Sourcing for a 1/6 DFS Reiher Short Kit?

[dougchambers]

After a long separation from sailplanes, I've decided to start flying again. For a winter project, I want to start a scale / semi-scale plane. I like the looks of the DFS Reiher, but haven't been able to find a short kit to start me off.

I can go strictly scratch, but has anyone seen a short kit for a Reiher? Who are the best sources these days for scale parts?

Thanks,

Doug

[thrmaln]

Hey Doug,

Way back (mid 90's), I believe Bob Sealy had a Rheier semi kit available. I belive it was bigger than 1/6 scale though. 1/5 or 1/4 I think. It consisted of a fiberglass fuse with cores for the wing and stabs. I have not seen one in a while but occasionally I see them for sale here and there. Try posting a messsage to RCSE. You might get lucky. People always buy kits and shelve them.

Good luck,

Marc Webster

[dougchambers]

Marc,

Thanks for the suggestion. I found the one from Bob, but it has a 181" wing span. I wanted to stay it a bit smaller for my first scale ship.

Thanks again,

Doug

[AllThumbs]

I believe Krick had a slightly smaller scale Reiher...maybe 1/5 or 1/6.

They may have gone the way of Weston and Dodgson though.

I was out of the hobby for awhile, when I decided to get back in I looked up Bob Seely and ordered a Reiher in 1998.
It is HUGE.
I set it aside after moving and finding no club in my new location with a winch.
This bird isn't going up on a high start, that's for sure.


(I couldn't find all the scale information I wanted to do it right either).

[dougchambers]

Thumbs,

Thanks for the suggestion. I will have to brush up on my German.

Doug

[AllThumbs]

No problem Doug.
I dont remember if the Krick kit was a "short kit" or full kit.
I saw the finished product at a scale meet years ago.
It was nice, I was curious about the color.
It was done in a deep near yellow cream color and I have only found B&W photos and it looks off white.

I found one color shot of Hanna Rietsch(?)and her Reiher from the 1930's.

I don't know how crazy you want to get with the scale details, but if you find anything on the interior, prehaps you can share it with us.

There was a full size Reiher projeext going on in Germany several years ago...they were buildiing a full scale Reiher from scratch.
I haven't been to that website in awhile....wonder if they finished....?

[AllThumbs]

Unfortunately I can't remember who built this one...

[dougchambers]

I found this site SegelFlug (DFS Reiher) (http://www.segelflug.de/vereine/oscwasserkuppe/reiher/werkst/frreihws.html) where they were building a full size. The last dates I've found on their site were from Oct/Nov 1998.

I will drop them an email to see if they finished.

I haven't been able to find any interior drawings or pictures. The color thing could pose a problem also. As you've found, I can only find B&W pictures.

I saw a 1/6-scale in the back of an old S&E Modeler that was built from a set of Mike Smart plans. I've emailed him a couple of times to ask about the drawings and canopy he has listed on his site, but he hasn't gotten back with me.

I'll let you know what I find...

Doug

[MTT]

@Doug : The Reiher you are referring to has been finished, and also has made its first ( uneventful ) flights.

Maiden flight was on Oct. 21, 2000.

Unfortunately, the group who built it, didn't keep on documenting it on the website, as they did initially.
I found the info about the first flight on this page (http://www.osc-wasserkuppe.de/) , but it's in german only.

The model in the picture you posted has 6,33 m ( 249 in ) wing span, and was built by Gottfried Balga.

I have started to build a Reiher from a german plan by Klaus Nietzer, 1:5 scale, 3,78 m ( 148 in ) wing span, although the project is currently on hold.
I could run a copy of it, if you are interested. There were also some instructions with it, in german, as well as in english, but they were not very detailed.


The Reiher from Krick was a full kit, in 1:6 scale, but it has been discontinued, however, the plans are still available from Krick.


Michael

[dougchambers]

Michael,

Thanks for the update on the Reiher. It's great to see they got it finished and in the air.

I haven't found anyone that has built the Mike Smart or Quiet Flight plans for the 1:6-scale. Actually, I haven't found too many that have built this plane at any scale.

Have you found any good pictures of the cockpit? I'd love to see your plans and instructions. Shoot me a PM or message at my Email (dougc3@mindspring.com) of what you think it would cost. We might be able to work out a reference swap if I order the 1:6 plans.

Doug

[dougchambers]

I wasn't able to find a short kit, but I did find plans and a canopy from Mike Smart at MSD.

And so the project begins...

Anyone found pictures of the cockpit?

Doug

[AllThumbs]

After a long time looking, I found one or two...
Gave upafter that.
There must be a book or manual with pictures somewhere..but I can't afford a trip to Germany at the moment.

[AllThumbs]

I think these were factory shots from the 30's

[dougchambers]

Thanks for the pictures. That's more than I've found so far. If I find any others, I will let you know.

Doug

[AllThumbs]

"plans and a canopy from Mike Smart at MSD."

So, who exactly is Mike Smart and what is MSD?

Been out of RC for awhile...so I'm clueless here.
Are his plans and canopy in one scale only?

[dougchambers]

Thumbs,

Mike Smart Plans are out of the UK. His website is at Mike Smart Designs (http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~msd/) . I've ordered a set of the 1:6 plans and the canopy.

Mike moderates a few of the scale groups here on the boards.

I'll let you know how the plans look when they come in.

Doug

[AllThumbs]

In case you are interested.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3110379876&category=2563

DFS Reiher vintage sailplane fuse and plans!!
Item # 3110379876
RARE VINTAGE REIHER SAILPLANE!

Mike Smart DFS Reiher plans and fuselage in 1/6th scale, 126 inch span, for rudder/elevator/aileron/spoiler control.

The beautiful fiberglass fuselage has been completed; ply bulkheads installed, wing joiner blade box and alignment pin tube
accurately installed, canopy with pilot and instrument panel completed (pitot tube in nose doubles as canopy release pin),
releasable towhook installed in belly. Includes tube in nose for aerotow release, and scale vacuum venturi on side of nose.
Horizontal stab and elevator construction done, rudder construction done. Includes accurate thin ply wing rib templates for
making balsa ribs. Plan comes rolled, shows all views necessary for completion of this model.

All you have to do is build the gorgeous gull wings, install your radio, cover, paint, and FLY! This is an excellent way to get into
the exciting world of scale sailplanes, as most of the construction has already been done for you by an expert builder. It is a
good-sized model for aerotow, winch, hi-start or slope, and it makes a very true to scale glider.

[dougchambers]

For those still interested, I received the plans and canopy from Mike Smart Models last night. The plans are on a large single sheet and look quite good. I am in the process of scanning the formers and ribs to convert them for laser cuting. The only problem I've come across is that I don't have all of the rib outlines. I'll have to see if I can interpolate the outlines for all the other ribs. There are ~56 per wing!

Anyone have a good source for wing joiners? The plans call out for a Graupner rectangular tube. I'm also debating to go with the true scale air brakes or go a little more modern. I'll start looking around.

Doug

[AllThumbs]

Prehaps you can post a picture from time to time.

[dougchambers]

Thumbs,

I'll be happy too post pics... I've already converted all of the formers into CAD and have started working on the wing. I may need to purchase a copy of CompuFoil with the .DXF module to get a clean wing. The demo looks pretty good. I've found that the pitch between the ribs in the drawing isn't consistent but I haven't determined which airfoil Mike used.

I've started looking for some of the components I need like the wing rods and spoilers. I haven't decided between a CF or hardened rod. Doesn't appear that there are too many sources around these days. If you have any source suggestions, let me know.

Thanks,

Doug