Parkinson Regal Eagle
10-24-2010 | 08:29 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Parkinson Regal Eagle
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt">Hi,
Ihave an opportunity to pick up a Parkinson Regal Eagle kitfrom someone local who isclearing things out and selling this. This is a complete untouched kit with plans. I know all about theapparent serviceissues with Bob, and not concerned with trying to reach him. I would like to know from someone who may have built one of these how this plane flies when completed and whether the build is easy, hard or rip your hair out and throw it on a shelf difficult.
Thanks in advance for any input.
Andy<o
></o></span></p>
10-24-2010 | 10:16 AM
#2
Senior Member
My Feedback: (2)
RE: Parkinson Regal Eagle
Back about 20 years ago, I built Parkinson's F-18. The construction is nearly identical to the Regal Eagle. It was a very easy build, but there is a lot of sanding around the nose. Like an old Bridi pattern plane, you build a box and sand off whatever doesn't look like an airplane. It's not a very scale looking airplane compared to a YA or similar, but definitely looks like what it's supposed to be.
It flew well, but mine was heavy (glassed, painted, retracts etc.) and underpowered with a Rossi .60 RE. The Byron fan it was designed around is very low tech and inefficient. I always wanted a KBV .82 for mine, but could never afford it. If I were gonna do one again, I'd watch the weight, and use a more efficient fan setup or a larger engine. Mine would do looooooong takeoff rolls, and the only way to do a loop was with a long dive first. About 3 clicks off wide open and it was coming down. I had inflight mixture on it, and that was critical for sustained flight as well. If you loaded it up in a turn it would do the dreaded snap to the opposite side of the turn, but was easily recoverable given enough altitude. It tracked well and stalled straight. All of the issues I had with mine would've been rectified with less weight and/or more power!
It was fun, but I ended up giving it away.
It flew well, but mine was heavy (glassed, painted, retracts etc.) and underpowered with a Rossi .60 RE. The Byron fan it was designed around is very low tech and inefficient. I always wanted a KBV .82 for mine, but could never afford it. If I were gonna do one again, I'd watch the weight, and use a more efficient fan setup or a larger engine. Mine would do looooooong takeoff rolls, and the only way to do a loop was with a long dive first. About 3 clicks off wide open and it was coming down. I had inflight mixture on it, and that was critical for sustained flight as well. If you loaded it up in a turn it would do the dreaded snap to the opposite side of the turn, but was easily recoverable given enough altitude. It tracked well and stalled straight. All of the issues I had with mine would've been rectified with less weight and/or more power!
It was fun, but I ended up giving it away.
10-24-2010 | 10:38 AM
#3
Thread Starter
RE: Parkinson Regal Eagle
ORIGINAL: Tripower455
Back about 20 years ago, I built Parkinson's F-18. The construction is nearly identical to the Regal Eagle. It was a very easy build, but there is a lot of sanding around the nose. Like an old Bridi pattern plane, you build a box and sand off whatever doesn't look like an airplane. It's not a very scale looking airplane compared to a YA or similar, but definitely looks like what it's supposed to be.
It flew well, but mine was heavy (glassed, painted, retracts etc.) and underpowered with a Rossi .60 RE. The Byron fan it was designed around is very low tech and inefficient. I always wanted a KBV .82 for mine, but could never afford it. If I were gonna do one again, I'd watch the weight, and use a more efficient fan setup or a larger engine. Mine would do looooooong takeoff rolls, and the only way to do a loop was with a long dive first. About 3 clicks off wide open and it was coming down. I had inflight mixture on it, and that was critical for sustained flight as well. If you loaded it up in a turn it would do the dreaded snap to the opposite side of the turn, but was easily recoverable given enough altitude. It tracked well and stalled straight. All of the issues I had with mine would've been rectified with less weight and/or more power!
It was fun, but I ended up giving it away.
Back about 20 years ago, I built Parkinson's F-18. The construction is nearly identical to the Regal Eagle. It was a very easy build, but there is a lot of sanding around the nose. Like an old Bridi pattern plane, you build a box and sand off whatever doesn't look like an airplane. It's not a very scale looking airplane compared to a YA or similar, but definitely looks like what it's supposed to be.
It flew well, but mine was heavy (glassed, painted, retracts etc.) and underpowered with a Rossi .60 RE. The Byron fan it was designed around is very low tech and inefficient. I always wanted a KBV .82 for mine, but could never afford it. If I were gonna do one again, I'd watch the weight, and use a more efficient fan setup or a larger engine. Mine would do looooooong takeoff rolls, and the only way to do a loop was with a long dive first. About 3 clicks off wide open and it was coming down. I had inflight mixture on it, and that was critical for sustained flight as well. If you loaded it up in a turn it would do the dreaded snap to the opposite side of the turn, but was easily recoverable given enough altitude. It tracked well and stalled straight. All of the issues I had with mine would've been rectified with less weight and/or more power!
It was fun, but I ended up giving it away.
This is very encouraging to hear. I know Parkinsonhad some other jets as well. Any idea how well these flew? It would make sense maybe to revive these models at some point... Anyone ever have the notion to try this....?It would seem to me with the turbine market being what it is $$$ that these planes might find a niche for entry level turbine guys if the designs were structurely revamped to accommodate turbines.
Andy</span></div>
10-24-2010 | 05:10 PM
#4
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Benton City, WA
RE: Parkinson Regal Eagle
You might think about going E-power, Dynamax fan or the likes. Much more reliable than glow power df engines and getting more power. Very price competitive with the price of lipos comming down and the performance going up. EDF is giving these older designs new life
10-24-2010 | 06:01 PM
#5
RE: Parkinson Regal Eagle
Buy it immediately before you loose it to someone else! They fly great! I meet Bob a few times 15 years ago or better. He's an interesting guy.
Our Government actually gave him money to move his operation from Canada to Florida.
Go figure.
What else does this guy have for sale? [sm=bananahead.gif]
Our Government actually gave him money to move his operation from Canada to Florida.
Go figure.
What else does this guy have for sale? [sm=bananahead.gif]
10-24-2010 | 07:02 PM
#6
Thread Starter
RE: Parkinson Regal Eagle
ORIGINAL: Avaiojet
Buy it immediately before you loose it to someone else! They fly great! I meet Bob a few times 15 years ago or better. He's an interesting guy.
Our Government actually gave him money to move his operation from Canada to Florida.
Go figure.
What else does this guy have for sale? [sm=bananahead.gif]
Buy it immediately before you loose it to someone else! They fly great! I meet Bob a few times 15 years ago or better. He's an interesting guy.
Our Government actually gave him money to move his operation from Canada to Florida.
Go figure.
What else does this guy have for sale? [sm=bananahead.gif]
Ihave both a dynamax fan and a Ramtec. Alot of talk about electrics. Seems to me electricswould be lighter than Glow Power (OS91). Am right about this as far as weight goes?Lighter is always better with jets. Anyone know what size LIPObatteries to use and perhaps a suitable motor to drive a dynamax or ramtec fan? Are they that much better than the OS 91 for power?
Andy
10-24-2010 | 07:03 PM
#7
My Feedback: (13)
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Johns Island,
SC
RE: Parkinson Regal Eagle
Yep. I agree, easy to build and fly's great! There are a alot of folks that would love to get a hold of a Regal Eagle. Did you get a starter extention with it?
10-24-2010 | 07:23 PM
#8
Thread Starter
RE: Parkinson Regal Eagle
ORIGINAL: Avaiojet
Buy it immediately before you loose it to someone else! They fly great! I meet Bob a few times 15 years ago or better. He's an interesting guy.
Our Government actually gave him money to move his operation from Canada to Florida.
Go figure.
What else does this guy have for sale? [sm=bananahead.gif]
Buy it immediately before you loose it to someone else! They fly great! I meet Bob a few times 15 years ago or better. He's an interesting guy.
Our Government actually gave him money to move his operation from Canada to Florida.
Go figure.
What else does this guy have for sale? [sm=bananahead.gif]
Andy
10-24-2010 | 07:25 PM
#9
Thread Starter
RE: Parkinson Regal Eagle
I do not know about the starter wand. I have seen these around though... Maybe Jet Model Products. They are theones that developed the Dyanmax... I think it is a 1/4 hex drive maybe 5/16...Would be easy to weld one up.
Andy</p>
10-25-2010 | 01:08 PM
#10
Senior Member
My Feedback: (2)
RE: Parkinson Regal Eagle
FWIW, I used 2 heli starter wands screwed together (I think it was made by Dubro or maybe Sullivan) on my starter. I simply put a small spinner on the fan nut to give it something to grab.
The EDF idea is great... Not sure on the weight difference, but the reliability will be much better than glow at the RPMs required to fly these things. You'll also have a much easier time cleaning it up after flying.
The EDF idea is great... Not sure on the weight difference, but the reliability will be much better than glow at the RPMs required to fly these things. You'll also have a much easier time cleaning it up after flying.
10-25-2010 | 02:11 PM
#11
Thread Starter
RE: Parkinson Regal Eagle
ORIGINAL: Tripower455
FWIW, I used 2 heli starter wands screwed together (I think it was made by Dubro or maybe Sullivan) on my starter. I simply put a small spinner on the fan nut to give it something to grab.
The EDF idea is great... Not sure on the weight difference, but the reliability will be much better than glow at the RPMs required to fly these things. You'll also have a much easier time cleaning it up after flying.
FWIW, I used 2 heli starter wands screwed together (I think it was made by Dubro or maybe Sullivan) on my starter. I simply put a small spinner on the fan nut to give it something to grab.
The EDF idea is great... Not sure on the weight difference, but the reliability will be much better than glow at the RPMs required to fly these things. You'll also have a much easier time cleaning it up after flying.
10-25-2010 | 03:44 PM
#12
Senior Member
My Feedback: (2)
RE: Parkinson Regal Eagle
ORIGINAL: croatiablu
I am sold on the EDF but big quesiton is what size motor and batteries to attach to a dynamx or ramtec fan? I guess these are quesitons for another forum... I have taken apart the fans enought times. There must be a hub/adapter assembly to connect a brushless motor to the fan. Quesiton is can you buy this or do you need to make it?
ORIGINAL: Tripower455
FWIW, I used 2 heli starter wands screwed together (I think it was made by Dubro or maybe Sullivan) on my starter. I simply put a small spinner on the fan nut to give it something to grab.
The EDF idea is great... Not sure on the weight difference, but the reliability will be much better than glow at the RPMs required to fly these things. You'll also have a much easier time cleaning it up after flying.
FWIW, I used 2 heli starter wands screwed together (I think it was made by Dubro or maybe Sullivan) on my starter. I simply put a small spinner on the fan nut to give it something to grab.
The EDF idea is great... Not sure on the weight difference, but the reliability will be much better than glow at the RPMs required to fly these things. You'll also have a much easier time cleaning it up after flying.
I have no clue about what you'd need to convert. My only electric experience is with small speed 400 sized planes.
10-25-2010 | 09:21 PM
#13
Thread Starter
RE: Parkinson Regal Eagle
Thanks... you have given me some ideas here.Iknow there are turnkey conversionsout there that have been done so I will start looking.
Andy
Andy
