Flair Albatross 100S

[Gary Binnie]

Ok then folks, here it is! A build thread for the Flair Albatross 100S glider. :)

I wasn’t going to build this until the winter but the weather has been so bad I thought there would be no harm in starting early, it might be a long build though.

The Albatross was Flair’s successor to the Sunrise introduced in the mid-1990’s I think, it does not appear in their current product range and these kits seem to be becoming rare.
Like the Cambrian Elan there is very little on the Internet about this model.

I am biased towards Flair’s kits as every one I have built have been winners in both the building and flying department so forgive me if I ‘blow their trumpet' a bit occasionally but I will also highlight any faults or problems when I find them.

On to the model then: The Albatross is a 100S class traditional built up glider, it uses the Selig 7037 wing section. Airbrakes are optional and parts are included in the kit. Another version was available with a foam/veneered wing.

What’s in the box? You get 11 panels of die cut Liteply parts, sheet and strip wood, a bag of hardware, snakes and cables and a couple of ‘Albatross’ badges.
Paperwork includes one large plan for the wing, six A3 sheets of illustrated instructions and seven A4 sheets of general construction notes and a comprehensive parts list with diagrams of the Liteply panel parts. All very nice.

Progress so far: Not a lot! I have spent several evenings studying the plan and instructions which always helps to avoid mistakes later on. This afternoon I numbered the Liteply parts with a pencil as a precaution and checked through the other balsa strip, sheet and parts. It’s all there. :cool:

The first step in construction is the inner wing panels with a note that if it is being built with airbrakes then this is where to start by building the boxes. So that is where I will start.

Cheers

Gary

[RC-JG]

Nice one Gary looking forward to this :)

[Wing-span]

I'll have to pick one of these up next time I see one. I thought they were still in production.

[Gary Binnie]

They are getting rare. The Albatross does not appear on Flair's current website, they have also dropped the fantastic 1/4 scale Schleicher K8 which was very popular. I presume that they are still trading although they don't seem to advertise at all and their website news has been static for a long time, bit of a mystery.

A long time ago they kitted a slope soaring EE Lightning and Hawker Hunter, very rare and sought after now.

Fortunately the kit collectors release all these old models for sale occasionally, it's down to luck whether you see the advert before someone else though!

[RC-JG]

I'll have to pick one of these up next time I see one. I thought they were still in production.

Here you go http://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=25494

[Wing-span]

Thank you.

[Gary Binnie]

Felt a bit tired after work today but I reckoned I could tackle the highly complex airbrake boxes!

Flair call them airbrakes, I know they are actually spoilers.

Only thing to watch out for here is that the small hardwood 'seats' are cut from 3x3mm square which was nearer 3x4mm in reality so I just made sure that they were all fitted the same (3mm) way round. The spoiler would not sit evenly otherwise.

The wing ribs as supplied are die-cut for a non-spoiler wing so I will have to modify them to take the boxes and two snake outers that run in each leading edge 'D' box. This is not specifically mentioned in the instructions and it could be embarrasing later.

So a little bit of rib trimming next.

[Gary Binnie]

I removed a set of ribs for an inner panel from their sheets, they almost fell out! Tapped them out with the rubber end of a pencil and pushed the joiner tube holes out with the sharp end. Great, this is the way to make ribs! :cool:

I took the slightly rough edges off with sandpaper, they don't have to be super smooth as they all get covered with sheeting or capping strips. This time I have numbered them where it can't be seen through any transparent covering.

The spars would not quite fit initially so I took a file gently to the slots then squared the noses up.

The tails of the ribs do not end squarely, probably a limitation of the die-cutting (ed's note: it was deliberate and not a limitation) but I checked against the plan and they have left about 2mm over so that they can be squared up, very good. I think it's always worth spending a bit of time on the ribs as it makes wing building a doddle (easy). ;)

Joiner tubes fitted through the holes without adjustment so all I've got to do is modify the ribs for the spoiler boxes and cables which I will leave until tomorrow (best not to do complicated stuff when I'm tired).

Cheers

Gary

[Gary Binnie]

Onwards and upwards!

Tired again (early shift does nothing for me) I messed around with the wing parts tonight.

Two pairs of inner ribs needed laminating and all the ribs from the root to the outer end of the spoiler box needed holes drilling for the cable guides, some need a single hole, some need a slot big enough for two guides. Five ribs had to be modified for the spoiler box.

There are no holes for the spoiler cables in the fuselage sides so I marked the left side using the root rib, saves a bit of guesswork later.

The lower spar, trailing edge and the false leading edge are cut to length and everything is dry fitted, no glue tonight.

Cheers

Gary

[Gary Binnie]

Evening folks,

I completed the basic structure of the wing panel tonight.

