uSloper -- Plouf, Floh, or Dragonette ?

[dstrout]

I'm thinking about building / buying a small sailplane to try out. I've got some trainer and parkflyer time (R/E, not much aileron), but have not tried any form of sailplane. That being said, I debating between:

Plouf -- 28" scratch built
Nano Floh @NSP -- not a kit, but a cool little bird
D.A.W. Dragonette
Hobbly Lobby Skimmer 400

What I really want is something that is either a.) flyable when there's too much wind for my park flyers, or b.) relaxing to toss out into the backyard on a summer evening, or c.) both (I know better :rolleyes: ) I'm thinking any of then should have enough penetration for winds up to 15 mph or so?

I don't mind building, either scratch or kit, but the I'd rather not spend more than about $100, so the floh is the upper limit.

Which of these might make a decent 1st sailplane? Any other plans or kits I may have skipped? I'm leaning to the plouf, but haven't really made my mind up....

thanks,
dave.

[Ric Duley]

Hi,
Of the choices you listed, I'd put the Dragonette probably last. It's a nice little plane (I have one) but it's very light and doesn't do well in wind at all.

If you don't mind spending the $$ I'm sure the Floh would be a nice choice - I've never seen one but it looks great.

I just got the plans to the Plouf myself so only know what I've read - probably the same as you. Might not be a bad choice - easy/low cost to build.

The Skimmer 400 is on sale now at Hobby Lobby for $19.00 - you can't go wrong there. I've got one of these too. Lot's of info on these here also - just use the search function. Bear in mind this is a larger plane than the others and is also electric powered (although you could build it as a pure sailplane).

I'm going to move this thread to the pure sailplane forum where you may get more input.

Good Luck!

[greg morrison]

The Colibri from Art Hobby is a great little glider and will fly in a fair amount of wind. The Bobolink is the side arm launch version for nice easy high launches.

http://www.arthobby.com/gliders.html

[dstrout]

Originally posted by greg morrison
The Colibri from Art Hobby is a great little glider and will fly in a fair amount of wind. The Bobolink is the side arm launch version for nice easy high launches.

http://www.arthobby.com/gliders.html

Hmmmm... Does arthobby still exist -- I couldn't get them to come up.

thanks,
dave.

[Ric Duley]

Works for me - maybe they were down for awhile. Try again.....

[dstrout]

Right you are -- it's back.

thanks,
dave.

[charlieuk]

go for the plouf it will fly in light winds as well as a gail very fast and aerobatick and cost vertually nowt just dont put as much isidence on the main wing as on the plan. charlie

[dstrout]

Yup, I settled on the Plouf -- I like the looks of it. I'm thinking about making it a true v-tail instead of an A/E ship, but haven't decided. I'm also wondering about mounting the wings permanently -- I don't see much need for removable wings on a 28" glider...

I'll posy pics when I get her done -- I got distracted with a Pocket Combat wing project.

thanks,
dave.

[A6INTRUDER]

hi DAVE,

I am interested in your plane called the Plouf. I like small slopers
and am always looking for different ones.
I have a Colibri V that I got kinda crazy with.
I bagged the wings and Vtails with 3/4 oz glass. Painted the mylars yellow on top and red on bottoms. I made the Vtail so it comes apart in two pieces for travel. It weighs in at 9.5 oz and I have flown it many times on the slopes. It flys in really light air and is still quite airbatic. I have taped on two oz of ballast and flown it in about 10-15 mph wind. I am finding that actually in light wind the plane flys better with ballast too. Next I plan to build some kind of ballast system for it so I don't have to tape it on. I built it with full span ailerons and the roll rate is very fast. With spoilerons it just kind of hovers in for landings. I have never tried to bungee launch it or flat field fly it, but I think it would to OK at that too.
Most "fun for the dollars" plane I own.!!!

Could you please tell my where I could see and or buy a Plouf.
I have not ever heard of one but it sounds very interesting.

Thanks

TIM

[dstrout]

The plans are here:
http://ado.qgl.org/Plouf%20plan2.jpg

and there are several threads about the plouf here in the ezone if you do a search...

enjoy!

dave.

[A6INTRUDER]

THANKS FOR THE REPLY
I WILL CHECK OUT THE OTHER
SPOTS AND THE PLANS

TIM

[mr_wood]

could you post up a higher resolution image - I can't get all the detail from the plouf pic you posted up,

Thanks
Tim

[dstrout]

It's not mine -- It's just what I found via search. Check around in the e-zone search engine for "plouf" -- there's a guy who has the bigger plans that he will email you...

dave.

[david5272]

Anyone still flying the NANO FLOH ?

[flystoolow]

I really want something that is either a.) flyable when there's too much wind for my park flyers, or b.) relaxing to toss out into the backyard on a summer evening, or c.) both (I know better :rolleyes: ) I'm thinking any of then should have enough penetration for winds up to 15 mph or so?

May I make a suggestion

The beauty of sailplanes is that they can rise to great heights in thermals and give you flight times counted in hours. For this you need a plane with a decent span (say close to 2m as a minimum). You might want to try a Gentle Lady or any similar glider. The Skimmers' flight performance leaves a lot to be desired.

[david5272]

whatever, flystoolow.....


Does anyone fly the nano floh or is there another one out there that is better for the same $$ ?

[sierra-gold]

Another possibility is the Quick Flick II. The short kit is available from Laser Arts for $13.50 -

http://www.laserarts.com/product_info.php?cPath=25_30&products_id=202

There are links there for plans, building thread with photos, etc.

I just ordered two kits... spare parts in case of "radio problems." :D


RC Groups thread here -

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=395169

SG