Chipmunk by Airsail
 

Hi

Does anyone know how this kit flies?
I haven't been succesful in my seach for a review of this kit.
I like its look and planing to power it with a OS.70 FS, but
I am a little reluctant to buy the kit without talking to someone
how has experience with it.

Chipmunk by Airsail
 

I'm thinking of buying the same kit (RCAF Chipmunk) and I haven't been able to find any reviews either, but I'm also interested in what people might want to say about the kit.

Based on reviews of the Tomahawk, it does seems that Airsail make good kits.

Chipmunk by Airsail
 

Try a Google search. Harry Curzon reviewed it in Model World Feb '98 and has some posts in which he raved about it, while criticising the instructions. Said it is a builder's kit with very light construction, very accurate to scale, and handling was "viceless, but crisp." He lists it as one of his two favorite models.

I don't know what engine he used, but a 70 FS is at the top of the range and the OS is a heavy one. I would go for something lighter myself because I would not want to get stuck with adding tail weight for balance. But I have not built the kit, so that's just a guess. Jim

Chipmunk by Airsail
 

Ah good, I hadn't tried a google groups search, which does yield some information. I wish I could find that magazine article though, and all the webpages links about the chipmunk found in the threads are dead.

Still, some good information.

RE: Chipmunk by Airsail
 

I've built one, just haven't covered it yet. It is constructed of very light wood, plastic wingtips, tail cone, and cowl. I plan to run a .56 4-stroke because the plane is very light. I like to build scale, so i usually need to glass and paint. This kit is an exception, it will look very good in Monokote. I had read some threads somewhere in the past on how this kit flies, perhaps in a UK forum, but remarks were positive. As far as building goes, I really enjoyed it and would recommend it. Based on its weight and span, I expect it to be a very good flier. Good scale colour for being easy to fly too!

RE: Chipmunk by Airsail
 

Darren,

Is the model mostly sheeted? I couldn't find a picture of the Chipmunk kit, but if the picture of the tomahawk kit is any indication, Airsail makes some really nice kits.

Do you have any pictures of your construction?

RE: Chipmunk by Airsail
 

airsail make awesome kits - they build well and fly well - great New Zealand Company.. but if you want more info why not email airsail and ask [email protected]
Adam Butler is one of the team there.

RE: Chipmunk by Airsail
 

First try at attaching a photo.

RE: Chipmunk by Airsail
 

Okay, that worked! Here's another of the Airsail Chipmunk. You can see the plane is built light. Much of the wood is very soft. The fuselage (IMO) needed to be glassed to give it more durability. I've used Silkspun on this fuselage which really makes it tougher.

RE: Chipmunk by Airsail
 

And a couple more.

RE: Chipmunk by Airsail
 

i also have an airsail model chipmunk with a asp 65fs in it but I are having problems the tank cannot go up or down but when sitting there the fuel will all ways flood the engine
can anyone help me

RE: Chipmunk by Airsail
 

That was me. I loved the Airsail Chipmunk, when mine got a bit worn and scraped I sold it and took the money straight down to the model shop and bought another one - in 30 years of model flying that is the only plane I have ever bought twice, which tells you how much I like it. The kit has been improved since the early days, the plans now show a mod to the wing to have flaps and there are a couple of addendums to the instructions to tidy up some items.

The elevators are very prone to warping, so in the next one I will make the core from sheet rather than a strip outline as the kit has. The aft fuselage took on the starved horse appearance when I tissue and doped it, as the formers are far between and the dope cause the sheeting to warp, next time I will epoxy-glass it or use non-shrinking dope.

I used a Saito 65 which was huge power for the model but that allowed it to fly at very slow scale speed as entry into loops and then throttle up and use the power to haul it up around the loop. It was very large for the cowl and I had to remove the rocker covers to squeeze it in. When I get around to building the second one I will use a 54fs or an RCV58CD.

Harry

RE: Chipmunk by Airsail
 

Hi Peter.

Peter, if you like Chipmunks, take a look at Apache Aviation at UK. They are bigger than the one you are looking for, but they are very nice, extremely good quality and very close to Denmark. I got one. I am not even started yet, but I am really impressed with the quality. Everything is included, fiber cowl, wheels, screws, etc.

http://www.apacheproducts.co.uk/

BTW. How is your YS 110??

RE: Chipmunk by Airsail
 

Hi,
I’m building a chipmunk at the moment I’m enjoying the build so far. I have been advised to place a Saito 72 but if you can place a 65 I would prefer that as you should not have cut much from the cowl.

Here are some picks

RE: Chipmunk by Airsail
 

Hi there

I think you'll find that the Airsail Chipmunk flies as sweet as you could imagine. The CG's very safe as shown on the plan so after some initial flights it can be moved back.

If you would like to contact me by e-mail on [email protected] I can arange a copy of two reviews for you.

Brian Borland

RE: Chipmunk by Airsail
 

Oh yes ...I should have said ... the originals were powerd by an O.S 52 FS ... and ... it will do continuous ascending loops at full power ...so think carefully before you go planting a 65 or bigger. I know the label says ... but that's way off.

Brian B

RE: Chipmunk by Airsail
 

Just wanted to let other Airsail Chipmunk owners that Aeroglass now makes a fibreglass cowl for this kit.