Hi all,

I was sitting in my workshop last night, and realized that I have a small surplus of standard servos, a few extra small lithium polymer batery packs, a nice transmitter (Stylus), lots of miscellaneous hardware, and a large slope within an hour's drive of here overlooking Lake Michigan. I've been looking for something to put together this winter... why not a slope soarer?

Since I'm not quite hip on market offerings yet, I was hoping that someone could give me some recommendations for an intermediate DS-type plane. It's not my first time at the rodeo... I've been flying helicopters for about 4-5 years, have flown planes on and off for close to 15 years, and I "cut my teeth" on the ubiquitous Gentle Lady when I was a young boy. I'm not too concerned about not having the building or piloting skills.

Is there anything in the intermediate pilot range that's roomy enough for standard servos, or do I need to bite the bullet and get some micros? I'd also like crow mixing or spoilers if possible.

Thanks ahead of time for recommendations!

And since we're on the subject of slope soarers anyway, what ever happened to the Bob Martin Talon? I always wanted one of those when I was a kid...

Don't know if this is the Talon you mentioned:
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXE622&P=7

EPP Slope Planes. Some are DS capable - many take standard servos - As a first sloper an EPP plane is probably best. They fly great and can stand up to some serious crashes with little or no damage. I have bounced my Zagi wing 6 feet in the air.
http://www.californiasailplanes.com/

Planes like the Super Ton have broken 200 MPH.
http://www.californiasailplanes.com/...60%20Super.htm

Slope wings are incredibly popular and usually accept standard servos just fine:
http://www.wingwarrior.com/zen/index.php
http://www.zagi.com/index.php?main_p...7f30f47c8cecd1

If the need is speed, look at these:
http://www.nesail.com/categories.php?subcatID=37
http://www.soaringusa.com/products/s...ategory_id=291

250 MPH - Destiny Carbon
http://www.soaringusa.com/products/p...ategory_id=260

Dynamic Soaring Planes
http://www.soaringusa.com/products/s...ategory_id=260

Typical of this class of plane is aileron/elevator controls so you won't need a lot of fancy mixes. elevator/aileron mix, or snap flaps can be handy for high speed turns if you set up with 3 servos.

Hope this is helpful.

Thanks for the link! I've been building my bookmarks list all afternoon, and didn't have that one. I was looking at Northeast Sailplanes earlier, but most of the stuff seemed a bit more than I want to spend (helicopters are my first love... I just want a different toy for athe occasional change of pace.)

I liked the Redback 60" from CA Sailplanes. Looks like a good, solid design. The specs claim 2 micro and 1 standard servo - I'm assuming 1 standard for the tail (elevator only?) and 2 micros for the wings? If so, that should open up the choice of programming spoilerons, right? I'll have to go find my Stylus maual and see if spoilerons are in the standard programming, or if I need the glider card.

I don't have a frame of reference for this type of thing, so I have another question: Right now, I have a spare [link=http://www.castlecreations.com/products/berg_7-channel.html]Berg 7-channel vertical pin FM Rx[/link] (about 1" square), a couple of [link=http://www.duralitebatteries.com/batteries-poly.html]Duralite Gemini Li-Po 1600mah packs[/link], and a spare Radio South 5.1V regulator. If I shortened up the excess wiring, do you think the Rx, battery, and regulator would be too much weight?

NOTE: I see that you added more links while I was writing this. Thanks!

DS? Get the JW. No other EPP plane does it was well. I'd avoid the Redback, having heard some negatives about the kit. If you want to do DS with 'glass, the Destiny rocks. I love mine. Very reasonably priced for what you get, and really, really fast.

If you're perhaps more frontside inclined, then I'd look at the Le Fish or Guppy from Leading Edge Gliders.

Check out Soaring USA and F3X.com for other planes.

Also see Jack Cooper's Leading Edge site: http://www.leadingedgegliders.com/index.php?pid=1

Buddy,

Did you select a sloper?

