News:



  • March 29, 2024, 02:47:48 AM

Login with username, password and session length

Author Topic: My all-time favorite (so far!)  (Read 1978 times)

Offline Bob Zambelli

  • 21 supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Captain
  • *
  • Posts: 850
My all-time favorite (so far!)
« on: June 20, 2007, 11:14:03 AM »
A few years ago, I decided to build what is, in my opinion, one of the all-time most attractive planes, the Argus, by Steve Wooley.  :)

The size and shape led me to build it around my favorite engine, the SAITO .30.  #^

After a few flops, one being building it too light  HB~>, I finally got it dialed in and it's turned out to be the best flying plane I've ever owned.  y1 y1

The plane is attractive, a snap to build (I had it ready for covering in two weeks), VERY easy to fly and, for it's rather small size, remarkably good in the wind. I flew it in conditions that had some larger planes bouncing around and it just seemed to ignore the wind.

I feel that in the hands of a competant pilot, this plane would be a real trophy collector in both classic and ama precision aerobatics.

It is very easy to scratch-build and the I-beam is foolproof.

Mine is silk covered, weighs around 40 ounces, needs around 2 ounces of fuel (Brodak 10-23, 50/50), flies well on 59 foot, .015 lines attached to a stock EZ Just Hot Rock handle and a simple non-uniflow metal tank.

After substantial experimentation, I found the ideal prop, an APC 9 1/2-6. PERFECT!!!

And, of course, the sound of the little 4-stroke engine tops out the package.

Bob Z.





Offline steve pagano

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Captain
  • *****
  • Posts: 401
Re: My all-time favorite (so far!)
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2007, 12:01:35 PM »
Bob,

Got any pics? And only 2oz of fuel for the whole pattern?!?!?
Success isn't a destination.It's a journey!!!!!
A.M.A. 820-823

Offline Bob Zambelli

  • 21 supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Captain
  • *
  • Posts: 850
Re: My all-time favorite (so far!)
« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2007, 01:12:43 PM »
Hi, Steve - here it is as it flys today.

I repainted it to make it more visible and to add some weight.

Bob Z.

Offline john e. holliday

  • 24 supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • *
  • Posts: 22752
Re: My all-time favorite (so far!)
« Reply #3 on: June 22, 2007, 06:25:05 AM »
Are you saying the kit is not that good?  Have fun,  DOC Holliday
John E. "DOC" Holliday
10421 West 56th Terrace
Shawnee, KANSAS  66203
AMA 23530  Have fun as I have and I am still breaking a record.

Offline Bob Zambelli

  • 21 supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Captain
  • *
  • Posts: 850
Re: My all-time favorite (so far!)
« Reply #4 on: June 22, 2007, 07:57:05 AM »
After looking at the plans, I decided to scratchbuild mine. It is so  easy and straightforward, I truly beleive that all the parts could be cut out in one evening.

It is also VERY easy to trim - all I did was add 1/2 ounce of tip weight.

The only change I made was to lessen the amount of leadout sweepback - it just looked like too much.

Bob Z

Offline Tom Niebuhr

  • AMA Member
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • *
  • Posts: 2768
Re: My all-time favorite (so far!)
« Reply #5 on: June 22, 2007, 12:25:47 PM »
Bob, Your "Argus" looks great!

Here is my "Argus". I am with Fred Carnes at VSC. This is a replica of the Worlds Airplane pictured in the Flying Models "Argus" article,but not on the plans. I built it with the help of measurements from Bill Werwage, and the late John Davis. Of course, Steve's was Mint green with red and gold trim.

