I have a Hanno Prettner Calypso kit that was produced by Blue Bird. It's been sitting on the shelf in a nice controlled environment for quite a while. A few weeks ago I decided to build it, but now I'm seeing that it is a sought after kit so I'm thinking maybe I should sell it to someone who can really use it instead.

Or should I complete it and fly it? I'd be interested in some feedback on that. I have never flown pattern before, mostly because I've never owned an airplane that was airworthy enough to track a rock solid straight line during a maneuver. This promises to be one awesome bird.

What I've done:
* Fuse is mostly built. The rounded top surfaces have been planked with 3/32 X 1/4 strips and sanded round. Firewall has not been drilled for an engine mount. The bottom in the fuel tank area is still open. Fuel compartment interior has been painted with epoxy.
* Stabilizer halves are epoxied together and the end blocks are glued on but not shaped. Stab has not been installed on fuse.
* Rudder pieces are glued together but not shaped yet. Has not been installed on fuse.
* Wing is epoxied together with dihedral per plans and lightly glassed down the center. End caps are glued on and sanded to shape. I coated the entire wing with Balsarite to protect it from the possibility of damage to the sheeting and to facilitate an iron on covering. The wing is not covered, but is ready to cover. I haven't decided whether to use Monocote or Coverite and paint.
* Instead of the single wing servo like the plans (if you can call them that) calls for I built a box midway on the bottom of each wing panel for mounting a servo for dual servo control of ailerons, which would also give me Flaperons so it wouldn't come in like a rocket. I built 2 hatch covers with mounting blocks to hold the servos. Only the side edge of a servo arm and rod will be exposed. However, the servo box space is large enough to mount 2 side-by-side servos side if someone wanted separate flap control or differential ailerons. I think ahead sometimes.
* I have NOT cut slots for the landing gear into the wing. I was going to install a plywood slab on the fuse and use a fixed steel gear like modern planes. I don't trust landing gear blocks in foam unless I can build it in before sheeting.
* Fiberglass cowl has cracks in the resin but one coat of glass cloth and resin will cure that. It was flimsy anyway so it needs it.

So, please give feedback.

Also, if someone wants this plane what would you be willing to offer for it? I'll post pictures as soon as I get them and figure out how to upload them. (I am technologically challenged).

Dave,

look forward to the pictures showing us your handiwork. It sounds like you ought to finish and fly it though.

David.

There is a Calypso on that Famous site right now

What famous site?

start with e and ends with y

and sounds like a sheep in the middle... ba

I loved mine, I think it was a Bluebird kit and it flew extremely well. My only complaint was that it presented like a leaf flying through the air, not much to see unless you spice up the colors.

Mine was a ModelTech and I agree it was small and at times hard to see but it sure ate up sky quickly. I always wanted to get another one and forget the retracts and mount the gear ahead of the wing. I think it would make an awesome bum around plane as well as a classic pattern model.