The ribs were attached to the trailing edge first with a 1/16th packing strip underneath to allow for the capping strips.

Minor warping of the ribs was easily straightened while they were fixed to the lower spar. The false leading edge was added and then the upper spar.

The outer rib is angled inwards 8 degrees using a jig made from a drawing on the plan.

There was a slight disagreement between the plan and the instructions about the spar webbing, I stuck with the instructions and fitted double webs for the first seven rib bays with single webs further outboard and on the rear face of the spar.

The joiner tubes were cut to length and epoxied in place. The spoiler box is not fixed at this stage in case I need to adjust it after sheeting.

All pretty standard stuff, just making an effort to keep it accurate and neat.

The false leading edge needs sanding to the rib profile and then the top sheeting and capping strips can go on.

Cheers

Gary

[RC-JG]

Coming on nicely Gary :)

[Gary Binnie]

Thanks, how's your ankle?

It's all quiet in the house this morning (just me and the dog) so I will plod on.

[Gary Binnie]

Spent about nine hours today bashing balsa.

Have to post while I can remember what I did!

Where where we? Oh yes, inner wing panel.

I sheeted the upper 'D' box then turned it over for the lower surface. It is important that the structure is well pinned down as any warps will be fixed in as a 'feature' for eternity. :D

But before sheeting the bottom don't forget to fit the spoiler cable guides!
Instructions suggest a heat gun to bend the plastic guides, I don't have a heat gun but my wife has a hairdryer, job done but it burnt my fingers at close range!!

I then fixed the spoiler box in place and I was happy that my guess at the rib cut-out needed was about right, the instructions could have been slightly more helpful here with a full size drawing of the ribs. There is a gap between the spoiler box and the sheeting, this was filled with 1/16th strip.

I mentioned a drawing problem earlier, there was none! I could just not see what was going on under the woodwork, comes from having only one inner panel drawing to work on I suppose.

Added rib capping strips (except at the dihedral break) and the leading edge which is pre-shaped, very little sanding was needed to blend it in to the sheeting.

Will split this post, next installment in about 20 minutes (for those who can't wait). :rolleyes:

[Gary Binnie]

I know, you are all reading 'Histarter's' thread, perhaps he is like me, stuck in the past, I like Glenn Miller you know! (I do really!)

I like these 'winged manhole cover'/'clunker' models (launched by hi-start BTW). On a family budget and with other more expensive hobbies this suits me. One day I might have a shiny carbon moulded full house 'starship' but I have to be worthy of flying it first.

Did I digress? ;)

Ok then, on to the lucious wingtip.

Yep, it's the same as the inner panel but shorter and tapered! In fact it is the reverse of Flair's earlier Sunrise, the leading edge sweeps back the same amount as the trailing edge swept forward on the Sunrise. Dudley Pattison (designer and Flair's former owner) must have worked that one out in the pub!

The construction is quietly different, balsa spars instead of spruce and a recommendation to sheet the lower surface first so that it can be pinned down flat to avoid wash-in or wash-out.

No rocket science here, nice little wingtip assembly to sand tomorrow.

I might build the fuselage next or even the tailplanes as I get bored with wings, who knows?!

Cheers

Gary

[Wing-span]

Gary,

You have a great work ethic. The build seems to be coming on at a pace!

It looks like the spoilers are activated by cable/string pulling horns which are externally mounted, correct?

Si

[Gary Binnie]

Does 'work ethic' mean standing at the building board for nine hours?! My feet are killing me!

Just following the very good instructions.

The airbrakes are operated by two pull threads attached to ply horns on the top surface which is a bit ugly but will be ok if I do it neatly. The wing is too thin to fit servos.

The closing spring method is something I have not seen before, thin wire bent in torsion, I'm sure it will work.

Was going to go full size flying tomorrow but syndicate partners have bagged the aeroplane, so more building!

It's been a long day.

GB

[RC-JG]

Nice work Gary at this rate you will be flying it at the end of this week coming ....

What's type of plane is your real 1 Gary ?

[Charged]

Good old balsa construction

[Gary Binnie]

Which funnily enough is what our Tiger Moth is made out of! Well it's not balsa but it's made the same way.

Was thinking of flying in to the Shuttleworth collection, it's a display day today. Only problem is that you can't leave until the display is finished and I would not want to get stuck there. This Tiger is going to be part of the 'Tiger Nine' formation display team, that's where it is today, on a practise demo.

Time to sand a wingtip, should have set by now.

[Gary Binnie]

A lazy day today.

I sanded the wingtip and then had a look at the fuselage bits.

I'm determined to get this straight and true, a couple of my models have ended up slightly twisted at the rear end despite plenty of care to avoid it.

