Comments re: Buccaneer 746 v. Cavalier

Stuka Stunt Main Forum · 10 of 10 known posts recovered

captcurt · Sep 27, 2001 06:38 AM

Good morning everyone:

Does anyone have any comments or observations relative to a choice between the Ultrahobby Buccaneer 746 Kit versus Tom Morris' Cavalier kit? I'm considering these two as a first full fuse plane and expect that it would be used later next year in Intermediate PA.

Kit quality, ease of building, flight characteristics?

My power thoughts are in the direction of a Stuka .40/42 or a MVVS 49 (?)

Thanks,

Curt

Bob Reeves · Sep 27, 2001 07:02 AM

#1 source

Can't say much about the Buccaneer (never built one) but I have a Tom Morris Cavalier and it is a fairly complex plane to build. Might I suggest you look at the Brodak Oriental for your first full fuselage stunter. It is also Classic legal, much easier to build, will get you to the top of Intermediate and well into Advanced. Make the Cavalier your 2nd full blown stunter project.

captcurt · Sep 27, 2001 11:39 AM

#5 source

>(The Oriental is)... much
>easier to build, will get
>you to the top of
>Intermediate and well into Advanced.
>Make the Cavalier your 2nd
>full blown stunter project.

What is it, specifically, that makes it more difficult to build??

I am a pretty strong builder (just ask me ) and am comfortable with the lincoln log system (no millenium yet) tapered wings, molded balsa parts, foam cored composites, and most of the traditional methods. I'm trying to be a smart *&*&s, but wondered what the difference is. Oriental is conventional wing construction I believe--Cav is milennium?

Thanks

Curt

Bob Reeves · Sep 27, 2001 12:51 PM

#6 source

LAST EDITED ON Sep-27-01 AT 12:52 PM (CDT)

Hi Curt,

The Cavalier requires much more carving, hollowing and is simply a more complex airframe.. This isn't necessarily bad if you are ready to tackle it.. Bob Kruger's Skylark suggestion isn't bad but the Skylark isn't an easy airplane to build either.. BTW: I love the Skylark, it was my first competition stunter (after building a Dolphin) I have at least one of every Skylark kit that has ever been produced.

I realize "easy to build" is all relative to the individuals building skills and what would be complex for one is easy for another. I was going by the understanding that this your first move up from profiles and building something that is simple and quick will give you an intermediate step in which to make your mistakes and learn. For me it was the Dolphin, the Oriental is just as easy to build but is a better airplane than the Dolphin.

One persons opinion.. your mileage may vary.....
Bob

RocketCityJim · Sep 27, 2001 07:16 AM

#2 source

The only thing I have to say is that the Cavalier can be flown in both Classic and PAMPA class competition giving one airplane for two events. Building a Lincoln log wing is pretty easy and if you have any questions you could call Tom and he would graciously give you guided instruction on the phone. I have seen Bucaneers fly and they are good flyers also - just not legal to fly in the classic event.

Jim Pollock

bkruger · Sep 27, 2001 08:17 AM

#3 source

>Good morning everyone:
>
>Does anyone have any comments or
>observations relative to a choice
>between the Ultrahobby Buccaneer 746
>Kit versus Tom Morris' Cavalier

>
>My power thoughts are in the
>direction of a Stuka .40/42
>or a MVVS 49 (?)
>

Curt;

Another option that is an excellant flyer, simple to build, and will be competitive in intermediate and classic is Ed Southwick's Skylark. Plans are available from most of the big sources - e.g. Leonard Neumann, Tom Dixon, Randy Smith, etc. A kit is also available from RSM.

Southwick's original flew with a McCoy Redhead 40. One of Leonard's FP35s or GP 42s should be fine. Leonard says that there are problems with the FP40s using his mods in an upright or inverted position, but the FP 35, TT 36, and GP42 work fine.

Just another option....

Regards - Bob Kruger

carigotti · Sep 27, 2001 09:14 AM

#4 source

I'd go with the Buccaneer 746. It would be a lot easier to build. You should contact Allen Brickhaus who designed the 746 before you start construction though. As far as engines go, I'd look real hard at one of Len's ASP 53's for this ship. The wing area is 650 sq/in. Seems a bit much for a 40/42. I hear good things about both the Buc 746 and the 53.

Crist Rigotti
"A Driver trying to be a Pilot"

Doug Moon · Sep 27, 2001 01:09 PM

#7 source

The Buccaneer is easir to build than any of the planes listed in this column. It is a laser kit so everything is straight. Staright is the KEY. Put a 51 size or bigger and have a ball. It is square fuse so that part is simple. The stab is cut from stock balsa with the laser so it is ready for sheeting out of the box. The elevators are also sheet balsa ready to go out of the box. I think it would be a great kit to go with. I flew one in 96 and faired pretty well at the Nats. I flew a 740 at this years Charles Ash memorial and won with it in Expert and it wasnt even my plane. Ultra also offers the 740 version now if you like the smaller planes. I had a 46LA in the one I borrowed and it was smokin.

DMoon

Godzilla (Smasher of Cities-Belcher of Fire) · Sep 29, 2001 10:57 AM

#8 source

Get the Ultra Hobbies 740 (due any day) and the OS LA 46. This is the poop.

The 46 LA would probably be fine in a 746, truthfully.

These airframes are very simple and easy to build.

Steve Helmick · Sep 29, 2001 02:35 PM

#9 source

Both are good designs, but one's for a Fox .35 and the other was designed around the ST G.21 .46. The engines you've picked are good engines, but I don't think either combination would be good. The MVVS is around 12 oz, not good compared to the ST .46. The SS .40/.42 are a bunch heavier than the Fox .35, and will turn such a big prop that you'll have to stretch the LG a lot and spoil the good looks and classic authenticity. I would go for the Buccaneer 740 (designed for the FP .40, I think) with a Tower .40/Mac's Muffler or the 746 with the LA .46/Mac's Muffler or Stuka Stunt ASP/Magnum .46 or .53. I have two Custom Models kits of the 746, and one will get the SS .53. The other will probably get a PAW .40. Steve

Steve http://www.nwskyraiders.com/index.html