Interest in Predator 4

[georgeg]

Pardon the double post but I've been talking with Dave Hill about his Predator 4 open class sailplane. While Dave is up to his armpits in orders for his excellent Arrow Pro DLG, once upon a time, he produced a really good open class ship named the Predator 4. Dave tells me there is some interest from another well known glider builder in bringing back the Predator 4. For those who don't remember the model, the wingspan is 124 in, area is 970 sq in, airfoil is SA 7035, weight was 66-75 oz. Attached is a picture taken from an old Ed Slegers ad. Preliminary plan (very preliminary) would be to produce the kit with obechi sheeted wings. If there was sufficient interest, there is the possibility of bagged glass and/or carbon wings from Dave Hill. The question is....is there any interest in the return of this design?

[Griphon]

I'd be interested, but I'm still waiting on my Arrow from December from Dave. I've been hoping that I get that special email telling me it's on its way.

[Shaper Dave]

Looks like the Predator 4 is going to happen. I am in the planning stages with Brian Agnew to bring it back. Brian is going to be very active in our sport again and Im stoked he's going to be manufacturing the P4 as well as some other models he has the rights to.

We are just working things out and I will be sending Brian a Demo ship possibly a second design Im calling the Predator 4 X.

If time works out he may be at the Tangerine and Arizona with the new toys. We'll see how it goes.

Dave

[Ed Franz]

Good looking plane, I remember the original one. Any thought to a price on a obechi sheeted version? Always looking for a new cool new TD plane.

Ed

[spinolio]

I know a guy that might be interested $$$???

[StevenatorLTFO]

I think there would definitely be an interest. I have just returned to the hobby after a many year exile (married, kids, house, etc, you know the drill..) and I have noticed that there seems to be a lack of entry level contest airplanes. An obechi, or bagged wing high performance airplane would be nice to plug some of the gaps. Might be good to see something like this with perhaps a little more updated airfoil on it.

Steve

[regis]

A lot depends on fit and completeness. @ 600$ I think there would be a lot of interest. Not so much @ 800 though.

[Shaper Dave]

Brian is hoping to be able to have the Obechi wing kit available
for under $500.

Im sure this can happen. Remember this kit will be a classic Obechi
Kit. This means " building" like we used to.

If Brian will get his name registered with RC Groups he can chime in.

Dave

[Ed Franz]

Under $500 sounds like a great deal! I would be in for that.

Ed

[Wind Shadow]

Brian is hoping to be able to have the Obechi wing kit available
for under $500.

Im sure this can happen. Remember this kit will be a classic Obechi
Kit. This means " building" like we used to.
Dave

Does "classic obechi kit" mean presheeted wings and stabs?
If so, I'd be interested too! :D

Wind Shadow

[Shaper Dave]

My original kits came with sheeted Obechi wings and Stabs. A balsa sheeted Rudder and S-glass fuse with kevlar and carbon reinforcing.

The builder had to attach the Bass wood leading edges and cap the flap and aileron faces. Servo wells are routed.

This was a typical kit for the 90's before the all molded era.

The final version from Brian may not offer some of the small details I used in my kits but we'll see.

The bottom line is you will get a great plane for a good price and have fun building it.

Attached is a couple of ads I ran in Quite Flyer around 98' - 2000'

Dave

[Jim Deck]

A very pretty design that'd be nice to see again. One caveat: ensure that it's "Spread Spectrum" friendly.

[Jim Deck]

How about an encore 2 meter Banshee?

[Shaper Dave]

I just got an e-mail from Brian that he registered and should be going us.

I believe he has the Banschee in the works as well.

Dave

[wr_mizzard]

Wow!! I have an old Predator (aileron slope trainer) that I bought back around '96 in Camarillo (I think it was at the no-longer around "Red Baron Hobbies"). It was my first balsa built-up kit (box of sticks). I rarely fly it but it was a wonderfull first aileron sloper. I wonder, is this the same designer/series? I'll post a pic when I get home from work. Perhaps it's time for an upgrade ;)

-James

[Shaper Dave]

Not Mine.

Dave

[wr_mizzard]

Not Mine.

Dave


Hmmmm....they do look somewhat similar though.

-James

[Shaper Dave]

I suppose they are similar in the fact that they both have wings and a tail but otherwise I don't think so.

I believe thats the kit by Buzz Waltz.

Dave

[bobthenuke]

Dave,

I'm onboard with a Predator 4...please add my name to your list, if there is one. :)

...bob

[wr_mizzard]

I suppose they are similar in the fact that they both have wings and a tail but otherwise I don't think so.

I believe thats the kit by Buzz Waltz.

Dave

Yah, you're right...I'm in line for a Predator 4 too, if you please.

-James

[Shaper Dave]

Brian, oh Brian.... Hello, Hello where are you?

