Hi,

I'm building this old kit that I got on fleabay, I think the kits 15-20 years old; so far it’s an enjoyable experience.

There is very little info on the net about it, but a couple of old posts that I have found, suggest that as it was designed for a .60 2 stroke (all up weight should be about 11 lbs) that the wing incidence, decalage, or angle of attack relative to the tail plane should be reduced by a couple of degrees to suit a larger and more powerful modern engine, I intend to put a 120 fs or small gas engine in it.

I'm nearly at the stage where a decision has to be made on this, the idea of doing this retrospectively does not appeal!.

Any knowledgeable suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

John

Hi John
Just build it as per the plan. I've built 4 of them in my time and used various engines ranging from a Zenoah 20 to a 160 OS Gemini, OS 120 Gemini, a OS 91 4st (marginal on power for taking off from grass) If you're feeling flush it goes without saying that the Gemini 160 is the engine for it (just for the scale looks and sound) but any 120 4 st or a small petrol will be fine but if using a petrol you'll end up having to cut half the cowl away
Hope that helps
Styk

Hi Styk,

That’s just what I was looking for, somebody who has built and flown one before; I was reluctant to deviate from the plan but a bit worried about it.

The only other deviation from the plan, other than to save a little weight here and there, was to shorten the wing by 8", so I can get it in my car!, I worked out the new wing loading to about 25 oz per foot square and think it should be OK at that, especially as we fly from an often gusty and windy site. I would appreciate your thoughts regarding this, though it’s a little late to change it now as the wing sheeting is well under way!

Also what were/are they like to fly, I'm guessing at quite slow and floaty, any other suggestions are very welcome.

Many thanks,

John

Ayrshire

Hi John
My thoughts has to be you're on your own regarding shortening the wingspan by 8". I haven't a clue how that will affect the flyability of it. I think you have it about right with the wing loading though. As for the flying you're right it is slow and floaty but that was what endeared me to it. Aerobatics, apart from loops,forget it but on a nice windless day it was just lovely to do slow approaches and touch and goes of which it excells. Personally i didn't think it was very happy on windy days.hope that helps
Regards
Styk

Hy Styk,

Thanks again for the response.

I think I might get away with it, said with not a lot of confidence!. I've built the fus and the wing is just about complete, and I'm liking the way it looks particularly the leading edge slots.

So here goes, hope it fly’s OK with the shorter wing.

John