TALON EXTREME by Randy Hicks Designs
06-17-2012, 09:08 PM
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TALON EXTREME by Randy Hicks Designs
Hello Everyone,
The Talon Extreme, a most current design built by Randy Hicks is near completion! For those in D6 or other frequent K-factor readers around the US, you may have already heard about this design. For those who don't know Randy Hicks or myself (Brandon Landry), I will TRY to catch you up with a brief summary of the events that have led us to this...
I first met Randy in 2007 while flying at local contests in D6. After the 2010 flying season, Randy brought his first pattern design, the Talon, to our local flying club where we first began talks about he building a Talon for me to fly in FAI for the 2011 season. Since the original Talon was not designed for the p/f11 schedules, I had my initial concerns; however, it seemed like a smart move for myself at the time. Though Randy was knew to the Pattern circuits, it was plainly obvious the guy had tremendous craftsmanship talents and a great "cajun-easy-going" personality to suit. We both could benefit by joining forces.
After receiving my original Talon in early May of 2011, I knew I already had a short time-frame to prepare myself for the NATS. With only 12 flights on the Talon, Randy and I rode to Texas for the Jetero contest. In my first Saturday morning practice flight (#13 on the plance coincidently) my radio "locked-out" and the plane unfortunately crashed. With only the tail-section left in re-usable condition, Randy was able to COMPLETELY rebuild the whole front end and wings within the month for me to take up to Muncie for the NATS. And as is that feat wasn't enough, he rebuilt the plane and managed to only add an additional 2oz to the flying weight (4961g was the repared weight). It even looked better rebuilt!
For my first year in FAI and first contest in the class, I was able to place in the top 20 at the NATS. Two weeks after the contest, Randy and I realized I had flown the Talon in the NATS with 1.5deg NEGATIVE in the wing. Thats right, negative to the zero datum. No wonder my 1.5 snaps were sluggish and KE tucking and pulling! Apparently when re-attatching the "old" tail-section to the "newer" front end during the speedy re-build, Randy made a slight error
It was still a great experience!
Riding home from the 2011 NATS and having witnessed the World Championships just prior to, Randy and I began talks about nexts years design. Inspired by the things we had seen, we came up with some new ideas we would like to incorporate for the next airplane. These ideas we came up with from our 14 hour long drive home we infused into the Talon Extreme- a 9 month long build which Randy fully tackled himself head-on.
Now that you know the whole backstory, enjoy the photos below!
[8D] Feel free to comment with any questions. I hope to maiden her in the next week or so! I will do my best to keep this thread current even past the maiden. I have a little more than a month until the 2012 NATS and plan to track my trimming and flying progess through the main event!
Lastly, I can't help myself but take the time to re-thank Randy Hicks for his efforts and time. Can't say that enough. The guy is a true gentleman and proffessional craftsman of the highest caliber. I can't wait to see what this years 14 hour ride home from the NATS might generate for future designs to come. I have a feeling that in the thread for the next latest design, I wont have to prologue Randy Hick's repuation and work
Enjoy!
The Talon Extreme, a most current design built by Randy Hicks is near completion! For those in D6 or other frequent K-factor readers around the US, you may have already heard about this design. For those who don't know Randy Hicks or myself (Brandon Landry), I will TRY to catch you up with a brief summary of the events that have led us to this...
I first met Randy in 2007 while flying at local contests in D6. After the 2010 flying season, Randy brought his first pattern design, the Talon, to our local flying club where we first began talks about he building a Talon for me to fly in FAI for the 2011 season. Since the original Talon was not designed for the p/f11 schedules, I had my initial concerns; however, it seemed like a smart move for myself at the time. Though Randy was knew to the Pattern circuits, it was plainly obvious the guy had tremendous craftsmanship talents and a great "cajun-easy-going" personality to suit. We both could benefit by joining forces.
After receiving my original Talon in early May of 2011, I knew I already had a short time-frame to prepare myself for the NATS. With only 12 flights on the Talon, Randy and I rode to Texas for the Jetero contest. In my first Saturday morning practice flight (#13 on the plance coincidently) my radio "locked-out" and the plane unfortunately crashed. With only the tail-section left in re-usable condition, Randy was able to COMPLETELY rebuild the whole front end and wings within the month for me to take up to Muncie for the NATS. And as is that feat wasn't enough, he rebuilt the plane and managed to only add an additional 2oz to the flying weight (4961g was the repared weight). It even looked better rebuilt!
For my first year in FAI and first contest in the class, I was able to place in the top 20 at the NATS. Two weeks after the contest, Randy and I realized I had flown the Talon in the NATS with 1.5deg NEGATIVE in the wing. Thats right, negative to the zero datum. No wonder my 1.5 snaps were sluggish and KE tucking and pulling! Apparently when re-attatching the "old" tail-section to the "newer" front end during the speedy re-build, Randy made a slight error
It was still a great experience!Riding home from the 2011 NATS and having witnessed the World Championships just prior to, Randy and I began talks about nexts years design. Inspired by the things we had seen, we came up with some new ideas we would like to incorporate for the next airplane. These ideas we came up with from our 14 hour long drive home we infused into the Talon Extreme- a 9 month long build which Randy fully tackled himself head-on.
Now that you know the whole backstory, enjoy the photos below!
