Somehow the Blanik doesnt get the respect or care it always has needed.

Look around and Who is in the Hanger under cover ... ?
Mostly the plastic, expensive birds. ( understandably, but hey )

Whats outside in the heat and cold and weather
hidden under a partialy covering old tarp ... The Blanik :-(

Still I'll bet those L-13's have more hours than they ever expected to get
and way more than the plastic birds.

Originally Posted by birdofplay

Somehow the Blanik doesnt get the respect or care it always has needed.

Look around and Who is in the Hanger under cover ... ?
Mostly the plastic, expensive birds. ( understandably, but hey )

Whats outside in the heat and cold and weather
hidden under a partialy covering old tarp ... The Blanik :-(

Still I'll bet those L-13's have more hours than they ever expected to get
and way more than the plastic birds.

"The L-13 Blaník is a two seater trainer glider produced by Let Kunovice since 1956. It is the most numerous and widely used glider in the world. In United States Air Force Academy service, it is designated TG-10C and is used for basic flight training."

You are right! I need a second vote!

I've noticed with interest that another wooden kit manufacturer/retailer (it has to be said, on this side of the Pond) has just announced the L-13 in their upcoming product line (and I'd guess in the 1/4 - 1/3rd scale range).

And because:

a) Vintage1 is not short of popular choices
b) The Decision is some months away
c) It wouldn't make sense to kit the same model twice

I'm sure it'll all come out in the wash and we can hope that one way or another those of us who'd be happy to get hold of a Blanik kit (which will include me) may get their wish fulfilled.

Sorry but I wouldn't want to build none of those sailplanes.

Originally Posted by Plantation Bruce

Sorry but I wouldn't want to build none of those sailplanes.

How kind of you to let us know.

Your purpose in so doing, however, is unclear.?

Originally Posted by vintage1

How kind of you to let us know.

Your purpose in so doing, however, is unclear.?

He's only kidding.

He didn't use a double negative for nothing. Nor never do I.

Is that not clear?

Pete (I think)

(Hmm... If you apply DeMorgan's Theorem he really means he wants to build them all!)

Well I'm not unclear that his post didn't really not mean that he didn't not want to build none of them. Gee whizz, I've got myself multiple negated here - check my avatar

Anyway I should think Vintage1 is dancing up and down by now. He said a sailplane was commercially viable at about seven units if I remember rightly (obviously more would be better) which means he's already got his 3-5 year development programme stitched up. That is, of course, if all the people voting for the top 5 or so really will (as opposed to "would") reach for the plastic. Hmmm!

He reaches for large pinch of salt.

Roger

Whose life will be incomplete until we not only know which, when and how much but sees the box in his postman's arms.

(Not that incomplete, in case anyone was about to call the Samaritans)

Originally Posted by vintage1

How kind of you to let us know.

Lol !

But, serially now (as some of my Afrikaner friends so cutely put it); the survey hasn't REALLY helped much, has it? It HAS shown a general interest in kits of this size/nature I would think, but the choices are too spread out to give any real direction. At the end of the day I say just go for the one you think is best (that's the Petrel, isn't it ?)..

na! the standard Austria it has to be!

At this point it's the Kirby Kite and a three way tie for second place.

Can we vote again?

Of the first two places I am most interested in the Eon Olympia, and a little interested in the Standard Austria. The bad part is that I have to depend on my flying buddy for building space since I live in a studio apartment.

How about some micro versions for those of us with no room?

Actuaslly, by the time Vintage1 gets the plans drawn I will probably be living in a place more suited to building.

Pete

Single, transferable vote anyone?

will sell my vote for glue! hey times are tuff
scott

I will probably close this thread at the weekend. Kirby Kite looks like the narrow winner, so looking for best three views available. I will chat with Roger off line to see what might come second.

I really don't want to cut across the bows of any other potential manufacturer who is designing similar. Waste of effort for all concerned.

I will make the whole design process a new thread. Not only will that hopefully be informative as to how to design a model in 3D CAD, but I will also be instructive to get feedback on the design as it progresses. And helps keep me motivated.

Nothing is cast in stone till its finished.

How about the flying coat hanger, Mu-17, or another of my favorites, the Brazilian Urupema?

The Kirby Kite is already available in the this size - see http://www.lanyumodel.com/ShowProducts.asp?id=327

Jan