Mistral

[Rob Nelson]

Looking for my next project. Does anyone have any experience with the 2 or 3 meter version of the Mistral...Flying charcteristics...Winchable?...Kit quaulity...etc.
Thanks in advance

[Mark Miller]

Hi Rob,

I sell the Mistral and without trying to be to much of a salesman I think it will fit your needs. It is winchable. Had large 1/2 x 1/4" spruce spar caps with 3/8" shearwebs in the center section. Not unbreakable but still pretty stout. It flies great and building is straight forward. Each kit is made per order which insures you get good quality wood. Not mass produced and stuck in a box. It contains all hardware short of the tow hook. I have sold many over the past few years and have had no complaints. Folks rave on how it flies, builds and looks in the air.

Cheers,

Mark Miller
Isthmus Model Co.
http://www.isthmusmodels.com

[amd123]

I am currently in the process of building a 3 meter mistral. The kit came with 1 piece of ply that was warped quite badly. The instructions could also use some help. Not quite clear on some of the steps. If you have building experience, you shouldn't have much trouble. This is my second build, the first was around 1983.

I cannot speak of the flying quality as I am still building. Shoulder surgery has delayed the build by about 1 1/2 months. Dealing with Mark Miller was a painless experience. Thanks Isthmus Models.

[Augie Doggie]

Just wanted to give you my experiance with the Mistral.

Great glider! Relatively easy to build. Builds similar to a Sagitta with regards to construction and the amount of sanding.

It has a slightly undercambered airfoil with a fairly wide speed range. In no wind conditions it will fly pretty slow. I have flown in up to 12 or 13 mph wind with ballast. Best days are the 5 to 10 mph days. Turns are nice and flat. Holds a turn well without much correction. I fly the CG back about 3/8" from the plans which is great for those little bubbles but can be a little wild on landings.

Not winch proof. A very strong wing for a built up but don't stand on the peddle. You can get great launches with a little zoom at the end, the rest is up to the pilot.....You could do some mods to it to get the spar stronger. Hi-start launches are great on those 5 to 10 mph days.

Spoilers are very effective and can get you down in a hurry.

I built my Mistral just as the plans suggest and it has been a great ship for me and always performs well. I used fiberglass and polyester resin on the fuse per the plans. I have moved away from that and I would suggest using epoxy resin or water based polyurathane (my personal chioce) instead. Now, I would use 1.5 oz cloth and polyurathane to cover the fuse. It is lighter and just as strong. Just add food coloring to the poly, no need to cover or piant it.

Bottom line, the Mistral is a great 3 meter RES glider. I would buy it again!

Good luck,
Augie Doggie

[3dzoom]

Sounds like a nice glider...
However when you lawn dart it, will it give you mistral cramps ??? <G>

[ejett]

Sounds like a nice glider...
However when you lawn dart it, will it give you mistral cramps ??? <G>

Probably. Severity depends on the "lawn".

EJ

[dougind]

I agree with Augie Doggie
launches hard for a built up wing.
Stays aloft in the lightest lift and the turns are very flat.
I would buy another one in a hart beat.
I'm not the best pilot and have have beaten AVA's and a number of high end full house ships with this bird.



Good Luck