Actually, yes. I decided to entertain my vintage impulses and build a Talon. Thankfully, Kevin McDonald and I have struck up a good rapport, and he sent me plans for a Super Talon conversion. Quite the nice guy he is!

At some point this winter, I'll get crackin' on it!

Excellent choice, I always have one at the ready, the only thing is you will need mini or micro servoes for this, HS-81 or CS-12 I think are the ones' I use...

Kevin also sent me a picture of another design that he penned back in the 80's (I believe) called the RAF. I think this is one of the most gorgeous shapes I've ever seen in a model aircraft.

(I hope he doesn't mind me posting this.)

That's gorgeous!! And it's a wingeron..... doesn't get much better than that.

Buddy

A couple of us are building Talons now.
One is stock & the other is half way between a Talon & a Super Talon.
We planned them to be our winter project but they are a quick build.
Both almost ready to cover. Keep us posted on your progress.

Bob

Powered or glider?

If you want something fast and DS able its hard to go past foam expecially if your newish to DS. I have been DSing for about 3 years and still DS foam most of the time. Planks like JW60, M60, Moths and strengthed (more spars) Windrider Bats are all a good choice. The JW60 is proven up to 201mph the M60s start to flutter over 130mph (I think the smaller Moths go a little quicker before fluttering) and if you add extra spars and give them some decent elevons you should be able to get 110mph or more out of them (and they are the cheepest as well.

I have a talon arriving on my doorstep today. Will be using some of KJM's modifications. I would be real interested to see what you all have put together. I built a few of these twenty+ years ago and Kevins mods will address many of the issues I had. My progression will be to build stock, but stronger (glass, ply doublers, hardwood LE and fully sheeted bottom), then experiment with a foam core super (which I have never attempted). Has anyone tried a sheeted foam wing on a Talon?

Can't wait to get busy.

Rick

Busted Shawn!
I saw that RAF pix.
The only bad publicity, is no publicity.

How you guys coming on those Beta-birds. AKA Supertalons. Just sent off a reduced file-size PDF.
Hope all is well in winterland. Buurrr. Wheres the surf?

Cheers
Kevin

Concerning the sheeted wing. The LR-50 (pix below) was the precursor to the Talon. Glass fuse and sheeted foam core wing.
But do not, and I repeat, do not use the stock kit airfoil as a template. Its a sick reality that the stock section was modified by the "nameless one".

Use a current section which is suitable for the loading. And watch out, because that ain't so easy to find. The super is light compared to hot-liners and most of the current fair. With the structural mods, you can bump the loading and get good performance from a modern section, but it will still be a bit light. A cored wing will bump it up more, but just pay attention to the optimum loading on the section you choose. The PDF contains what I have advised as a good section for the Super in either built-up or cored. Some hunting will likely dig up something better, but if not, use the included section. Nuf said.

If you didn't get the PDF, drop me a request at [email protected]

Cheers
Kevin

Evan,

Re post 10 & 11;
I added a ply firewall in the nose of the fuse, so after I sheeted it I just razor sawed the nose off.
Now I have a choice of small outrunner screwed to firewall or original nose screwed back on.
Hope this helps.
P.S. The reason for the electric option is because we don't know how good slope conditions will be here in the middle of the continent.

Bingo. For first fast slope and for DS training you can NOT beat a performance EPP plank design. Of the ones swoop mentioned the Bat is my favorite when you consider it's low price, durability and performance. My Bat weighs 30 ounces yet will fly in as little as 10 mph wind and still be aerobatic to an extent. It will fly inverted all day as well and it decently fast. Our slope doesn't really work for DS so mine's only seen front side lift. Turns very hard too. The build is waaaaayyyy easier than a JW or M60 too. I had an M60 and it was nice but the bat is more nimble. I wouldn't bother with a Talon. They're more floaty and less speedy and very fragile. HEre's my Bat.



Mike