Grand or Super Esprit

[jbrandon]

I’m starting to build one of the other, cannot decide. My boom is long enough to do either – 39”. I know the Grand boom length is 34” and the Super is 37”. I also know the wing span of the Super is 173” and the Grand is 134”. I do have plans for both.

I am changing the airfoil to something newer (secret for now – I don’t want to be chastised for my choice) and will be using carbon for spar reinforcement and ejector pins for wing joiner. I think with the Super the 8’ center (one piece) will be too hard to handle but if I decide on a Grand may go with the three piece wing instead of 2. I have considered a 4 piece wing for the Super but not enthused by the idea of the 4 piece wing.

For those out there that have flown both which flies better? I generally like larger planes and may use this for an entry level plane for cross country.

[OVSS Boss]

Brandon, the regular Grand Esprit is plenty big enough. The big one is really flexible and is kind of an adventure on the winch. The regular one is one of the greatest sailplanes ever designed, keep it light and make it so you can ballast it. Also, mono joiner is the way to go, do not use the standard set up at all cost. Contact Jerry Shape, he won Toledo last year with one and it used a single 7/16" AL joiner. He scratch built the ship in a month, way great builder. Keep the tips light, no joiners out there, as dutch roll can be a problem with anything other than a verry light tip

Also, remember that changing the airfoil will disqualify from NOS events.

Marc

[Thermaleer]

Another one Jim? Awesome. Post pics of your build. I have stalled on my finish and still have to cover it. Thanks for your help with it, Joser.

[jbrandon]

Boss: Thanks for your input. This is America, nothing is ever big enough!

One of my favorite planes is the LJMP Meteor which is very similar to the Grand other than the airfoil and X tail. Larry used the E205 and it always flew great. But it has a fiberglass fuselage and is more than I want to tackle right now at the start of the flying season. I had built a Grand a year or so ago using the same airfoil as the Meteor and it too flew great but I think I can make it even better with something else. I’d like to see more of a speed range.

I absolutely agree about the wing joiner, I have no idea where Lee’s head was! I will probably use steel vs aluminum, I just feel safer. Just started thinking, I could machine one form 7075…

I have no intention of flying in NOS events – just does not interest me. I am looking for an easy fairly inexpensive RES plane for this year.

I completed the carbon capping of the spars all the while thinking about all those ribs and am leaning very heavily towards the Grand. Like you said, it is plenty big enough and if not I do have my Sharon and Shadow.

Thermaleer: Yes, I broke the last one I built due to pilot stupidity. I had not planned on doing a build log but will do some pictures as I go along and post on my web site, keep checking back (http://theshope.net/hobby.aspx).

This time I fabricated the boom using carbon\Kevlar and it came in lighter than the original boom by an almost an ounce (24 grams) but is much stiffer.

But I would still like to hear about flying experiences.

Jim

[OVSS Boss]

Jim,

Contact Don Richmond, he could get you an AL joiner. I have a steel one, but only for ballast along with the 16 ounces I can carry internally in the fuse. The AL joiner seems to be plenty strong enough.

Marc

[schrederman]

Quote> Boss: Thanks for your input. This is America, nothing is ever big enough!

Heck, Marc has spent time in Texas... he should DEFINITELY know better...

Jack

[John Cole]

Here's a dumb question; what's wrong with the original wing joiner? My GE doesn't know the difference...


John

[John Walter]

Jim,

Contact Don Richmond, he could get you an AL joiner. I have a steel one, but only for ballast along with the 16 ounces I can carry internally in the fuse. The AL joiner seems to be plenty strong enough.

Marc

I use a 3/8th inch joiner from Don and it is plenty strong. I have a Bubble Dancer style CF spar and I have been a bit heavy on the foot when winching without any problems. FYI, that airfoil doesn't like to zoom like todays' models. :eek: