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Citabria/Decathlon Brotherhood, ARF, kit build, electric, nitro and gas all welcome

Old 12-10-2014, 09:19 AM
  #26  
CARS II
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Welcome to our newest members.

Dasintex, you got it.

mchadrayan, EJ took the words out of my mouth, more than qualified.

If you guys have pictures of your models please post as we all are curious to see your pride and joy.

Last edited by CARS II; 12-10-2014 at 09:21 AM.
Old 12-10-2014, 09:33 AM
  #27  
CARS II
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Mpizpilot

Yes, the Citabria will need some modifications, after that she will be reliable to fly everyday, RCU, RCG AND FG, all have a thread for the Citabria, the one with more info will be the one on RCG, I have posted all the modes and changes that I did to my Citabria.

I strongly suggest that you at least do the firewallbox mod one.

If you need more info please, please post here or on the Citabria thread, I will be monitoring both sites.

We want you to be successful with your Citabria from the get-go.

Last edited by CARS II; 12-10-2014 at 09:39 AM.
Old 12-10-2014, 10:54 AM
  #28  
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Carlos, I think it is time I joined your brotherhood. I hope TH doesn't discontinue this airplane. I have made several modifications that were needed, most of which are posted on the other forum sites. Most these mod are simple and easy to do. The landing gear should be upgraded by TH or Great Planes, it is unacceptable. I have made a mod on the struts, I will post pictures later. Thanks for starting this thread.

Rich
Old 12-10-2014, 12:30 PM
  #29  
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Cool! A Brotherhood I can be a part of!

EJWash1- I love the story about the Nosen Citabria! Do you happen to remember the hobby store in Ft. Worth? I live in Ft. Worth, and work one day a week at the LHS. It was around in the early 80's, the owner from back then still works there.

Here are a few pictures of my Hangar 9 Decathlon. DA100, smoke, a real blast to fly!
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Old 12-10-2014, 12:50 PM
  #30  
Rafael23cc
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Originally Posted by EJWash1
Nice plane! What are the specs?
It is about 130 inches from tip to tip, has a G62 in the nose, and some 1/4 scale servos. I do not know it's weight, all I can say is that is heavy.

Rafael
Old 12-10-2014, 12:53 PM
  #31  
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After replacing the gear with the heavier TNT and DuBro tires, I checked my CG and had to relocate my main battery to get back to 3 1/2 inches. Will be a problem if and when I go to install the floor.I'll figure something out.
Also rechecked the lateral balance, and it was perfect. Reweighed and it came in at
15.66 lbs.
Also, here are pictures of my Phoenix .46 electric Cath and DLE35RA GP Citabria.
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Last edited by JPC guy; 12-10-2014 at 08:57 PM. Reason: Added aditional information
Old 12-10-2014, 01:56 PM
  #32  
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I usually ignore spelling errors - being dyslexic I do that myself. In this case, however, I think it's important. Citabria is misspelled in both the title of this thread and in CARS signature line.
Old 12-10-2014, 02:08 PM
  #33  
CARS II
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Didn't catch that, yes you are correct and it will get corrected right away.

That's why I like this group threads, we are here to help each other.

Thank you rg, the correction has been made, the moderators have been notified as they are now the only ones that can change the thread's titles.

Last edited by CARS II; 12-10-2014 at 02:26 PM.
Old 12-10-2014, 02:32 PM
  #34  
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JPC

Thank you for the pictures, nice C/D formation I had to do the same, moved the 2600 Li-Fe batt to around the same position as you did, except that I glued two rails on the lower longerons at the bulkhead and the air vent.

I flew the Citabria yesterday and did some inverted flight to confirm my findings, with half throttle and the CG right behind the spar she needs almost nothing to stay on inverted level flight.


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Last edited by CARS II; 12-10-2014 at 02:54 PM.
Old 12-10-2014, 03:04 PM
  #35  
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Rich

You're welcome, yeah! Let's see the mod pictures for the struts..

Rotor

I think you got the biggest C/D so far and that is some really thick smoke you have there, how big is the smoke tank and which pump are you using? Is that a special made smoke muffler or did you do the smoke sprayer needle yourself? Are you feeding the pump with the airborne batt or did you added another batt for the pump?

Thanks.
Old 12-10-2014, 03:37 PM
  #36  
CARS II
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I copied this comment from RCG.

I spoke with TH product support today and they said they are aware of the landing gear issue and they are in the process of upgrading it. The new gear will be available in late Jan. If you already own the Citabria you can get on the waiting list and they will ship out.

I will give them a call tomorrow, even if I get a new gear set I will keep using the TNT one, that one I know for sure it works, I will let someone else test the new set.

Here is the number: TH product support 217-398-0007, Chris will be your contact.

Give them a call and get on the list.

We have WCB to thank for all his efforts regarding the gear for the Citabria.

Last edited by CARS II; 12-10-2014 at 04:11 PM.
Old 12-10-2014, 03:49 PM
  #37  
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ooooooooooh can I jump in with mine, so I can get a number?!?!?! I have here the Dynaflite SD w/ NGH 35 .i always wanted another one after the GP 40 I had back in the days with a royal 46 up front. Always wanted another one after I traded it up and then had second thoughts after the trade. I have build pics from the first glue to the final glue (but this is not the thread for that at this point ). That being said...................here are the pics, ha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lee
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Old 12-10-2014, 04:20 PM
  #38  
CARS II
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You got it Lee.

