CactusJackSlade
Jan 29, 2004, 05:24 AM
Hello all,
This is posted on the slope forum as well... I need to get the word out! I posted many more photos there!
This March is the 3O year anniversary of the Hobie Hawk.
Before I bore you with my "Hobie Hawk speech" I am asking those of you out there who frequent contests - particularly RES competitions if it might be worth while to have a 30 year anniversary "get together" and competition/show?
I was thinking it could be included in an already scheduled event somewhere in the southern coastal California area - maybe the Powey field or Torrey Pines? This could help boost attendance at the event as well as adding a bit of "nostalgia".
I have talked to Hobie Alter and he may even be interested in a "guest appearance"... and certainly is flattered that interest still exists for the Hobie Hawk.
I know it's a small interest group, but what do you think?
YOUR RESPONSES WOULD BE APPRECIATED!
Here is my speech:
The Hobie Hawk was produced in 1974 by Hobie Alter (Hobie surfboard and sailboat fame). It was a bit of an enigma I think because it was really one of the first "ARF" kits or "RTF" that was mass produced. Hence many people who had never flown tried the Hobie Hawk, which I do not consider to be a beginner plane! (I think the mass marketing played a large role here!).
This caused a pretty good split on opinions of this bird. Most either loved it or hated it. If you could fly it you loved it, but if you got off on the wrong foot, you hated it - although it was still the coolest looking plane out!
I personally loved the smoooooth curves and when I was 11 years old I saw one for the first time and never forgot that shape.
Now many years later I have a few Hawks and also a couple modified hand built "SuperHawks".
I personally like the way they fly and nothing beats the shape of this bird in the air - of course that is MY opinion!
The Hobie Hawk was awesome for its day and even 30 years later still has some attributes that make modern production a pity in some ways. It was truly ahead of its time using the most advanced techniques in the day.
Probably my favorite aspect of the building of the HH is the fuselage. The polyethylene roto molded nose cone was nearly indestructible, the 7 layer fiberglass mid-section was extremely light for it's day and ABS plastic dorsal/bell crank assembly. finished out the tail end cleanly.
Of course most of the focus is always the curved smooth wings with the routed out rib bays... well, awesome for sure and that is what hooked me way back when...
I have personally stalled my "flyer" 10 feet above a concrete parking lot, had my Hawk nose straight in and nothing but scrapes on the poly nose... what a life saver! If that had been my composite ship I would have had kindling!
I wish modern ships had poly nose cones!
Anyway, I enjoy flying an old ship and it never fails to be a crowd pleaser when I break out my "flyer" at a local flying site... most everyone lands just to watch it fly (or is that because they are afraid I can't control this slippery bird??!)
If you are interested in Hobie Hawks or would simply like to learn more about them my website is:
http://www.hobiehawk.com
I do sell some small parts that might help you get your hawk back in the air and I do fix up and sell a Hawk once in a while.
So please, if you are interested in a 30 year, let me know!
Brian.
This is posted on the slope forum as well... I need to get the word out! I posted many more photos there!
This March is the 3O year anniversary of the Hobie Hawk.
Before I bore you with my "Hobie Hawk speech" I am asking those of you out there who frequent contests - particularly RES competitions if it might be worth while to have a 30 year anniversary "get together" and competition/show?
I was thinking it could be included in an already scheduled event somewhere in the southern coastal California area - maybe the Powey field or Torrey Pines? This could help boost attendance at the event as well as adding a bit of "nostalgia".
I have talked to Hobie Alter and he may even be interested in a "guest appearance"... and certainly is flattered that interest still exists for the Hobie Hawk.
I know it's a small interest group, but what do you think?
YOUR RESPONSES WOULD BE APPRECIATED!
Here is my speech:
The Hobie Hawk was produced in 1974 by Hobie Alter (Hobie surfboard and sailboat fame). It was a bit of an enigma I think because it was really one of the first "ARF" kits or "RTF" that was mass produced. Hence many people who had never flown tried the Hobie Hawk, which I do not consider to be a beginner plane! (I think the mass marketing played a large role here!).
This caused a pretty good split on opinions of this bird. Most either loved it or hated it. If you could fly it you loved it, but if you got off on the wrong foot, you hated it - although it was still the coolest looking plane out!
I personally loved the smoooooth curves and when I was 11 years old I saw one for the first time and never forgot that shape.
Now many years later I have a few Hawks and also a couple modified hand built "SuperHawks".
I personally like the way they fly and nothing beats the shape of this bird in the air - of course that is MY opinion!
The Hobie Hawk was awesome for its day and even 30 years later still has some attributes that make modern production a pity in some ways. It was truly ahead of its time using the most advanced techniques in the day.
Probably my favorite aspect of the building of the HH is the fuselage. The polyethylene roto molded nose cone was nearly indestructible, the 7 layer fiberglass mid-section was extremely light for it's day and ABS plastic dorsal/bell crank assembly. finished out the tail end cleanly.
Of course most of the focus is always the curved smooth wings with the routed out rib bays... well, awesome for sure and that is what hooked me way back when...
I have personally stalled my "flyer" 10 feet above a concrete parking lot, had my Hawk nose straight in and nothing but scrapes on the poly nose... what a life saver! If that had been my composite ship I would have had kindling!
I wish modern ships had poly nose cones!
Anyway, I enjoy flying an old ship and it never fails to be a crowd pleaser when I break out my "flyer" at a local flying site... most everyone lands just to watch it fly (or is that because they are afraid I can't control this slippery bird??!)
If you are interested in Hobie Hawks or would simply like to learn more about them my website is:
http://www.hobiehawk.com
I do sell some small parts that might help you get your hawk back in the air and I do fix up and sell a Hawk once in a while.
So please, if you are interested in a 30 year, let me know!
Brian.