The formers need holes for the elevator and rudder cables and I have added an extra one for an aerial guide, the holes were drilled undersize and opened up with a file to avoid any splitting and they were left in their panel. I have marked them with 'halfway' marks that will line up with a centre line on the bottom sheet, there is no fuselage plan. This tip is not in the instructions.

I joined one fuselage side together then did the same with the second side, directly over the other one so that they are identical using clear film between them to stop them sticking together.

Added hardwood stringers, bottom one has to be spliced, and added a Liteply doubler. A hardwood doubler goes above this, it is not supplied shaped so that will be a job for the table saw and sanding machine.

Made a little house for the elevator bellcrank then I went to the airfield to fly the Elan and Sunrise, flat calm, lovely!! Had a scary moment with the Sunrise, it got in to a tight spiralling turn and full opposite rudder was having no effect, :eek: I thought I had radio failure but then I could see the rudder moving.
It kept spiralling down and I was convinced I was going to lose it, somehow it landed on a wing tip with very little downward speed, did a little pirouette and stopped the right way up with no damage at all, phew! Culprit? I had the rates on the Tx, used for a 3D model, rudder was moving but not enough, doh! :o Will disable or dial out the rates for the Sunrise, it needs all the control throw that it can get. A close shave Grommit! :)

The Tiger arrived and I jumped in the back with the engine still running (very difficult to start hot) and did 10 minutes with a rare 'greaser' three point landing at the end, marvellous!!

Have run out of glue, luckily my LHS is only 200 yards away, he sells trains and cars but he has glue and other basic stuff.

Must do some domestic chores soon, I am running out of Brownie points with Mrs B!

Cheers

Gary

[Gary Binnie]

A little more progress today, I am on on late shift this week (3 till Midnight) so I have a few hours in the mornings and a couple after work.

All I did today was shape the hardwood doublers and fixed them to the sides.
Still need holes drilling through for the wing attachments.

It is supposed to be thicker than the lower doubler, the formers are stepped for this.

Will probably make the fin next, there is a plan for it but I want to use a loose fuselage side just to check the fit.

[Gary Binnie]

Been plodding on slowly in the few spare hours that I have.

Short lengths of plastic snake outer were added to the rudder pull-pull holes.

Tailplane/elevator drive was installed, minor problem here was that the stringers needed to be notched to take the snake outer. I used a metal clevis rather than the plastic one supplied although it would have been ok for the job.

I added lead out guides for the rudder cables at the back end, Flair suggest doing this after the sides are joined but it is much easier working on the loose sides.

Formers were threaded down the snake per instructions (in the right order) :rolleyes: and then it was time for work.

Got home and fixed all the formers in position and added the ply hook mounting plate. The fuselage is fairly straight at this stage, the bottom sheeting will secure it (job for tomorrow).

Pull-pull cable installed.

Cheers

Gary

[Wing-span]

I like what I see. The fus looks quite beefy.

Is there provision for ballasting the plane?

[Gary Binnie]

It is a lot beefier than the Sunrise which was 1mm ply but still feels quite light.

Instructions mention ballasting but don't go into detail, there is room in the fuselage.

Just fixing the bottom sheeting in place, will have to leave the top sheet until the other wing is built in case the joiner tubes need adjusting.

[Gary Binnie]

Progress has been a bit slow lately, had to go to a very boring full size glider engineering seminar (for new European legislation) then wash the car and delouse the inside (which was overdue!).

Lower fuselage sheeting is trimmed and sanded, the fuse is straight but there is a slight lean of the fin which I should be able to fix when the the top sheeting goes on.

Built the fin in the garden and noticed that the rudder was next to it on the plan so I went mad and built that as well!

The fin design is a big improvement on the Sunrise where the fin just sat on top of the fuselage and got knocked off a few times.

Much sanding and shaping to do.

Should build the other wing next I suppose.

GB

[RC-JG]

Coming on nicely Gary looking good so far :)

[Gary Binnie]

I feel like I am 'snatch building', rarely build in the summer.

Must keep going though or it will end up in the loft with all the other unfinished projects!

More Riser piccies!

Saw a Gold Cloud on eBay last week, right up my street.

[Wind Shadow]

Gary,
Just saw your thread...cool!
I have a nib foam wing version of this aircraft...have not started it yet, and probably won't until this winter(too many other things in front!).
Will be interested in hearing how your bird flies when you finish...be sure to give flight reports!! :D
Thanks,
Rick

[Gary Binnie]

Will do, the foam wing version is a bit heavier and probably a quicker build.

Just been looking at the rudder area which is about the same size as the Sunrise which is a bit worrying, the tail moment arm is about two inches longer though.

Phew, it's hot here for a change!!

Cheers

Gary

[RC-JG]

Saw a Gold Cloud on eBay last week, right up my street.

