Bubble Dancer. Whats your opinion?

[skipinhouston]

I really want one of these airplanes or something comparable like a Houston Hawk, but is there something coming out that will put me back in the pack again?
I just can't affort a $1500 sailplane and I'm not sure I'd buy one even if I could.
But most of all, how difficult/ complicated would one of these be to build and what is a reasonable time frame for a grandpa who works about 3 days a week to finish it?
I have medium building skills but now that I'm old, I have a lot more patience than I used to have :D .
And would you build a BD from the short kit or go for the EZ from Polecat?
I don't seem to have any choice for the Hawk.
Seems like the cost is going to be comparable considering all the engineering and cutting involved in the kit compared to tracking down, cutting, building and buying individual items.
Any comments and suggestions will be appreciated.
SkipinHouston

[raschow]

I have the EZBD kit from Polecat - it is superb! Dropped the idea of BD from various parts, at least for now - a friend went with parts for cost near $300, EZBD kit is $320 (with minimal fuss). Good Lift! (skipinvienna)

[neonbutterfly]

my buddy gene and i scratch built our bubble dancers over the winter.....ie ribs from laser arts, boom and rudder posts from kennedy composites, etc......gene scaled up an allegro fuse and we built balsa/ply/fiberglass covered fuses for the BD......total cost for us was around $250 each.....they are fine flying ships and can be zoom launched....

if your building skills are not up to snuff...then i would get the ez kit from polecataero......

in my opinion the BD is the finest flying RES ship out there.....my hat is off to mark drela for a supereb design......good luck and post some pics of the finished plane.....

bob :D

[rdwoebke]

Yes, either would be good. Construction methods are somewhat different. After seeing an EZBD fly recently, if you can afford the kit price I would go with that. I built my BD for about $200, but then I made my own pod from off cuts of Kevlar cloth and made my own V mount from aluminum.

It seems the spar system on the EZ is much less critical to a possible spar/shear web bond issue (my BD's spar folded on it's 7th winch launch).

Ryan

[Antares]

Yes, either would be good. Construction methods are somewhat different. After seeing an EZBD fly recently, if you can afford the kit price I would go with that. I built my BD for about $200, but then I made my own pod from off cuts of Kevlar cloth and made my own V mount from aluminum.

It seems the spar system on the EZ is much less critical to a possible spar/shear web bond issue (my BD's spar folded on it's 7th winch launch).

Ryan


Did you wrap the whole spar with kevlar tow?

I'm scratch building one, I haven't started the wing yet...

JD

[rdwoebke]

Did you wrap the whole spar with kevlar tow?

I'm scratch building one, I haven't started the wing yet...

JD

On the BD, I used Kevlar thread. Of course, I went with much closer wraps than one would with tow (ribbon). On the Allegro I have Kevlar thread on the very tip pannels and then Kevlar tow on the mids/center. I like the tow better I think although I think you can do lighter with the thread on the very tips.

Mark has in the past stated that wtih a "string wrapped" spar ala BD/Allegro the spar core to cap bond is very critical. On a "cloth wrapped" spar ala Aegea/Supra it is not as critical.

Ryan

[bobby legue]

Ive been trying to get in touch with Denny for a month now to get a kit. Phone and e-mails, just no luck. No response at all. Does anyone know if he is ok? I know he had some severe health issues. I heard he was at a meet somewhere after his knee surgery and I assumed that he was better. If not I should stop pestering him until he is. Can some one let me know please.
Thanks to all who reply,
Bob

[thelocust]

He was at the NATS last weekend. Can't account for the lack of responsiveness, but he *is* a small business, and the contest season is usually pretty busy. Also, I know the EZBD kit is selling well.


And as far as the Bubble Dancer goes, I built an Allegro-Lite and I built the prototype EZBD, and I love them both. I put up 4 winning rounds with my EZBD at the NATS (out of five) and I love this plane! It launches *real* hard and flies great. Also, it's EZ to build!

[bobby legue]

I so gotta get one!!!! Thanks thelocust. I love the lazy flying style and winning so the EZ would be a perfect match for me.

[skipinhouston]

Well, I got lucky and found a Bubble Dancer already built by one of the Master Builders here on this forum. A Vee tail at that.
My only problem now is finding a way to get it from Mobile, Alabama to Houston without taking any chances on shipping.
I'm building a birch plywood carrying box as we speak and might have to send that to him and have it shipped that way.
Another of the members here has graciously offered to meet me in Baton Rouge with it the next time he has a meeting over there, so I'm just being patient.
I plan on building another one myself this winter so I can have a backup.
If it flys as good as it looks we're all in tall cotton.
SkipinHouston

[bobby legue]

Ohhhh Yeah!

[arukum17]

Bubble Dancer...MIT DNA .... need I say more?

[thelocust]

Well, I got lucky and found a Bubble Dancer already built by one of the Master Builders here on this forum. A Vee tail at that.


A V-tail Bubble Dancer! Wow - I gotta see that.

[rdwoebke]

A V-tail Bubble Dancer! Wow - I gotta see that.

