First Flight of the Stearman

Balsa USA Stearman built and flown by Lou Cetrangelo. Mok 215cc 5 Cylinder Radial at the Long Island Skyhawks field in Eastport, NY

[@Barb5001]

That 5 cyl 4 cycle radial engine is a work of art in its self

[@LouCetrangelo]

I totaly agree and I can not take any credit for it.

[@fishheds]

That is the most authentic sounding RC flight I've ever heard.

[@sir_frag1868]

That thing is just so awesome.

[@johnprice7303]

Hello from the UK, I absolutely salute your building and flying skill's. I would gladly have paid an admission fee to see that display "in the flesh" Congratulations!

[@LouCetrangelo]

Thank you John

[@rodidlewild2330]

Well done Lou. Congratulations. Beautiful Stearman.

[@arthurjennings5202]

When I was a lot younger, 60 years ago, local crop dusters replaced the front cockpit with a hopper. They then replaced the Jacob engine with a 450 hp Pratt & Whitney, I loved watching these aircraft flying over cotton fields in south Texas. Watching this beautiful reproduction fly, reminds me of those now gone aircraft. It even sounds like those old Stearmans.

[@patchthesinclair5896]

Bless your cotton socks, dear brother!

[@TheDuckcarver]

Beautiful PT-17! I hope that we may ALL watch you flying her at Warbirds Over Delaware this year. I hope to have my (smaller) Great Planes version of it there as well...one more time!

[@mcdeadsquirrel]

What a superb job.....thanks for taking the time to make and post this video....to watch over and over again!!! (esp in my long Winters in Upstate)

[@jimsoque4380]

Still takes my breath away Lou!

[@LouCetrangelo]

Thanks Jim.

[@BruceBoschek]

A joy to watch. Beautiful machine and talented pilot. Thanks for sharing this beauty.

[@robertlash9278]

Very nice RC BI plane, a pleasure to watch Thanks

[@JM-ho3qn]

I do believe that airplane loves you, sir. Excellent scale flights, and the exhaust note is spot on. Best video of it’s type I’ve seen in a long time.

[@LouCetrangelo]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@markr831]

Fantastic! Beautiful airplane. Nice job building and flying.

[@LouCetrangelo]

Thanks Mark your very kind.

[@craigpennington1251]

Outstanding build and a very smooth flight. Stearmans are cool & so is this one. Thanks for posting. Happy Landings.

[@meteorfive6]

Not as fun as the real thing!

[@RC-Flight]

WOW!! now that was some nice flying there!! Just love the looks and the sound of that beast!!!

[@LouCetrangelo]

Thanks Glen.

[@timcarter7616]

It was great seeing (and hearing) it fly in a scale like manner. Light on the throttle, the engine loafing along, it really seemed like a full size Stearman doing fly bys. Great plane- fine pilot- terrific engine! Impressive!

[@LouCetrangelo]

Thank you Tim

[@tomsawyer9403]

Beautiful Stearman!

[@highway9974]

love hearing these guys

[@wilsonandlucy]

Coolest RC Ive seen yet. Great job guys!

[@danrook5757]

Send over to ukraine

[@jsteifel]

that was beautifully flown, very scale like flight.. nice speed control, rock solid.

[@SenorZorrozzz]

Looks so authentic! Amazing.

[@richardpickell8062]

A gorgeous looking model.🤩

[@paulhayton3423]

Have to love Stearmans, stunning plane.

[@michaeloneil2379]

Most satisfying. She’s a jewel!

[@DaveP326]

I love those Stearmans. This is a great build and video. I'd like to have seen some loops, Immelmanns, a Split S or two, some figure 8s, a flat spin, and if you were feeling lucky, maybe an outside loop. This is the aircraft that so many WW2 pilots learned to fly in and they had to learn those maneuvers.. If I was born 20 yeras sooner, I would've loved to fly a Stearman.

[@DanielMigneault]

All perfect, congrats!

[@keaaul808]

I love how Lou flies it it scale, like the real Stearman, slow and go and not hot rod through the air like countless others non-scale flyers!

[@garyfairbrother5532]

@coastal-tan: No need to say everything you think is cute.

[@nicholasmicelidc161]

Lou Just caught this video. Another masterpiece!

[@robertnielsen2461]

My first flight was in a Stearman,brings back memories.

[@honeyland9]

Great work! Very interesting!

[@eddiem.5811]

I am a "real" pilot, and I have nothing but respect for these guys!

[@danrook5757]

That one fella loves food

[@conrad4245]

Wow, Now that is a Sweet Sounding Engine, i mean Radials sound nice, But this Beast is another level, Thanks for sharing

[@jimydoolittle3129]

Awesome Stearman ❤️ it sounds great , congrats 🍾 on maiden flight

[@3flyte_3flyte]

The engine sounds like butter. Smooth.

