Cloud Bound 4?

[sloperut]

Has anyone out there built / flown a Cloud Bound 4? Skybench Aerotech sells a kit. 144" wingspan. I bought the plans from RCM years ago but never built the glider because there are about a zillion parts to cut out for the wings alone. Diagnal ribs, riblets for the flaps and five piece laminated solid spruce spars:eek:

Jeff

[McLeodAviation]

Hi Jeff,
What a cool design! I remember wanting to build a Cloud Bound 4 back when I first saw the construction article in 1977 RCM.
Now I see a kit is available from Skybench. I will be ordering one very soon!
Have you decided to buy a kit also? This sailplane certainly will draw attention at any flying field.
It would be fun exchanging emails during construction and comparing our finished models.
Cloudbound, Mike

[sloperut]

Mike, hello. I found my origional copy of the 1977 RCM with the construction article. Below are some photos from that article that show the designer (love the pants) and his creation, a close up of the canopy area, photo of the drag flaps and blade spoilers, 3/4 rear view and a slice of the plans that show the zillion parts I was talking about.

Jeff

[sloperut]

Oops, Mike, photos did not attach. I'll attach them later today.

[McLeodAviation]

Hi Jeff,
I still have my May 1977 RCM too. The Cloud Bound 4 certainly has many more pieces than an average kit. When covered with transparent Monokote this type of construction makes eye popping visual impacts! People will drool at the complexity of the model.
Yes, this model will require more construction time and consequently will hurt more if crashed. I too thought about scratch building but have decided to buy the kit. This model can probably be scratch built for half the kit price if you want to cut out the zillion parts.
Have you decided to build a Cloud Bound 4? Go for it!!!! I am ordering mine today!!!! When ordering with money order there is a 3% discount. Not much but helps to save dollars wherever possible. Looks like total with shipping is $153.57.
Cloudbound, Mike

[sloperut]

Mike. will you be building it as per plans, drag flaps and blade spoilers? Also, on the Skybench Cloud Bound 4 web page, Ray Hays is extending the moment of the tail boom by a couple of inches.

Looks like I'm gong to have to get one now.

Jeff

Ps, I will post those photos later

[milkin_lift]

When ordering with money order there is a 3% discount.

Isn't this illegal. Effectively charging customers for the use of credit. Gas stations were forced to quit doing this years ago.

Not that I wouldn't want to see it happen nationwide. Just agaist what I understand the laws are now.

[McLeodAviation]

Hi Jeff,

I haven't put much thought into what control surfaces I will use. I like the type shown on the original design but think full length flaperons is more practical, like the Challenger! I have heard flaperons is all that is necessary for superb performance? I might use spoilers too?

Extending the tail moment is probably good. Not sure if I will do this?

I was very busy today and never ordered my kit. Tomorrow I will be ordering by mail with a money order.

On the Skybench website says if mailing an order with check or money order will receive 3% off product price. Someone ask if this is legal but I have no idea. I don't use credit cards and like the 3% discount.

Cloudbound, Mike

[sloperut]

Here are the photos.

1st, Don Drury holding the glider.

[sloperut]

Close up of the nose.

[sloperut]

Wing structure and 3/4 rear view.

[sloperut]

Plans.

[McLeodAviation]

Cool pictures!
I love the shot with the drag brakes and spoilers deployed.
Hopefully posting the pictures will get more people interested in building the Cloud Bound 4 sailplane.
I can't find any info on the web about someone building or flying a Cloud Bound 4. Also no pictures of a completed model other than the original RCM pictures.
Owner Ray Hayes of Skybench is building a Cloud Bound 4. As of a few weeks ago was unfinished.
Cloudbound, Mike

[Red Baron]

WOW! That's a real nice looking model! It's nice to see some proper building going on. Anyone had any experiance flying it? It looks like a fantastic thermal ship, just the sort of floater I'm looking for!!

[sloperut]

Sorry about the resolution of the photos. I scanned them with the quality setting a little low. I'm suprised that no one, at least on this message board, has built one. I have seen the CB4 mentioned in other threads but there seems to be no info. on its performance.

I know that Ray Hayes has a very good reputation as to the quality of his kits. I have not seen one personally but I have read lots of praise in RCGroups.

If I get one I will build as per plans with the blade spoilers and air brakes.

Mike, I agree, the wings have to have transparent covering. It would be a shame to cover all those diagnal ribs

Jeff

[McLeodAviation]

Hi Jeff,

My money is in the mail for a Cloud Bound 4 kit!

I wanted to buy an extra canopy but Skybench doesn't sell a clear canopy for the CB4 kit. The kit comes with parts to build a wood canopy.

The plans show a Du-bro canopy. Wonder if Du-bro is still in business and selling canopies?

Cloudbound, Mike

[sloperut]

Congratulations! I guess I will have to buy one next. Might be nice to build a wood kit after having four EPP planes in a row.