[8D] Feel free to comment with any questions. I hope to maiden her in the next week or so! I will do my best to keep this thread current even past the maiden. I have a little more than a month until the 2012 NATS and plan to track my trimming and flying progess through the main event! Lastly, I can't help myself but take the time to re-thank Randy Hicks for his efforts and time. Can't say that enough. The guy is a true gentleman and proffessional craftsman of the highest caliber. I can't wait to see what this years 14 hour ride home from the NATS might generate for future designs to come. I have a feeling that in the thread for the next latest design, I wont have to prologue Randy Hick's repuation and work
Enjoy!
06-18-2012, 01:35 PM
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RE: TALON EXTREME by Randy Hicks Designs
Sharp looking plane... I like the lines. My only concern with a one piece wing is it better be dead on straight and incidence better right on the money because adjustability is limited no? I have an Oxai plane with a one piece wing and the incidence if off the mark. Beautiful plane but flies like crap.
06-18-2012, 06:44 PM
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RE: TALON EXTREME by Randy Hicks Designs
ORIGINAL: RC_Pattern_Flyer
too bad you are going to put a YS in there and beat that beauty up and get it all slimy
too bad you are going to put a YS in there and beat that beauty up and get it all slimy
06-18-2012, 08:41 PM
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RE: TALON EXTREME by Randy Hicks Designs
Hey guys! Thanks for the nice words and comments!
The paint randy uses i know for sure is automotive since he uses the same paint that he uses for his auto business. i want to say its dupont but not 100% sure. Randy does use very new and innovative paint techniques on his planes which save weight. I know for fact he can paint and clear a white arf composite plane and only add 4oz total.
The airplane will be outfitted for a 1.75 ys and mounted on a YS mount.
Yes, while the one piece wing limits adjustability it does offer better flying characteristics. Two piece wings are just a product of the need for better transportability and not a design enhancement IMO.
The scoop on the top is a new idea which i personally developed. The canopy scoop will in theory suck in air that normally bounces off the canopy and is tunneled to exit holes onthe side of the airplane. There are air dams inside the airframe which vector the air from entrance scoop to exit vent. Randy has named this idea Astro ventilation This will give additional clean air to flow over the rudder.
One thing the picture sdo not show very well are the scale of the size of this planes airframw. This model is, with no doubt, the largest fuse ever built for a 2x2 pattern plane. You simply have to see it in person. I believe the tallest point on the fuse is 16". Also, leading and trailing edges of the wings and stabs have a slight curvature and the rudder is flared on its TE. Wing tips are also removable for sfg's.
All the vent exits on the fuse and cowl are expertly designed to allow for efficient cooling. Also, as of now, Randy has no plans of personally kitting the plane to my knowledge, but im sure he wouldnt mind arranging some type of an agreement with a manufacturer to produce kits or arfs if enough interest in the plane exists. This airplane was only designed with intentions that it would be my f3a competition airplane.
Brandon
The paint randy uses i know for sure is automotive since he uses the same paint that he uses for his auto business. i want to say its dupont but not 100% sure. Randy does use very new and innovative paint techniques on his planes which save weight. I know for fact he can paint and clear a white arf composite plane and only add 4oz total.
The airplane will be outfitted for a 1.75 ys and mounted on a YS mount.
Yes, while the one piece wing limits adjustability it does offer better flying characteristics. Two piece wings are just a product of the need for better transportability and not a design enhancement IMO.
The scoop on the top is a new idea which i personally developed. The canopy scoop will in theory suck in air that normally bounces off the canopy and is tunneled to exit holes onthe side of the airplane. There are air dams inside the airframe which vector the air from entrance scoop to exit vent. Randy has named this idea Astro ventilation
This will give additional clean air to flow over the rudder. One thing the picture sdo not show very well are the scale of the size of this planes airframw. This model is, with no doubt, the largest fuse ever built for a 2x2 pattern plane. You simply have to see it in person. I believe the tallest point on the fuse is 16". Also, leading and trailing edges of the wings and stabs have a slight curvature and the rudder is flared on its TE. Wing tips are also removable for sfg's.
All the vent exits on the fuse and cowl are expertly designed to allow for efficient cooling. Also, as of now, Randy has no plans of personally kitting the plane to my knowledge, but im sure he wouldnt mind arranging some type of an agreement with a manufacturer to produce kits or arfs if enough interest in the plane exists. This airplane was only designed with intentions that it would be my f3a competition airplane.
Brandon
06-18-2012, 09:34 PM
#18
RE: TALON EXTREME by Randy Hicks Designs
The plane looks awesome.. very nicely build.. would like to see some more pictures of the fuselage build from the start if you have them, as i am also in the process of building my own designed pattern plane from scratch so i could get some more ideas.
The canopy & the cowl looks great..
Just saw the wings of the plane, this plane has retractable landing gear?
would like to see some more pictures of the fuselage build from the start if you have them, as i am also in the process of building my own designed pattern plane from scratch so i could get some more ideas.The canopy & the cowl looks great..
Just saw the wings of the plane, this plane has retractable landing gear?
06-21-2012, 07:33 PM
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RE: TALON EXTREME by Randy Hicks Designs
Thanks Luis for the kind words. I have spent a lot time and effort in this plane and I am looking to seeing it fly.
Randy Hicks
Team Talon
Randy Hicks
Team Talon
06-26-2012, 03:27 PM
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RE: TALON EXTREME by Randy Hicks Designs
In my opinion thats exactly the kind of styling that can intice youngsters to become interested in pattern. Something that just looks wicked standing still. Modern and sexy. Nice job. I especially like the canopy. a little Top Fuel hydro influence maybe?????
