Hi Guys,

Just a few pics of my re-built Draco. I got it from a friend on its last legs, wheels through the wing, covering peeling, canards damaged, no underside of the fuselage etc etc. I decided to completely rebuild it as a project, and have finally completed it.

I had two flights following the rebuild, and still think it's the best first jet that was ever offered. I planted a skymaster F-18C ages ago, and had all the struts/wheels/retracts lying around, and decided they would be the perfect combination for hard 'newby' landings. I built a considerable former set into the wings to take any landing, and this together with the F-18 trailing link will be formiddable!

All surfaces are now glassed and sprayed - no covering. The jet rotates in about 40 meters and lands in a little more (balloons a bit - need to refine the speed brake mixing).

Anyway enough said, here are the pics. Next rebuild will be my old DF Spectre modified for turbine (smaller intakes), or my Sea Vixen. The jet is now at the local hobby shop getting sold...

Regards,
Richard Wylie
[email protected]

Hi Richard

I sorted one out for the guys down in PE over December. Had a couple of flights on it and is a real "trainer". Good idea to glass the wings but I would have thought that it would turn out quite heavy? Did you do anything to the retract blocks in the wing that were quite fragile?

When is the F15 going to be ready?

Cheers

Zane

Hi Zane,

I hope PE's weather was better than Durban's - I had two weeks of rain whilst down there!

The old retract blocks / plates were useless! So yes, I milled out the old plates and blocks that were originally in there, milled two slots fore ribs, and a cutout for an 6mm plate backed with Carbon. So it should take a beating! I also thought it would pick up a lot of weight with glass / primer / spraying. I didn't weight it whilst I had it, but the empty weight felt very low. All in all, a much better aircraft I think. The nose strut was too long, and sat very 'nose up' as a result, but easily modified.

I moulded a fibreglass canopy for mine, so if you know of others that have Draco's flying that need, they may borrow the mould. Also spread the word about my Draco for sale - complete with Omega motor and all JR servos.

I haven't made any more progress on the F-15, I've found myself doing a lot of building others. Mostly Johan Mills' F-22 - fitting it with ailerons and rudders. Everytime I look at the F-15 I druel though I would also prefer a Model Mechanics, JetCat or Wren in there, thus will wait till I can afford it. I will build it over this year though. My mentor at ATE is forcing me to build an ASH 4m glider to 'fully understand aerodynamics'! He is correct though.

I've been offered Paul Dreyer's old F-18C for cheap. Do you think that'd be a mistake to try that again? It is light, but would need a complete rebuild - it's not built well.

How are the repairs on the Euro going?

Cheers

PE was no better. Got about a 4 hour slot on the Sunday in which we could test fly it.

I will let the guys know about the Draco.

Unless you have lots of runway, I would be a little tentative about the F18. The F15 will be loads better.

Euro is great, had 6 flights on Sunday and it is going really well. Not too heavy either. Hopefully I can start on the Flash now but there might be a Mirage to put together for someone before I get there.

Let me know if you need a tow for the ASH!

Cheers

Zane

Six flights in the day - Excellent! I didn't know you had a Flash - that's one awesome jet.

I'm also tentative on the F-18, I think I will rather save the money and put it towards a motor for the F-15. I think the ASH build will be slow - my heart isn't exactly in it!

Have a lekker one Zane, hope to see you at RMAC, or run in to you at Aerial Concepts I guess.

Chow