Sapac Pitts S-2A

[bigtone]

Sapac Pitts S-2A

I've seen this Pitts S-2A all over ebay and other sites for sale. Sapac makes the Pitts S-2A and Artech makes the Cox Christen Eagle, Parkflyers DaredDevil and Hobbylobby Pitts. The Sapac Pitts Seems to be the first model made because, the others have it's base structure. These aircraft come with small changes in airframe and powerplant.

When I opened the box all the parts were neatly sealed in bubble wrap. After unloading the box of it many parts. I grabbed the instruction manual and this is were the fun began. This booklet was vary vague with small unfocused pictures. It was hard at times to match up the small parts with the pictures. The plane came with some type of Elmore's glue that was watered down. There will be some spare parts left over but, in case some are lost.

Airframe & Control Surfaces

Grab the rudder and elevator for the next step. Add some glue to the contact points were the elevator side into the fuselage and do the same with the rudder. This will take some pressure so, be careful not to bend or brake the rudder. After pressing the rudder into the grove, hook the tailwheel shaft into place. Connect the pushrods on the outer hole and install the white clevis clamps. The pushrods are already attached to the servo arm locks. Hook the battery up and and center the trim tabs. After that, disconnect the battery and then shut off the radio. Use the supplied Allen key to tighten the pushrods into place.

Grab the bottom wing and hook it up into the top RX slot. Turn the radio on and center the trim tabs for the ailerons. Hook up the battery to the plane and grab the allen key. Unplug the battery to the plane, then turn off the radio. Unplug the wing for the RX and adjust the pushrods by hand. Make sure they are level and tighten the servo arm lock with the allen key. Before installing the top wing, grab the I joint and the little white oval washers. Make sure they are the one's with the two peg's on the bottom half. Place one on the wing hole opening, with the pegs facing down. Grab the wing's I joint's and place it in the bottom of the wing's hole opening. The oval washers are suppose to interlock with the I joint. If you push hard enough this will happen sooner or later. The opening of the opening of the washer is oval shaped. You must push them together hard and turn 1/4 after the tip comes threw the oval opening. After doing both sides of the top wing. Attach the bottom wing to the fuselage after plugging in the SRO. Simply slide the wing into place until the front clip of the wing is in place, grab a screw and screw the wing tab into place. Put the top wing on the fuselage mount brace. Place the washers on each screw and screw it down into the top wing until flush with brace. Now place the I joint point threw the bottom wing as done before on the top wing. After that, put the aileron control rods in place and put the clevis locks on. Place the landing gear and canopy on.

Maiden Flight stock

After doing all the pre-checks, I grabbed the plane so I could hand launch. I held the plane with my palm facing up, like a waiter with a big plate order. This plane is a crash waiting to happen with the stock battery setup. (see brushed powerplant) This flight ended in a power lacking mishap, aka crash. (see brakes and fixes)

Brushed Powerplant

I was thinking from the start of what power plants, I could use. I knew that, the little 280ED with the 9.6v 800mah was way underpowered so, I decided to have some fun. I cut the little battery plug off the ESC. Then I attached a deans plug on so, I could use my old HZ/PZ Batteries. The power after using my 9.6v-10.8v 1000mah was like nite and day. Considering the stock setup was a crash waiting to happen. I knew that something was going to happen because, it was to good to be true. Soon after that thought, the plastic 14 tooth pinion gear gave out like the old PZ 480 did. There's nothing more sad then a freewheeling prop with WOT (wide open throttle) I know I was pushing it. But, I just had to try the GWS 10X8SF. The stock 3 blade 8X6 was nice also with the power upgrade. After the two plastic pinions died, I got a robinson racing 14t rc-18 mini pinion gear. This fits really good plus, it can be tighten with a allen key.

Brakes and fixes

This plane is made out of that cooler type of styrofoam. I had a mishap and e-flite glue / kicker melted the foam a little. If you don't have a hotglue gun get one because, it will work great with reinforcements a weak areas. There are four weak spots on the fuselage, in the front and back of were the wing mounts up. If you crash with one wing low you can cause this damage. Those areas will split the fuselage upward and torward the thingypit. The other areas are pretty solid besides the wing. The front leading edge of the wing will need to be taped. The two screws will make this possible to split it when crashed with one wing low also.