You can see your number on page one post two, that is a very nice covering job you did there, I envy you, I never had the courage to build one.

Welcome.

Last edited by CARS II; 12-10-2014 at 04:25 PM.
Old 12-10-2014, 04:39 PM
  #39  
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Thank you, i always like to do something different from the norm ( in terms of paint job on my ships). It is all fabric covered and painted with house latex paint. I have a video floating on youtube of the maiden flight. i like chopping wood.
Old 12-10-2014, 04:50 PM
  #40  
CARS II
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Find us the vid if you can, is that a baby boomer you have on your avatar picture?

Last edited by CARS II; 12-10-2014 at 04:53 PM.
Old 12-10-2014, 04:56 PM
  #41  
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I don't yet have one, but I can tell you that my next airplane will likely be one, probably the GP ARF. Absolutely LOVE the plane!
Old 12-10-2014, 04:57 PM
  #42  
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Just bought a AMR 42% Decathlon, 14ft wingspan, 170 DLE, 77lbs fly's great takes off in about 50 to 60 ft
I didn't build it nice plane.
Old 12-10-2014, 05:30 PM
  #43  
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Originally Posted by Rotortrash3667
EJWash1- I love the story about the Nosen Citabria! Do you happen to remember the hobby store in Ft. Worth? I live in Ft. Worth, and work one day a week at the LHS. It was around in the early 80's, the owner from back then still works there.
Thanks! My wife bought the Nosen at a hobby shop in Grapevine, in the early 80s.

Originally Posted by Rotortrash3667
Here are a few pictures of my Hangar 9 Decathlon. DA100, smoke, a real blast to fly!
THAT is a very nice Decathlon! Although, everything IS bigger in Texas, eh? It's twu, it's twu!
Old 12-10-2014, 05:33 PM
  #44  
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Originally Posted by CARS II
Find us the vid if you can, is that a baby boomer you have on your avatar picture?
Hi here is the vid I found. It's the nano, had it since the dawn of time have to do the waiver thing but I end up flying something else, reference the tag name "rc df nut". Yes still driving the old school fans (my buddies have some choice words on the said powerplants when it comes to the nano, fans and me.....long story).
Lee

http://youtu.be/AFDQdlZDOMg
Old 12-10-2014, 05:38 PM
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CARS II
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Static

Loving the airplane is enough for me, get one a show off your new pride and joy here when ready, in the mean time you can learn all you can from us about your new airplane soon to be.
Old 12-10-2014, 05:38 PM
  #46  
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My is 25% Decathlon from Giant scale model powered with AGM 30cc, just maiden fly last week

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Old 12-10-2014, 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted by CARS II
Static

Loving the airplane is enough for me, get one a show off your new pride and joy here when ready, in the mean time you can learn all you can from us about your new airplane soon to be.
Thank you VERY much! Rest assured, I will share when I finally get her.

John
Old 12-10-2014, 05:50 PM
  #48  
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Carlos, is the guy who started the threads about the GP Citabria. Many of the mods and discussion of problems and fixes are here http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/gian...-arf-85-a.html. The need to make the modifications are the results of flying the airplane and spotting the faults and personal building experiences. The major problem is the landing gear which GP should replace with a strong one, the firewall glue joints need to be reinforced to suit gas engines and the wing struts need to shortened and the jury struts reworked. As assembled according manual, mounting the wing, the struts cut the fuselage covering, the struts were in a bind when mounted, the firewall will break free after a few flights with a gas engine and the landing gear spreading out after a few landing. I would recommend anyone who owns or thinking about getting the model they should read the the thread. Here are the mods I have made. The Struts were shortened a longer mounting tabs were installed. The jury struts are an easy fix, just pull out the cross connecting wire, drill out the built up glue so the wire slides freely in & out, add your shrink tubing, drill another hole in both struts to hold the cross brace wire, I use a zip tie & #2x3/8 screws. Test the fit of the strut & jury strut to the fuselage, make sure the strut are straight, not binding. When it looks good, remove, use 30 min. epoxy to glue the jury strut wire into the up-rights, quickly mount the struts to the wing and fuselage & make sure everything straight & not binding. After the epoxy sets up remove the strut slide the shrink tube in place & heat. Now a coat of paint and you are finished. Read thru the threads, there are several ideas to make this a very enjoyable airplanes. Question: would I buy it again, YES, thse are minor problems. Here are the pictures of my mods I have made.




























Hope this helps
Rich
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Old 12-10-2014, 05:54 PM
  #49  
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A few years ago I built this 1/4 scale Dynaflight Decathlon. Powered it initially with a 25cc Homelite conversion. Wanted more power so I installed a 30cc Homelite. Wanted even better performance and got it when I installed a DLE-30. 19x8 Zoar prop. As others have mentioned, the main gear needed something beefier so I fashioned new gear from beefier aluminum bar stock. This has held up nicely. She is covered with Koverall and painted with Rustoleum and then clear coated. The paint scheme was from a Canadian registered craft. I've always been partial to burgundy and crème color schemes. The N number was registered to my dearly departed Brother-In Law (a Frontier Airline pilot) who taught his kids to fly in the full scale version. This is a "tribute" airplane. Doesn't get flown much but it does fly nice and always draws nice comments at fun fly events. It came in a bit heavy at 19#.

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Old 12-10-2014, 06:08 PM
  #50  
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Nice bunch of models!

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