New Biplane by Bryan Hebert - Alferma
02-10-2015, 12:53 PM
#151
Thanks Drac
Unfortunately there have been so many Mods and changes over the last few years during testing, 3 different wings and stab sets and 4 different wing positions. I never finalized the plans so every one is scratch built with some laser Formers and stringers that get modified along the way to my current mods. I`m building the fourth model now and none have been the same.
Mark Hunt got tired of redrawing the laser files trust me
A laser kit with fiberglass parts would cost 1200.00$ minimum and the time and effort to compile quality and light kits write a manual ECT. is not worth the few dollars return to me. The "modern" Large Bipe pattern planes are so complex and difficult to build and keep under weight even a pro is stretched to do it properly. and trimming it correctly is a whole other issue. they have become the "formula one" cars of Pattern now.
So I think I`m going to stick with RTF completed models for the time being way less complicated for me
I think it would be great if more guys would build and design like we used to, but sadly it`s a fast dying Art!
Bryan
Unfortunately there have been so many Mods and changes over the last few years during testing, 3 different wings and stab sets and 4 different wing positions. I never finalized the plans so every one is scratch built with some laser Formers and stringers that get modified along the way to my current mods. I`m building the fourth model now and none have been the same.
Mark Hunt got tired of redrawing the laser files trust me
A laser kit with fiberglass parts would cost 1200.00$ minimum and the time and effort to compile quality and light kits write a manual ECT. is not worth the few dollars return to me. The "modern" Large Bipe pattern planes are so complex and difficult to build and keep under weight even a pro is stretched to do it properly. and trimming it correctly is a whole other issue. they have become the "formula one" cars of Pattern now.
So I think I`m going to stick with RTF completed models for the time being way less complicated for me
I think it would be great if more guys would build and design like we used to, but sadly it`s a fast dying Art!
Bryan
02-10-2015, 05:39 PM
#153
ARF/RTF with composite construction, can be lighter if done correctly and it seems you have that sorted. It's very easy to add unnecessary weight if not careful while scratch building, especially with the larger planes now. But it is fun to build although time consuming.
RTF - What/how much work will be required to do by the purchaser?
RTF - What/how much work will be required to do by the purchaser?
02-10-2015, 09:11 PM
#154
The ready to fly Alferma will be a complete model only requiring equipment installation. similar to the Allure.
The plan is to have an all painted model at a high standard with good affordability.
I have no plans at this time to offer any build kits. I know there are some who still love to build like me but the market for this airplane is limited and I want to concentrate on one approach.
Bryan
The plan is to have an all painted model at a high standard with good affordability.
I have no plans at this time to offer any build kits. I know there are some who still love to build like me but the market for this airplane is limited and I want to concentrate on one approach.
Bryan
02-11-2015, 08:43 AM
#155
My Feedback: (121)
Hi Bryan,
I understand why you don't want to produce a kit of the Alferma, especially an all wood version. The number of all wood, F3A capable, pattern kits is very small. The Radiance and Europa Pro LT from the other side of the Atlantic (though the Radiance does not include any sheet wood) and the Accuracy from Naruke Hobbies in Japan. Flightcraft and Wingcraft Inagaki also produce kits, but won't ship to the USA. A few Wingray kits from Sunshine Products (again, Japanese) were imported by F3A Unlimited a few years ago and all the kits were sold (the $1500 price tag gave rise to some unfavorable discussion here).
The effort to produce a kit of this nature is significant and the number of kit sales probably doesn't justify the effort. Naruke Hobbies (and I believe the other Japanese manufacturers) only produce the kit once it has been paid for; so there is a 6 to 10 week wait, but the manufacturers don't incur any cost of holding kit inventory. I inquired about the possibility of Oxai releasing kit versions of their all wood pattern RTFs (which were high quality laser-cut kits prebuilt in their factory), but they were not interested. Lack of quality control over the final product was a major concern.
Any interest in offering a laser cut kit version of the Allure in a 110/115/electric size? There might be a 'reasonable' market for a kit in this niche. Maybe something to consider after the worlds (good luck!) this year... -in your copious free time :-)
Regards,
Will Bartlett
I understand why you don't want to produce a kit of the Alferma, especially an all wood version. The number of all wood, F3A capable, pattern kits is very small. The Radiance and Europa Pro LT from the other side of the Atlantic (though the Radiance does not include any sheet wood) and the Accuracy from Naruke Hobbies in Japan. Flightcraft and Wingcraft Inagaki also produce kits, but won't ship to the USA. A few Wingray kits from Sunshine Products (again, Japanese) were imported by F3A Unlimited a few years ago and all the kits were sold (the $1500 price tag gave rise to some unfavorable discussion here).
The effort to produce a kit of this nature is significant and the number of kit sales probably doesn't justify the effort. Naruke Hobbies (and I believe the other Japanese manufacturers) only produce the kit once it has been paid for; so there is a 6 to 10 week wait, but the manufacturers don't incur any cost of holding kit inventory. I inquired about the possibility of Oxai releasing kit versions of their all wood pattern RTFs (which were high quality laser-cut kits prebuilt in their factory), but they were not interested. Lack of quality control over the final product was a major concern.
Any interest in offering a laser cut kit version of the Allure in a 110/115/electric size? There might be a 'reasonable' market for a kit in this niche. Maybe something to consider after the worlds (good luck!) this year... -in your copious free time :-)
Regards,
Will Bartlett
02-11-2015, 10:09 AM
#156
Thanks Will.
That is an intriguing suggestion on a laser Allure
I do have plans to produce a 115 size Pattern plane in the future all composite, But you may be on to something there.
Bryan
That is an intriguing suggestion on a laser Allure
I do have plans to produce a 115 size Pattern plane in the future all composite, But you may be on to something there.
Bryan
04-12-2016, 07:24 AM
#164
The wing span of the current Alferma is 77"
No release date as of yet, but I will have two different bipe releases in testing in a few months.
I just wanted to freshen this thread up a little
No release date as of yet, but I will have two different bipe releases in testing in a few months.
I just wanted to freshen this thread up a little
04-13-2016, 07:25 PM
#168
It took 6 months to build this model from scratch. Getting ready for the World Championships after the Manufacturer backed out of the production, I had to get it done myself.
Pulling the parts and painting the model are always the hardest, most time consuming parts of the build.
Many late nights pulling 18 hour days. It eventually caught up with me. But I caught up on sleep on my 14 Hour flight to South Africa
Bryan
