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Discussion
ID this old 101" Multiplex Sailplane
Anyone out there care to ID this sailplane? I picked it up this weekend in an Antique shop in Arizona. It was hanging from the ceiling and appears to be in very good shape. The fuse is fiberglass with an integral verticle and the built-up wing and elevator are fully sheeted (probably Obechi) with Monkote covering. It has a flat-bottomed airfoil and spans 101" (2.6M). It has ailerons and spoilers with an AUW of 4lbs 12 oz. There is a label on the left-hand cockpit wall written in German that says " Multiplex Modeltechnik Gmbh" and the rest of the writing is illegible. So what do you think, is it a scale model of a full-scale ship? It looks similar to a Grob 102 I think but I'm no expert at ID'ing full-scale ships. Thanks for any help or information on this ship. Jim
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Last edited by Elmog; Apr 26, 2009 at 08:30 PM.
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I paid $75. It looks like it was probably used for slope as there is no tow hook. There are five small holes that were drilled on top, probably for a powerpod at one time. Can't see any evidence of damage, only tiny stress cracks in the topcoat at the fuse/vert join. It just arrived at the Antique shop and the proprieter didn't know what he had. It seems like a pretty good deal. Jim
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I've been doing a little research and it's rumored to be a pretty good flier with decent aerobatic capabilities. I won't be doing any radical manuevers as I'm not sure how strong the wing joiner system is. I fly mostly slope so it should be a lot of fun. Jim
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Pilatus B4
I have the exact same model and it is a very good flyer.
I have flown it in moderate winds on the slope and it does a good job of flying. I think you made an excellent investment. kevin |
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Jim,
If it is a Multiplex kit; you can be assured that it is of a robust nature. What wing joiner system is on yours? Mine is a steel rod with incidence pins, and the wing locks. The wings are foam core covered in obeechi as well as the stab and rudder. If you got it for $75.00; then you may have stumbled across the deal of the century!! I have one, and it is one of my favorites on the slope. It flies great, is very stable and will do most any maneuver that you want. I even got into an aerial dual with a large hawk. Spanked him on a vertical roll coming from below and sent him on his way! Guess he wasn't expecting that. (Disclaimer no animals were hurt in this incident) I think your stab may be off some how or maybe it was the angle of the pict. I checked mine and it was only about 1/2" in front of the fin. I fly mine in 10-30mph winds. Anything more than that; well it's not much fun for me; mouth dries out, eyes are tearing and running down your face, dust up your nose... as well as a few bugs... This is fun.... Right??? I did my color scheme like the one in the picture. Came out nice, but after numerous flights and landings, it is starting to show some wear and tear. I wouldn't trade mine for anything. Although I did let one go (NIB) a while back to a friend of mine. You're going to like it!! Bill |
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Last edited by Billymac; Apr 26, 2009 at 11:00 PM.
Reason: correction
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Hi,
God, that brings you back ! I have the electric version of this Pilatus, was called the Voltino (Same layout, but no ailerons, still in the box!). I think MPX called that one the B4 Bingo. Fred |
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That looks like a Multiplex bingo, look at the long root cord compared to the latter B4 so if it is an 80's Multiplex model then it will have flat steel blades as a joiner system. I've just secured a brand new unbuilt DG 600 from the 80's for a bargain they flew great when you remembered to balance them without the canopy on!
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This one has the older blade style wing joiner so it must be from the 80's. How robust is it?
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From memory they were pretty good, just keep an eye on those airbrakes, if the pivot pin falls out as mine did on a few of the 80's Multiplex models, the easiest way to fix them is to cut in a slot from the bottom skin relocate the pin and epoxy the pin from both sides.
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Hi Jim,
I noticed that you have spoilers in your wings. Mine didn't, although I wish they had. The blade joiner system should be fine as long as they go to the other side of the fuse, and the blade box is securely mounted to the fuse. Should also be securely mounted in the wing as well. I have had them spring forward some on a less than desirable landing.. But otherwise no real problem. IMHO .....I would cut a servo hole or two in your wings and mount servos for the spoilers and aileron. The wire tends to flex within the tube, which may cause some control issues. I had the same arrangement on my Cortina, I didn't have enough aileron control and almost lost it while on the slope. I couldn't turn as the wire was flexing inside the tubes. Since then, I have pulled them out and put in servos. Pull the wire out and use the tube to pull servo wire through the wing. Seems I favor Hitec HS-125mg's for the ailerons and HS-85 for the spoilers. I've used this combination on a few of my sailplanes with excellent results. Bill |
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Quote:
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Jim,
I don't even use the clamp/bolt on these blade joiners. I put a piece of clear tape along the top of the wings along the root of the wing. This piece stays with the wing. I then use a piece of white vinyl electrical tape on the joint. This usually keeps the wing fairly tight, but as you have noticed; the wings will flex forward when holding it straight up. The only thing I could suggest to fix this is: is to use small hooks and use rubberbands to hold the trailing edge to the fuse. Of course you'll have to drill another hole in the fuse to pass it through. Bill |
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That sure looks like a stable mate of my ASW-22. Same wing joiner, same contol linkages to the spoilers and ailerons (although I have servos in the wings now), even the pilot looks the same, although he is no doubt smaller.
In the long run you may want to put servos in the wings for the spoilers and ailerons. Plugging in wires is a lot easier than messing with those linkages. |
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