same place with a lighter engine. Hmmm, My short round cowl I built to cover the squat Wankle was way short and I needed to build a new cowl.

Like many such projects, it has set on the "back" burner for way too many years.

A few months ago, Gordy asked me what I was going to take to VSC this year. I was considering a Fierce Arrow 400, as I already had a laser cut short kit for it.

Gordy, the ever watchful mother hen, jumped all over me, citing all the damaged planes hanging on my walls that I "just" hadn't found the time to repair.

So, it was decided that I would finally build a new cowl, and take the Stag to the dance, even if it was 11 years late getting there.

Anyway, Her're a couple of pics, 'hope to see you in Tucson in a few weeks.

Bill Little · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2012, 03:57:27 PM »

John, it REALLY looks sharp! I think I missed what engine it will have this time.

Thanks!
Bill

John Miller · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2012, 04:07:45 PM »

Thanks Bill, I forgot to tell what engine I fitted. It's a TT.42. I've heard a lot of good things about them, but never ran one before.

My engine Guru, says they have the same timing as the Magnum ,36 and I've run one of them, and liked it.

Mike Keville · « **Reply #3 on:** February 28, 2012, 05:04:50 PM »

Lookin' good, John! Yes, please DO bring it next month.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #4 on:** February 28, 2012, 05:17:13 PM »

That looks fun. I look forward to seeing it in person in a couple of weeks.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #5 on:** February 28, 2012, 06:23:55 PM »

what Randy said,,

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #6 on:** February 28, 2012, 07:25:57 PM »

NICE JOB, John!

Am amazed you could get it airborne with a wankel. I had a TT 42 in an RC bird and it ran great.

John Miller · « **Reply #7 on:** February 28, 2012, 07:41:18 PM »

Thanks guys for the kind comments. They always look better in pictures don't they.

Dennis, it actually flew pretty good with the Wankel. I flew the entire pattern with it. It was just heavy with the engine over 20 oz's. It was fun to fly, and I figure the new engine will give it a great margin of extra power.

The design has 665 sq inches so it's bigger than it looks. The weight with the TT .42 is 58 OZs. It's now almost 10 OZs lighter than with the Wankel. I Should not have to struggle hard to fly the pattern. At least that's my hope.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #8 on:** February 28, 2012, 09:33:37 PM »

I hope I can finish mine by Saturday so I can get at least a couple of flights before it heads to VSC.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2012, 10:39:12 PM »

THAT is SUPER cool John! First one I've ever seen. Wish I was heading for Tucson.

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #10 on:** February 29, 2012, 07:27:45 AM »

John,
Nice looking Beech!
Good candidate for the Sheeks award. I will be there for the last weekend only, arriving Friday, leaving Sunday morning. Unfortnately I cannot fly this year, but the camera will be very active. See you there.

John Miller · « **Reply #11 on:** February 29, 2012, 09:39:10 AM »

I'm happy to hear that you plan on being there this year, even if it's spectating only. I ;ool forward to getting together.

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #12 on:** February 29, 2012, 04:56:06 PM »

Just found out minutes ago that we have to cancel our trip to VSC. Matters beyong my control.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #13 on:** March 01, 2012, 12:22:05 PM »

Hey John, the Staggerwing looks great. When I had mine their, Jack asked what I had for power. Told him it was an OS .40. He stated it was a great move. Original I beleive was Fox .35. Mine is in the care of Elwyn Aud.

Bill Little · « **Reply #14 on:** March 01, 2012, 03:44:09 PM »

Looks like a candidate for the ubiquitous OS .46LA.

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

wwwarbird · « **Reply #15 on:** March 01, 2012, 10:00:31 PM »

A four stroke would be really neat in one of these.

John Miller · « **Reply #16 on:** March 02, 2012, 10:43:17 AM »

I agree, a 4 stroke would make a nice sounding ride. That was one of the neat features I noticed when running the Wankel. It has a unique sound.

Bill Little · « **Reply #17 on:** March 02, 2012, 04:49:36 PM »

Quote from: John Miller on March 02, 2012, 10:43:17 AM

I agree, a 4 stroke would make a nice sounding ride. That was one of the neat features I noticed when running the Wankel. It has a unique sound.

