Hostetler 55% Giles???

[50%plane]

Has anyone built the Hostetler 55% Giles? Seen one? Flown one? I'm interested in building it, but I'm not 100% sure yet. It says it's supposed to weigh 60 pounds, but I think I could easily knock 10-15 pounds off of it with a DA 200 on the nose, carbon gear/spinner, and removing some of the sheeting. Any thoughts? I'm a huge Giles fan.


50%

[Rbyrd]

See if you can contact Bill Cunningham in Tulsa, OK. That plane if I remember right was designed for him to fly at the TOC a few years back. He had one and it flew awesome.

Go to the southcentral contest directly at mini-iac.com. He is putting an IMAC contest on that is listed there. His email address should be there.

Rick

[50%plane]

Thanks Rbyrd. I'll check it out.

[GilesTxStyle]

50%,

I'm finished building, and have it covered and am trying to find a good day to ad trim colors. I too love the lines of the Giles. Reminds me of the "Bridi XLT" with straight trailing edge, tapered leading edge, Stab on thrust line, and wing slightly below. Has all the right moments to be capable of anything you ask it too do. I have a 3W-275 going on the nose for power. Engine has 98 lbs of Static Thrust so should haul, a 50-60 lb model like no body's business! ! Over 4kSq" of wing area so should land about like a Trainer!

So whataya waitn for?????? Start making chips!

I have only one complaint.... when they get this "BIG" it is tough to handle them alone. I have built a JIG for painting glad I spent the time and material for that. If you cover with Plastic Film, buy stock in Top FLight are your favorite film company, like trying to cover a conastoga wagon! <G>

Are you building Yet??? I'm waiting....

GilesTxStyle

[forgues research]

	Quote: Originally Posted by 50%plane
	Has anyone built the Hostetler 55% Giles? Seen one? Flown one? I'm interested in building it, but I'm not 100% sure yet. It says it's supposed to weigh 60 pounds, but I think I could easily knock 10-15 pounds off of it with a DA 200 on the nose, carbon gear/spinner, and removing some of the sheeting. Any thoughts? I'm a huge Giles fan. 50%

The problem with removing weight with with the engine, will not cut it, since it will be tail heavy and you will need to add weight in the nose to balance it.

I have the 52% Edge and I had this problem.

You actually need a heavy engine or else add lead.

Roger

[Coke]

I've not seen one of these fly but I have seen the plan and it looks way overengineered by todays standards and deffinately in need of a diet but as Roger says whether this can be done and retain the airframe balance is another question When I gave the plan a good look at some 4 or 5 yrs ago I deffinately was put off by the amount of work required and I honestly do like building it just seemed a dated way of reaching the end product

[50%plane]

Thanks for all the help! Can anyone tell me how it is built? Is it basically balsa sheeted foam wings and a balsa/ply fuse? Could ya share some pics? I know about airframe balance and I hate building from someone elses plans, so I will probably be changing the construction a little bit. One of these would fly pretty good stock with Roger's 300 though.

50%

[STR8HUCKIN]

where you gonna get a da 200 anyways???

[50%plane]

	Quote: Originally Posted by STR8HUCKIN
	where you gonna get a da 200 anyways???

from DA

[Disciple]

yeah just special order it and w8 about 6months or more

[forgues research]

It is a nice airplane by all means, but I also found it to be a bit overwhelming to build, and most deffinately over engineered. But a hell of a nice project.

Roger.

[50%plane]

I've seen some short kits available for the plane. I was told that the wings are foam, so I'm sure someone makes them. So, it shouldn't be to hard of a project. Knowing the way I fly, a well built plane might be nice for rudderbashin. I guess I really want to MONOKOTE this beast more than build it. Maybe I'm crazy to even consider this.