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I couldn't resist adding the back cover. Early Futaba PCM.
Stuart

Stuart, great post!!! Thanks so much, really like the color scheme on the front cover and the Futaba PCM radio. Pete

I've been meaning to post this for you just haven't had the time. Enjoy.
Of note for those of us old enough to have flown back then in the NE. I was informed at this years WRAM show that Rick Constable, pictured on the last page just recently passed.
Stuart

Very nice, Stuart. Thanks a lot for the scans!

Jim<br type="_moz" />

Very sorry to hear about Rick.....

That's odd....Ido not remember stealing anybody's scheme for my XLT.

After looking at the magazine cover, Iobviously did!!!

Thanks for bringing back the memories.

Doug


P.S. That "Red Label" Futaba PCM was the second generation. The "Green Label" came first. Istill have my Green Label!! (Idon't use it anymore, but its in perfect shape)

Doug, Your paint job on your XLT is really close!! to the one on FM. Not much to report on the build, the horizontal stabs are sheeted and in the saddle drying, added the wing hold down blocks to the fuselage, and more sanding. Waiting for a balsa order for the wing and fuse. to get back on track, on Vacation now for 2 weeks will be heading down to the beach for some R&R next week. Pete

Pete,

Come to think of it, I think Dave Guerin painted his in a very similar if not identical scheme. I have to find those photos and post them.

I remember that '85 FM - one of the few I still have.

David

David , This is the Airplane that Dave Flew last year @ the Green Sea CPA Contest !!
That airplane has to be seen to believe the covering job he did on it ! absolutely flawless ..

Dave ..

I ordered a new set of Spring Air retracts about 8 days ago, looks like they are going to be a while, so I have a new set of B&D air retracts, guess I'll use them. I hope to start on the wing after finishing the Horizontal stab today.

That sure is a good looking plane dave has there!! Pete

Yeah The color was about as bright in the air as it was on the ground !!!
Hey Pete looks like you are missing one of your retracts You gona put the little wheel on the back end ????

Dave..

Ya Dave little wheel on the back! Pete

I dont know what is going on with spring air ..Last order took over a month and my latest order will be a month in 6 days.. Bill has always been good, but i am Re-ordering the spring air struts i need from a different supplier tonight and going to have them either overnighted or 2nd day aired.. I cant keep letting weekends slip by Emailed them a over a week ago to see if there was any news and didnt even get a reply this time.. I dont know if i need to go to different retracts or a different supplier...

Jason, I understand your frustrations have order retracts from bill (spring air) many times. This is a very busy time of the year for them, I was told I'm on the waiting list 30 to 45 days I could take a pair out of another plane just don't like doing that. I just happen to have the B&D's so I'll use them. I'm sure if you call them they can give you an idea when you should get them.Call them around 11:00am seems to work for me. Pete

Pete,
I agree bill has always been great, and easy to deal with..I think i just get a little bit spoiled when i order from other places and i get 3 emails confirming order then order shipment then order tracking # for the shipment ..And then its on my doorstep within a week max. Love their products and if i would dig through boxs i probably have a extra full set of the retract parts i need..sometimes its just easier to order them.. I eneded up re-ordering the parts i need 2nd day air from graves..So if anyone needs 600 series struts i will have atleast 5 extra sets once all my orders come in .. BTW your build looks perfect!! Nothing beats a bridi ,any and all ot their models ,fast and fun build and the best all around flying planes out there.. And they last forever!

No balsa sheeting for the wing in the mail yet, will go back to fuselage, fit fuel tank 16oz. blocks added for the front end. will post pics. later. Pete

Still no balsa order, so I started digging around my box of balsa and found 1x2 in. blocks that were lighter than the original that came in the kit glued 2 side by side and added 1/4 in on top for the front end of fuse. Horizontal is sheeted need to cut elevators out then add leading edge and rear caps.

Elevators seperated from stabs. leading edge and cap strips ready to be installed.

Pete,

It's interesting to see how Bridi's stab airfoil thickness grew over time, starting from the flat sheet Kaos to the massive airfoil on the XLT. His wing airfoils remained relatively constant between 15 and 17% or thereabouts. Come to think of it, the wings probably thinned out as the stabs fattened.

Nice work!

David

David your so right about the stab dirty birdy a little thinner, not sure what % the wing is But the XLT is really thick @ the root!! Pete

Back from vacation, more tired now than I was before I left to go on vacation!! funny how that works. weather in my area calling for light snow then turning in to rain so will hit the XLT hard next couple of days. stay turned. Pete

Hi All,

I ran accross this thread and subscribed. Glad to see that there is still lot's of interest in the XLT. I usually don't write much in these forums, so if I can get some pic's uploaded, I will show you my XLT I just finished. Just need to get the throws set and she will be ready to go. It is very modified and may not look like the origional, but I assure you it is. Let me know what you think.

Here's one shot of the plane. I think it went through.