Brodak ARC Smoothie help

[Curtis Shipp]

I am starting a ARC Smoothie. I have a choice of a Brodak .40, DBL Star .40 or a Super Tigre .46 of the three I lean towards th ST.46. What do previous builders think?    Is there any problems that I should be aware of before I cover it?  Leadouts, balance, flap-elevator throws, bellcrank mount, any weak spots, weight problem? Thanks in advance for the help from Curtis Shipp.

[bob branch]

Curtis

I have done one as electric. It does not require a lot of power. I turn a 12X6 apc electric prop at 8300 rpm on 63 ft lines to get a 5.3 sec lap time and it does everything nicely and stays out there nicely. All the motors you list will work but I'd go with the lightest package. I don't think it really needs the power of a .46 to fly well.

The arc was fairly decent. I did not encounter any issues with the build nor any trimming issues. Be sure to reglue the gear mount with a good dose of epoxy. Its an underbuild with all arf/arc RC or CL. I did not reinforce it with glass though and I have 3 seasons on the plane all on heavy rough grass fields.

Enjoy it, its a nice flying bird.

bob branch

[Phil Spillman]

Hi Curtis, I have had a ball with my Smoothie ARF! My only problem has been with the covering letting loose. Aside from this do the following: move the wheels 1 inch forward and lower the rails 1/8" to get and equal run inverted or upright. I've powered mine with an LA .46 and muffled it with a Randy Muffler sold by Brodak. Your ST .46 may be heavier than necessary and cause to use the heaviest wheels you might find. Best of luck on this project. I have flown mine heavily for 3 years now and it keeps doing well! My lines are .015 @ 63' eye to eye.

Phil Spillman

[Larry Lindburg]

As far as power is concerned, a Fox 35 will easily power this plane.  So your selection of engines is wide open.  One small "concern" is that this plane takes a narrower metal tank so capacity may be an issue.

[Matt Colan]

The Brodak 40 would be my choice as i have that in my Smoothie, that motor works very well with that plane.  I think an ST 46 would be too much for the smoothie.

[Robert Zambelli]

I developed and set up the original ARC version of the Smoothie for John Brodak. It flies perfectly with a Fox .35 or Brodak .40.

The ST .46 is way too much engine.

It's fairly light and if you use a big engine/tank combination, expect to need a few ounces of tailweight.

Bob Z.

[Steve Helmick]

We have two flying locally, both ARF's I think. You done good getting the ARC! Anyway, one has a Magnum XL .36 in it, and the other a Magnum XL .28. I would prefer the (lighter) XLS .36, but neither owner complains about lack of power. From the engines you listed, I'd use the B.40. The fuel consumption of the ST .46 makes it a bad idea.

I flew a very light Profile Cavalier (Tom Morris kit) with a DS .40 and am still amazed that the engine ran so well, but produced so little power. Tried all sorts of propellers, and then tore the LG out on a mole hole and blew up the outboard wing. A project for Winter, it will have different power after repairs. Probably a B.40 or XLS .36!  Steve

[Heman Lee]

I have a ARF Smoothie with a Brodak .40.  Mine is a bit on the heavy side and it seem to be a little under powered with the Brodak .40.


Heman Lee

[David Shad]

Flew mine to several contest wins for two years with a box stock Fox .35.  then needed to break
in a B-.40 and it's even better.    The plane weighed  40.5  ounces with the fox plus tongue muff.
and 41 ounces with the B-.40 also w/ tongue muff....same lines...015 at 60 ft.   The covering was
my only issue with the plane but it's still around after 3 years.   I did swap out the control system
for one of Tom Morris's setups.   Great flying airplane!!!!

[Jim Oliver]

Curtis,

Take the B40 off the P40, and install the B40 on the Smoothie!!  You might use the ST 46 on the P40...........

Hey, what happened to the good weather we had Sat and Sun???

Jim

[David Shad]

I agree with you Jim...The P-40 will handle the larger motor...the Smoothie is lighter and a much thinner wing
and the B-40 is plenty of power on mine.  We were getting rain by the time we hit the Georgia border and was
a " Rainy Night in Georgia"  and as a matter of fact is still raining here at Robins AFB this morning.   Thanks for
another great contest at one of the best C/L fields in the country.   Perfect weather too and great fellowship
as usual.