Hi folks, thought you might be interested in this, it is a 40" span Keil Kraft Snipe (rekitted by 'Replikit'). I am going to power it with a Mills 0.75 diesel.
I usually build much bigger radio models but I could not resist this as I had one as a lad. It is big enough to put some modern light RC gear in but that would spoil the fun!

All the best

Gary

Nice looking model Gary, I've never seen one of these before. The backward tailplane makes it a bit unusual. Looking forward to hearing how it flies.

I remember that it was a very good flier, trying to keep the weight down as much as possible. I am having a rethink about the Mills as the rear mounted needle valve will need a fair sized slot, I have a small PAW which might fit better.
It is an attractive design, I think that is what drew me to it. Will post again when there is more progress.

How is the quality of the Replikit short kit? They seem to have an interesting range.

I think the quality is quite good. You get a clear copy of the plan (which I had already) and well selected wood for the printed parts. The print lines are slightly thick but they may have been like this on the original. The size of the formers and sheetwood sides did not agree with the plan, again this could be transferred from the original. No stripwood is provided.

Like most kit plans the formers and ribs are not drawn which a clever modeller could interpret but I was too lazy! Came well packaged and protected. Recommended.

Hi, Gary,
I like your Snipe. I have a Replikit for the Mercury Marauder and agree with your comments about the quality of the parts - all well chosen wood, printed lines a bit thick but nothing to worry about (just run the scalpel down the middle of the line!)
What does the Snipe weigh in its current state?

Good question! I will weigh it on the new digital scales I insisted my wife got that weigh down to 1 gramme (for cooking purposes of course!)

The results of the kitchen jury are:

Wing: 28g (1 oz)

Tailplane and fin: 10g (1/4 oz)

Fuselage: 38g (1 1/4 oz)

Mills '75': 58g (2 oz) Ouch!!

Missing are the engine bearers, undercarriage, dope and tissue. I think the PAW I have is 1cc so I will have to stick with the Mills, will need a big hole in the right side for the carb, too wide to mount upright. Have toyed with covering it with one of the new materials but am unsure. I used Fibafilm on a big glider and struggled a bit.

This is diverting me from building a large scale Spitfire! I am in trouble on another site!

> I think the PAW I have is 1cc so I will have to stick with the Mills,

Good thinking - the PAW would be overkill

Here's the KK advert drawing for the Snipe (1966)

Not quite as old as me then! I just noticed that the fin shape is common to a lot of their designs, a bit like De Havilland (Mossie, Chipmunk etc)

I had not seen the PAW for a while and thought it was smaller, would probably break the bearers flicking it! Looking forward to finishing this one but my wife has just booked a holiday to a well known Devon slope soarer's resort and I have not got one to throw off the cliff! EPP quick build job perhaps?

Lovely Snipe, Gary !

A 1cc PAW 100 would suit the Snipe well.

A diesel engine has almost infinitely variable compression, so simply overprop it - and adjust the compression accordingly.

An 8" x 4" would work great with D2000 fuel...

Keven.

Woke me up there! The Snipe is languishing in the loft I'm afraid, hope to get back to it soon. I had great fun with my first one as a lad, looking forward to finishing this one which won't take long if I put my mind to it.

All the best

Gary

You could alternatively put something like these into the Snipe...

You can always put a propeller on backwards to limit the power !

All the best with the model - and more photos of it, please !

Keven.

lf the Spitfire is a reasonably good one then it pull a Snipe up very quickly, as l put one in a Madcap @45in span, and built strong for my grandson to fly, and it almost flys like a competion model under power---the glide's pretty good too. Has a D/T, 'cause it's a freeflighter.

Used an old 9x6 Taipan prop. on it, cut down to 8in dia. and well balanced.

Don't have a Bee MK2, nor a MK1, but would not mind one of the originals.