Anyone Converted the Ultimate Bipe 46 ARF to CL

[Bob Reeves]

Wondering if anyone by chance has any direct experience with converting a Global ARF Ultimate Bipe 46 to Control Line? If so would like to know if you have any details or tips on how you mounted the bellcrank and connected the controls.

Haven't started on the airplane yet, need to get the Saito 72 I'm playing with finished. Couple of us thought this might be a fun thing to do, I had the engine and one of the other club members had the airplane, somehow I ended up with the kit and inherited the project.

[Tim Wescott]

It's a little thin of airfoil -- it'll probably never be more than a nice sport plane, although if it's light enough it may do the pattern.

If it didn't interfere with the tank, I'd put the bellcrank right below the cabane struts, at the vertical CG.  I'd replace the left-side interplane strut with something that allowed for adjustable leadouts while still maintaining some strength, with the leadouts placed at the vertical CG and adjustable fore and aft.

Placing the bellcrank low in the plane won't change how it hangs from the lines (the leadout guide placement does that), but it will force a bend through the leadout guides, which will increase friction.  I don't think it'll be significant, but others do -- there's been a lot of discussion about this, there to find if you look.

[SteveMoon]

Bob: Several years ago I converted a Sig profile Ultimate Bipe to CL.
It was an absolute blast to fly, and would do a decent pattern. I lowered
upper wing one inch and had a laser cut 'tongue' mount made for the
bellcrank. I also had new cabana struts made with the inboard one having
a built in adjustable line guide. It was very important to have the lines
evenly spaced between the wings.

I also converted the ailerons to flaps only on the bottom wing. They were fixed
on the upper wing. I did this because I wanted it to fly more as a competitive
stunt ship rather than a Bi-Slob. I powered the plane with a Saito 56 and
also tried out an OS 40 VF with pipe. It performed really well with either
of these motors.

All in all, it was a ton of fun and I loved flying that plane.

Later, Steve

[Bob Reeves]

Thanks Steve, that will help. This is strictly a fun project, not expecting it to be competitive.

All I have to deal with where the bellcrank will go is a big open area where the radio and servos would normally be. Nothing that can't be overcame with a little plywood. Think it would be pretty difficult to lower the top wing on this ARF but will make sure the leadouts are on the vert CG.

Would be easier to only hook up the flaps on the bottom wing, have to think that through.

Bob