Yes, Du-bro is still in business. I looked on www.dubro.com and could not find canopies. They, however, sell quite a few other accessories.

Looking forward to hearing about and seeing (please post photos) your Cloud Bound 4.

Jeff

[McLeodAviation]

Hi Jeff,
Man, the anticapation of receiving my Skybench CB4 kit is killing me! Should be here any day.
I noticed someone saying a Skybench kit [Viking] has poor instructions. I hope this is not true with the CB4. Like most modern kits Skybench should include a step by step photo illustrated instruction book. I certainly think this would help them sell more kits.
I have many years kit building experience and have scratch built many airplanes. I shouldn't have any trouble building the CB4 kit. I may even throw in a couple modifications myself!
Cloudbound, Mike

[sloperut]

Mike, did you recieve the kit yet?

Jeff

[McLeodAviation]

Hi Jeff,

No, I have not reveived my kit. Hopefully tomorrow or soon! Hope Skybench keeps them in stock or may be a waiting period?

You should also order and build a sweet Cloud Bound 4!

Cloudbound, Mike

[ejett]

Isthmus Models has a canopy that can most probably be used for this ship. It is a generic type, but I think it would work.

Take a look:
http://www.isthmusmodels.com/pages/accessories.html

I would like to build this as well, but I already have a huge backlog of planes to build.

EJ

[McLeodAviation]

Hi EJ,

Thanks for helping to find a canopy for the Cloud Bound 4. I don't think isthmusmodels canopy will work. I think it is too rounded and not wide enough at the rear. I probably will build a wood canopy and have a friend vacuum form a clear canopy from my wood canopy.

I also have a personal backlog of other models to build but the Cloud Bound 4 sailplane has floated to the top!

Cloudbound, Mike

[McLeodAviation]

Hi Jeff,

I emailed Skybench and my CB4 kit will not be shipped until next week. Apparently was not in stock and I will have to wait a little longer.

Guess the longer I wait will make receiving the kit more enjoyable! I can't wait to look through the kit and study the plans.

Cloudbound, Mike

[old dodger]

Hello Guys.
was surfing web tonight and had to see what cloud bound 4 talk was about.
I did build one from the original plans way back then. I loved the looks of it as you do.
Entered it in a static show and got 1st place. Unfortunatly mine flew terrible. To evaluate mine: tale heavy and to short of a nose to get enough lead into, ruddervators to small to get it to turn (used aprox baseball diamond to turn and 2 diamonds to stop the turn and reverse direction, very, very heavy.
I admit it was scratch. but all materials were exactly as called for (even ordered all the special length/size of spruce).

Also heard good things about Skybench Arotech ( in fact I have 2 planes on order with them at this time). Im Sure they have worked out the bugs or mine was a total flop do to the fancy finish I put on it.

P.S. I used transparant covering on the open bays also . If interested I can try and get a pictured posted.

Chris.

[McLeodAviation]

Hi Chris,

Please post a picture. I'd love to see your Cloud Bound 4.

I have not yet receiced my kit but hopefully soon.

I am now a little worried about the flight performance of this model. Do you remember how much your model weighed? The original RCM construction article says weight ready to fly is 80oz and the model required 4oz of nose weight.

Your model was very hard to turn. I plan to use flaperons which will help the model turn. Did you use spoilers or flaps on your model?

Cloudbound, Mike

[old dodger]

Mike,

I was in the Coast Guard at the time so couldnt afford the fancy radios at THAT TIME.
I built it per plans with spoilers and flaps linked together. I didnt have a scale so didnt know what it weighted. I do know it was Heavy. As I think back it was a very short lived plane - mayby a month or two.

If I were to build another one I would think cruciform tail or make the ruddervator 3/4th the cord of the stab instead of the other way around and also make the nose 4-6 inches longer to have ROOM for the nose weight. I had the nose full of battery/lead and still taped a wod of lead on the outside of the plane on the tip of the nose.

Dont know what the kit is like (havnt checked) but the original had a lot of plywood and spruce in it .

guess Ill go look for that picture.,

later Chris

I will get busy looking for that picture- I think its in the attic

[old dodger]

Mike/Jeff,

Im new at trying to send things over the internet. so here the picture goes.
sorry for the bad quality. It was taken some time ago and the only picture ive got is
an 11 X 14. Note the Kraft radio transmitter 4chn.

the black wingtips were extension that pugged into the original wing (one of my mods)
Directional control was strictly rudervators. and flap/spoiler for decent.

Chris.

[sloperut]

Chris, try again.

Jeff

[McLeodAviation]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for searching and finding a picture of your Cloud Bound 4. Me and Jeff are looking forward to seeing your model.

Guess you are having trouble posting a picture here? I also can't post a picture in these forums! Says my image is too large. I am new to computers and digital cameras. I don't yet know how to edit pictures so they will be accepted here. I don't have any problems posting my pictures on the RCUniverse site. Their site will accept larger images. I started a Cloud Bound 4 discussion on RCUniverse and you could post your picture there.
Hope my CB4 kit arrives today!

