!/3 Pitts S2a Build

[Dave Wood]

Hi everyone,
I had been looking for a good scale representation of the pitts S2a for some time and eventually found one drawn by Andy Sheber from the US.
I wanted to build this size pitts to evaluate how well it built from the plan and find out what it's flying characteristics are like before I ventured on to building a 1/2 size version.
I've been building for the last six weeks and have been documenting the build photographically and thought it might be good to put the build on the LMA website.
It's been a while since I have done any serious building and have had to dust a few brain cells off to get back into the building habit.
Anyway here are some pics.

[Dave Wood]

Some more pics of the build so far.

[Dave Wood]

Had to modify the cabane strut assy. after I made it it did not fit between the formers,too long, yet I marked and cut the parts direct from the drawing which showed actual size parts. Should have inspected drawing closer, still lesson learnt.

[Dave Wood]

Some more time spent on the lower wing panels now the temperature has risen a few degrees in the garage.
Port and Starboard lower wing assembled apart from interplane strut rib mounts which will be done after the lower wing panels have been joined and top sheeting applied. Servo boxes and aileron horns still to be fitted again after a trial fit to the fus when I've completed the top wing then I can check all the incidences and fits of tailplane and alignment of wings, struts etc.

[Dave Wood]

A couple of pics of the undercarriage assy. and the cabane strut assy.
The cabane strut assy is made of flattened tube and fully welded, it seems a bit heavy for what it is I might see if I can fabricate one from ally section.

[ian redshaw]

Looks great Dave, what motor are you using, plus whats the finish scheme going to be?

Ian.

[Alan Bithrey]

Hi Dave.

I've a terrible memory for names - was it you I was talking to at the recent Barkston Fly-In about a 1/2 scale Pitts? Anyway it's looking very nice. In response to Ian's second question, I hope it's that Rothmans scheme. That will look fantastic.

Alan AKA PupCam

[Dave Wood]

Hi Ian
I hope to use an 80cc twin, the zenoah looks like it should go in but I think the height of the inlet manifold may be restrictive, if not that I may squeeze a DLE 110 in but then the plug caps may end up protruding out the sides. As to colour scheme and in answer to Alan's question. Yes I am the chap he was talking to at Barkston with the intention of building a half size pitts, and I will endeavour to reproduce the Rothmans colour scheme of which Alan provided me with a three view drawing.
If either of you guys can suggest a better or different power plant it would be of interest to me.
The expected final weight should be between twenty and twenty four pounds hopefully.
Thanks Dave.

[Allan Griffiths]

The DA 85 is another option, i have one in a 1/3 ultimate, very powerful!! light weight mine is swinging a mejzlik 27/10 at 6400 rpm. just the issue of the engine sticking out??

[Dave Wood]

Alan I did think of using a single cylinder but for the reason of the bits sticking out and vibration issues, thanks for the info though.

[Simon Fowler]

Hi, Howzit? Greetings from sunny South Africa.
I dont want to Hi-jack your thread, But, How far did you get with construction, Dave?
I am also a bit of a "PITTS" nut, Have 14 3rd scale ones, made a mould of S1S and never looked
back. Busy with a 38% one, and was following your build, for some tips, as I drew and building it myself.
80cc 3W twin for power, 86 inch span, trying for max 18kg.
With your permission I could post some pics, But excuse the computer illiteracy, as I was born BC, (Before Computers).


Ta, Simon.

[Dave Wood]

Hi Simon,
build has slowed down a bit as it has been very cold in my garage, still I've just started on the upper wing now and will update the build shortly.
I would be interested to see your squadren of pitts, PM me and I'll forward my e-mail on to you.
What were your 1/3rd Pitts built from plan, ARTF or kit?
cheers Dave

[Simon Fowler]

Hi, Dave,
How does the Pm thingy work???

My Pitts are from a plug I did about 20 years ago, and still going well, I changed a bit as techniques got better,
but basically, stayed the same. The big one is built up from normal balsa, ply and glass. Plan from Plug copy
and 3 views on net..

Chow, Si..

[Dave Parry]

:) Hi, Dave,
How does the Pm thingy work???

Chow, Si..

Just click on the PM of the person you want and send your message, you do not have to type the name of the person in the box at the top because you have already selected him

[Simon Fowler]

Aaaaaaaah!!!!! Thank you, Dave Parry... Ta.

[Dave Wood]

Some more work done on upper wing panels,

25. Starboard Upper Wing Assy..jpg (47.47 KiB) Viewed 21346 times

27. Port Upper Wing Assy..jpg (47.34 KiB) Viewed 21346 times

29. Port Upper Wing Assy..jpg (40.18 KiB) Viewed 21346 times

30. Sheeting port upper wing top leading edge ..jpg (41.75 KiB) Viewed 21346 times

[Simon Fowler]

AAHHHH!!!! Brilliant, Mr Wood, Sir.
Got some inspiration from somewhere?

[Allan Griffiths]

Looking good! always liked the pitts!!, Another option for the engine are these mintor petrol engines., we have just become the uk dealers. have a look.

www.cestrianrc.com

Allan

[stewart clifford]

Hi Dave, did this model get finished?

[Mike Booth]

Nice, real aeroplane, real scale building.