Airtronics Olympic II - Any Opinions?  
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All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring >> Airtronics Olympic II - Any Opinions? Page: [1]

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Airtronics Olympic II - Any Opinions? - 5/10/2008 6:58:54 AM   
jzcode43


 

Posts: 28
Joined: 10/29/2004
From: Cameron Park, CA, USA
Status: offline 		I'm researching a few Sailplanes and would like to hear from anyone that has experiance with this plane. I have hear it's a good one!
       Post #: 1

RE: Airtronics Olympic II - Any Opinions? - 5/10/2008 4:21:21 PM   
da Rock



Posts: 6128
Joined: 10/11/2005
From: western, NC, USA
Status: offline 		It's an excellent floater. It'll survive on slopes but not really suited for that.

A great thermal floater.

(in reply to jzcode43)
       Post #: 2

RE: Airtronics Olympic II - Any Opinions? - 5/10/2008 5:58:25 PM   
OzMo



Posts: 1336
Joined: 9/2/2002
From: OZark, MO, USA
Status: offline 		Take a look at
skybench.com
for a nice laser cut version Ray the guy that owns it is a thermal airplane nut ( in this case "nut " is very good!) and nice guy to work with. It will be a MUCH nicer build than an old die cut kit. I bought his Big bird XL.

_____________________________

Yes dear, I did glue my hand to the airplane to keep from dropping it.

(in reply to da Rock)
       Post #: 3

RE: Airtronics Olympic II - Any Opinions? - 5/10/2008 9:16:23 PM   
MrMulligan


 

Posts: 728
Joined: 2/11/2002
From: Keyport, NJ, USA
Status: offline 		This is probably the greatest of the RES floaters. RES for rudder, elevator, spoilers. The old Airtronics kits were really beautiful, with some of the best wood I have ever seen. I admit the modern laser-cut ones are probably better, but at the time they were wonders. It tells you something that an aircraft like this is still in production somewhere. I have an Olympic 650 that I won't part with or electrify.

(in reply to OzMo)
       Post #: 4

RE: Airtronics Olympic II - Any Opinions? - 5/10/2008 9:21:04 PM   
jzcode43


 

Posts: 28
Joined: 10/29/2004
From: Cameron Park, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks for the info! I have been looking at the big bird today. How do you like yours? Did you use a motor in it? If so, which one? Thanks...

(in reply to OzMo)
       Post #: 5

RE: Airtronics Olympic II - Any Opinions? - 5/12/2008 9:29:30 PM   
HankTurner


 

Posts: 32
Joined: 7/7/2004
From: Corpus Christi, TX, USA
Status: offline 		I have an Airtronics Butterfly which is essentially an Olympic III wing with a modified fuselage and landing gear for motor gliding. About 15 yrs ago, I mounted a OS 30 on the front and used it to take aerial photos for the city of Corpus Christi’s engineering dept. in TX. I built the fuse a little wider and beefed it up a bit to house the camera. Even with a 3 lb camera I would still used the spoilers on approach. The Olympic III wing is very strong and light.

Hank

(in reply to jzcode43)
       Post #: 6

RE: Airtronics Olympic II - Any Opinions? - 5/12/2008 9:43:08 PM   
jzcode43


 

Posts: 28
Joined: 10/29/2004
From: Cameron Park, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Wow! A 3 Lbs camera and it still flew OK. I bet you could pickup some big time speed at that weight! I'm looking at a few different models at this time but I think I going to go with the OLY IIS and add a motor to it. Still have a lot to learn about EP motors and all the goodies that go with them. And I haven't built a Kit since 1980 so I got my work cut out for me! Thanks...

(in reply to HankTurner)
       Post #: 7

RE: Airtronics Olympic II - Any Opinions? - 5/13/2008 12:46:46 PM   
shreve


 

Posts: 7
Joined: 1/31/2003
From: Columbia, MD,
Status: offline 		MOTOR!? Bite your tongue!

Seriously. it's a great design that has stood the test for time for many years. Mine is many years old, and still goes up on a histart like it's on rails. Just rudder/elevator for me. Floats like a butterfly.

(in reply to jzcode43)
       Post #: 8

RE: Airtronics Olympic II - Any Opinions? - 6/1/2008 3:10:09 AM   
ray foley



Posts: 108
Joined: 8/29/2002
From: toledo, OH, USA
Status: offline 		hi there from Toledo

My OLY II was built in 1976 from an original airtronics kit and still flies great. Last year I lopped off the nose block and lead weight, refit the first former and resculpted the front end for an Aveox inrunner and maxon gear box with a 14-9 cam folderprop. Then added a CC phx 45 esc and a 3s 4000mah lipo pack under the wing. Half of the battery capacity usually gives about a 1.5 hour flight with 85 degree up angle climbs, yeeehaah! My longest flight since electrofying has been 3.5 hours and I used about 80%of the battery capacity. I used to be a glider purist but i got over it.

