My name is Flavio and I am the Italian designer of Brando .

I wish to express my appreciation for the excellent woodworking skills of lilleyen, and I would like to take advantage of this thread to give you more details about this model as well to footy class activity.

Brando is my first model to be put on the market following an unplanned, but lucky joint effort, between me and the well known american magazine “Wooden Boat”.

This model has been designed following this basic “wish list”

- semiscale catboat style
- made of wood
- full compliance to footy class box rule
- “satisfactory” sailing performances
- classic aesthetic appeal

At that time a simplified approach to building procedure was – frankly speaking – not considered as a “must have” requirement.

Three years after the launch of the prototype ( ITA 14 ) :

- more than 50 000 contacts on several modellers forums have been recorded
- approximately 300 set of plans have been sold
- an unknown number of sisterships have been built, launched and sailed around the world

Last but not least, believe it or not, this “almost static reproduction “ has been able – if properly steered – to show her little stern to much more futuristic looking footy competitors.

The most surprising factor of footy model is their capability to show good sailing performances .
In many cases within model yacht clubs I have seen old members radically changing their opinion after a 5 minute footy show.

Footy are simple, inexpensive and very very funny : enjoy them !

Congratulations to Lilleyen :-)

Flavio

Ps : more about Presto, Folletto, Vulcan on next posts

Thank you Flavio.

I'm trying to do your elegant design justice. It deserves no less.

I agree, it's not for beginners, but I enjoy the challenges and I like to innovate.

I have been showing it's progress to all the RC sailors around here at meetings etc.
A few suggested the plans should be framed and hung on the wall.
They are decorative!

Pretty well everybody loves the design, but a few gentlemen have expressed doubts about it's sailing abilities.
How little they know!
I hope to prove them wrong this spring!
I will pay particular attention to have a good looking stern, so their view will be pleasant.

I'm impressed by your knowledge of all things nautical, and your architectural abilities.
Way over my head, especially the math involved.
But I can build from your plans...

More pictures coming.

Presto will be next my build, I have the plans and book already.

Ciao

" Pretty well everybody loves the design, but a few gentlemen have expressed doubts about it's sailing abilities "

I agree that this is , unfortunately, a common ( wrong ) opinion about these micro model

But real truth is quite different .

See below my wooden presto under strong gusts and frozen showers

Ciao !

Flavio

I had a Brando on my Christmas list, but Santa didn't bring one

Got some work done finally

More cabin details

Coming along really nice.
I like it!

Terry

Just beautiful!

Can't wait to see this on the water in person! Nice work!

Thank you gentlemen.

Got some work done, since we're snowed in and can't go anywhere.

Don't want my keel ending up in the bottom of a pond, so I modified that a bit.

Also got the rudder parts together.

All up weight so far about 50 grams or 5.3 oz.

Dude, what is that LiPo for?!?

Originally Posted by northernmike

Dude, what is that LiPo for?!?

Actually, that's a LiFe battery, 13.3 volts, 8400 mah.
I run a 12 volt System in my Sterling Models 40" Chris Craft yacht.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...n#post20850889

Rick

A little more progress

Rick
Lookin' good. One of the finest Footy's I've seen!!! You make us proud!
Boomer

Originally Posted by Boomer1

Rick
Lookin' good. One of the finest Footy's I've seen!!! You make us proud!
Boomer

Thanks Rick, let's hope she floats...
Can't wait to get the keel done so I can do the initial bathtub launch, then fit her rigging.
Have to build a stand first.