Bob Stalick on 8/21/99 writes:

freefliter@aol.com (Bob Stalick)

Hi Joe,

Well, I have the model completed. It is having the last clear epoxy coat curing as I write this. I will be able to take some pix tomorrow and get them to the developer on Monday. However, we are leaving town for a few days, so I won't get them back until Saturday. I will send some to you ASAP.

The model has a 40" x 6" wing with a single top spar. I covered it with Red Solarfilm (the first time I have used a film cover in over 15 years), but it came out well. The stab was covered with the same stuff. The fuselage was not covered, but I gave it two coats of white epoxy on the front and a coat of clear overall. I constructed the model of firm balsa....mostly 10-12# stock, all purchased from the local hobby shop. All of the components are stock parts, eg: 3/16x3/4 te stock, 1/4x1/4 l.e. etc. It's a profile style fuselage with subfin and pylon.

All of the sheet parts are either 1/16" or 1/8" thick.

I decided the fit it with an eyedropper tank instead of a timer, but it would be easy to do the timer.

The all up weight of my model is 172 grams. I think this model (and others of similar size) can easily be built by even a youngster or other beginner to weigh in at 200 grams (including the timer). That's just a bit over 7 ounces, and this is not a large model. I think a weight of 250 grams is probably too heavy and will serve not to penalize the flier as much as the ability of the model to fly well.

I am anxious to try out the engine, but it will have to wait until the next weekend, as the model is just too uncured to do much with for a few days.

Maybe I can get out to the field and do a bit of test flying with it on the next weekend as well.

I will keep you posted.

BTW: I drew the model up on Wednesday, cut the parts out Thursday AM and had the structure finished and covered by 10 AM today. I think, if kitted, it can be assembled and covered-ready to fly- in about 10 hours.

More to come.

Cheers,

Bob Stalick

This page last updated October 1, 1999. Send Comments to: joemek@aol.com