A few years ago when recovering from major back surgery, I drew up some cad plans for Phil Kraft’s Kwik Fli III, based on the plans published in MAN. I started construction at that time but got sidetracked by other projects. An e-mail from a gentleman from Holland, who has started a build thread on a Dutch site. [link]http://www.modelbouwforum.nl/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=65978[/link] Has rekindled my interest, and I have re-started construction. I had mounted a Enya SS50 but then I heard good things about the Enya 61CX, very light and powerful, and the size of a 45-50. [link]http://www.enya-engine.com/61CX%20TN_E0.html[/link]
The MAN plans show a span of 58 ½” and that is how I drew the wing in CAD format, but the Grupner kit had a span of about 59 ½” and the Top Flite kit was advertised as 60” I think that they both had thicker tip blocks that made up for the difference. I incorporated the thicker tip blocks on my model 1 ½” as opposed to the 1” shown on the plans. I still need to decide on weather to install wheel brakes, or not and weather to use duel aileron servos, or a bellcrank setup. I need to carve and hollow the tip blocks, and decide on hatch hold down method. I have already gone with a bolt on wing. I am leaning to covering with orange silk with blue trim to match the MAN cover and maybe Klass-Kote clear over all.

Richard Browning

I will post photos soon I just need to shrink them they are to large

I have seen a photo of Phil Kraft at I think the 1971 world championships, and he was still flying a streight wing Kwik Fli III. If I remember correctly the plane had small wing fillets. I think it also had retracts, I beleve he placed 21st does anyone have a photo of the plane he flew that year? Also in 1970 a much more advanced model the Dragon Fli was published in AAM. It says something that in 1971 he was still compeating with his 1967 design.

Richard Browning

Tweedy,

At the 1971 World Champs at Doylestown, USA Kraft flew a Fire Fli (with retracts) as shown below and placed 3rd. The Fire Fli is a much neglected design probably because, as far as I know, the plan was never published in the USA. I have a pdf copy of the article as published in RCM&E if anyone is interested.

The 1969 event at Bremen, Germany was the last time he used the Kwik Fli 3 (with fixed u/c) and placed 2nd.

By the way, I have a Kwik Fli 3 under construction and was wondering where you got your canopy which looks just right on your version.

Ray

You know- that Dragon Fli is a good looking airplane. Kind of remids me of the Kwik Fli my dad built with an added turtle deck- he was a fan of Ted White's "El Gringo". I don't remember seeing much about the Dragon Fli, was it ever kitted or successful in pattern?

Hi Ray

I am just using a Sig 14" canopy, you might also look at using a replacement canopy for the Grupner ARF the sig canopy I am using still needs to be cut down in height a bit more. I remember running accros a photo someplace on the net showing Phil with a Kwik Fli III with Wing Fillets and it showed him placing 21st. do you know what contest that might have been? it had international contestants.

Richard

Jeff

The Dragon Fli was published in American Aircraft Modeler in 1970 (Not sure what month) I'll try to find the article but I think he did fly it in contests.

Richard

I case anyone is interisted the plans I drew can be downloaded at:
http://plans.rcmodell.hu/plansport.html

Richard

here is the link to the Graupner canopy

http://shop.graupner.de/webuerp/servlet/AI?ARTN=9393.1

Richard

Hey Guys
I found this on Eba$:

Vintage Top Flite Kwik Fli 3 kit



I would try for it but I already have my Xmas presents picked out, and I still don't know how to explain that plane to my girlfriend


DM

They seen to be going on e-bay for from $300-$500, it's a pretty easy scratch build, the kiit has $30 or so in materal in it, if I were you I'd download the plans and spend the savings on a new Enya 61CX.

Why not just buy one from http://www.homeandhobbysolutions.com/

Nice kits and a good price

Ron

WOW! What a deal... Information is king!

if they price the king altair similarly i'm all over it.

Interesting to note the side elevation of the fuse. I think Phil was on to something here . .

Look at the Integral, Osmose, Oxalys, etc. and there is a similarity in the forward canopy, large area on the fuse between the canopy and the stab. just add a chin cowl and thicken up the fuse width through the wing saddle area, and you're pretty much there ! !

I expect it would have been a very nice flying plane . . wing's a bit thick in the tip cord, however reasonably competitive in P07 / F07 perhaps ??