Balsa USA Smoothie XL with Saito FG-33R3

Balsa USA Smoothie XL maiden flight (updated video with build photos). Powered by Saito FG-33R3, Xoar 18x6 prop, Redline 20:1 fuel mix. Empty weight 14lb-10oz.

[@bradrock7731]

Very Nice! I suspect this video will sell a few of this kit/ engine combo. ( I'm in ) I also am a fan of the Bob Palmer control line Smoothie plane. Brodak makes the kit now. And yes, folks build & fly control line airplanes as big as this. And Scale with multi engines. A 10 - 15 pound plane on 70 foot lines is quite an experience to ' FEEL' which you don't get with RC.

[@johnbriggs5250]

Fantastic build and flying 👏

[@joeross6064]

What a beautiful Plane !

[@stevebarr9604]

Now that's a sweet looking and sounding plane!

[@cosmiccharlie8294]

Looks fantastic! Bet that engine is smooth.

[@rpstinger]

Nice video and awesome plane. Great job...

[@rayticker213]

Fantastic work👍

[@dougdurham860]

Very cool plane. The work you put into it speaks for itself.

[@1bizjets]

that Saito is perfect for the smoothy. Just got the smoothy kit from balsa USA. Definitely will be using the FG-33

[@CharlestonSharkTeeth]

That looks fun! Great field!

[@stevebarr9604]

It just doesn't get any better than that for sure!!

[@konstantinosfourkiotis1210]

Great project, smooth flight, rought engine,

[@theflyer4916]

Beautiful job!

[@DanielMigneault]

It flies great, love it!

[@jamesboatbuild]

You did a good job on the model and video edit !!!!

[@davidhames319]

Perfect set up.

[@JLNYardBird]

When I was a teen in Joplin, MO, there was a guy at the field who always flew a Smoothie.

[@user-hy3kt7dh1t]

Incredible very nice

[@roki5941]

Wow... fantastic !!

[@MuscleAerialCinema]

I’m a fan. Awesome. Now i want to do the same

[@jimcrackery8321]

🤤🤤🤤 Sooooo beautiful

[@Jesuswinsbirdofmichigan]

Quality.

[@planker]

Cool

[@frigateaviation5047]

Hi Brian, love the great sound of a multi-cylinder plane. I’m presently building a smoothie XL, and would seriously consider the same for mine. Can I request if you would share the STL/g-code files of the cowling? Again, great innovation and craftsmanship! Congratulations!! Eric

[@brianbrotherson5529]

I have the STL file, but I have nowhere to host it, I'd have to email it to you.

[@ralphfisch8452]

Very very nice. Typical Brian Bro.

[@barrybanks7724]

just came across your build and video of this wonderful plane i like the engine combination it is a perfect match. did you design the shroud /cowl yourself? and if so would you consider sharing the stl file so I could print one for myself. but if not no worries. And enjoy flying your model..

[@brianbrotherson5529]

I do have the STL file!, however I don't do anything on Thingiverse, so it's not hosted anywhere. I could email it to you.

[@AfricaB777]

Hi Brian. Came across your video and was really impressed how the model came out. How is the flying characteristics? Did you struggle with getting the c of g within range. Now that I saw how yours came out. I would love to build one of my own. Any chance sharing the file to 3 d print the cowl? Kind Regards Adrian

[@brianbrotherson5529]

@@AfricaB777 Thanks for the compliment. I was concerned with the CG which is why I mounted the servos in the tail. I didn't do any calculations other than an educated guess and experience with other models. As it turned out, I have my batteries mounted under the wing saddle, so achieving the proper CG was very easy. (I was prepared to make a hatch and mount the batteries in the tail if need be.). I chose the Smoothie XL for this radial project because it was fairly light and had a lot of wing area. I knew I would be adding additional weight and have less power (compared to a normal 30-35cc single cylinder 2-stroke) The Smoothie appealed to me for a nice vintage looking sport flyer. I think it flies fine, it's certainly no 3D airplane, and with the power of the Saito R33, it certainly won't hover, but with full span ailerons it rolls fairly well, it will do nice "gentleman's" aerobatics and It's fun to do touch and goes. I have the STL file for the cowl, but it's not hosted anywhere, I'd have to email it to you.