Second Maiden battery upgrade

I tell you what, this plane needs this shot on the arm. The great thing is that it does almost all scale aerobatics with style. I'm sad to say this but, after this upgrade my super cub went into hibernation.

Package Include:

4 channels PCM radio system with receiver
Servo 3-9g servo
Motor:290ED Motor
*upgrade to 14t robinson racing rc-18 mini pinion gear
Battery:9.6v600mAh NiMh battery
*upgrade to 9.6-10.8v 1000mah for best stock power!
110V wall charger
english manual

Specifications:

Upper wingspan: 34.6"
Down wingspan: 33"
Fuselage overall length:31.1"
Weight:21.8oz
Wing loading:26g sq.dm.
Wing area:24 sq.dm.

Click Here For My Video

Damage after Crash!

After damage was fixed with hotglue!

Click Here For My Video

[bigtone]

My brushless motor upgrade

The 2409-18T is a direct drive outrunner brushless motor that works well in models weighing up to about 48 ounces. This motor is very similar in performance to the 2409-12T, but works best with the larger 10 and 11 inch props, and is a little more efficient. Producing up to 30 ounces of thrust, the 2409-18T will give you great performance in a wide variety of planes. The 2409-18T is nearly identical in weight to the 350 brushed/geared motors that come with many kits. And the plastic stick mount that comes with the motor makes it a drop in fit for many models. A firewall mount and plastic stick mount are included, along with mounting screws. You will need to drill two holes in the plastic mount in order to attach it to the motor. Please look closely at the pictures to see how and where to attach to the plastic mount. Always check the tightness of all motor set screws when installing motors. The set screws require a 1.5mm Allen wrench.

Propeller data for 3-cell Lipo batteries (11.1 volt)

GWS props fit the 3mm shaft on this motor perfectly - no adapter needed. APC and Master Airscrew props require a prop adapter or prop saver for a 3mm shaft (available in my store).
The APC 11x5.5E prop produces about 30 ounces of thrust at 17 amps with a pitch speed of 36 mph. Avoid constant wide open throttle.
The GWS EP1170 prop produces about 29 ounces of thrust at 17 amps with a pitch speed of 42 mph. This is my favorite prop on this motor. As long as you have very good airflow over the motor, you can run very hard with this prop, and you'll have very nice speed. Great for sport aerobatic models!
The APC 10x3.8SF prop produces 29 ounces of thrust at 16 amps with a pitch speed of 25 mph. Good choice for 3D flying.
The APC 10x4.7SF prop produces 28 ounces of thrust at 16.5 amps with a pitch speed of 31 mph. Avoid constant wide open throttle.
The APC 10x5E prop produces 29 ounces of thrust at 14.5 amps with a pitch speed of 37 mph. This prop is a good match with this motor, and gives a nice combination of thrust and moderate speed with a relatively low amp draw.
The MA 10x7 3-blade prop produces 26 ounces of thrust at 17.5 amps with a pitch speed of 42 mph. Great for scale looks. Avoid constant wide open throttle.
The APC 10x7E prop produces 26 ounces of thrust at 17.0 amps with a pitch speed of 46 mph.
The GWS EP1060 prop produces 26 ounces of thrust at 14 amps with a pitch speed of 43 mph. Very nice on the GWS Warbirds and sport /aerobatic flyers.
The APC 9x3.8SF prop produces about 25 ounces of thrust at 13.0 amps with a pitch speed of 30 mph.
The APC 9x4.7SF prop produces about 25 ounces of thrust at 13.5 amps with a pitch speed of 38 mph.
The APC 9x6E prop produces about 24 ounces of thrust at 14 amps with a pitch speed of 46 mph.
The MA 9x7 3-blade prop produces 22 ounces of thrust at 15 amps with a pitch speed of 46 mph.
The APC 9x7.5E prop produces about 20 ounces of thrust at 16.5 amps with a pitch speed of 51 mph.
The GWS HD9075 prop produces about 20 ounces of thrust at 16 amps with a pitch speed of 52 mph. Excellent for high speeds.