Cloudbound, Mike

[ejett]

Hey guys regarding pictures, if you have MS PhotoEd (comes with MS Office), you can resize them easily. Photos from my digital camera are too large, but I open them with photoed and just resave them and they are magically small enough to post. Sometimes I crop them with the editor before I post just to make them smaller for the low bandwidth folks out there.

MS PhotoEd is one of Microsoft's best works. It is easy to use and is not cluttered up with a bunch of features you don't use.

EJ

[kewhite]

we airtowed the cloud bound the other day and the v tail blew off and the model crashed,

[McLeodAviation]

Hi kewhite,

Oh MY God!!! I'm sorry for for your loss!!!

Please give us more information and post a picture of your CB4 before the crash.
Was your CB4 built from the Skybench kit?
How well did your CB4 fly before the aerotow accident?
Did you previously launch the CB4 with winch or hi-start?
Did your model require more than 4oz nose weight?
What was the cause of the tail seperating from the fuselage? I may need to strengthen mine in this area!

I have many more questions!

Cloudbound, Mike

[ejett]

Mike:


:eek: I see that you are very concerned about the Cloud Bound 4. To get this heartache off your hands, I am willing to give you half of your purchase price for the kit. ;)

EJ

[McLeodAviation]

Hi EJ,

Very funny!

Cloudbound, Mike

[ejett]

Mike:

I hope I didn't hurt your feelings.

I have looked at the Cloud Bound 4 a lot of times at the Skybench website. I haven't really heard anything about it at all until now in this thread. I like the looks of it a lot. I wonder why it is not more popular than it is. Maybe it is just a hard build with all of those parts.

EJ

[McLeodAviation]

Hi EJ,

No you didn't hurt my feelings! Good joke!

You like the looks of the CB4 too. She is a fine looking model! Your right though, this model is much harder to build than an average sailplane kit.

I received email from Skybench tonight and my kit is in the mail. Wish I knew of someone else building this model to compare progress with. Nevertheless mine will be on my building board soon.

I certainly am concerned about the structural strength of this model and other issues. I will modify my Cloud Bound 4 with all the necesary modifications Skybench recommends and maybe a few of my own.

Cloudbound, Mike

[McLeodAviation]

Hi Jeff,

Ya Hoo, I received my Cloud Bound 4 kit today. Lots of lazer cut parts and all the goodies.

Tonight I will clean off my workbench and prepare for construction.

Hope to here more from other CB4 builders and flyers. One guy above said they crashed a CB4 but didn't give us much info. I ask him some questions and sent him a private message but no reply.

We also seem to have lost Chris and his pictures.

Cloudbound, Mike

[McLeodAviation]

Hi, The Skybench Cloud Bound 4 instructions are a copy of the original 1977 RCM construction article. There are no construction photos. I realize now this may be a difficult kit to build. Wish Skybench would include updated instructions with this kit! Nevertheless I will start building soon.

Cloudbound, Mike

[old dodger]

Well guys,

Im back from vacation - will try this picture thing again.

Chris.

[old dodger]

Oky Doky,
this is realy frusterating,

One more time and I Give up.

I click go advanced, click manage attachments, click browse, pick picture,click next browse, pick 2nd picture, click upload and after abouta
minute I get a screen that says "page not found".

well here goes,

Chris...

[RBeach]

Cloudbound Mike,

How is the project coming? Your last post didn't sound very encouraging? I certainly hope the model doesn't live in a box on the top shelf of the closet?
Any pics of your project would be appreciated.
Like you, the Cloud Bound 4 is a model I have looked at a long time.

RBeach

[McLeodAviation]

Hi Roland,

I have started Cloud Bound 4 construction. I have the fuselage about 75% finished. The CB4 fuselage with the open construction is very time consuming. I did a couple modifications that make the fuselage easier to build and stronger. My fuselage will still have the same dimensions and appearance of the original model.

Cloudbound, Mike

[old dodger]

O-kay O-kay you cb4 builders,

The suspence is killing me, I have to ask, how are your kits comeing along!!!???

Chris.

[McLeodAviation]

Hi Chris,

I have my fuselage and tail mostly finished. I will start building wings very soon.

I noticed my CB4 tail mount incedence is not correct. There is 4 degrees positive incedence in the stabilizers when mounted on the fuselage. After studying this, I think best to lower the front wing rod a little to even things up.

Cloudbound, Mike

[portfoxdesign]

guy's, you should take pictures of your build and compile some new instructions, that way you could do a deal with skybench and maybe get you next kit half price or something. A mate of mine did that here and he gets a nice discount on his models.

i agree, the CB4 is a beauty, looks a bit bulky, i'd like to know how the weight comes out for them.

hope the builds go well.

Cheers