100" built-up floater? Which one?

[toygeek]

I need to buy a kit, I hate working only from plans for now. Not enough skill to cut the ribs nice and kleen :D

If I were to buy a kit for a 100" balsa ship, for non competition use, where would I go?

I have a RD8000 radio so complexity isn't as much of an issue as is the fact that I've never caught a thermal in my life. I've flown all slope up until now but I want to try something different.

I'm just shopping right now but I want to put some thought into it. I also understand that 100" flies better than 2M.

Lastly what is the best method for launch? I cannot afford a winch, so I suppose a high lift is my best bet? Which is a decent one that won't break the bank?

Later this year I get a $200 or so budget and I want to build up a new plane with it, and that price has to include the 100" plane, servos to fly it, and a receiver for it. And finishing materials. And a hilift :(

Is that do-able?

[nuevo]

Olympic 2 is a good 100" span plane. It is a floater, and not fast, but a great thermal plane.

Purchase:
http://www.skybench.com/slnost.html

Review: http://www.modelairplanenews.com/reviews/olympic2.asp

Tips:
http://www.charlesriverrc.org/articles/kitmods/peteyoung_olympiciihintstips.htm


you can purchase hi-starts from www.hobby-lobby.com or www.aerofoam.com

[Hawksnest]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by JonStone
[B]Olympic 2 is a good 100" span plane. It is a floater, and not fast, but a great thermal plane.

Purchase:
http://www.skybench.com/slnost.html

Took the words right out of my mouth Jon, OLY II it is. Skybench's new & improved kit is very well done. I built an original kit, then built Ray's kit, and there was only 3 ounces more weight in the new one with the stronger wings, and tail. Excellent plane for a high start, or mild winching. Good on light slope days also. Bill G.

[John Gallagher]

For $64.99 you can get a Sig Riser 100 kit.

http://www.hobbybarn.com/gliders_sailplanes.htm

Havn't dealt with hobbybarn, but it's a good price on another old classic.

John

[schrederman]

I gotta agree about the Olympic II. I scratch built one for a friend that can't build, and he's enjoyed it thoroughly. My next one will be one of the Skybench kits. Try it. You'll like it!

Jack Womack
real men scratch build....women too.... Veronica's probably settled and reading again....

[dostacos]

go with the Oly II I love mine, build it with the spoilers.

I have the sig 2m riser and I am not impressed with the SIG kit and suspect the big one is not much different.

the Skybench has improved the kit.

[jcstalls]

Once again, the Oly II. Just plane great for learning, easy to build and fly. You will find lots of help here if you hit a snag in building, finishing, setup and flying.

You may want to check out and see if there are any sailplane clubs in your area. Great sourch of resources.

Also, pick up a high start, even if there is a club nearby. There are many high starts. The cheaper ones do not last as long as a quailty unit just as found at the following link.

http://www.aerofoam.com/hosemonster.html

Jared

[Ollie]

The $200 budget for everything including 100 inch span kit, adhesives, covering materials, histart and possibly servos can't be done with first quality stuff. Rather than compromise quality I think you should consider a high quality 2-meter kit that handles and performs as well or better than the very good OLY II.

The 2-meter Lil Bird from Skybench Aerotech has a better airfoil and a better wing structure than the very good Oly II. The 2-meter Lil Bird airfoil will fully offset the Oly II size advantage and the 2-meter Lil Bird will have a wider speed range. Because you are an experienced slope flier, I think you will be happy to have the added speed range that the Lil Bird's airfoil offers. The OlyII wing structure isn't torsionally rigid enough to handle really high speeds nor is it's completely flat bottomed airfoil. That isn't to say that the Oly II doesn't go up in thermals as well as almost any thing but, on a windy day, after chasing a thermal down wind, the Lil Bird will penetrate back to the field much better.

The Aerofoam 2-meter highstart is first quality and will save you ten bucks over the next larger size that would give an equal launch to an OlyII. The kit price of the Lil Bird 2 will save you another ten bucks. That $20 saving will buy you enough glue and covering material for the 2-meter model if you use Tightbond glue instead of CA.

If you go the OlyII route, you will also go about $35 over budget.

Don't compromise quality.

The bitterness of poor quality lasts long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.

[BMatthews]

If the area and times you'll be flying are often calm then you can't do much better than the Oly II or any of the other kits mentioned here but be prepared to invest a few extra dollars as already mentioned. If you don't mind a bit more building then the Zaic Termic 100 is also available from Skybench as a semi kit. THAT is a pretty model, somewhat prettier than the Oly to my eyes.