[@patchthesinclair5896]

Beautiful, thank you so much!

[@odie175]

It doesn't get better then that !! What a plane! !

[@LouCetrangelo]

Thanks odie175. We had a lot of fun that day so long ago. I still have the plane and it is one of my favorites.

[@murrayspiffy2815]

Atta boy Lou - you did great!

[@brian-yd2cg]

What a beautiful bird! Great job!

[@LouCetrangelo]

Thanks Brian: I still have it and it is really fun to fly.

[@brian-yd2cg]

You’re quite welcome Lou. Glad to hear that you still have it! Would have loved to have seen it fly in-person. You’re a talented builder & flyer. Looking forward to seeing your next builds.

[@tonyfrancesco3701]

Beautiful aircraft

[@themechbuilder6171]

beautiful sound

[@maljohn6584]

YOU GUY'S OVER SEAS ARE A CREDIT TO OUR HOBBY AS PER OUR LARGE MODEL ASSOCIATION BACK IN THE UK. ITS SO NICE TO SEE AERO MODELING AND ENGINEERING. AND REAL ENGINES. NOT LIKE THESE FOAMES OR FLYING HAIR DRYERS OFF THE INTERNET. 👎😫. WELL DONE GUY'S THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS WITH US MODELERS THAT REALY APPRECIATE THIS HOBBY.👍

[@viktordrzeniek2920]

Like the construction to transport the wings!

[@MikeKobb]

Boy, that engine sounds great.

[@jasonrohan7471]

Great air show!

[@jeka7684]

reall nice scale flying ! Top!

[@lifeindetale]

Beautiful machine. It's my kind of art

[@billseay6399]

Hey Thanks it's beautiful

[@calvingarrett3245]

That's a very nice bi plane congratulations on your first place really nice

[@LouCetrangelo]

Thanks Calvin.

[@SomeGuyInSandy]

Gorgeous!

[@brianemery8945]

God it's soooo frickin nerve racking to Maiden a Large plane with so many ppl breathing down your back. Cheers on you. U handled it well

[@ivangrginovic2112]

Za pet

[@americanspirit8932]

I just made a comment referring to that before I read your comment.

[@bobbywalker107]

Hgetf

[@carloschavez2578]

@@americanspirit8932 you

[@carloschavez2578]

@@americanspirit8932 k

[@johnnewguy3374]

Master builder there

[@cratecruncher6687]

Nice workmanship. That pilot seemed cool as a cucumber on that first flight. My knees would be knocking if I'd spent that much time and money on such a beautiful plane. Anyone else notice the tractor brush hogging the field with a big target painted on the side?

[@keithmarston9822]

wow fab lads

[@williammuzzey8404]

It sounds like the real thing really that is a nice airplane sir

[@paktoysreview8377]

very nice job friend

[@larrykrise3609]

that is one nice plane.love the biplanes.larry

[@WichitaGuy56]

Parallel to the propeller, Excellent place to stand when the engine starts!!

[@LouCetrangelo]

I totally agree. I didn't know better back then. I now always am behind the prop on run up and will not let spectators stand in front or to the sides. I've seen bad things happen there.

[@RCAirTube]

Fantastic! Finishing mine and would love tips/tricks on your wing caddie design? Any close up pics showing how it supports flying/landing wires? How it attaches to wing? Cheers

[@cymaz100]

Just a tip, open the throttle a bit to stretch the landing glide rather than up elevator. That way it stops the bunny hop

[@MrMaradona75]

woooooooow I love this model wonderful

[@keaaul808]

Amazing to see 72MHz loyalists still around, especially on a 1/3 super scale model!! Awesome beautiful airplane, awesome build! My all-time favorite biplane, the Stearman PT-17, NS-2.

[@LouCetrangelo]

Thanks for the kind words Stan. Actually the video was taken 14 years ago. I am happy to say it's still flying but I converted to Spektrum DSMX 2.4 ghz quite a while ago. I remember at an event using 72 mhz and the Stearman started glitching when someone next to me turned on their air pump.

[@psiturbo]

@@LouCetrangelo good call. No wonder, I was... the video looks aged, and says 2019. You waited that much time to upload!?

[@LouCetrangelo]

@@psiturbo It was posted to KZbin shortly after it was taken but for some reason KZbin took it down. A lot of my buddies asked about it so I posted it again.

[@georgewettig1860]

nice job men

[@gevi9080]

Nice landings and "Long Antenna" :)

[@LouCetrangelo]

Thanks. I regards to the long antenna, I get asked that a lot. The video was only posted about 2 years ago but if you check out the date at the start you will understand that 72 mhz was the only option available back then.

[@danweyant707]

That's huge!

[@williammuzzey8404]

It sounds like the real thing really that is a nice plane

[@johnwalker3534]

The man talking the most knows his stuff. Listen to him.

