Countess Is Complete!

[Doug Burright]

This airplane started as a plan sheet for a SIG BANSHEE.

I made a few modifications:
Stretched wingspan by adding one rib bay on each side,
Installed nose ribs between each original rib,
Moved the wing forward 1-1/2 inches,
Changed the fin, wingtip and horizontal stabilizer tip shape,
Increased the stab span,
Glassed the wing center section.

The fuselage is exactly the same profile as the original BANSHEE, but I did beef-up the nose with 1/2 inch balsa, on the inboard side.
I intended to use a FOX .35 for power, but I think it will do better with this O.S. .40 FP. That's why the spinner is so far ahead of the fuselage. With the FOX on it, the spinner fairs in nicely. Wingspan is now 55-3/4 inches; stab span is 24 inches. I forgot to weigh it at the hobby shop, today. It has big, heavy PERFECT brand wheels on it; they will probably be removed, soon.

White Ultracoat covering, with purple paint trim. I still have to mount the fuel tank in place. It should be ready to fly on Tuesday, but they say the weather is going to be uncooperative.

I thought I should change the name of the airplane, after doing the modifications: Do you know what a BANSHEE is? Whew! I don't want one of those around here! How about a picture?
 

[Dwayne]

Wow, nicely done, yes the FP 40 will be much better suited to this plane. 

[mike londke]

Very nice!

[Crist Rigotti]

Nicely done.  Your gonna love it!

[Avaiojet]

Doug,

Looks really good, nice job!

How do you apply paint over iron-on material with confidence that it will, not only stick, but have a sharp edge when tape is removed?

Is the black outline tape?

[Stephen Jeansonne]

Excellent work!
--Stephen

[Randy Ryan]

Very Very Nice but I hope the FP on that long nose doesn't cause you CG problems. Looking dforward to a flight report.

[john e. holliday]

Hope she flies as well as she looks.   Ditch the spinner and put a spinner nut on the engine.   Also a tongue muffler is she slightly nose heavy.  Of course you won't know until you fly it about the balance.  I've had planes that were balanced right on the indicated CG that I had to either add nose or tail weight.  But, remember nose heavy is survivable.

[Bill Little]

Hi Doug,

Yes, very nicely done!  You have made all the right modifications.  I would definitely go with the .40FP.  Good Luck!

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

[Doug Burright]

Thanks everyone!

I was able to get two flights with it, on Tuesday evening. I overlooked the flap position, and took off with a slight left aileron situation. That was remedied for the second flight. I am experimenting with a plastic fuel tank, and have it set up in a uniflow configuration, but something was just not right. Probably a glow plug. Anyway, the power was not conducive to wring it out much, on either flight, so... I get to fly it some more, to get a feel for it! And, the landings were bouncy. I think I'm slowing the plane down too much, before touchdown. I'll get a grip on that, too! I have to make a decal for the name of the plane, and reference that it is basically a Banshee. The decal will be placed on the left wing panel, to balance out the look of the AMA number.

Now I need to build something else. I don't know if I can sit idle until mid-April, when the Primary Force short kits will be available.
Thanks again, and I will keep you posted on the next flights.

[ron young]

  Same as above VERY nicely done!!

[Randy Powell]

I like purple planes. Seems a nice job. Good luck with it.

[Ron Cribbs]

You've been busy Doug! Looks good