[@Rfster900]

Hi Brian, Beautiful plane and wonderful workmanship. May I ask you what material you used for the 3D printed cowl? I would be concerned using PLA due its low temp resistance. Now that you've had a chance to put more hours on your plane, have you had any issue with deformation due to heat (or cracking)? Thank you and Congrats again for a wonderful model. 👍

[@brianbrotherson5529]

Thanks, The cowl is PLA. I haven't had any issues yet. The radial runs pretty smooth, so that helps prevent cracking, and all the heat is in the cylinders which are out in the breeze. There isn't much heat in the crankcase, and it doesn't actually touch anywhere, so far so good!

[@klmelj]

Good stuff. Love your setup. Did you ever fly it with a 17x8 and if so how did it compare to the 18x6?

[@brianbrotherson5529]

Yes I have flown it only with the 17x8 since that first day and it performs well. I may try the 18x6 again just because the larger prop looks better. I might look for a different 18x6 to get the look, but with less load.

[@klmelj]

@@brianbrotherson5529 ok thanks for the feedback.

[@frederickwoods5943]

One of my all-time favorite U/C airplanes; I have two of them.

[@brianbrotherson5529]

U/C…..u-control?

[@frederickwoods5943]

@@brianbrotherson5529 yes, u-control; stuck in the 1960's here in Virginia.

[@brianbrotherson5529]

@@frederickwoods5943 you fly a 14lb smoothie XL as U-control? Jeeesh

[@frederickwoods5943]

@@brianbrotherson5529 mine are smaller. Nowadays Balsa USA has a smaller Smoothie on their website, I realize this one is 82-inch wingspan. The 52-inch U/C Smoothie weighs about a pound.

[@brianbrotherson5529]

@@frederickwoods5943 that makes sense. Still seems very light for 52” span! Only U-Control I’ve flown was the old Cox plastic planes from toy store with an .049

[@alexandermartinez3078]

Nice build how much does the plane weigh ?

[@brianbrotherson5529]

Thanks, It's "been a minute" as they say, so I just went and weighed it for an accurate number. 14lb-10oz. (surprisingly right in the middle of their range even with the heavier engine) (I'll update the description too for future reference)

[@iflylow6224]

That’s super cool! I can’t wait to build mine. Can you consider making a cowling for me? I’d be happy to pay you. 😊

[@brianbrotherson5529]

I can send you the file and you have it printed locally.

[@1bizjets]

which muffler have you used in the smoothie?

[@brianbrotherson5529]

Meier Ring Muffler. www-meier--ringschalldaempfer-com.translate.goog/?_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp&_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en

[@1bizjets]

@@brianbrotherson5529 Sounds awesome. Beautiful job on the smoothie.

[@danielhitchens4407]

Very nice job.. Love this saito radial.. Have you a modified intake on that engine? Mine would only run on 3 cylinders at over half throttle..i have modified the intake manifold and now runs perfectly

[@brianbrotherson5529]

No, it is completely stock. It will drop a cylinder pretty quickly if it's too rich. I broke it in with 15:1, now running 20:1. Plenty of oil to allow proper leaning without damage.

[@danielhitchens4407]

@@brianbrotherson5529 i was disappointed to see the engine wont run 3 cylinders..so i dished out the intake manifold on the lathe..runs perfectly now.. Good job on that aircraft..👍

[@roki5941]

@@danielhitchens4407 What exactly did you do on the manifold ??

[@danielhitchens4407]

@@roki5941 i took the intake plenum off took its cover off and it has like a M shaped channel to supply fuel/air to each cylinder tube..i put the intake plenum on the lathe and machined the whole thing out like a cup and made a new pipe to go from carburettor through to inside the plenum..it runs real smoothly and all cylinders are equal temps ..kinda hard to explain but pictures will show better..

[@roki5941]

@@danielhitchens4407 Thank´s for a quick reply,, Reason I am asking is cause I have a 170R3 and have been experimenting with the manifold.. This far I have 3 different manifolds with various volumes.. Have not been able to test them yet.

[@atomicbonds6790]

Beautiful! It's nice to see that blind pilots are included in the hobby now!

[@brianbrotherson5529]

LOL, I’m considering buying a new canopy, making it into just a windshield and having an open cockpit. It would suit the sound, speed, and style of the airplane better. It’s certainly no racer or big time aerobat.