The Chipmonk is (almost) ready!

[Brian Massey]

It's taken me just over 4 months, but the Chipmonk is "done". Still have to put the eyes on the leadouts, put in some tip weight and then bench trim as best I can. Tomorrow is a fly day for the club, but it's supposed to rain , so we'll see. If not, then we just wait the weather out for the next sunny day.

Looks like 52 oz or there abouts for weight, I'll know soon.

I look at all the flaws and mistakes, and think; "this is the best finished plane I've ever built"; kinda sad in a way, but I'm still proud! 

Brian

[Randy Ryan]

Looks REALLY nice, (and we all know where the flaws are on our models), BE PROUD!

[Russ Danneman]

you should be proud!! looks good!  rd

[Gary Anderson]

Hi Brian,

The plane looks great, look forward to seeing her in the air. I wish we could carry over todays weather, great day for flying. Maybe we'll get lucky and have another nice day. I'm still playing with my Stiletto with the DS 61 RE Lite in her. I haven't changed the tank, still have the 4 ounce tank in her. She started giving me problem again the other day, found out there was junk in the needle valve assembly. Cleaned everything up, put her back together and that baby just started running sweet again. When the DS is running the plane seems to fly very well. After tomorrows playing I'm going to install a 5 ounce tank and I think it will give me enough time to do the whole pattern. To get the complete pattern with the 3 3/4 ounces of fuel I use I have to leave all of the level laps out. I hope your baby flys as well as she looks and when ya go to the contest up north you'll bring home the bacon. (Be sure to show your brother your trophy, Gary)

[wwwarbird]

 Looks great and yes like the others are saying, be proud of it! It's always fun to show up at the field with a newly finished model. And yes, like Randy says, everyone knows where the flaws are in their own models, they all have them somewhere. I just try to make each new model better than my last. As soon as each model is finished, I always feel like there are things that I'd do different on it if I built it again.

 Keep on building!

[Brian Massey]

Looks great and yes like the others are saying, be proud of it! It's always fun to show up at the field with a newly finished model. And yes, like Randy says, everyone knows where the flaws are in their own models, they all have them somewhere. I just try to make each new model better than my last. As soon as each model is finished, I always feel like there are things that I'd do different on it if I built it again.

 Keep on building!

Thanks for the kind words; the problem with my flaws . . . they are so obvious! I've had a lot of fun building the Chip, and and really looking forward to building another . . . with some improvements/changes. I just hope the plane flys well enough to get me through the Northwest regionals. I know my flying skills will embarrass me, no need for the plane to add to it.

But I'm really enjoying getting back into this hobby! I also want to take this opportunity to thank EVERYONE on Stunt Hanger for their friendship and support! Whatta Group!

Brian

[john e. holliday]

Hey, it looks great to me.  You should see mine.  The main thing is will it fly the way it is supposed to.  If it does I don't worry about the finish.  To me flying is more important.  Looks like you have a winner there.

[Paul Taylor]

Brian,
I will take it off your hands if you don't like the finish. That is way better then my monokote and rattle can planes.

[Richard Grogan]

Great job Brian! She will fly great for you. 

[Matt Colan]

Looks really good Brian!!!

[Brian Massey]

I've done the final touches: the leadout eyelets are done; installed 1/2 oz tip weight and hooked up the fuel tank with an in line filter. The final weight comes in at 51.5 ounces! That I'm happy with. The power is a B40 and despite my limited use of this engine I think it should haul the Chip along just fine.

The center of gravity falls very close to what the plans call for; maybe just a tad forward of that. If anything, that should help reduce any hunting it might want to do.

So the weather watch begins, right now the winds are gusting to 30 mph as a new storm front moves in. Maybe by Friday we can see what happens.

[steven yampolsky]

I've done the final touches: the leadout eyelets are done; installed 1/2 oz tip weight and hooked up the fuel tank with an in line filter. The final weight comes in at 51.5 ounces! That I'm happy with. The power is a B40 and despite my limited use of this engine I think it should haul the Chip along just fine.

Nice job! I hope it flies as good as it looks! Make sure you give B40 time to break in. It took me ~50 flights before B40 was finally developing full power. First 10 flights where rough: engine overheated and ran irregular. Now it purrs like a kitten and hauls my Chipmunk with authority!

[Brian Massey]

Nice job! I hope it flies as good as it looks! Make sure you give B40 time to break in. It took me ~50 flights before B40 was finally developing full power. First 10 flights where rough: engine overheated and ran irregular. Now it purrs like a kitten and hauls my Chipmunk with authority!

Thanks for the comments regarding the B40 break-in. The engine I've installed has the suggested break-in, and then about 15 flights. I never really felt is was fully broken in. I'll be careful.

Brian