Yes i see that Gary i think 1 of the airbrakes had packed up :confused: but yes i did think about it for myself :) but change my mind at last minute :rolleyes:

[RC-JG]

Phew, it's hot here for a change!!

Cheers

Gary

Nice weather for flying this evening ;)

[Gary Binnie]

Yes, but I will be at work! :(

[RC-JG]

Oh dear not good Gary :( i think it gives the same weather for tomorrow :cool:

[Gary Binnie]

Well, I have this Wednesday off so must remember to charge everything up.

I'm making a start on the other wing panel, I tend to get all the major parts together then have a look at the smaller details, like sanding them all to shape!

Can be quite addictive this building lark, especially nice (and weird) to be able to do it in the garden.

Cheers

GB

[Gary Binnie]

As Dudley says, 'build the other wing panels in a similar fashion'! :rolleyes:

I will try to get the other panels more than 'similar'. :D

It says on the plan 'invert for the other wing panel', did he mean trace through and turn it over or do what I did and just swapped leading and trailing edges?!

The only thing to watch out for with the right wing is that the spoiler cable guides exit the root ribs in a different place. ;)

Another precaution I took was to slide the wing joiner rods through both wings to see if they actually fit, could cause a big problem later if they are out of line. They seem a bit tight at the moment but close enough.

My plan to fly tonight was thwarted by high winds, which was giving some fantastic wave clouds over the Pennines as I drove back down from 'up North'.

Cheers

GB

[bobby legue]

Gary,
One other way to build the opposing panels is to pin down the first panel at the top of your building board and line up the trailing edge. Then proceed as you did with the first one. Its a can of corn!
Bobby

[Gary Binnie]

There is more than one way of 'skinning a cat'!! Just thought the word 'invert' was a bit ambiguous.

A plan is provided for the right outer panel so no worries there.

Panel is sheeted and almost ready to turn over, or is that invert?!!

[Gary Binnie]

Hello folks, I'm still at it when time allows!

Ok, the right outer panel is virtually done.

I check fitted the wing joiner tubes in the fuselage, left wing and fuselage was a good fit but the right wing was quite tight. By rubbing down the joiner rods a little bit with 180 grit I got a very good fit and the root ribs butt up square against the fuselage sides, very pleased with that.

With the joiner tubes fixed in place the next job was to add the upper rear fuselage sheeting. I mentioned earlier that the fin had a slight lean to the right so I took extra care here. The front fuselage was lightly clamped to the board and I used a couple of old motorbike batteries to trap the fin vertical.
I've added the top sheet full width to keep its strength and have my fingers crossed that this will work, I'm in trouble if it does not.

It would be possible to drip glue on the pull-pull cables so I took some care not to use too much.

Have also added the front upper sheeting.

Will leave this all to set thoroughly overnight and then have some fun with the razor plane.

Have to build the tailplanes next then I have all the major parts.

Cheers

Gary

[Wing-span]

Should the grain of the rear sheeting run fuselage width wise and not length wise???. Width wise application will make it rigid and it will resist twisting too. Am I too late? :eek:

[Gary Binnie]

Yes! Many of my other models have been sheeted in sections across the fuselage, this is a different approach I suppose but following the instructions.

The sheeting is actually 1/4 inch thick top and bottom, so at this thickness it doesn't matter. The fuselage is dry now, it's perfectly straight and very solid but I was sweating for a bit!

Will try to post some more piccies later, currently rough shaping the fuselage.

Cheers

Gary

[Wing-span]

Fantastic. If its 1/4 inch I'm sure they thought of this in the design.

It should carve/sand/shape into a nice rounded fuselage.

[Gary Binnie]

The Elan that I just built had a thick sheet top like this but was sheeted with 1/8 crossgrain on the bottom, the Middle Phase is the same.

She's starting to shape up, certainly making a lot of dust, oops!

I have a habit of not taking enough material off, leaving them a bit 'chunky', will make an effort to make this one nice.

[Gary Binnie]

Another little push tonight.

I wasn't happy with the fin, the leading edge was too short and I made a mistake by rounding the leading edge, there is a fillet so the rounding has to be done after fitting this. No worries, just made another one! :D

Fitted the noseblock core and balsa parts.

The radio hatch got tack glued in to place for sanding to section.

Started shaping and sanding, lots more to go yet.

The fin gets tapered in thickness towards the top then I should be on to the tailplanes.

Cheers

GB

[Wing-span]

Very Nice.

[Gary Binnie]

Thanks, it is getting there. I said at the beginning that it would be a long build but I have been at it fairly solid since starting, I've got the 'urge' at the moment.

I built a tailplane tonight, just needs trimming and sanding.

