Brian McLeans new DS plane

[bjaffee]

Some pics (of the molds) and specs of Brian McLean's new 100" molded F3F/DS plane are up on his website...

http://www.martialartsacademy.org/DSEXXTREME100.htm

A friend of mine has one of these on order. Certainly looks interesting.

[Bart Vaio]

I have seen and handled the new "DS" extreme and I was very disappointed in the tail area, torsionally it is VERY weak, does not look up to task for serious DS but could be a great sport model. I wish more designers would build for DS instead of just adding some carbon and slapping a "DS" label on the model, ask us what we want.. Stronger tail's/fuse's x or v it's one of the first failure points, 3 pc wings with beefy joiners etc. It seems like all the DS R&D is being done by either homebuilders like Craig or the few consumers that have communication channels back to the foreign builders.

[bjaffee]

Hmmm...saw Doug Reel DS his new 2M molded Extreme (stock version, not the DS one), and I didn't see a problem with it. It seemed every bit as solid as the Opus, and turned better too.

I don't really know Brian, but I do know he's been taking input from some serious DS pilots and not simply "slapping" a DS label on his airplanes. Let's at least see how it flies first, eh?

[Craig Toutolmin]

Dave and I are planning to stop by Brian's shop on the way to Chandler. We can give him some input for new stuff and feedback on his old designs. With minimal modifications I had a Viper he built up to 183. I don't think it will be too much of a problem to get the 100" plane strong enough for 200 mph. The resulting price might be tough to swallow. Also, a plane that will weigh in at DS strength will suffer in the F3F arena. While I'm sure the plane will do well in both arenas, you'll probably need one for each.

I'm assuming that the plane will be using JW foils. These have very impressive polars for hard banging DS!

[Reed]

Dave and Craig helping Brian. Something amazing is bound to come of this.

I talk to Brian fairly often and have owned a couple of his Vindicators. He is certainly one of America's best model sailplane builders. Give him a chance to build a great DS plane and I don't think you'll be disappointed. I'm keeping my eye on the whole process and hoping my checkbook and a purpose designed McLean DS plane are ready at the same time.

[bjaffee]

According to the website, he is indeed using a Wurts DS airfoil.

The price ($1200), is not cheap, but from what I know it's in-line with the prices of the European DS-modified planes. I find that pretty impresive, considering that it's made in the US. Seems like domestically built molded planes usually cost much more then the Czech stuff, even if the quality isn't there.

[Reed]

Talked to Brian yesterday and made the plunge. Got on the list for one of these 100" molded Extremes and now I have that "wish-it-were-here-today" feeling.

Since I occasionally fly at the same sites as Craig and Dave and Tim B. and Bart and all these insane DS madboys of the Bay Area, I want a plane that'll at least think about keeping up with them, even if my thumbs can't. I'm a fan of Brian's building skills and I'm pretty darn confident that this thing will keep me busy in the circle for a good long time - or at least as long as I can keep it from penetrating Mother Earth. The airfoil is JW designed and some top-notch aeronautical engineers have looked over the design parameters. Combine that with Brian's tasty plane-building techniques and it should be a very nice plane for a sport-flying guy like yours truly. If not, I'll let y'all know. If so, I'll let y'all know.

[Bart Vaio]

I got a message regarding me having seen the new DS Exxtreme 100" I have not seen it sorry for the confusion. The model I was refering to was a 2m ds version of the extreme. And I didn't mean to insinuate that Brian had randomly slapped a DS tag on a model, more to the point the contrast between models that fly really well on the frontside whose structures are adapted to stress of DS, and the purpose built models like the MoFo that fly like pigs till they really get movin but whose structures are designed around DS alone.

[Craig Toutolmin]

Hi Reed,

It does not look like we'll be hooking up with Brian on the way to Chandler. He must be too busy building planes. I'm looking forward to seeing your new toy in action. $1200 for a plane that can hit 200 mph is CHEAP!

Having seen the fit and finish on Doug Reel's McLean planes, I'd argue the point that the fit and finish are second to the Euro planes.

While I'm at it I'll also say that another American builder Don Peters' is simply amazing. In my view the strength/weight/size/price ratio of the Icon is untouchable!

The combination of the next wave of commercially available DS planes and the involvement of more home builders has next year shaping up to be something really special on the DS front.

Can you say DS Fest 2004?

[bjaffee]

Had a look at the newest version of the Extreme 2 meter today. Rather then using a pushrod and bellcrank system to achieve a pull for up elevator (with the servo in the nose), as was the case on his previous planes, the new planes have a spot for the servo right in the tail. The elevator servo arm is hooked directly to elevator.