Built up 3 meter

[ericTheHalf]

I really like building and am looking for my next project. Can someone recommend a built up 3 meter sailplane that has ailerons and flaps? The Bubble Dancer is tempting, is there something like a full house version of that out there somewhere?

-eric

[thelocust]

There is a full-house plane in the Drela "quiver", but it is built out of bagged foam. It's called the "Supra":

http://charlesriverrc.org/articles/supra/supra.htm

I have not seen a full-house built-up kit or plans with Drela airfoils, though there certainly might be one out there.

BTW - I am starting a Bubble Dancer this winter after having built an Allegro Lite last winter.... A very satisfying build and a great ship to boot.

[ericTheHalf]

Yes, I've seen the Supra but I'm not sure I'm ready to dive into vacuuming bagging. Plus, I really like open structures.

[erich]

ericTheHalf

I'm with on that. If there is an all wood aileron/flap kit, out there I would get it for sure. If you ever find one please let me know.

Best I've ever seen is a Sagitta 900 modified with very little dihedral and ailerons/flaps. But the kit is no longer being made. Although plans are still available. There is some talk that the guy who bought out DreamCatcher will kit it again.

I have a Camano kit (100") in the, to be built, hangar, but it's a foam core and balsa sheeted wing with a taco shell, fiber fuselage, it's got flaps/ailerons. The guy who used to make these kits (Dodgson) is also, no longer in business. Good luck, in your hunt.

erich (with an h)

[rdwoebke]

You might contact Denny to see if he would sell you a Sky Dancer kit. Check out: http://www.polecataero.com/oldnews.shtml 7/10/2003 there is a picture. He never went production with this plane, but he might have some parts he would sell.

Denny has been doing flaps and ailerons on his built up Drela inspired designs. Keep in mind that the spar structure is not quite the same as the BD or allegro, so it might not be as winchable. You might ask Denny what/how/why/where he does for the flaps/ailerons and instead build a BD wing for flap/aileron.

Also, if this is your first 3M, please keep in mind that the cost of materials for a 3 meter seems to be roughly double that of a 2M. I'm basing this on my bill of materials for my Bubble Dancer and Allegro project.

Ryan

[thermalbum]

Kitcutters sells a kit of Fred China's 130" Runaway. 3 piece wing/T-tail, rudder elevator, ailerons and flaps. The also have the 120' Keetah designed by Harley Michaelis. You need to buy the plans from RCM

http://www.kitcutters.com/RCM/RCMSail/RCMRunaway.htm

[machild]

I cast my vote for the GNOME 3M or Scooter. Both a pleasure to build, both great performers. My all-time favorite woodies.

[SilentEric]

Look at the Cloud Bound 4 from Sky Bench Aerotech. Looks like you can add flaps and ailerons as a build mod. Looks like a fun model to build and fly.

[nemonis]

Slightly off topic. You mention Fred China's Runaway, from kitcutters.com. Do any of you know anything about Jim Stevens' 120" G6S-5? It is a beautiful plane. Do any of you know if it flies up to its looks? Do you know of any other problems (weak rear fuse with a T-tail, etc.)? Any info would be appreciated.

Thank-you and God bless!
Wayne J.

[thermalbum]

Slightly off topic. You mention Fred China's Runaway, from kitcutters.com. Do any of you know anything about Jim Stevens' 120" G6S-5? It is a beautiful plane. Do any of you know if it flies up to its looks? Do you know of any other problems (weak rear fuse with a T-tail, etc.)? Any info would be appreciated.

Thank-you and God bless!
Wayne J.

One of my flying buddies built one of the 120" designs by Jim Stevens the The Opti-Moose I believe.. The plane as I remember was a big build lotsa bits and pieces he called it the Impossible Moose because of the involved building techniqiues. It flew majestically, however with all the push-pull cables for the ailerons/flaps/spoilers the control was somewhat suspect. Perhaps it was his building, but now with all the available micro servos that problem would dissapear. I don't recall the plane doing anything "strange" on launch or any other part of the flight envelope.

That's the best I can do after all these years - gettin' old and my memory is going.

[Hawksnest]

That's the best I can do after all these years - gettin' old and my memory is going.

I have found there is TWO ways to tell you are getting older. One, is that you forget what you are writing about.............

[TThroop]

All of Jim Steven's designs were "builders" planes. All of his planes flew well because of his meticulous building. Jim's other hobbies, besides RC, included scratch-building scale models of WWI planes. While that doesn't sound difficult, it was the scale he was building at. The planes had wing spans of less than three inches. These models included engines with pistons and all the guide wires. He was also one of Northrup's top aircraft designers prior to his retirement, so his designs were very carefully designed. Jim was a big fan of aircraft from that era, that is what is reflected in his designs also. A lot of his earlier designs would qualify for RES events, but not Nostaligia.

How do I know so much about Jim? I had the privilege of being his first flight instructor when I was 25 years old.

Terry Throop

[3810]

thelocust,
I hope you are going to do a building thread on your Bubble Dancer.

3810