Phaeton 90 (reclaimed from the barn rafters 2006)
This recently finished
Balsa USA
Phaeton 90 was started
twenty years ago just prior to getting out of RC planes for the many
years. It is powered by a discarded weed eater gas motor.
The poor power to weight ratio of these engines limits performance but
basic aerobatics are within most biplane abilities and that is true
for this plane... though it just doesn't have a lot of vertical
performance many modelers often enjoy.
It was fun to do the motor conversion as I've a basic machine shop with
lathe and mill. The motor is also very economical on fuel, and
this plane if powered by a glow engine would burn $2 per flight of fuel
compared to the 10 cents it cost for the gas/oil mix though admittedly,
a glow engine would offer more performance.
At the cheap fuel price, I can fly a lot and the plane is super fun to
do takeoffs, landings and touch n goes as it has exceptional ground
handling manners as well as an easy to manage glide slope.
Extended
Remarks on the Phaeton 90
The Phaeton 90 gets a new engine
The weed whacker conversion
survived a year and a half when
the magneto coil failed, leaving the option to convert to
electronic ignition or abandon. Power was
poor but it flew the Phaeton realistically, which was fun for a while
as it was interesting and cheap to do the conversion costing $12.
More performance was wanted and wanting to stay with gas, another
Zenoah G-20 was acquired
and fitted to the Phaeton for a gain of 1,600 rpm and an amazing
difference in power and aerobatic ability. The G-20 is not only
much more powerful it is much lighter but unfortunately that advantage
was lost because I'd shortened the front end of the Phaeton by an inch
to provide for the heavy weed conversion motor. Thus, 12 oz of
lead were needed to get balance. A bonus was that the cowl
could now be fitted, whereas previously the magneto flywheel prevented
installation.
I've flown the Phaeton twice since repowering and it is a blast.
It doesn't have unlimited vertical but it will do very large
loops and will power through inverted loops without
hesitation. The Phaeton 90 specs out between 11-12 lbs and
mine now is heavy at 13 lb 6 oz due to the shortened firewall and the
heavier covering and a heavy tail wheel bracket. It flies well
but no doubt would fly considerably better if two lbs lighter.
