I have always liked Brian Hebert's (SP) designs and had my heart set on building a Shinden this winter. I called BVM Props today to place an order and was told that they are no longer available. If anyone knows of a source or has one sitting around please let me know.

I am most interested in the ARF house scheme II or the all white but would probably jump all over any one available at this point. I am planning to make it electric so the BVM electric conversion kit would also be great to have.

Thanks a bunch
W. Anthony Abdullah
South Euclid, Ohio

Anthony,
There's a nice one for sale here on RCU - already built though. I guess you have some spare time that you'd like to spend in the shop... LOL

John Pavlick
Team Black Magic, Tech-Aero Designs

There's 1 left in stock here: http://www.throttlestore.com/shinden_f3a.aspx?lang=EN

John,
Being from Connecticut, I think you understand how long the winters can be Not having a Black Magic to build should free up a lot of those Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar evenings where it's too cold to do anything other than go in the workshop. The Shinden is a quick build anyway so it shouldn't be too bad. I saw the one in the RCU market area and besides already being built, it is set up for glow with YS DZ power. I am going all purpose built electric.

Alex,
Thanks I will look into it. Hope it is still in stock.

I went to that website and could not find any contact information for them (phone number) I am trying to find out how much that plane is is USD and how much shipping will be before I put my credit card number in. I am a little afraid of what it will cost to get it here as well as what the price will be after the exchange rate.

I sent them and email inquiring about the above.

Thanks again
Anthony

Alex,
I got a very quick response from Throttle Store, this is what they had to say:

Contact the US distributor: http://www.bvmprops.com/

When I sent them an email saying I had already done that and got this response:

We’re also out of stock, but will get it in again in about 5 weeks. A new shipment is sent from the factory this week.

The problem is that I’m not sure it’s possible to ship this large item at any reasonable price over the Atlantic. I will have to look into that.

Soooo, Basically it is back to the drawing board or on to my second choice. I should have bought the white one that was for sale here about two weeks ago. Snooze you lose !!!

Consider the Prestige for sale here on [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/market/item.cfm?itemId=433309]RCU[/link]

I don't think you can get a lighter airframe if you're going electric.

I have not seen a lot of those around, how does it build? How does it fly?

Thank you
Anthony

Pretty good...Master's National Champ this year! Dave Lockhart has been flying them for the last three years because there is nothing lighter.

I think there are something like ten of them flying in D1. Lots of help available if you need it.

I second Scott on the Prestige for sale. It is so light, you would really really have to pour a lot of epoxy and paint on it to maybe even come close to 11 lbs as an electric. It is a real good candidate for electric that will allow you to use the full spectrum of motors, controllers and batteries. Just ask Dave Lockhart about all the combinations he has experimented with.<g>

I will go for the INTEGRAL in the heart beat ! the best fly patern plane ever.

Anthony,
I hear you! I'm getting ready to build 2 Black Magic VF-3's this winter. You know how much fun that can be! Yeah the Prestige is really nice and they're light. Really light. I don't think you'd be disappointed with one. Perfect for electric power. Dave Lockhart has a good deal of experience with this airframe in electric form. I think the one for sale is Derek Lieber's. He's originally from D1 - a reallly nice guy too. I would take a closer look at that airplane if I were you.

John Pavlick
Team Black Magic, Tech-Aero Designs

Thanks for all of the suggestions guys. I had never even considered the Prestige so I am now looking for everything I can find about it so I can get myself up to speed. Derek also seems like a great guy as he has been very responsive to my inquiries.

Thanks again
Anthony

Not only Dave Lockhart But Ken Velez also flies the Prestige Along with Dave Snow. Wanna say Built in Poland and flown to a Masters win at the Nats by Ken Velez.

Don't know if you remember but Ken flew the Vivat at the Milan Contest probably six years back.

Anyways i heard you had a incident with the V3 after a deadstick. Sure hope this was a airplane problem. And not a aah never mind Anthony. Archie had a dead battery with his today after the contest. and the damage was extremely minimal. Definite plus for a wood airplane.

And me i got my butt handed to me this weekend.

Dennis

Dennis,
I remember Ken flying the Vivat in Milan. That was back in the day when I actually attended more than one contest a year. It had that pregnant guppy look but flew fantastic. As I do my research and look for my next plane I am finding out that there are a LOT of options if your name is Gates or Trump, or if you live in Europe. Over here you literally have about three viable options (for electric due to weight issues) and those are very subject to availability. Who would have thought that I would have a problem finding a pattern plane to fit within my budget of $1,200 to $1,500 bucks before engine/motor, batteries, servos, and accessories. I guess I had better go back to playing the lottery.

I did have an "incident" with my black magic. Was practicing the Wednesday before the contest and had a deadstick with the 160 DZ at the bottom of my centered stall turn with 3/4s. Ended up landing long in the plowed field and hitting the gear on a furrow row. Sheared it clean off taking the gear plate with it and damaging the chin cowl pretty badly. No other major damage and will be repaired.

You are playing with the big boys now so you have to really bring your A-game every contest. Masters has to be the most competitive class in Pattern, if not it is close to it.

Later
Anthony