Those pictures made me lose 50lbs!
AMA 7544

Offline Bill Little

  • 2017
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • *
  • Posts: 12676
  • Second in COMMAND
Re: My all-time favorite (so far!)
« Reply #6 on: June 22, 2007, 05:57:56 PM »
HI Bob,

I think you saw my Argus at Brodak's a couple years ago.  I really, really like mine, too!  I used a piece of silkspan from Steve's original to match my paint.  I will be building a version like Tom Nieburh's.  And for the same reason Steve built another, modified one.  The original published one lacks a great corner.  Steve's revision remedied that, plus it is just a touch bigger.  Mine flies great, but it really likes round maneuvers more than squares.  It has had three different engines, and now has a modified DS 40.  It's a good fit.  The new one will have the AT 36!
Big Bear <><

Aberdeen, NC

James Hylton Motorsports/NASCAR/ARCA

AMA 95351 (got one of my old numbers back! ;D )

Trying to get by

Offline Jim Pollock

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • ******
  • Posts: 948
Re: My all-time favorite (so far!)
« Reply #7 on: June 23, 2007, 06:34:15 AM »
Ty,

Pearl Red??  You had better cover it up or leave it in shade most of the time it is outdoors!
If you have had any other red airplanes you already know that though, right??

Jim Pollock   8)

Offline Jim Pollock

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • ******
  • Posts: 948
Re: My all-time favorite (so far!)
« Reply #8 on: June 24, 2007, 07:34:44 PM »
Ty,

I think you will like the pearl white with pearl red trim lots better,  black pinstriping along the red would
look really cool too.

Jim  :o

Offline EddyR

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • ******
  • Posts: 2562
Re: My all-time favorite (so far!)
« Reply #9 on: June 25, 2007, 06:43:02 PM »
I saw Steve's bubble canopy version around 1960 at Buffalo NY. It had two more inches of wingspan and it flew a lot better than the original " he said". Also He said "It led to the Cobra"
Ed Ruane
Locust NC 40 miles from the Huntersville field

Offline Bill Little

  • 2017
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • *
  • Posts: 12676
  • Second in COMMAND
Re: My all-time favorite (so far!)
« Reply #10 on: June 25, 2007, 11:01:37 PM »
I have to make my own pearl white. I have the pearl dust for that. The Pearl Red is from Brodaks.  A touch of gold in the pinstripes would look nice too.  I have so far, painted 6, basic white with red, black and gold trim. I like the scheme, but time to change. H^^

What clear are you using?  Throw some of the pearl powder in the clear coats.  Works great!  I did that on my *little* Inline Junar for the '96 NATS.

Got the plans, thanks!
Big Bear <><

Aberdeen, NC

James Hylton Motorsports/NASCAR/ARCA

AMA 95351 (got one of my old numbers back! ;D )

Trying to get by

Offline Bill Little

  • 2017
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • *
  • Posts: 12676
  • Second in COMMAND
Re: My all-time favorite (so far!)
« Reply #11 on: June 25, 2007, 11:59:45 PM »
The pearl is from a kit sold at Hobby Lobby. It also has copper, gold. silver, and bronze.  It will mix with the clear and the thinner.  The kicker is the primer is critical or else it comes out translucent.  Same for the India Inks I tried on one plane.   H^^

The pearl I use is from PPG.  It goes in the colored dope and in the clear.
Big Bear <><

Aberdeen, NC

James Hylton Motorsports/NASCAR/ARCA

AMA 95351 (got one of my old numbers back! ;D )

Trying to get by

Offline Bill Little

  • 2017
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • *
  • Posts: 12676
  • Second in COMMAND
Re: My all-time favorite (so far!)
« Reply #12 on: June 27, 2007, 02:46:33 PM »
Got it.  By the by, did you see where, on the plans, I had played with them. Never knew I'd be sending off a set. I hope it doesn't screw up the side view too much. I also received a partial set of it for an I beam version, but still can't find them. It only shows the top view and has "hash" marks where the ribs go.  H^^

Not a problem on the plans, and thanks, again! ;D  My original set had the root template and I-Beam drawn in by me. ;D   I didn't get (or really need!) the I-beam drawings, and my built one is I-beam....   H^^
Big Bear <><

Aberdeen, NC

James Hylton Motorsports/NASCAR/ARCA

AMA 95351 (got one of my old numbers back! ;D )

Trying to get by


Advertise Here
Tags:
 


Advertise Here