Clark County R/C Club Forum: Whitman Tailwind rebuild

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     The Full Scale Whitman Tailwind was designed and build by Steve Whiteman in 1953. Steve was a major contender in the first Air Races across the country during the 1930's. Many of the raceplanes that were developed during this era outclassed the best military aircraft. No way is the Tailwind a race plane, but was one of 13 aircraft designed and built by Steve. The Tailwind has speeds clocked at 200 mph with the modern day engines we have today.
  The model I have, has a wing span of 90 inches and is 60" long. It is powered by a Magnum 120 four stroke. I purchased this model in July 2005 from a member of our club. This was one of the first models I seen fly at my first fly in at our field before I joined. Then I learned it was scratched built by a LMAC member several years ago. I am not sure how old the plane is but I know I am at least the 4th owner. When the aircraft was offered to me to buy,, I had to have it. 

  I really did not fly the Tailwind much, after I brought it home. Some time in its life, there must have been a gas engine. The cowl was opened up must larger than needed for the 4 stroke. As she accumilated more flights the cowl started showing signs of stress and breaking. 2006 I found a cowl at the Speeders Hobby shop for a extra 300 that was close to fitting the fuse. I purchased the cowl thinking sometime down the road I would eventually replace. Well the time came faster than I would have thought. 
May of 2007, the first flight of the year for her ended up in a dead stick and landed in corn field. Broke both wing tips off, cracked sheeting on one side of wing and broke one of the wing supports. Set her on the shelf for the summer and now I have made the move to completly rebuild her and recover. The pictures below do not show wing rebuild. I forgot to take pictures during the repair. Wings are finished and covering and fitting cowl is complete. Windows are in and really all is left to do is paint the cowl and rebuild and paint wing supports. Will post more pictures as work progresses.     Jeff      Click on thumbnails to enlarge

May 2007 before crash    Stripping covering

Fitting new cowl              Had to shorten cowl

 This  is the first red plane I own. I think I like it!

Have to paint cowl. Pictures later

Wing supports made, Tailwind is finished except for 
painting the wing supports and cowl and stripping
fuse with decals on wing and rudder..  later  Jeff

Job is complete. Ready for flight.  Wish me luck  Jeff

Edited by newsman - 27 Feb 2008 at 8:21pm

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newsman Admin Group Admin / Moderator Joined: 16 Aug 2006 Location: Kentucky Online Status: Offline Posts: 51	Topic: Whitman Tailwind rebuild Posted: 18 Feb 2008 at 9:07pm
	The Full Scale Whitman Tailwind was designed and build by Steve Whiteman in 1953. Steve was a major contender in the first Air Races across the country during the 1930's. Many of the raceplanes that were developed during this era outclassed the best military aircraft. No way is the Tailwind a race plane, but was one of 13 aircraft designed and built by Steve. The Tailwind has speeds clocked at 200 mph with the modern day engines we have today. The model I have, has a wing span of 90 inches and is 60" long. It is powered by a Magnum 120 four stroke. I purchased this model in July 2005 from a member of our club. This was one of the first models I seen fly at my first fly in at our field before I joined. Then I learned it was scratched built by a LMAC member several years ago. I am not sure how old the plane is but I know I am at least the 4th owner. When the aircraft was offered to me to buy,, I had to have it. I really did not fly the Tailwind much, after I brought it home. Some time in its life, there must have been a gas engine. The cowl was opened up must larger than needed for the 4 stroke. As she accumilated more flights the cowl started showing signs of stress and breaking. 2006 I found a cowl at the Speeders Hobby shop for a extra 300 that was close to fitting the fuse. I purchased the cowl thinking sometime down the road I would eventually replace. Well the time came faster than I would have thought. May of 2007, the first flight of the year for her ended up in a dead stick and landed in corn field. Broke both wing tips off, cracked sheeting on one side of wing and broke one of the wing supports. Set her on the shelf for the summer and now I have made the move to completly rebuild her and recover. The pictures below do not show wing rebuild. I forgot to take pictures during the repair. Wings are finished and covering and fitting cowl is complete. Windows are in and really all is left to do is paint the cowl and rebuild and paint wing supports. Will post more pictures as work progresses. Jeff Click on thumbnails to enlarge May 2007 before crash Stripping covering Fitting new cowl Had to shorten cowl This is the first red plane I own. I think I like it! Have to paint cowl. Pictures later Wing supports made, Tailwind is finished except for painting the wing supports and cowl and stripping fuse with decals on wing and rudder.. later Jeff Job is complete. Ready for flight. Wish me luck Jeff Edited by newsman - 27 Feb 2008 at 8:21pm
	It's no fun unless you fly thru the corn.

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Dave Club Member Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Online Status: Offline Posts: 58	Posted: 19 Feb 2008 at 8:43pm
	Love the red! Can't wait to see it flying this year. Good job! Dave
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