The tailplanes are fairly straightforward and exactly symmetrical, will be interesting to see if they will fit either side when they are finished.

The ribs that take the joiner tubes have a punch mark to drill the holes (2.5mm), like the wings I check fitted this to the fuselage mounts in case the tubes did not line up. No instructions are given for the tailplanes which is fair enough but a little reminder to do things like this would be handy.

Some piccies:

[Gary Binnie]

A quick correction.

There are illustrated instructions for the tailplane, just forgot that they were there!

Was doing my usual trick of ignoring them!

It still does not mention to check fit the tubes though.

[Wing-span]

Will you consider sheer webbing between the two spars or tacked to the front of them?

[Gary Binnie]

That's a thought, it's not called for on the plans though. The tailplanes feel quite 'chunky' already and an improvement over the Sunrise is the Liteply ribs instead of balsa. Got to keep the weight down at the back end.

All the major parts are built now and I am taking some time to sand everything nice and smooth.

Have to think about finishing and some radio gear soon.

A nice wet weather modelling weekend again! :D

Cheers

Gary

[Wing-span]

I would put shear web in the first two bays where the tubes are and possibly every other 'bay'.

[Gary Binnie]

Will have a think about that.

Total weight is 1lb 14oz. Flair give a suggested finished weight of 2lb 6oz.

Not too many jobs to do now:

1. Got to make a rudder horn.

2. Make the spoiler return springs.

3. Fit radio gear.

4. Cover and finish.

Assembled the Albatross in the garden where the light was nice and bright but the wind is blowing about 25 mph!!

Quite pleased with how it's looking now, still a bit more sanding to do, mainly the trailing edges of the wings.

Cheers

Gary

[quigley257]

Very nice! Bare bones are beautiful.

--quigley :D

[Gary Binnie]

Truth be known I would like to hang it up like this but you are supposed to finish and fly them apparently!

Just been digging around in the loft for servos and a receiver, think I have enough good ones to avoid buying any more, my modelling budget has gone slightly over lately!

Cheers

GB

[RC-JG]

Looking very nice Gary :)

[Wing-span]

Wow. Fantastic.

[Gary Binnie]

Shame I can't say the same for the garden! :D

You have to get your priorities right in life. :rolleyes:

Rudder horn made and fixed, bent up a couple of 24SWG spoiler springs.

Been thinking about a colour scheme, maybe something unique and original that has not been done before, maybe black and yellow! :rolleyes:

Cheers

GB

[Gary Binnie]

Well this is'nt going to be easy!

Plenty of room for two standard servos but with three it gets a bit cosy in there.

If they were fitted like this there would be virtually no access to the forward bay for the Rx, battery and any CofG ballast. Even if I cut the lugs off the spoiler servo would be too tall, the arm would not be in line with the cable guides.

An on/off switch would be nice somewhere as well.

What's the next size down? Mini or Micro? Can never remember! They need to have at least the same torque as a standard servo.

Maybe I'll move on to covering!!

GB

[Hossfly72]

That thing is a flying lumber yard! But it's got STYLE! Hope you don't mind, but I may rip off that covering scheme. I promise I'll give credit though!

I'd never heard of this plane before your build log but I like it and can't wait to see how it flies

[Gary Binnie]

I think it's fair to say that it's made out of wood! A proper 'crunchie'!!

Please go ahead and use the scheme, be nice to see something else done the same. I did think of red pinstriping along the edges of the black. Would also like to get some nice graphics of the glider names done. The basic idea for the scheme really came from an old Flair brochure.

Have given the fuselage one coat of sanding sealer, I'm tempted to finish it with tissue as I don't get good results with film on fuselages.

I have never seen another Albatross in the UK and as I mentioned at the start of the thread there was nothing on it on the net. Maybe it was more expensive than the competitors, I do have an old Flair catalogue and price list from about ten years ago, must dig it out and have a look. Maybe it does not fly well? :eek:

I think the answer to the servo problem is to mount them all on a removable ply plate for access to the nose bay, still need a smaller servo for the spoilers though.

It will probably take longer to fit the radio gear and finish than it did to build it!! Oh well, no rush.

Cheers

Gary

[Gary Binnie]

Just been having a look at the servo problem which has also revealed another potential problem.

You can see from the photo that the spoiler servo arms are above the holes that the cables come through, mainly because the servo is sitting on the ply hook plate (photo in post #22).

So I need a shorter servo.....but....I'm fairly sure that the front tow hook screws will come up through that ply plate right where the servo sits!!

Will test fit the hook next and see if the screws cause a problem, I can trim them if they do.

No mention of this 'drama' in the instructions!!

Will get there in the end.

GB

[Gary Binnie]

Slightly OT but relevant to this model is what 'Liteply' is actually made out of, I've always been curious.

