Well, today was the day. I called up Graupnerfan and we headed to the field. Thanks to RCU I wass able to hook up with an experienced pilot in my area. After a short flight on his trainer. He was ready to take my TT Cloud Dancer on her maiden flight. We gased her up, checked the needle valve and taxied out. After a short run up we were ready. He gave her the juice and off down the runway she went. It didn't take long until she was airborne and climbing out smoothly. All Jim could say was wow, and as a spectator watching my plane take to air, it was awesome. He flew a couple circuits around and brought her down with a very nice landing. We refueled and Jim took it off again. This time it was my turn. He got it up to a safe altitude and passed me the sticks. I must say what a great feeling. This plane is smooth. We made a total of three flights on CD today. And they were all great. Thanks Jim. I am definitely hooked.

The taxi...

The landing...

....

ich gratuliere dir!
War das dein allererster flug?
-Nik

thanks for the congrats!!! (ill answer for him ) Man.. that is one awesome airplane! very very stable but responsive. great flying plane. yes it was his first time on the sticks. he had a little help with the co-pilot but i dont really think that that plane needs it. i was surprised how calm he was!! i was kinda nervous because i havent had the chance to fly such a nice plane like that!! i didnt want to make it a balsa shoebox... plus maiden flights are usually hair raising!!! i cant say enough about that plane!! WOW. i am going to get one! gotta applaud the builder also!! pretty complicated one to build and he did a top notch job on it! good job darren! i had a blast today.. sorry about the heli thing tho.. still tryin to get it figured out. NICE PICS!!

http://www.rcmodels.com/airplanes-al...der-tiger.html

Jim, here is that link to where I got the plane. Thanks for the props on the build. It's not as hard as it looks.

Jim and Darren I can offer a bit of trivia about that airplane that perhaps you will find interesting. That airplane as well as the Sea Dancers was designed by a Fred Reese some years ago in a number of sizes up to 1.20. Mr. Reese had been a very prolific designer of RC craft as far back as the early sixties. He has had many published designs over the years in many magazines and many have been kitted by various kitters.

He was most active in his later years with pylon racing in Las Vegas and I had the opportunity to meet him there where he was performing the CD function. Later I attended an organized night fly by that club on a dry lake and Fred was in attendance. I brought along a controlline stunt plane to fly while waiting for dark. Fred being an old Ukie dude also, I was able to talk him into taking a handoff with my ship which he proceded to fly a flawless pattern after so many years. This was his last Ukie flight and he passed of cancer a short time latter.

The Vegas club latter held a memorial fly in just for Reese designed airplanes and there was a large turnout of his many designs.

John

John,

Thanks for the info. The instruction book actually makes mention of Fred. This bird is as solid as a brick S***house. Very stable and tracks through the air like an arrow. I'm very happy with it. This is the very first RC plane I've ever flown and it handled like a dream. I would suggest it to anyone looking for a sport plane that could be used as a trainer.

He would have loved your comment S***house and all.

John

looks great. i did not think it would work in grass

No problem whatsoever, the ARF came with wheel pants wich i pormptly removed. It handles great on the ground. I wouldn't try the retracts off of grass though.