Sharing Airtronics sailplanes
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Sharing Airtronics sailplanes
I'm finally getting another Aquila Grande! My last one died in 1999 and I have been searching for a kit since.
Now I'm starting to miss all the Airtronics line..
Please share Pictures and comments on the ones you have, had or have always wanted.
Thanks!!!
DM
Now I'm starting to miss all the Airtronics line..
Please share Pictures and comments on the ones you have, had or have always wanted.
Thanks!!!
DM
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RE: Sharing Airtronics sailplanes
Yeah!!
When it rains it pours!
I was watching a listing on flee bay of an old stripped down Aquila. It was just listed as a balsa r/c glider. I ended up getting it for just one dollar over the starting bid (mine was the second)!
So excited and cant wait to get this bird back in the air!
Worst thing about it; no tail feathers and no plans. Does anyone have the standard Aquila plans they could scan? If not, I guess I could scale down the Grande plans a little when they come in.
Here's some pics of the Aquila listed with no name:
check out those 70s Futaba S23 servos!
DM
When it rains it pours!
I was watching a listing on flee bay of an old stripped down Aquila. It was just listed as a balsa r/c glider. I ended up getting it for just one dollar over the starting bid (mine was the second)!
So excited and cant wait to get this bird back in the air!
Worst thing about it; no tail feathers and no plans. Does anyone have the standard Aquila plans they could scan? If not, I guess I could scale down the Grande plans a little when they come in.
Here's some pics of the Aquila listed with no name:
check out those 70s Futaba S23 servos!
DM
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RE: Sharing Airtronics sailplanes
I built the 2 meter and Open class Sagitta. Airtronic kits were just a pleasure to open up. Good wood, great fits. I've un retired the Open Sagitta and am about to re=introduce the Club to soaring as a lesson of what was before electric. Good luck with the Aquilla. One club member had one and just loved the ease. I wonder where he went.
Ray W.
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RE: Sharing Airtronics sailplanes
The Sagitta lines are one of my favorite! I actually like the looks of those fuses more than the Aquila. Had a 600 but was destroyed before I could finish it, along with my Aquila Grande wings and tail. It was water damage. I still have my plans for the Sagitta and am planning on building another next year.
DM
DM
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RE: Sharing Airtronics sailplanes
I found a site last year that re-kitted the Sagitta, Oly and Aquilla and now I can't find it. Figures.
I believe , tho, they had fiberglass fuse. I didn't find the built up lite ply fuse a problem and I've a wall of first thru 3rd class winnings with the stock kit.
Here is one that seems to cater to Europa high tech sail planes.
Here is one that seems to cater to Europa high tech sail planes.
Ray W.
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RE: Sharing Airtronics sailplanes
I think you may have found Aerosphere. They are pretty much dead in the water. [&o]
I'm planning to make a CAD cut list for my older kits that I have been lucky enough to stumble on to. I've found a Wanderer 99, SR7, and an RO8. I really want an Airtronics Legend.
I also have my old, damaged Aquila Grande fuse and the canopy that will work great as plugs for a mold.
DM
I'm planning to make a CAD cut list for my older kits that I have been lucky enough to stumble on to. I've found a Wanderer 99, SR7, and an RO8. I really want an Airtronics Legend.
I also have my old, damaged Aquila Grande fuse and the canopy that will work great as plugs for a mold.
DM
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RE: Sharing Airtronics sailplanes
That was one and here is another.... http://www.skybench.com/index.html?http://www.skybench.com/home.html
Sorry to have forgotten the link in the earlier post.
If only I knew the future, I could have stocked up on kits. Alas
Ray W.
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RE: Sharing Airtronics sailplanes
Great link Ray!
I was trying to remember this site, but for the life of me I just couldn't.
There Oly III is really nice, along with the Viking.
I'll post some pics of the Oly III, since it has some Airtronics pedigree...
note: pictures are from Skybench website
I was trying to remember this site, but for the life of me I just couldn't.
There Oly III is really nice, along with the Viking.
I'll post some pics of the Oly III, since it has some Airtronics pedigree...
note: pictures are from Skybench website
#10
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RE: Sharing Airtronics sailplanes
I just got a Sagitta 900 kit and a fiberglass fuse. I'm going to clone the fuselage and have a couple of white ones in the mold made.
It's going to be slow going as review projects keep showing up and taking up my work bench but I've wanted one for years.
It's going to be slow going as review projects keep showing up and taking up my work bench but I've wanted one for years.
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RE: Sharing Airtronics sailplanes
DM, great catch! Noticed the Aquila 'bones' on eBay when its auction was still active and am glad to know that it will be rebuilt and in the air soon. RCM Plans is still in business and they have the Aquila plans but from what I have heard it takes some time for them to fill orders.
A friend built the Sagitta 900 and he was very satisfied with it which influenced me to purchase the newly released at the time Sagitta 600 kit which I built with ailerons according to the plan instructions. The machine-cut parts were a pleasure to work with.
A friend built the Sagitta 900 and he was very satisfied with it which influenced me to purchase the newly released at the time Sagitta 600 kit which I built with ailerons according to the plan instructions. The machine-cut parts were a pleasure to work with.
#13
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RE: Sharing Airtronics sailplanes
I lucked out and managed to find several old Airtronics kits, all new-in-box over the years. Haven't started any of them yet.
Sagitta 600
Sagitta 900
Sagitta XC
Grand Esprit
Aquila Grande
Acro-Star Biplane (Yeah, I KNOW it's not a glider!)
I've always loved their kits.
Sagitta 600
Sagitta 900
Sagitta XC
Grand Esprit
Aquila Grande
Acro-Star Biplane (Yeah, I KNOW it's not a glider!)
I've always loved their kits.
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RE: Sharing Airtronics sailplanes
Nice Bill!!!