Hi John,

Maybe you can find a nice Saito .56 Golden Knight!

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

wwwarbird · « **Reply #18 on:** March 02, 2012, 06:01:13 PM »

What are the dimensions of this Staggerwing?

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #19 on:** March 02, 2012, 06:24:11 PM »

Wayne, its about oh,, say,, that long,, and the wings are about,, yeh wide,, with spacing of about that much,, and it weighs lots less than you think,,

John Miller · « **Reply #20 on:** March 02, 2012, 08:26:28 PM »

I sent you an e-mail Wayne

wwwarbird · « **Reply #21 on:** March 02, 2012, 10:45:17 PM »

Quote from: Mark Scarborough on March 02, 2012, 06:24:11 PM

Wayne, its about oh,, say,, that long,, and the wings are about,, yeh wide,, with spacing of about that much,, and it weighs lots less than you think,,

Sounds perfect for the job!

Thanks John, I'll check it out.

David Murrell · « **Reply #22 on:** October 25, 2012, 04:22:15 AM »

A bit late catching up on this, Jack really designed some great models and I like staggerwings so had to build one, LA46, wide blade 11 x 6 prop. I did cheat a bit and made flaps on both top and bottom wings. recently re covered with Koverall as the light weight tissue was falling apart. A great flier, best suited to the classic pattern but does a reasonable F2B pattern as well.
No photos, just yellow/red trim so easy to see in the air.

Span? about 42 " from memory, weight, not too heavy

Cheers

Gordan Delaney · « **Reply #23 on:** December 18, 2012, 09:34:10 AM »

I tried to get him to put a ST46 in it. But noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Gordy

MikeyPratt · « **Reply #24 on:** January 21, 2013, 09:40:48 AM »

Quote from: Gordan Delaney on December 18, 2012, 09:34:10 AM

I tried to get him to put a ST46 in it. But noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Gordy

That looks way Cool!!!!

But you should have listened to Gordy

Mikey

Trostle · « **Reply #25 on:** January 21, 2013, 10:47:48 AM »

Quote from: David Murrell on October 25, 2012, 04:22:15 AM

A great flier, best suited to the classic pattern but does a reasonable F2B pattern as well.

Cheers

What is the major difference between the "classic pattern" and the "F2B pattern.? The pattern flown in classic is the current AMA pattern. My rulebooks show the AMA pattern and the F2B pattern to be essentially the same. The square maneuver descriptions and the landing descriptions are only slightly different.

The Old Time Pattern from 1952 is completely different.

Keith

Ward Van Duzer · « **Reply #26 on:** March 21, 2013, 01:51:11 PM »

Mikey Pratt, where you been?

Ward-O

Gordan Delaney · « **Reply #27 on:** September 26, 2013, 07:40:21 PM »

I guess John didn`t tell everyone,but a couple months after VSC someone came in his trailer home and stole the Stagger wing off the wall. What is it with some people fills the world owes it to them. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr

Gordy

john e. holliday · « **Reply #28 on:** September 27, 2013, 09:33:44 AM »

Hopefully who ever did that needs what ever they deserve. If it hasn't been destroyed, maybe it will show up somewhere. Elwyn Aud has my Staggerwing I flew at VSC years ago.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #29 on:** November 20, 2013, 09:11:06 PM »

Quote from: Gordan Delaney on September 26, 2013, 07:40:21 PM

I guess John didn`t tell everyone,but a couple months after VSC someone came in his trailer home and stole the Stagger wing off the wall. What is it with some people fills the world owes it to them. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr

Gordy

No s---?! WTF?!

David Murrell · « **Reply #30 on:** January 14, 2018, 02:36:24 AM »

Sorry about t he delay gents, the classic pattern I referred to is the MAAA (Model aircraft Australia Association) pattern, very different to any other I have flown over the last 50 or so years. (check out the MAAA website (https://www.maaa.asn.au/rules)

The Staggerwing is still flying and I am considering a full scale version for an OS Wankel, retracts, flaps & cockpit, electronic handle.

Jack certainly designed some great models, if you like that type of model check out Geoff Pentland's Australian designs.

cheers