Imitation dimensions

[Steven Kientz]

I'm in the process of deciding my next build. Does anyone know the fuselage length of the Imitation? I would like to buy the ribs and plans(RSM). Just curious as to how big the airframe is.
Thanks
Steve

[Randy Cuberly]

Fancher Imitations Dimensions.

Randy Cuberly

[Steven Kientz]

Considerably larger than I thought.
Thanks
Steve

[Randy Cuberly]

Considerably larger than I thought.
Thanks
Steve

It's an excellent flier.  Really should have at least a .51 and preferrably a 60 size engine.  I had one quite a while ago with a very good, very strong ST46 and it worked well but it was light at 53 oz.  Most I've see weighed considerably more than that.

Really is a great airplane!

Randy Cuberly

[Steven Kientz]

La 46 is my current "Big" engine. A 54" ws airframe just barely fits in my current ride. Plenty of good planes between 48" to 54" to choose from. Still learning the  pattern. Thought about building a fleet of Skyrays,but I really  like larger airplanes. Might be a kitbashed profile Oriental in my future.

Steve 

[Brett Buck]

Considerably larger than I thought.
Thanks
Steve

  It's right in the ballpark of all the similar designs (which were inspired/ripped off/made as a tribute) we have been building in our area for years, which have had pretty good success. My airplane for example, is definitely an evolution (albeit, with every single thing changed) and David's airplane is extremely close in overall dimensions. Most of what we have tried to do is reproduce the performance of the Imitation with a full fuselage and different engines. Ted can add to the discussion, but I flew the original a few times and it was a revolution in my thinking about what "performance" means.

    It flies quite well at reasonably high weight (56-57) even with the lowly ST46 due to the relatively high aspect ratio. Obviously anything up to a 75 works. It might be as good an ST46 airplane as is possible to design.

     If in doubt, I say "go for it".

   Brett

[Steve Fitton]

Ty had an Imitation he brought to Huntersville when he still competed there.  His Imitation had an LA-46 on it and I thought it was a really good flying combination.  There is also a scaled down Imitation drawn by Dale Barry that is a good flying 35 size profile.  It's called Limitation and there are several threads about it on the forum.

[Steven Kientz]

I have a "blue" La46(bone  stock) that pulled a 58 oz, rebuild of a Tutor II, so an engine with grunt I have.  I really like the look of it. Then add all the positive comments, how can I not build it. I saw that UHP has the plans, anyone know if the Bros. Moon still cut kits? Anyone have  some "leverage" that might convince them to cut a kit or two? LOL
Thanks
Steve

[Steven Kientz]

Just reread the thread about the "Limitation". Noticed that several different wings have been used in it. Anyone have thoughts on the Sig Super Chipmunk wing? 53.5" ws and 570sq" . I have several FP40/TTpro.36 to work with.
Thanks
Steve

[Scott Richlen]

You could always take the plans down to kinkos (or equivalent) and reduce them to a 54 or 56 inch span.  Build it light and your LA-46 will flight it fine.

[SteveMoon]

The Imitation also flies great with a Saito 40 4 stroke motor. Had that
motor on mine for quite awhile and it was a really nice combo.

Steve

[Bill Little]

Just reread the thread about the "Limitation". Noticed that several different wings have been used in it. Anyone have thoughts on the Sig Super Chipmunk wing? 53.5" ws and 570sq" . I have several FP40/TTpro.36 to work with.
Thanks
Steve

Dale liked the Imitation but wanted a conventional profile front end and a little bit smaller airframe.  As time went on the Limitation has grown.  The last version that Dale had plans for (pre fire) was the 2003 Limitation.  It uses a Randy Smith SV airfoil.  I had to make a copy of the plans Dale sent me and send them back to Dale.  He lost everything in the fire.  Dale and Derek are good people! (and they can fly pretty good, too!)

Bill