Both the '84 Stearman and the '88-'90 Ultimates had up thrust in the motor, negative incidents in the top wing, lower wing generally 0 or neutral and a significant amount of positive incidents in the stab (down elevator).

This picture shows me cutting the tail off of the Stearman after only 2 flights. Total incidents was about 3 degrees, which was still not enough. In long up-lines. Steve would eventually run out of down elevator throw, which in the end would determine about where a stall turn, tailslide or Hump-Turn would commence.

Every aerobatic airplane I have designed or built since has a removable tail for easier incidents changes.

That Pic is Priceless, Hack saw to Planes lol

Here are three more Flyers that I found from the past. Hope you enjoy.


Van

Originally Posted by Marvan Maxwell

Here are three more Flyers that I found from the past. Hope you enjoy.


Van

Love seeing the Kit Information. It presumes we are all builders.
It wasn't that long ago if a man wanted a boat, he built one.
Cheers.

I`m just floatin `this as it is a classic Aerobat. Jim Simpson Clipped Taylorcraft. 25% scale 88 inch span
An excellent foray into building and Aerobatics.
Plans are a free download.
Fibertech has cowls.
A straight forward build. Awesome performer and I just ordered covering for two more. This one had a Quadra 42 before the current electric conversion.

Originally Posted by Model_Builder

I`m just floatin `this as it is a classic Aerobat. Jim Simpson Clipped Taylorcraft. 25% scale 88 inch span
An excellent foray into building and Aerobatics.
Plans are a free download.
Fibertech has cowls.
A straight forward build. Awesome performer and I just ordered covering for two more. This one had a Quadra 42 before the current electric conversion.

I love the T-Craft that one is so cool . This is mine it's a Jtec short kit . 114 " span, 3W-110 CS and all MonoKote. Hope you enjoy. Also a shot of my Jtec Pitts M12 from 3 years ago.

Van

Originally Posted by Whiplash48

Both the '84 Stearman and the '88-'90 Ultimates had up thrust in the motor, negative incidents in the top wing, lower wing generally 0 or neutral and a significant amount of positive incidents in the stab (down elevator).

This picture shows me cutting the tail off of the Stearman after only 2 flights. Total incidents was about 3 degrees, which was still not enough. In long up-lines. Steve would eventually run out of down elevator throw, which in the end would determine about where a stall turn, tailslide or Hump-Turn would commence.

Every aerobatic airplane I have designed or built since has a removable tail for easier incidents changes.

Dang, a hacksaw. Getting serious there I see.

Originally Posted by Marvan Maxwell

I love the T-Craft that one is so cool . This is mine it's a Jtec short kit . 114 " span, 3W-110 CS and all MonoKote. Hope you enjoy. Also a shot of my Jtec Pitts M12 from 3 years ago.

Van

Beautiful T-Craft Van. Perfect size and 3W power. Excellent color scheme.
I notice the Aeromaster? in the background. Mine is maroon with cream scallops and Saito .80 in radial cowl.

There is a fellow up here selling Bob Nelitz 1 /3 scale T-Craft plans. I do love that JTec though. Is the short kit still available?? Thanks for sharing that.

Originally Posted by Model_Builder

Beautiful T-Craft Van. Perfect size and 3W power. Excellent color scheme.
I notice the Aeromaster? in the background. Mine is maroon with cream scallops and Saito .80 in radial cowl.

There is a fellow up here selling Bob Nelitz 1 /3 scale T-Craft plans. I do love that JTec though. Is the short kit still available?? Thanks for sharing that.

The Aeromaster was built in 1975 , It is an Andrew's kit . It was a fathers day gift from my son when he was 4 . It is the last silk and dope plane that i did , it had a Super Tiger 90 in it.
The T-Craft short kit is still available from Jtec and it is kited from the Bob Nelitz plans.
(http://www.jtecrc.com/taylorcraftkit.html )



Thanks
Van

Originally Posted by dhal22

Dang, a hacksaw. Getting serious there I see.

One does what one must do! Fine toothed Hacksaw was the tool for the job.

A few days after this picture was taken we packed up and started the long trip West, 4 day drive from Maryland. (one day stop in Texas to visit some friends).

We arrived in Vegas five days before the TOC started. Day one practice went OK, by the end of the day the Stearman had maybe 10 flights on it. Near the end of a long day 2, Steve was in the second half of a horizontal Cuban-8 when the right elevator started to flap wildly about its hinge. Steel DuBro clevis broke at the fork.

At the time the airplane was inverted in a 45 deg. downline. I had no idea what was happening. A quick roll to upright, chop power and a hard landing in the grass just off the runway ensued. The firewall, engine and all went tumbling, landing gear ripped out and all four wing tips were damaged.

At least the stab stayed on....

We thought the trip was over! After a nice dinner of Chinese takeout and a few cold ones we started to piece it back together. The following afternoon we were back at the field with it and Steve flying better than ever. At this point we had nothing to lose so Steve really started to relax and learn the Stearman's virtues and vices.

On the day of the finals, 2nd place ($15K) felt pretty great!

By the day of the finals on Sunday I doubt if the Stearman had more than 100 flights on it yet and 20 of those would have been during the contest. Stab was still attached, post hacksaw and crash....

Originally Posted by Marvan Maxwell

The Aeromaster was built in 1975 , It is an Andrew's kit . It was a fathers day gift from my son when he was 4 . It is the last silk and dope plane that i did , it had a Super Tiger 90 in it.
The T-Craft short kit is still available from Jtec and it is kited from the Bob Nelitz plans.
(http://www.jtecrc.com/taylorcraftkit.html )



Thanks
Van

Very Nice Van! I'll check that out. I don't mind speeding up or streamlining the path to success with a something like a short kit of that Quality. Bob was my fathers generation. A local guy and a regular guy. Immaculate but regular. He did a 33% Cornell that was breath taking. When I retire I'll have more pics to share.

Bob did a Jungmann BU131 Hirth that is over the top. A local guy has it and it is still seen from time to time. Museum Quality. The same Larry has the 112 inch T-Craft plans for $50 Cdn I believe. Hard to go wrong unless one can't build. I don't believe the plans for the BU131 were ever for sale.

Thanks for your contribution Van. I would love to see how many people know and desire the subjects mentioned here-in. I hope a few photos will be welcome when I can find them.
Cheers Pal, Bill

I snagged this photo off line in 2004. The available image remaining on line has shrank dramatically in the past 15 years.

taylorcraft.org has great technical resources. A 32 pg Owners manual for B Model as well as
48 pg service manual for B12D. Both in PDF Great illustrations would assist in making a full span wing
for example. Other specs such as throws would be of great help if starting without such details.

This sidebar came from repeatedly observing Van's T-Craft wing root and believing it must be close to
a NACA 23012 and indeed it is that airfoil. The Pitts Samson, Beech D-17 Staggerwing and most Cessnas also utilize the NACA 23012.

Was cleaning my shop and found some pictures of the 1998 Toc. Hope you enjoy!

Nice! Interesting to see a little more diversity than we have now with our somewhat homogenized Extra/Edge/MXS/Laser planes. Couple Giles, Katana, and a Cap!

great pix. 1998 was the first year Bill Hempel competed at the TOC, and he flew a 40% Edge, scratch built and blown up from Aeroworks 36% plans, plus an enlarged stab. He placed a respectable 10th.