Anyone have comments on building and flying Bruce Tharpe's Flying King? What was your experience? Thanks

I have built both the FK and the Super FK. The FK has been through two engines and is still going strong, although it needs to be recovered. The Super FK usually gets flown each weekend (weather permitting, it's pretty cold here right now). Lots of fun from both of them. They will do mild aerobatics and landing with flaps down is really fun. Started out with a Saito 80 on the FK and when I moved from Indiana (500' alt ) to Wyoming (6000') I put a Saito 100 on it. It is great for towing gliders. You can build a candy drop into it and it can be used as a camera platform.

The SFK has a Brisson 4.8 twin. It is also set up for glider towing, dropping an RC skydiver, candy, drop and camera platform. It is kinda like flying my Suburban.

The only change I'd make is I didn't cut out the windows on the FK and I covered the windscreen area with balsa sheet. I did cut out the windows of the SFK and I would not do that again. The pendulum effect of the wing puts a lot of stress on the wing saddle. Doing it again I would make the wing saddle out of spruce and not cut out the windows.

You will enjoy building the FK. Bruce makes great kits. The wood is fantastic and the directions and plans are well done.

Hope this helps.

Rich


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