There is a Grand Esprit for bid on... you know where. going out of my price range.
A bunch of us had been starting work on CAD to get some patterns out to laser cutters. hese were the old F3A pattern kits, MK, Bridi, Yoshioka, etc...
Would be nice to get a few of these Airtronics kits to that point.
I do plan to tackle the ones that I have. I definately have to do this to the Sagitta 600 plans, since my kit is destroyed.
Plan to start it up later this year, in the winter time after I move to Utah.
DM
There is a Grand Esprit for bid on... you know where. going out of my price range.
A bunch of us had been starting work on CAD to get some patterns out to laser cutters. hese were the old F3A pattern kits, MK, Bridi, Yoshioka, etc...
Would be nice to get a few of these Airtronics kits to that point.
I do plan to tackle the ones that I have. I definately have to do this to the Sagitta 600 plans, since my kit is destroyed.
Plan to start it up later this year, in the winter time after I move to Utah.
DM
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RE: Sharing Airtronics sailplanes
So your the one who beat me out. I contacted the seller to see if I could do LPU, he agreed.. I put in a starting bid, then forgot about it. I recognized it right away.. I guess if you snooze you lose.. Hope it works out for you...
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RE: Sharing Airtronics sailplanes
[&o]Sorry for your loss ibindin. I know I get pretty sour when I plan to get something and I lose it on that site.
I do have that Aquila Grande coming in soon. I plan to make a PDF copy of the plans and the ribs that aren't shown. You (or anyone here) could have it sent out to Kinkos or another drafting outlet for a full size copy.
Keep watching this thread, I'll upload the file here as soon as I get it.
DM
I do have that Aquila Grande coming in soon. I plan to make a PDF copy of the plans and the ribs that aren't shown. You (or anyone here) could have it sent out to Kinkos or another drafting outlet for a full size copy.
Keep watching this thread, I'll upload the file here as soon as I get it.
DM
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RE: Sharing Airtronics sailplanes
Another Airtronics Sailplane kit enthusiast here:
Olympic - Sold in 1974
Questor - Crashed
Super Questor - Flying
Aquila - Flying since 1979
Sagitta - Flying
Sagitta 600 - Flying
Grand Esprit - In the box
Cumic - In the box
Whisper (Airtronics Prototype) - In the box
Olympic III (Skybench) - In the box
Olympic - Sold in 1974
Questor - Crashed
Super Questor - Flying
Aquila - Flying since 1979
Sagitta - Flying
Sagitta 600 - Flying
Grand Esprit - In the box
Cumic - In the box
Whisper (Airtronics Prototype) - In the box
Olympic III (Skybench) - In the box
#20
RE: Sharing Airtronics sailplanes
I got one for sale. 90% built. This project is not mine but a older club member that is selling all his gliders and kits. I need to get the plans for it as they were not included in the box. One thing I noticed is the wing tube on the fuse is about 1/8" off and will need to be taken out and repositioned so it will line up with the wing (not a big deal). I have posted pics. If someone is interested in buying it I will post it on the RCU selling site.
Larry Barnes
Larry Barnes
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RE: Sharing Airtronics sailplanes
Wow! That looks really nice. Shouldn't be too much to ship since the wing panels are still seperate. What kind of price is your friend looking for? Or is he just taking offers right now.
I wish this was out before I bought the one on e$ay. This looks much nicer, and complete... Maybe two standard Aquilas for me??
of course, you'll get first over me ibinden
DM
I wish this was out before I bought the one on e$ay. This looks much nicer, and complete... Maybe two standard Aquilas for me??
of course, you'll get first over me ibinden
DM
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RE: Sharing Airtronics sailplanes
beaverboy, thats a huge collection. Ok, so which one do you like the best overall?
[X(]and are you the original builder of that Heathkit Tx??
DM
[X(]and are you the original builder of that Heathkit Tx??
DM
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RE: Sharing Airtronics sailplanes
ORIGINAL: Aurora_60
beaverboy, thats a huge collection. Ok, so which one do you like the best overall?
[X(]and are you the original builder of that Heathkit Tx??
DM
beaverboy, thats a huge collection. Ok, so which one do you like the best overall?
[X(]and are you the original builder of that Heathkit Tx??
DM
Original (undercambered) Olympic 99 - Great for learning to thermal fly, but definately not an aerobatic plane. I put a lot of flying hours on this one.
Aquila - Great plane for thermal flying but pretty slow airfoil
Sagitta 600 - I have never gotten it to fly properly. Mine is unstable and touchy.
Sagitta - I'll let you know once flying weather is here in the NW.
I've had other sailplanes that were great flyers:
Windfreak (RCM Plans) - Flying wing. Wide speed range. Impressive in the air
RO-8 - Fun small field flyer but the kit has terrible balsa that has to be replaced
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RE: Sharing Airtronics sailplanes
Hi Aurora 60,
I have an AQUILA Standard Class Sailplane kit by Airtronics/Cox. It's about 75% Built. The Wings and Tail sections are built, the rest of the kit is still in the box. The Plans and instructions are still there.
I have Macular Degeneration in both eyes, I get Hypo shots directly into my eyeballs every 30 days, I can still drive, but difficult to build or fly anymore.
If someone has interest in this 99" Standard Class Kit, please PM me, I would like to sell it if someone is interested.
I have an AQUILA Standard Class Sailplane kit by Airtronics/Cox. It's about 75% Built. The Wings and Tail sections are built, the rest of the kit is still in the box. The Plans and instructions are still there.
I have Macular Degeneration in both eyes, I get Hypo shots directly into my eyeballs every 30 days, I can still drive, but difficult to build or fly anymore.
If someone has interest in this 99" Standard Class Kit, please PM me, I would like to sell it if someone is interested.