Flair use this material a lot in their kits and I have built a few.

Well it's made from the wood of a Ceiba tree, I did not know this!! :cool:

Did a seach here and the posts are mostly in Spanish (South American) language.

Similar to Obeche but presumably cheaper than Balsa.

I remember my dad saying that Balsa was very hard to come by after WWII so models were made with Obeche and the glide angle wasn't good!!

I can sleep soundly now!! Who says RC groups isn't educational! ;)

GB

[Gary Binnie]

Positioned and drilled the hook mounting holes and sure enough the front screw does come up under the spoiler servo but it is the perfect length. No worries there then!

[southern soarer uk]

Nice work Gary, do you plan on winch launching it?

[Gary Binnie]

I don't have a winch and I don't know anyone that has one either, will have to be the old histart (not that I've got anything against winches!) ;)

Afraid that there will be no more progress on this for probably the next two weeks so don't worry if it's gone quiet. Will still check in on the forum when I can.

Cheers

Gary

[southern soarer uk]

I must admit i`m not a great fan of winches to me it`s the quickest way to rip the wings off a model me and my flying buddy use a hand tow and are in the process of setting up one with a pulley system so one person can use it,Harvey

[Gary Binnie]

Oops! There was a word missing from my last post.

Only seen one model glider winch launch, a big expensive mouldie thingie (excuse my ignorance), I was standing next to the pilot, tensioned, foot on the pedal, we both followed the model straight into the morning sun!! He lost it, came whizzing back round doing a sort of circle tow, missed us and the ground somehow, back up and he managed to keep it out of the sun with a big ping/zoom at the end.

I was impressed!! Think he was a bit shaken.

All part of the fun I guess.

GB

[andrew wallace]

hi gary
i've had one of these models for a couple of years now
flew it in our last 100s comp and managed to get second place
the wind speed that day was about 10mph so it flew well

you'll enjoy it

andrew wallace

[Gary Binnie]

Great! Any hints or tips? Post a photo or two if you have any.

Would like to do informal comps but I'm just too busy with other things (and I hate losing!!!)

Cheers

Gary

[Gary Binnie]

Apologies for the lack of progress folks, the Albatross is in temporary storage while summer things take priority, hope to get back on it soon.

Cheers

Gary

[Sooty100]

Summer is over, any further progress?
I found my old Elan 100s plan today and realised I could do a winter build from it (original model long gone). Thought I would put off the build though till we had a flight comparsion with your Albatross ;) .

[Gary Binnie]

Ermm...not a lot of progress!!! Funnily enough I dug it out a couple of days ago with thoughts of finishing it, must ask Mrs B nicely if I can bring it back down again!

Don't forget to start a thread if you go for the Elan build.

Cheers

Gary

[Gary Binnie]

Ok, you shamed me into doing some more!

I brought the fuselage back down (I don't think she's noticed yet ;) ) and had a look at the radio bay again.

The answer to the spoiler servo problem is a mini servo (not mentioned in the instructions) so off I went to the shop (200 yards) and got one plus some more transparent covering film.

I've managed to fit the spoiler servo and also made a removable tray for the forward servos.

Will post some photos tomorrow, I got the camera out but the battery needs charging.

Hope I keep going!

Cheers

Gary

[Wing-span]

Well done Gary. Hope she doesn't find out.

[Gary Binnie]

I think she's spotted it now! :eek:

Ok, got the camera working. Probably easiest just to caption the photos here.

I can't terminate the pull-pull cables until the rudder is fitted, I need to solder an end fitting on to the elevator Bowden cable and also work out how the hatch will eventually be held on (Flair suggest a single screw somewhere in the middle).

The elevator snake and left rudder cable should be on top of each other (as shown on the plan) but the former was pre-marked with them side by side, which means that the elevator servo arm is shorter than it could be, hopefully there will be enough range of movement.

Very fiddly and a fight with all the 'spaghetti' but I'm getting there.

Some of the parts are ready for covering, if I do them first that will leave the hardest jobs till last! :D

Cheers

Gary

[Gary Binnie]

Not very exciting but I've done a bit more to the 'Tross'!

Have connected the elevator snake now and I'm happy that the radio fit is almost done, just the rudder cables to finish.

Moved to the back end with some tidying of the rudder and cutting the hinge slots. Once I'd done this I noticed that the control horn (made and fitted per the plan) will hit the fuselage at quite low deflections if the hinge gap is kept tight (which it should be). I just notched the rear post with a filed slot but this could be a 'gotcha' and I'm glad I spotted it now.

I covered the fuselage holes with tissue and dope (mmm...the fumes, lovely!!) and then threw some film at the rudder.

