Scale Jet Composites Folland Gnat
03-26-2016, 03:05 AM
#29
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Location: londonnot applicable, UNITED KINGDOM
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Hi guys sorry for delay in reposting been a lot happening in the background to get to get the gnat
finalised for production we now have completed the first stage in flight testing and are very happy with the gnats flight performance we have no major pitch problems with full flap only a small trim interaction when the gear are fully extended due to the big doors that are attached to all three uc legs but nothing agressive we will now start production of the models for the completed pre orders flight testing will carry on untill were totally haply with settings ready to pass on to our. Clients this link will take you to the test fight many thanks scale composites
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtKzstMUjLg&sns=em
finalised for production we now have completed the first stage in flight testing and are very happy with the gnats flight performance we have no major pitch problems with full flap only a small trim interaction when the gear are fully extended due to the big doors that are attached to all three uc legs but nothing agressive we will now start production of the models for the completed pre orders flight testing will carry on untill were totally haply with settings ready to pass on to our. Clients this link will take you to the test fight many thanks scale composites
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtKzstMUjLg&sns=em
Last edited by archie2; 03-26-2016 at 03:10 AM.
04-23-2017, 10:03 PM
#30
Scale perfection. Filmed at Bruntingthorpe this weekend. Flown by Dave Wilshere. When viewing select highest available resolution for best viewing experience 
Last edited by DominicM; 04-23-2017 at 11:00 PM.
04-23-2017, 10:30 PM
#31
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: farnborough, , UNITED KINGDOM
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Archie and team, outstanding and really amazing work, wish I had more time to hook up and enjoy the hobby but maybe this year I can get out more 
Congrats on the flight and wish you a great year - see you at JP for sure if not before.
marcs
Congrats on the flight and wish you a great year - see you at JP for sure if not before.
marcs
04-24-2017, 12:29 AM
#32
Thread Starter
The project is an amazing one for sure, there have been many delays in production and testing, but happily the project is again moving forward at speed. The out sourced parts are now being manufactured in house, so time frames can be controlled. Opportunities to do the test flying schedule have been difficult for the original team, so it's been passed to me to start flying the model and continue the good work started by John (luckly chap or what :-))
My two flights on Friday have provided enough data to change a few things, it was also found after the flights there was a 'quirk' in the radio set-up where changing through the rates only adjusted one surface! So that has been fixed now, the original elevator servos are going to be changed to JR 8911's, as the original choice has a lot of free play after only 7 flights.
This model is very heavy, it was more to test the moulds etc and each wing is very heavy. The kits coming off the production line now are over 2lb per wing lighter.
The scale gear and doors do produce a pitch change, but its very gentle and full activation of the gyro will sort that out too.
We hope to fly it again in the next couple of weeks after these changes are made.
DW
My two flights on Friday have provided enough data to change a few things, it was also found after the flights there was a 'quirk' in the radio set-up where changing through the rates only adjusted one surface! So that has been fixed now, the original elevator servos are going to be changed to JR 8911's, as the original choice has a lot of free play after only 7 flights.
This model is very heavy, it was more to test the moulds etc and each wing is very heavy. The kits coming off the production line now are over 2lb per wing lighter.
The scale gear and doors do produce a pitch change, but its very gentle and full activation of the gyro will sort that out too.
We hope to fly it again in the next couple of weeks after these changes are made.
DW
04-24-2017, 02:51 AM
#35
The Gnat.
The project is an amazing one for sure, there have been many delays in production and testing, but happily the project is again moving forward at speed. The out sourced parts are now being manufactured in house, so time frames can be controlled. Opportunities to do the test flying schedule have been difficult for the original team, so it's been passed to me to start flying the model and continue the good work started by John (luckly chap or what :-))
My two flights on Friday have provided enough data to change a few things, it was also found after the flights there was a 'quirk' in the radio set-up where changing through the rates only adjusted one surface! So that has been fixed now, the original elevator servos are going to be changed to JR 8911's, as the original choice has a lot of free play after only 7 flights.
This model is very heavy, it was more to test the moulds etc and each wing is very heavy. The kits coming off the production line now are over 2lb per wing lighter.
The scale gear and doors do produce a pitch change, but its very gentle and full activation of the gyro will sort that out too.
We hope to fly it again in the next couple of weeks after these changes are made.
DW
My two flights on Friday have provided enough data to change a few things, it was also found after the flights there was a 'quirk' in the radio set-up where changing through the rates only adjusted one surface! So that has been fixed now, the original elevator servos are going to be changed to JR 8911's, as the original choice has a lot of free play after only 7 flights.
This model is very heavy, it was more to test the moulds etc and each wing is very heavy. The kits coming off the production line now are over 2lb per wing lighter.
The scale gear and doors do produce a pitch change, but its very gentle and full activation of the gyro will sort that out too.
We hope to fly it again in the next couple of weeks after these changes are made.
DW
Its a long time since I flew the real Gnat, but the trim change with gear actuation was overcome with the datum shift system whereby the stab centre was automatically adjusted. Should be easy with a modern radio.
A wonderful model, well done Archie and team!
David.
05-25-2017, 11:43 PM
#36
Thread Starter
After changing the elevator servos to JR 8911's these are the first three flights of four flown last weekend. The first take off was with the gyro completely off, since we had changed the servos, this was then activated at a low percentage part the way through the flight. While we found the perfect control balance we did not want the gyro masking anything.
Adjustments to the control movements were made during the subsequent flights and we now feel ready to set the gyro up properly, which will complete the setting up process.
The last of four flights last weekend The guys asked for stall tests, clean, flap and fully dirty-flap and gear (with the big angled doors) and even at the heavy prototype weight, the stall was amazingly benign, just a mush.
The first production kit is in paint now, and the second and third following close behind. This is not a mass produced kit, so the level of detail the guys are putting into the package is amazing.
DW
05-26-2017, 09:13 AM
#39
Thread Starter
I sanitise after every flight ;-)
The process of setting up a model from zip is a long one...especially when you can't really drive the radio program!
The initial work done by the team overcame some of the quirks brought on by the FS undercarriage design and now we have a good balance point and control deflections the project is going forwards
Dave
The process of setting up a model from zip is a long one...especially when you can't really drive the radio program!
The initial work done by the team overcame some of the quirks brought on by the FS undercarriage design and now we have a good balance point and control deflections the project is going forwards
Dave
03-25-2019, 05:36 AM
#42
Thread Starter
There has been a change in the idea. The first model was delivered last year and two more are being finished now. The company found it is too much work to offer a ARTF Scale model like this, so after all the orders are completed they will offer the Gnat as a kit.
Dont expect that until later this year.
Dont expect that until later this year.
03-25-2019, 07:31 AM
#44
Thread Starter
The original plan was you drop your radio and turbine in and fly! It did not work out.
We hope to fly the first production model middle of this year, two of my friends ordered them
Dave
We hope to fly the first production model middle of this year, two of my friends ordered them
Dave
03-28-2019, 06:48 PM
#45
My Feedback: (41)
Contact info
I have been through this forum page and searched the Internet for info on this kit but I am coming up empty.
Can anyone tell me how to get in touch with the manufacturer?
looks like a really interesting and different subject. Some cool color schemes around as well!
Jeff
Can anyone tell me how to get in touch with the manufacturer?
looks like a really interesting and different subject. Some cool color schemes around as well!
Jeff
