Finally braved the cold weather to join some friends at our Winter Fun fly here in Maine. The Temp this morning was like 2 above or something(verrrry cold). It took a while to get my engine to run, I had to get it under some heat in the car to finally get it to start. Anyway, because of engine difficulties the FW "crashed" 3 times during launches. The last crash was a bit spectacular, she got up finally and I had very little aeliron control (she wanted to corkscrew, and did) and she smacked the frozen ground really hard. As it turned out the left aileron control horn was snapped after the previous launch so I had only 1 operational aileron. After it was replaced we gave her another launch, this time she flew fantastically, a little trim adjustment and it was off and running for sure. Guess what, the plane works as advertised, you can't even tell it crashed at all today aside from some scratched paint.
My friend flew his JKA P-47 I built for him, all I have to say is I want one too! Now that is one stable combat plane, perfect for someone just getting into it. I am totally hooked on these kits now I had a chance to fly them.

You're an animal Kurt. I wouldn't have risked glow fuel on my hands sunday

Who knew scale could be so easy?

I don't think I will brave that cold weather again. I just couldn't wait till spring to fly these kits. I didn't realize that these engines were so finicky in the cold, duhhh. I like these kits so much I might try to do one up real pretty with balsa sheeting and use it for sport flying. Anyone try that with these, from what I have read on this site it should be pretty easy to sheet the wings in their cradles, and then maybe a light glassing job. We will see how ambitious I get.
Ohhh, one more thing. I had several people ask for JKA's address to order some kits after seeing mine crash several times and then fly 10min later.....there goes my secret summer combat weapon. I guess the more people we can keep flying the more fun combat will be 8^)

BINGO!
Thanks for spreading the fun! Any chance of a combat contest up that way? It sounds like there are enough combat pilots there to get something going.

As for building one as a sport model with a smooth finish, skip the balsa sheeting and just 'glass the foam parts with .75oz 'glass cloth. Just remember that the plane won't take anywhere near as much abuse...

D

I had folks asking about mine when I built it during the mall show. In between watchin the girls walk by and all the BS I had an airplane at the end of the weekend.