Only way forward now is covering and finishing, the only fiddly bit left will be the spoiler springs and cables.

The 2000 mAh NiMh battery pack in my Tx doesn't seem to be holding its charge anymore, end of the road do you think? Probably three or four years old. Won't risk it at the field anyway.

Cheers

Gary

[Gary Binnie]

I just paid an infrequent visit to the BARCS (British Association of Radio Controlled Soarers) and was pleasantly surprised that the site format is now much more user friendly.

I am interested in this because people are still flying traditional 100S gliders in competitions, which sounds like fun to me. With three gliders in my fleet I could probably last a whole day next year!

Anyway the site address is: http://www.barcs.co.uk/default.aspx

Particularly worth a read with stuff that should interest all 'thermallers' is the latest online 'Soarer' magazine (previously available for members only): http://www.barcs.co.uk/Portals/0/pages/barcs/soarer/Issue%20163.pdf

Happy reading

GB

[Sooty100]

Hi Gary.
Seems strange that the rudder horn is angled like that, I would have thought a "straight" horn would have been fine.
I have never had an all moving tail, I can see how it works but could you explain how the two tail halves are attached please.

[Gary Binnie]

Hi Sooty from Staffs!

The horn is actually made from a straight strip, a 'V' is cut in the middle then it is bent forward and soldered. The idea is to keep the cable holes in line with the hinge, if it's not like this you get a slight geometry problem. Even with a standard plastic horn for a snake you should always try to achieve this set up.

The Flair Sunrise does use a straight horn fitted behind the hinge line.

I've posted the tailplane photo again here, there are two aluminium tubes in each tailplane (plugged at the outboard ends). Two pieces of piano wire go through the fuselage (rear hole is the pivot and the front one the drive) and the tailplanes slide onto these. The big secret is that one of the lengths of wire is very slightly bent with pliers to cause enough friction in the tube to hold the tailplanes on, brilliantly simple!! If you overdo the bend it can make fitting and removing the halves tricky though.

Cheers

Gary

[Gary Binnie]

A few more hours spent today, mainly covering. The odd wrinkle here and there, just like me! :D

One more wing to go.

Cheers

GB

[RC-JG]

Looking good Gary .

[Gary Binnie]

Thanks, just fired up the iron for the second wing.

Was struggling with a blunt scalpel blade yesterday but I've found a new one.

[RC-JG]

Your coming to a near complete glider now so Gary wants next on the build board :eek: ;)

[Gary Binnie]

You must be reading my mind!

I won a HLG kit on eBay a couple of days ago, a Gebhart Candy Acro Special, I've got one already but it has ailerons and servos to go with them which makes it on the heavy side. Might do a mini assembly thread for that.

Been thinking of something scale and big! The Flair K8 is a contender but they seem to be very rare now, Skybench K18 possibly or scour the plans for a scratchbuild.

Got a couple of unfinished projects in the loft, a West Wings EDF Hunter, Brian Taylor 69" Spitfire, Alfa Spitfire (with retracts, finished but unflown) and three Balsacraft Spitfire kits just in case (did I mention I like Spitfires?!)

Think it will be another glider though, not 100S, got enough of them now!

Cheers

Gary

[RC-JG]

Oh very nice Gary :cool: i also love Spitfire and iv just got hold of a Pica 88" Spit :D in kit form.

Have you got any pictures of your Spitfire's Gary :confused: would love to see them ;)

[Gary Binnie]

Just two shots then, bearing in mind that this is the thermal forum (but we do get cars and motorbikes occasionally!) ;)

[Gary Binnie]

Need to stop for a coffee!

Right wing is done, put it together in the garden for some photos. The wing joiner rods are a little bit too tight still, more rubbing down should fix that.

Weight at the moment (with radio gear) is 2lb 10oz (1200g) which seems a bit heavier than Flair suggest, bit of a mystery.

C of G is at 50% chord so it will need a couple of ounces of lead in the nose.

Spoilers next I think then need to think about finishing the fuselage.

GB

[RC-JG]

Nice Spitfire's Gary thankyou for the pictures.

The soarer is looking very nice indeed.

[Gary Binnie]

Thanks.

Unfortunately the fuselage (with tailplanes fitted) was accidentally knocked over on to the floor by a small person in my house later that day. Damage is not too bad, noseblock broken off, crumpled right tailplane tip and some other dents and dings. Was pretty upset for a bit but after thinking about it I realised that it was entirely my fault for leaving it somewhere 'unsafe'. Wings were not involved thankfully. Small person is undamaged and forgiven! :)

So it is all back in the loft at the moment (for safety!), will get on to fixing it and finishing soon.

To cheer me up a bit the HLG I won on eBay arrived today, safe and sound. It's always a worry when kits are coming through the post, I've heard some horror stories on here.

