Hi, a friend has one, I believe it's early to mid 90's vintage. 74" span, and I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience with this airplane? It sold for $320.00 but I can get it for 150.00, so I don't think it's a bad deal. Just wondering about general impressions, etc. I know Wolfgang Matt designed it, so it must be pretty good, aye? It must be just before the 2 meter ships came about? I flew pattern for awhile in the mid 70's w/ a Tigertail, and Banshee, and a Troublemaker, but not since. Just thinking it should be o.k. for getting the rust off, and a little practice, but nothing serious. What do ya'll think? Thanks, Tom.

For a $150 you should grab it... I would!
The Saphir was a refinement of Matt's "Joker" which was a very nice flying model with no bad habits. If you just coming back to pattern after a layoff it would be a good choice. If you choose to compete it would be competitive in the lower classes and serve you well. At that price go for it. Lots of choices for power as well...

Good luck,
Scott

I had a 60 sized Saphir from a modeltech kit which flew great. It was a little heavier than I would have liked (especially the wings) but it flew very well. The ARC kit was nice and straight. I have a brand new in the box Saphir II which I'll build one of these days. I'll probably modify it for fixed gear and put a Bully 1.20LS in it. As Scott said - buy it - that's a great deal and will give you a very nice flying airplane for a terrific price.
Happy flying,
Will B.

Thanks guys, I told him I'd take it. I just last month got a TT 1.20RP w/ the header and pipe, and that should make a good combination. BTW it's a Safir II, so that's the right size for the 1.20, right? Should say on the box, or the ins. manual, but I was engrossed in looking at the structure, and didn't really look at the box I remember 74" span and I believe 66 or 68" long? I'll have another look in a day or two. Was debating about retracts or fixed gear and am wondering which retracts and struts would be the best for it, if I go that route? (I fly off concrete)

The TT should be fine. As far as retracts or fixed gear- I for one am happy with the fixed gear trend as retracts were always a PIA for me, but our home field was fairly rough grass.
The MK retracts are the best, you can get them from Central Hobbies or Gator RC, probably other places as well.

I see you're in Rome, come on down to our area in August for the Aeroguidance Society pattern meet!

Scott

Hey Tom,
While we're on the subject of the Sapphire, I have the ARC kit as well with no instructions. All I need is the CG location. If you buy the kit, would you please post the CG here in the thread?
Regards,
Mike

I think I will go with the MK retracts, unless my NIB BVM gear (from the mid 70's) look like they'll be big/ strong enough to handle it. Probably use the titanium struts too. Scott, thanks for the invite, and if I get it ready by then I'll be there. Gotta finish a couple-3 others first though, ya know?! Do you know Jim Quinn, or Joe Valvo? I fly w/ them occaisonally...Mike, sure, when I get it (the beginning of March) I'll give ya the C.G. measurement, will that be soon enuf?

Mike, did you get my p.m.? The instructions are rather cryptic. There is no measurement or dimension for the C.G. but the CG symbol is right at the rear edge of the retract servo opening, if that helps any.

Yes sir, I sure did, and many thanks. I tried to reply to your private message, but it came back to me. The retract servo hole sounds about right as it is roughly 33% of the chord. Let me know how it goes for you.
Regards,
Mike

If this is a Safir 4T, be aware of the wing saddle area of the fuse. A friend of mine had a 4T that flew great, but the very small fuse area around the wing saddle broke during a reverse knife-edge. The plane was extremely true. When the fuse broke, the tail gave a huge wag and apparently turned off his radio by pulling the wire he had connected to his switch where it passed through the fuse in that area. The plane held KE for quite a while as it flew into the trees.

This was at the same time the first Rubins came into the country. We'd notice fiberglass reinforcing from the firewall clear back to behind the wing and wondered why. When the Safir went in, we believe we found the answer. $150 is a great price for a very good plane, but do reinforce the fuse in the cockpit/wing saddle area.