2409-18T Specifications: $36.00 + $2.00 shipping

Weight = 2.3 ounces (65 grams)
Diameter = 1.2 inch (31mm)
Total Length = 2.4 inch (62mm)
Shaft Length = 1.1 inch (28mm)
Shaft Diameter = 3mm (GWS Props fit nicely)
Voltage = 7.2 to 13
KV=1000
Current = 16 amp max.

Power Up' 20 Amp Brushless Motor Electronic Speed Control

The 'POWER UP' 20 Amp Electronic Speed Control (ESC) weighs only 0.6 ounce, works with most brushless motors, and comes pre-set for use with 2 & 3-cell Lipo batteries. It has several programming options that can be set with a program card, but no card is needed for most applications when using Lipo batteries.
This speed control automatically detects wether you are using a 2 or 3 cell Lipo. The motor cut-off voltage is 3.0 volts per cell, and the motor shut down is gradual, allowing you time to position the model for landing.
The 'Power Up' 20 amp ESC comes with the motor brake turned off, so the propeller will spin freely when the plane is gliding (transmitter throttle off). The brake can easily be activated using your tansmitter, and you can also change the timing with your transmitter for use with inrunner motors.

PROGRAM CARD for POWER UP Electronic Speed Control options: $8.50 + $2.00 shipping

The PROGRAM CARD is available to change several settings on the 'Power Up' series of Electronic Speed Controls. The program card is very easy to use, and has NOTHING to do with a computer! You simply set some little pins on the card, and with your speed control installed in a model, you attach the 'Power Up' receiver plug to the card and connect the battery. You'll hear a single beep, and that's it - the programming is done!

1. Selection of battery type. Choose between Lipo or NiMh/NiCD. Comes pre-set for use with Lipo batteries.
2. Motor cut-off voltage. Choose between HIGH or LOW. (3.0v/cell or 2.7v/per cell for Lipo batteries, and 0.9v/per cell or 0.7v/cell for NiMh batteries) Comes pre-set for 3.0v/cell Lipo cut-off.
3. Type of motor shut down. Choose between a gradual motor shut down or a sudden motor shut down. Comes pre-set for a gradual motor shut down.
4. Type of throttle response. Choose between linear (normal) throttle response and logarithmic throttle response. Comes pre-set for linear throttle response.
5. Motor brake on or off. Comes pre-set with the brake off. This setting can also be changed with a transmitter.
6. Timing for outrunner or inrunner motors. Comes pre-set for use with outrunner motors. This setting can also be changed with a transmitter.

[SCC]

Nice review Tone. Looks like the FAA inspector is going to throw the book at you. ;D

I use one of those programming cards with my Jeti esc, there so easy to use.

[bigtone]

Thanks, I got the program card because, I still have some good HZ/PZ batteries left over. I'm ordering some new lipos for this plane and it's a solid flyer with the nimh. The vid above is with the stock 280ed brushed and 10.8v PZ battery. I just love the fact that some epoxy, wood and bushed Motor mount from my SC came in handy with the brushless upgrade.

[eastcoast78]

hey Bigtone nice flyin,i got the 330L man its fast comapred too the SC
i love it when your son isgoin for the investagation,and your wife i assume is like..."the da da da da is brokin off the da da da da"...
love it

www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0AQKNRGpK8

cheers

[a74charger]

I have one of these Pitts, Got couple flights out of the stock motor and battery, changed to a small BL from GWS using 7.4 900mAh's. Original tx I got was junk, the DIP switches were bad. But she'll float with the light setup using now.

[pvtzemerak]

where can i buy one of those? what are the top speeds?

[bigtone]

The stock setup isn't that fast but, when you put the HZ PZ bateries in it tripples the speed. Here are some sites that have them for good price for brush and brushless.

cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280200640155&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=018

www.rcdiscounts.com/acbhpusa/showdetl.cfm?&DID=1&st_id=13&Product_ID=9242

www.toysonics.com/product_info.php?cPath=28_70&products_id=74&osCsid=d7200a939b828286b69837af1d76f842

www.bananahobby.com/1051.html