[Ed Franz]

Put me on this list as well. Need a beta tester. :-)

Ed

[Fred Cotten]

Dave, do you think we could get the plane with the 7037, not the 7035. Fred

[Shaper Dave]

Fred,

The XL uses the 7037 and I've always wanted to put that set of wings on the P4 fuse.
The only templates for the P4 are the 7035 at this time. You could always ask Brian if he could do that. I think though at this time most guys would like a newer foil but that means a new mold.

"If" the kits become available from Brian it will be a couple of months from now before there ready.

Dave

[Ed Franz]

Good things come to those who wait. Yep, I'm willing to wait. :-)

Nothing wrong with the 7035, always did like the airfoil. Then again I like the 7080 as well.

Ed

[Ed Franz]

I have been thinking... One thing that would be nice would be a ballast tube in the fuse. It is a pain to change one wing rod to another lighter or heavier. Just a thought...

Ed

[Brian Agnew]

Dave, do you think we could get the plane with the 7037, not the 7035. Fred

Hey guys! I'm still learning this blog, threads and whatnot. Please remember this is all in the infancy stage and is the product of some rather unusual/timely and like-minded conversations. I've spent too much money on moldies. I built an obechi winged-falcon 880ish model with the 7035. Thermals better than anything else I have and cost no more than $250. One thing led to another..........

I strongly believe there are a lot of guys like me that have spent too much money on planes that, for the money, should be able to go up while flying upside-down in sink.

We'll see,

Brian

[Brian Agnew]

Brian, oh Brian.... Hello, Hello where are you?

Dave? Is that you?

Brian

[Shaper Dave]

Hi Brian!

Yep, thats me. How about letting the folks in on what you plan on doing and some of the different designs you may bring out.

Dave

[Brian Agnew]

If all of this comes to fruition I would like to offer 3 unlimited ships and a re-vamped Banshee II 2m.

Primarily I would be focusing on Dave's ships. Dave is well know for the quality of his kits and designs and his current Arrow DHLG's have really taken the market by storm and he is doing his best to fill orders. His Predator 4 would be my first choice to kit tooled up and running.

The 3 unlimited ships would offer 3 sections: 7035, RG-15, and (maybe) the 7037. The Banshee would retain the 387 but with a different fuse.

I have a lot of decisions to make and I hope this week I'll be able to decide what I will do.

Again, thoughts and opinions are always welcome.

Thanks,

Brian

[Wind Shadow]

This could end up being really sweet!
Affordable, good performing sailplanes again!
YEEHAW!! :D

Wind Shadow

[georgeg]

If all of this comes to fruition I would like to offer 3 unlimited ships and a re-vamped Banshee II 2m.

Primarily I would be focusing on Dave's ships. Dave is well know for the quality of his kits and designs and his current Arrow DHLG's have really taken the market by storm and he is doing his best to fill orders. His Predator 4 would be my first choice to kit tooled up and running.

The 3 unlimited ships would offer 3 sections: 7035, RG-15, and (maybe) the 7037. The Banshee would retain the 387 but with a different fuse.

I have a lot of decisions to make and I hope this week I'll be able to decide what I will do.

Again, thoughts and opinions are always welcome.

Thanks,

Brian

Brian, I'm looking forware to your return to kit making. The Predator with a 7035 airfoil is particularly attractive. What I would REALLY like to see, tho is a bagged glass wing rather than obechi. Dave says you're more comfortable with obechi, any chance of your moving into bagging?

[Brian Agnew]

George:

Any bagged wings for Dave's designs would have to be done by him. Carbon for bagging and getting the carbon tubes would really be cost prohibitive, but you would have to discuss that with Dave.

I prefer obechi. I enjoy working with wood and the looks of a nice lacquered finish. If you are concerned about looks I've found Ultracote Plus can be applied with minimal heat and when well done you would never know it wasn't molded. As far as aerodynamics I've felt that as far as TD ships are concerned, if anything, the obechi certainly doesn't hurt performance, actually, my experience has been the opposite. No doubt I'll take a pounding from the aerodynamic engineers out there.

Brian

[Ed Franz]

I have very fond memories of my wood winged Falcon 880. I love the look of wood, something different in these days of look a like planes. Any thoughts of making electric fuse's for the new planes?

Ed

[Brian Agnew]

I'm almost completely ignorant w/ the electric stuff. The guys that know what they're doing just cut the nose off install set-ups that have worked for them. Mark Allen had an excellent electric fuse but I don't know where it ended up.

[Ed Franz]

A Predator with a RG-15, that would make a real nice windy weather plane. I can't wait to see else you come out with.

Ed

[Shaper Dave]

The Predator 3 is a RG-15 3 meter T tail that has been very sucessful here in Hawaii. And the base fuslage of the XL and 4.

Possibly as things get moving I could do some electric fuselages to fit the predators. We'll see.

Dave