My friend Roy that built this model also has a V tail electric Allegro Lite. He really favors V tails and built the BD that way. I probably have a picture of it somewhere saved.

Ryan

[Roger_n_MtAiry]

I built mine from the usual assortment of partsm LazerArts ribs/webs, Bud Elder pod & tail mount, etc. I started 2.5 months ago and finished last Saturday. Flew first flights that morning and Sunday afternoon off handlaunch and HD-HighStart. I am well pleased and can't wait to get some winch launches. I'm a fairly good builder and despite the "simple" design, the real challenge is in the details and understanding the plan is critical to get it right.

The EZBD, I'm told, does go together pretty easy. If you're up to the challenge Drela's plans build is rewarding. The cost is pretty much the same either way, it sorta depends on how much you enjoy the challenge of building as to which way you go.
Cheers,
Roger

[skipinhouston]

Yep. Roy Walton crafted this airplane. I'm lucky to get it, and it will have a very good home as soon as I can "liberate" it from Mississippi.
SkipinHouston

[kwmtrubrit]

Is there a web page on the EZBD or Polecat? I am interested in looking at it.

[skipinhouston]

Try this.
http://www.polecataero.com/products/ezbd/
SkipinHouston

[kwmtrubrit]

Try this.
http://www.polecataero.com/products/ezbd/
SkipinHouston

Thanks for the info.

Keith

I have actually seen AND TOUCHED the BD you are wanting. I was on vacation on Dauphin Island and "smokinjoe" (in Mobile) is a friend of mine, who flies with Roy. I flew with both of them and saw the BD then. Good looking plane!!

[aeajr]

I have seen Mark Drela hand launch his BD many times and speck it out. Amazing.

I think his Bubble Dancer is the most beautiful sailplane I have ever seen and it absolutely defies gravity.

What does the EZBD weigh. I heard it was coming in over 42 ounces compared to Mark Drela's BD which I believe he said was 34 ounces.

Now, no one can build like Mark, but does the extra weight make a big difference?

[rdwoebke]

What does the EZBD weigh. I heard it was coming in over 42 ounces compared to Mark Drela's BD which I believe he said was 34 ounces.

Now, no one can build like Mark, but does the extra weight make a big difference?

Not in my book. A lot of guys are at high 30s or low 40s on thier Bubble Dancers anyway. And Avas are quite a similar design and most guys are at low 40s on thier Avas. And many guys are flying electric Avas at 50 and 60 ounces.....

And I have seen Ben's EZBD (his being the prototype is even heavier, at 48 ounces) fly and it seems to do as well or better than an Ava.

So I say the weight is not an issue. Sure, being lighter could be beneficial in some "minimum sink" conditions and I suppose it would allow one to circle tighter at a lower speed.

But, my opinion has always been it is better to have a slightly heavy Bubble Dancer that actually exists and one can fly than a "I'd just build one just like Drela at 34 ounces Bubble Dancer, but I don't have the time/skills/etc. so I'll just talk about having a Bubble Dancer instead". ;-)

Ryan

[skipinhouston]

Funny.
When I started this thread and then bought Roy's BD weitht was not something I was concerned with.
I didn't even ask him what it weighs and I seriously doubt that such a small amount of weight would matter on such a large airplane, at least it doesn't to me.
I just want to fly the Bubble Dancer :)
SkipinHouston
Always remember, if you don't get everything in life that you want, think about all the things you DON'T GET that you don't want.

[rdwoebke]

Skip in H-Town,

I emailed Roy quite a bit during the build (as I was finishing my Allegro at the time). I think he did OK on the weight. Certianly the ship looks great. I am sure you will have a great flyer.

Ryan

[skipinhouston]

Ryan, Smokin' Joe, Roy, et al.
If Joe doesn't get a trip to Baton Rouge before Sept. 9, I'm coming over after the airplane and I'd sure like to meet all of you before I head back.
I'll be calling on the refineries and chem plants in the area so if you know anybody, I'd appreciate any referals.
"See you in September"........
SkipinHouston

[mlachow]

Not in my book. A lot of guys are at high 30s or low 40s on thier Bubble Dancers anyway. And Avas are quite a similar design and most guys are at low 40s on thier Avas. And many guys are flying electric Avas at 50 and 60 ounces.....

Ryan

I have a Bubble Dancer that weighs in at 35 oz unballasted. I also have a ballast system that I can use to put up to 24 oz into the model. (Actually a hole in the side of the fuselage so I can just bolt a bar inside and weighs next to nothing).

For light air, the 35 oz BD is much nicer than the 41 oz BD which is with my 6 oz bar. I notice the difference, but others might not.

For those used to heavy moldies, you have to get used to waiting for things to get there... I have launched several times in contests and turned right downwind for the lift. It covers ground wellm but not as fast as you might be used to.

[aeajr]

Has anyone seen a build thread for this plane?

[rdwoebke]

Has anyone seen a build thread for this plane?

The Allegro Lite build thread that Ben Wilson and others had was pretty good. The James Osborn Allegro Lite build thread also really helps out. And, you should join the Allegro Lite yahoo group.

Ryan