I know I should'nt start it until the Albatross is finished, but it's very tempting! You know the feeling. ;)

It's not really a HLG (too big), it's more of a small soarer and there is an option to electrify it so I don't know where best to post a build thread, if and when I start it.

Have posted a photo of what I'm on about (not the best, but the only one I have). The 'Acro' has ailerons, the 'Special' has no ailerons but a five piece wing (instead of three) and a fatter fuselage pod to allow for an electric motor. There were eleven versions of the 'Candy' with different spans (1.1 to 2.3 metres) but they (and the company) have vanished, great shame as the quality is excellent.

It's a funny old game this aeromodelling!

Cheers

Gary

[GeeW]

Well I'm pleased to see that the Candy isn't black & yellow....or is that yellow & black?

I always promise and have good intentions that I wont start the next project until the current one has flown...I have a well paved road to hell right now with just the 3, no hang on a minute errr...make that 5 on the go right now.
I also should admit that I seem to do as much damage to models at home as I ever do at the flying field....always leaves me frustrated when I ding something )c:
Hope you get them all finished soon.
regards

Gordon

[Gary Binnie]

Hi Gee,

Well luckily for you guys it is already covered (red, blue, yellow) but I could always strip it off for a nice original yellow/black (black/yellow?) scheme!!

Seriously though the build quality of the wings and tail is outstanding, I really don't know how they did it. Box top mentions 'Oralight', must look into that product.

My first experience of a Czech model was a CO2 Hacker Tiger Moth (sadly crushed in the car, RIP), the kit quality was fantastic, pre-formed laminated wingtip bows etc.

I know that I'm drifting OT here, I don't object to it. One site (to do with RC Scale building, no clues) has the mods on your case if you talk about the weather (at least it used to, I got a message that I had to pay to login to my own build thread so I gave up)

I think the phrase is 'go figure'!!

Drifted way too far already, need to put this new model aside and crack on with the 'Tross' as the next thermal is only six months away!

Cheers

GB

[RC-JG]

Hello Gary hows things going ?

[Gary Binnie]

Project is on hold at the moment, very busy with work and other things.

I restore motorbikes as another hobby and I've just got a load of bodywork back from the painters so I need to finish that one off.

Maybe do some to the Albatross in the Christmas holidays, failing that the sun coming out next year will get it moving again, really not much left to do now.

Cheers

Gary

[Gary Binnie]

As I had to glass and finish the Multi Phase fuselage I thought I would dig the old Albatross out and do the same.

Turned out fairly well considering I am not very good at finishing.

Fitted the rudder and pull-pull cables, I was going to cover the fin with transparent film but I got some overspray on the structure so it ended up black! I think that looks ok as well.

Weighed again and I make it about 1230 grammes (2lb 12oz), it's going to need a little bit of nose ballast. This is a fair way over the AUW given on the box lid which I don't really understand, should penetrate well anyway!

I noticed that I only made one spoiler, that will be just about the last job before committing it to the sky.

Cheers

Gary

[Wing-span]

Did you use Z-poxy for the glass work or automotive body work glass type products?

Anyway I'm off to the beach! (Hunstanton)

[Gary Binnie]

Yep, Z-poxy, strange smell but acceptable in the house! Primer was Flair Spectrum high build, two coats rubbed down between.

The finish was Carplan gloss black which dried quickly, not as gloss as it could be but they say to 'T-cut' it after a few days, won't bother.

GB

[Gary Binnie]

Well a year and a week after I started she's ready to fly, I did say it might be a long build!

Added some noseweight to get the C of G to the recommended 70mm aft of the leading edge.

The big mystery is the AUW, ready to fly at 3lb 1oz (1400g), Flair quote 2.3 lbs on the box lid. Would like to know if anyone has one at this weight, with Liteply wing and tail ribs and fuselage sides I don't think it's achievable. I did glass the fuselage but it was already overweight before that and I don't think the glassing added that much.

Anyway, hope to fly tomorrow, weather permitting.

Will take some photos, just in case!

Cheers

Gary

[Gary Binnie]

She flies!

No dramas with the handlaunch this time, obviously needed some up trim then fired the Albatross up the bungee. It was flat calm so I got rubbish launches but high enough to check the handling.

Needed more up trim and the stab is sitting at a fair nose down angle so I can take some lead out of the nose, Flair's C of G is very conservative.

Handling is much better than the Sunrise and similar to the Cambrian Elan, tried a few tight turns and it was quite happy.

No noticeable trim change with the spoilers, they work nicely.

A good build, only problem area was the spoiler installation.

Might try this one on the slope.

I now have an empty building board, I think I have enough gliders now just need to get to the field with them a bit more often.

Cheers

Gary