[@JackOSUrulz]

Amazing plane and flight, its been what...about 17 years ago now since you made this vid? I have been flying the cheap stuff for many years, too much money in other things to graduate up to the big wood and gas engines. I have a foam version of this, and same thing, they want to pitch up and fly higher when you hammer the throttle. Doesn't matter how much down elevator I give it or trim. I think its just the inherit characteristics of the Stearman. Hope this message finds you well, from an Okie to a Yankee, cheers!

[@LouCetrangelo]

Hi Jack: to me it sound like you need more down thrust on the engine. On my Stearman I angled the engine down about 3° this helps correct the plane from climbing as the throttle is advanced. It should climb a little when you advance the throttle but if it's excessive one way to correct it is to add additional down thrust. I also angled the engine to the right by 2° as the engine torque will naturally tend to pull it to the left. In addition to building in right thrust you should anticipate adding right rudder on take off due to the torture effect of the prop and the extra power needed.

[@LouCetrangelo]

Also thanks for your comment and kind words. It was a great question.

[@robertproctor7921]

Very nice

[@graw4868]

Very nice.

[@MrMaradona75]

è bellissimo !!!!!!!!

[@Jesuswinsbirdofmichigan]

Man! Is that great! Had to watch that first landing, oh 4 times! 12:47 I'm like, ;I hate it when people say, im like; anyway, what an engine! Jeez! Twice, 3x the power needed? Just sayin. I'm done droolin, now gotta finish watchin the second flight. Thanks from Michigan. 15:38 oh man! I'm like, dyin ovah ear! What a babe! Flys so smooth you did a beautea full T & G ! So S M O O T H, like but' tah.

[@michaelcain468]

Three thumbs up... The plane the take off and the landing

[@LouCetrangelo]

Thanks Michael.

[@sludge8506]

Nice!!!

[@stevefreitag8427]

Excellent Lou! I'm slowly building one now, I like the caddie for keeping the wings together to help with field assembly/disassembly. How did you make the javelins?

[@LouCetrangelo]

I used a hardwood dowel. The frame to hold the wing is a super time saver. There are only 6 guy wires on each wing to connect and one turnbuckle. You need to wire the turnbuckle so it doesn't loosen in flight. The guy wires hold it all together. Good luck with yours.

[@brandonthomas303]

I'm nervous for him. Beautiful airplane!

[@Jesuswinsbirdofmichigan]

Eh, heres subscription #312. Jesus keep you strong, Steve S., from Michigan

[@americanspirit8932]

What is he doing with a old FM transmitter? Too many people around him all talking at the same time, that is a major distraction, and I've seen so many people crash due to the distractions like that including myself at one time. Beautiful playing great Maiden flight, once you get accustomed to it you will be doing great. The last time I flew a radio control plane in Long Island when I lived there was in 1971. Today is August 12th 2022, I live in North Carolina Charlotte area. I am a member of the Charlotte Arrow modelers.

[@geoffreybudge3027]

Sounds like the real thing

[@billstewart5421]

Beautiful model!!!! Great flights!!!! Who ever built that model my congratulations on an awesome job!!!! Beautiful flying field as well!!!! Personally I would find it very hard to concentrate with all the CHIRPING going on in the background. Very annoying group!!

[@donaldvantongeren8385]

Super nice! Love the comment of your club mate "pee myself in the pants" 😂

[@LouCetrangelo]

Yep that's my friend Sal keeping it real.

[@donaldvantongeren8385]

Hi Lou, I have a question. Seen your T-33 on the Skymaster site and really like that color scheme, however I can't find any information on it. Do you have any leads for me where to find info on it!? Thanks in advance, Donald

[@LouCetrangelo]

@@donaldvantongeren8385 I would be glad to. It all started with the Hawk Navy TV-2 plastic model and a fantastic work by Mark Strasser. Please send me an email and I will give you all the details. [e-mail]

[@BRI33NOR]

Fantastic piece of engineering and flying control. only ever saw it turn left, is there any reason for that ?.

[@LouCetrangelo]

Good Question, Only reason is take off and landing should be into the wind. I was being conservative on the first flight. I would have needed to do at least a figure 8 to go the other way around and one more to land into the wind.

[@BRI33NOR]

@@LouCetrangelo I was hoping for a figure of eight yes. Next time maybe ?.

[@johnslett]

Simply put, OUTSTANDING!!! Very well flown. What is the final weight?

[@LouCetrangelo]

I hand to add a few more pounds to the firewall. Final weight is 54 lbs.

[@1bizjets]

Who grabs the prop with the ignition on? Wow.

[@pateagle7191]

They need those long flowing scarves flapping in the wind for it.

[@kennapop3]

This would be a hit in the Galesburg Illinois Stearman flyin

[@100BIPBIPBIP]

"I'm gonna pee my pants". Lmao... Me too I just turned 41!

