AMM Super Decathlon
#1
Thread Starter
AMM Super Decathlon
I bought the American Model Manufacturing (AMM) Super Decathlon kit way way back in 1995-96 timeframe. I started it, then put it up, stored it (long story) - it was about 50% finished. Recently, I brought it back out to finish it. 27 years later.... So, just wondering if ANYONE has ever had one of these models, and how does it fly? The original company went out of business after a fire took all their tooling and molds. Fiberglass fuse, wingtips and cowl, foam wings, built up tail feathers. 80.5" wingspan, and I am guessing it will weigh around 10-12 lbs when done. I am going to power it with a OS Surpass .91 with a custom Keleo pitts muffler (Keleo is no longer making those either). Anyone with any building or flying experience with this specific model I would love to hear from you. She's about 90% done now - photos attached.
Engine and cowl fitted.
Wings sheeted and cap stripped, ailerons cut out.
Need to install the wing struts and tail feathers (which are completed).
Engine and cowl fitted.
Wings sheeted and cap stripped, ailerons cut out.
Need to install the wing struts and tail feathers (which are completed).
Last edited by Navy_Flyer; 08-19-2022 at 07:16 AM.
#3
Thread Starter
The 91 should be plenty of power. I have a Saito 125 I can drop in if needed but I don’t think I’ll need it. The cabinet windows are just flat plastic and glue to the inside of the fuselage.
#4
Thread Starter
Lots of progress on the Super Decathlon. Wings covered, struts complete. Fuselage painted (still need one more coat of green before I unmask it). Servo tray fabricated and installed. Getting close!
This is the color scheme I was going for - it will be close, but not exact.
Ailerons are hinged, and horn installed.
Servos, linkages and wingtips installed.
Struts done
Masked off the bottom white, for topside green.
Servo tray installed - will be pull-pull on center for rudder, and each elevator half will have its own servo. Throttle servo will be mounted near the firewall.
This is the color scheme I was going for - it will be close, but not exact.
Ailerons are hinged, and horn installed.
Servos, linkages and wingtips installed.
Struts done
Masked off the bottom white, for topside green.
Servo tray installed - will be pull-pull on center for rudder, and each elevator half will have its own servo. Throttle servo will be mounted near the firewall.
#5
Thread Starter
Painting complete. Tail is covered, braced and rigged.
Tail covered and bracing installed.
Door latch complete.
Door operates.
Unmasked. Nice sharp line between colors.
#6
Thread Starter
Getting close to done! Tail complete, braced and rigged. Found some great metallic gold pinstriping at the local auto parts store that matches the gold paint on the wheel pants (and monokote trim (eventually)).
#7
Thread Starter
Fini! (Well, except for gold starburst stripes (maybe)). Maiden tomorrow weather permitting
specs: 80” WS, 10.6 lbs dry, OS 91 Surpass II, 14x6 prop, Futaba 7UAFS with mix of Futaba 3004BB and HS645 servos. CG midrange at 4” from LE (29% MAC).
specs: 80” WS, 10.6 lbs dry, OS 91 Surpass II, 14x6 prop, Futaba 7UAFS with mix of Futaba 3004BB and HS645 servos. CG midrange at 4” from LE (29% MAC).
The following 2 users liked this post by Tony Hallo:
A7Bldr (10-24-2022),
Navy_Flyer (10-24-2022)
#10
Thread Starter
After a successful maiden I figured it was time to start to add some detail and pretty her up. Added some Decathlon characteristic metallic gold sunburst to match the pinstriping and wheelpants.
Last edited by Navy_Flyer; 11-04-2022 at 10:45 AM.
#12
Thread Starter
Yes, and it flies great. It weighs 10lbs-11oz. The .91 Surpass flies it very scale-like but doesn’t have the power for unlimited acro. I just switched out the engine to a Saito 125. The engine fits exactly the same as the OS .91 Surpass. Same mount/same holes, etc. I have not flown it with the larger engine yet.