Marc: I really loved my Venus 40. I was having some rear-wheel problems and just wanted to fly that day, so I ignored it. Well, the wind picked up a bit and on take off, and after flying it most of the day, it veered to the right toward another pilot on the line. I sort of panic'ed because I tried to rudder it over but the wind was still a bit snappy. I pushed the aileron while not thinking of it. The plane veered away from the other pilot but went inverted about three feet off the ground and that was that.

Interestingly enough, though, the wing was not even marked. The fuselage about disintegrated upon impact, the wing bolts (nylon) sheared off, the wing went one way, the fuselage went straight in and crumbled. A shame.

I was going to buy a replacement Venus 40 but heard that they came out with the Venus II so I waited. Glad I did. I put one on lay-away a few weeks ago and will pick it up by the end of the month.. put that OS 1.20 AX on board.. ought to fly pretty good.

DS.