[@JimmyDsRC]

Say, what a gorgeous plane! I love the radial up front, sounds amazing. Is that 1/4 scale? I've got about 400 hours in Tiger Moths and 0.6 of an hour in a Stearman. They flew remarkably similarly, but the performance of the Stearman was noticeably better than the Tiger Moth. I also felt very comfortable in the spacious cockpit of the Stearman compared to the cramped Tiger. Great video mate, thanks very much for posting. I love all the armchair Admirals and their banter! I've subscribed to your channel and invite you to check out mine if you feel so inclined!

[@LouCetrangelo]

Hi Jimmy: the Stearman was a Balsa USA kit that I built a while back. It's actually 30% scale although it's advertised as 1/3. I see you are from NSW downunder. I live on Long Island, NY but I've been to the Tingalpa Model Aero Club in QLD several times before Covid. Only 780 k away 😎. Happy flying.

[@Flybrei]

Nice 👍

[@jasonfrodoman1316]

Analogue transmitter. I still have my Futaba 9C.

[@Jesuswinsbirdofmichigan]

Maybe? No, the best really still is the smooth control inputs but I was thinking, just maybe even better was the birds singing near the end? You cant fake that kinda stuff! That was just added gifts from ___ ___ ___ above. Thxs again.

[@jimsheehan6025]

IT'S ALIVE! 😱 2:58

[@thaddeuskulig4762]

Very scale like flights

[@LouCetrangelo]

Thanks Thad. I hope to get more stick time on it next season.

[@billbright1755]

United States Navy Aviation Cadet Primary Training Program. Many an ace became familiar with the fundamentals of flight in such craft before moving through ever more advanced types then shipboard flight deck protocols. Flight training officers oft could tell who may have the stuff at first try in the “ washing machine “. Son,, that’s some pretty good flying, I’m recommending you for fighting aircraft training. Pensacola Florida. United States 🇺🇸 of America.

[@LouCetrangelo]

Thank you. Just to add the Navy called it the Yellow Peril for a reason. The model however is pretty easy to fly. You'll quickly learn that while the ailerons will do a nice job banking but you need to use the rudder to have it point in the direction of travel. The rudder is actually so effective that that it will bank too much. For scale flight I may have right rudder and left ailerons to smoothly go around a right turn. Landings must be super smooth to just kiss the ground and roll out or it will bounce like crazy. RC flying is usually more difficult than full size but one advantage is you get a great profile view on landing that you don't have sitting in the cockpit. By the way the model has an on board smoke system and has full aerobatic capabilities. I've competed at Top Gun several times with it. One day I'll have to make a video showing off its agility.

[@billbright1755]

@@LouCetrangelo Agreed and awesome work my friend and endeavor to persevere in the exciting experience of powered heavier than air flight. A great deal of dedication is required to perform at top flight level as demonstrated. The Boeing Stearman a very large wind buffeting surface to weight ratio factor. A bit more docile in mild wind conditions. Crosswind landings in gusts very challenging.

[@ululi1970]

Just surprised to see somebody still flying with a FM radio.

[@LouCetrangelo]

It does look strange but back then 2.4gh was not widely available.

[@ululi1970]

@@LouCetrangelo did not realize that the video was shot 16 years ago...

[@LouCetrangelo]

@@ululi1970 Yep your not the only one. 👍

[@elguapo6145]

I think it’s a N3N!

[@mazpr2025]

Extremely dangerous, that engine can pop at any time. Him holding with two hands will not do anything. At one point it almost did and he joked bout it. Sometimes the prop gives a nasty kick clockwise and it will break fingers.

[@dansw0rkshop]

Seems like it ought to have a way to back off the timing for starting huh.

[@marthakrumboltz2710]

I find it unbelievable that he seems to be operating this a/c with 72mhz given the possibility of interference?

[@maljohn6584]

Coming from a large modeler from the UK for 40 years WHY SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS OR HUNDREDS OF POUNDS OR THOUSANDS ON 2.4 MHZ. RADIOS ECT WHEN ALL IT TAKES IS A FEW SIMPLE MODDEFACTIONS $ or £ to over come THAT . As iv seen so many ( NEW 2.4 MHZ RADIO'S ECT CRAP OUT.) ITS NOT WHAT YOU BUY IN THE MODEL SHOP ITS WHAT YOU KNOW AND WHAT TO DO WITH WHAT YOU HAVE BETTER THAN MOST MODEN GEAR.🤔

[@triplanelover]

still on 72mhz ???!!! ha

[@LouCetrangelo]

Nope converted to 2.4 ghz a long time ago 😊. Using a Spektrum DX20 now.

[@danrook5757]

Use electric start, not like a model T

[@bigbob1699]

Please don't break it .

[@pyrogamingsaveukraine4943]

put a fox and a random hedghog on it