I plan on keeping the OlyII for many more years.

ciao -rjf

< Message edited by ray foley -- 6/1/2008 3:11:09 AM >

(in reply to shreve)
       Post #: 9

RE: Airtronics Olympic II - Any Opinions? - 6/3/2008 12:02:41 AM   
dbarrym



Posts: 1107
Joined: 10/21/2003
From: Carlsbad, CA, USA
Status: offline 		It's an excellent flying plane and the kit is dirt simple to build. I had several of them back in the day, even won the AMA Nats with one (1977 AMA Nats in Riverside, Jr. Mod. Std.), as well as doing my 8 hour LSF slope flight with it. You will love it.

FWIW, the old Airtronics kits were not die-cut, all the parts were machine "cut" using band saws, routers, and belt/disc sanders. That is why the parts were also so nice and crisp. Disclaimer - I was sponsored by Lee Renaud (Airtronics founder) and may be a bit biased!

I have not seen the Skybench kits but have heard good things. There is not much, if anything, that would need improvement in the original design. You can sheet the LE and add some Philips entry for a bit of improvement (or just step up to an Aquila if you want "all out" classic glider performance?).

Have fun -

Barry

(in reply to ray foley)
       Post #: 10

RE: Airtronics Olympic II - Any Opinions? - 6/29/2008 10:51:56 AM   
jollyroger


 

Posts: 261
Joined: 3/10/2002
From: central Lake, MI, USA
Status: offline 		I've been trying to decide whether to get the Oly II with the semi airfoil or the Viking with semi airfoil. Both of these Skybench kits look great and since it's quite easy to electrify either one, it's probably going to come down to tossing a coin.
Both of these gliders have a long pedigree and to me, seem to look more graceful in the air than those high tech Cf composites.
To me the sight of a glider with its wings covered with a transparent film against the sky looks beautiful.
With the choice of electric motor combinations, it is easier than ever to power one of these to altitude as qickly as you want.

(in reply to dbarrym)
       Post #: 11

RE: Airtronics Olympic II - Any Opinions? - 7/2/2008 12:26:50 AM   
mred33


 

Posts: 240
Joined: 5/12/2006
From: Glenwood, GA, USA
Status: offline 		I am about to order the Oly III from SkyBench and put a motor in it. I loved the Oly II that I had years ago and would like another one, but I think I will go with the III instead. I have the motor on order now and as soon as it comes in I am going to order the glider. I love big gliders. They are so much easier to see and this one flies GREAT.
Ed

_____________________________

SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES. NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING, BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS

(in reply to jollyroger)
       Post #: 12

RE: Airtronics Olympic II - Any Opinions? - 7/5/2008 4:49:06 PM   
skybill


 

Posts: 5
Joined: 6/24/2008
From: Roseboro, NC, USA
Status: offline 		Hi JZ,
Oly II, GREAT!!!! Got a built one (no spoilers) from a guy at work in '85. It was kinda beat up and needed re covering so I re covered the wings and tail feathers with some Solartex (from Hobby Shack) I had and dope and paint on the fuse. Flew it on hi-start and slope (Estancia Park in Costa Mesa CA ) and Back Bay in NewPort Beach CA (before the condos!!) I flew it and flew it and finally it fellapart. That plane would thrmal on the heat from a lighted match!! Got another kit orig Airtronics Oly II on the shelf with a gazillion other planes. You want to do an Oly? DO IT!! You won't regret it, they are great flyers with or without spoilers.

Blue skyz,
skybill

(in reply to jzcode43)
       Post #: 13

RE: Airtronics Olympic II - Any Opinions? - 7/5/2008 6:28:28 PM   
mred33


 

Posts: 240
Joined: 5/12/2006
From: Glenwood, GA, USA
Status: offline 		The one thing I didn't do to mine was put spoilers on it. If I had it to do over again, I would put them on. I will with the Oly III I am getting. Makes the landing much easier.
Ed

_____________________________

SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES. NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING, BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS

(in reply to skybill)
       Post #: 14

RE: Airtronics Olympic II - Any Opinions? - 7/22/2008 3:02:06 PM   
mred33


 

Posts: 240
Joined: 5/12/2006
From: Glenwood, GA, USA
Status: offline 		By the way, the motor I ordered for mine was an AXI 2820/14 and it finally came in after being on backorder from Hobby Lobby and on sale for $69.00. Couldn't pass that one up. Should be a good match for the Oly III I am about to order. In the mean time, I am going to use it in my Spirit 100 and fly it till I get the Olly III built.
Ed

_____________________________

SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES. NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING, BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS

(in reply to mred33)
       Post #: 15

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