If you're area often has winds in the 7 to 10 mph range at the times and places that you would be flying I would strongly consider something that has a bit more penetration than the floater class of model. Designs like the Bird of Time or the Big Bird from Skybench, or the Sagitta 900 are all models that will punch out through some winds to let you fly with a bit less concern than the floaters will allow.

Looking at North East Sailplanes for some zippier ships I see the following...
http://www.nesail.com/detail.php?productID=68
http://www.nesail.com/detail.php?productID=70

Both of these will push you over budget but you'll be getting a model with a much better speed range than the old classics. The higher speed range will let you range out further in search of lift and stay in the lift for a longer time as you drift downwind and still be confident in making it back to the launch point. Not always a guarantee with a floater on a windy day.

If you want a floater then fine. A nice floater on a calm day is truly a thing of beauty. But with a background in slope soaring I suspect you would be happier with a model that has a decent working speed range if your conditions would benifit from it.

[toygeek]

Right on, thank you VERY much. I'll be researching all these planes. I currently have an Aerofoam 48" delta wing and a bungee from him, both are of very good quality. Mark's stuff is top notch!

Looks like a decent 2M might be more in my budget, but I've got time to spare when it comes to finding the right deal.

Thanks again :)

[nuevo]

If you have time to spare, look on eBay for your plane. There is an Olympic 2 kit for auction right now. item # 3182160084

Also look for used planes within your club. Used planes are often cheaper than you could build new yourself.

[TLyttle]

I dunno about the 2m selection. The extra span and chord of the Oly will have you going up when the 2ms are coming down, every time. I ran my Oly11 for over a decade before I had to sell it, and if you have to bust the budget (I don't think you have to), then the extra bucks won't be noticed after a couple of years.

Eventually, I D-tubed the wing and capstripped the ribs one winter, and it improved an already good airplane by a lot.

I agree, this isn't the time to count pennies!

[CHARLIE BRITT 7]

I still have a OLY11 that have been flying since 1979. The best to learn therminal with and one tough glider. I D-tubed my wing and cap stripprd the ribs to the trailing edge. Spoilers are a must. Use a larger wing rod.
Charlie

[chlee]

Another suggestion: take a look at the Scepter and Sovereign from LaserArts.

http://members.aol.com/laserartco/page4.html

The Scepter costs and looks very similar to the Skybench Oly II, but it has a faster airfoil (SA 7038) and spoilers.

Never flown a Sovereign myself, but it enjoys a very good reputation at my club.

- Chung

[Lee R. Wheeler]

Hi! Also try R/C Local Swap meets. Post wanted to buy.on all the R/C sites, because most R/C people fly, run, float,everything. And I found out by going to the swapmeets that the gas plane guys, fly gliders also! BTW! The 2-meter Lil-Bird that Ollie was talking about. Floats amost as well as the Oly II, It's laser cut. It is not a Gentle Lady and It is not a heavy Spirit 2-meter. Listen to Ollie He is giving you alot of years exp. without bumping your head into these soaring walls.
(we have met the enemy! They is us!)
Late!

HI! Ollie!

[CoastalFlyer]

The choices you've been given above are all good ones - you can't go wrong with any of them.

I've built and flown the Big Bird and the Lil Bird and love them both. I have an old Oly II kit still sitting around - someday soon.....

Buy one and get building! ;)

[DrFragnasty]

Hi there,

I have a Prophet 941 for sale; competition mid-80's glider.

Rudder/elevator, Eppler 205, 2.5m, covered in ProFilm, in great condition...yours for $220 ex post (prolly $30 ex Tassie)

See photo taken Dec...yes, that's a SonyDV camera attached to the wing ;0)

regards,
DrFragnasty

[DrFragnasty]

Sony TRV-33DV cam attached; made an alum mount & a very secure 3/8" bolt ;0)

Have produced a DVD of footage. Nauseating to be honest ;0)

regards,
DrFrganasty

[mastover]

Any chance you can post a digital version of your video so we could all watch it? I would love to see a flight from the planes perspective!
:D

Mark

[DrFragnasty]

Hi Mark,

Stay tuned...possible weekend project for me. Don't expect big, clear video...prolly 200 to 300KB of 320x240 mpeg footage with no sound.

Regards,
DrFragnasty

[mastover]

That would be good enough! I would just love to see it. This is something I've wanted to do myself, but never had a plane that could carry the load, or the skill enough to not worry about blowing away a video camera. :D

Thanks!

Mark

[flyinazn10]

wow, cant wait, im looking for a good floater too, lookin at the nep krestel, anyone here have good experiences with that one?