Gentle Lady Kit Quality

[rkrider]

Been building and flying powered models for somtime now. Wanted to try my hand at sailplanes, so bought a GL to start with. This has got to be the worst kit for parts fit I've ever built ! Trailing edge rib notches not even close to matching plans. Spar slots on several ribs needed to be re-cut. Precut cut gussets pretty much unusable. Lots of flash on leading and trailing edges. Ply laser cut parts require lots of cutting to remove. So far I've completed the tail feathers and half of the right wing.

Has this always been the case or was someting lost in the transition when Lanier took took over Goldberg ? I've always wanted to build the CG Chipmunk and Ultimate, but if is any indication of the quality I may pass.

[Ollie]

I agree you!

It's too bad you got a quality kit. See:
http://www.djaerotech.com/dj_product/chrysalis2m.html
http://www.laserarts.com/product_info.php?cPath=25_28&products_id=174
http://www.skybench.com/ 2M Lil Bird

[Wylie Shaw]

Ditto what Ollie said, You can also look at:

www.mmglidertech.com Grand Illuision / Marauder for die crunchers he puts out a nice kit.

Best Regards.

Wylie S. :D :D

[rkrider]

Thanks guys

I'll look into these for my next kit. Want something that can handle a little more wind and handle the stress of a rookie learning to winch launch.

[John Gallagher]

The big problem with the GL kit is that when they went to laser cutting they didn't correct the errors from the old die chopped kit.

[BMatthews]

I had an Electra kit lots of years back. It was so bad that I put it all back into the box in disgust. Sold it at a swap meet to someone that really wanted it just BECAUSE it as a CG kit. Even warning him about the parts fit didn't tone down the gleam in his eyes.

Sad really. When I was a kid the three Goldberg kits I built were almost capable of holding themselves together without any glue the fit was so good. A Stuntman 23, Lil Satan and a Jr Falcon. All excellent kits. Poor Carl is probably rolling in his coffin as what has happened to the company.

[sailhigh]

I've built three Gentle Ladies. Goldberg kits weren't the best, but they went together OK and did the job. Didn't know Lanier took over Goldberg. When did that happen?

[John Gallagher]

Sad really. When I was a kid the three Goldberg kits I built were almost capable of holding themselves together without any glue the fit was so good. A Stuntman 23, Lil Satan and a Jr Falcon. All excellent kits. Poor Carl is probably rolling in his coffin as what has happened to the company.

It's my understanding that the dies used to cut the parts were good when the kit first came out, but over the years they got old and worn, and were not replaced or not replaced often enough. I built my GL kit about 5 or 6 years ago and a lot of parts had to be modified to fit. When the new co took over they must have used the parts from a die cut kit to make the laser templates, instead of using a good set of new cad drawings.

[slopemeno]

I built my second one back in 97 and the kit quality wasnt great then either. I had read about a technique a guy used on an Oly and thought I'd give it a try: When it comes to making the spars fit in the spar holes, glue it with tite bond thinned about 50% with water, and apply with a paintbrush, painting around the loose holes for the spars. The surface tension of the titebond keeps it gooped to the rib until it dries, forming a good solid connection. I didnt think anything more about this until I ran the receiver battery dead and stuffed it into some coyote bushes. The fuse and tail got hammered, but the wing came away unscathed.

[rchawks]

Man I'm sorry to hear this. I've been flying for 25 yrs now and learned how to fly by teaching myself. I've built 7 Gentle Lady's over the years. All were GB though and I only noticed very slight variations in the quality of the kits. But its been over 15 yrs since I built my last one. I love this airplane and I think it's very hard to beat if you want to teach yourself to fly . I glad I still have 2 original kits left! You always have the option of building one from scratch using the plans. I would say this kit is worth the effort it takes to do that. I would suggest double checking the plans to make sure the measurements are even. Seems I remember them being off just a little, easy enough correct for.

[oracle_9]

Location A --> balsa + humidity at A + machine to cut
Location B --> balsa + humidity at B

Maybe?

Anyway, I built an GL 12 years ago, it was slightly off..but it could have been by humidity. But I have not see the newer GL's first hand......it would be a shame if it was poor :(

[slopemeno]

The plans are still available from MAN? with the rib profiles. Cut two kits at once and you'll have GL's for years.

[rkroel]

Location A --> balsa + humidity at A + machine to cut
Location B --> balsa + humidity at B

Maybe?

Anyway, I built an GL 12 years ago, it was slightly off..but it could have been by humidity. But I have not see the newer GL's first hand......it would be a shame if it was poor :(

Naw, the errors are too far off to be from humidity alone. Plus everyone has the same issues - sounds like poor cad files to me. :(

[Komet]

It's really too bad that a kit as revered as the Gentle Lady has been let down by its manufacturers that way. I came close to buying one but in the end decided on a Chrysalis 2M because of the manufacturers reputation for service. I never regretted getting the Chrysalis as it went together beautifully, but I’m sure glad I never wasted my time with a gentle lady.