fallingleaf

My Feedback: (1)

Hi folks.....I currently have been flying my GP Spirit fro 10 years and its still going strong!! But in a blow they are pushed and I want to (finally) get something faster, better in stronger wind. Elevator/ailerons is ideal and perhaps some spoilers as the slope where I fly has a very tight landing area!

I'd like something with classic angular lines, no v-tails, preferably over 65" wingspan and balsa/ply construction. Something that looks speedy and pretty.

Really struggling to find good plans online and most of the kits these days are all composite materials and I love to build. Im open to foam wings but I really can't be bothered having to cut that myself nor fining someone here in NZ to do it

aeajr

My Feedback: (2)

Sounds like you want something for the slope rather than for hi-start launching for thermal flying.

I assume you know you can ballst your Spirit to handle higher winds.

I will give you a few ideas


Spirit Elite - ARF - Used to be available as a kit. the kits might still be around.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXAVR0&P=7

Since you are in NZ, you should look at Cantebury Sailplanes - I have been thinking about the Eraser for a long time. Once of these daysI will get it.
http://www.flycs.co.nz/index.php?opt...id=1&Itemid=55

BMatthews

Since you're in New Zealand the brands of models you can easily get are likely to be highly different from what others in different parts of the world have available. Perhaps post up some links to the models you can most easily source that seem like what you want and we can then comment on any strengths and weaknesses.

I have to agree that your post is a bit confusing. The Spirit is primarily a thermal glider for light to medium winds. It sounds like you've been forcing it to do slope duty. If you are primarily a slope soaring flyer than our recomendations will be a lot different from those for a windy weather thermal glider.

Perhaps fill us in more on the different areas you fly the most.

fallingleaf

My Feedback: (1)

Indeed the Spirit is a 'thermal' glider but I've found it quite capable as a basic slope soarer. Typically I fly off a large cliff on our west coast which has anywhere from 10-55knt winds from the roaring forties on a good SW day. Oodles of lift but there is only so much balast a spirit can take!

So yes a slope soarer to handle higher winds and more aerobatic. I know Canterbury sailplanes but honestly they are ugly and i'd prefer something a little friendlier on the eye. I was really just after so good plans to do a scratch build, or some kits you know of that I may have not seen online. Ideally something in the 60"+ wingspan size.

aeajr

My Feedback: (2)

Nothing wrong with a Spirt 2M on the slope.  I have flown my Radian, Easy Glider, and other thermal planes on the slope.  They fly great, especially in light lift.  If the wind picks up, you ballast them up and they keep going.

aeajr

My Feedback: (2)

I am just running internet searchs, which you can also do.

http://hobby-shack.amazonwebstore.co...B0014SINQA.htm

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=540380

http://www.nesail.com/categories.php...aa457f743b99a9

http://www.soaringusa.com/products/s...ategory_id=261

http://www.tuffplanes.com/

http://www.kamodels.com/pss.htm

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oG7njfI....pe-stream.html

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oG7njfI....om/page14.html

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oG7njfI....rs/catalog.php