Gary Clark 1

Thanks Pat I am planning on using a front mount to avoid extending the nose. The moulded canopy/hatch comes all the way to the front so saves modifying that too. I can see a a bit of a downward angle on the RelaxE so would you go for the standard of trying to point your thrust line at the CG? I was expecting some down and right thrust being a high wing but just guessing Gary

I decided to give myself a break from building wings as I spent most of the last 2 days building the first one! I made up the tailplane but haven't sanded them to shape yet. The rudder is a good size and both are straight forward to put together. I made a start to the fuselage so I could plan on where to put everything inside. Clearly there isn't loads of room due to the narrow fuselage and I wanted to try and shift some of the bits backwards as it will have much more than planned in the front. I will put the servos under the brass tubes which is still accessible when the canopy is off. If the CofG is still too far forward then a little weight in the tail will solve it easily given it is such a long moment from the wing to the tail. Haven read the flying notes in the instructions, it is recommended to add some ballast anyway to help penetration so hopefully the extra weight of motor and battery will actually be beneficial I drilled a hole in former 2 (No 25 in the kit) to allow the cables from the motor and ESC to pass backwards. I contemplated trying to get the battery in under the wing tubes but it would be too difficult to get the battery in and out so servos instead which i drew on for reference. The ply doublers make the fuse strong and rigid so it certainly won't be flimsy Gary

Advice required from anyone who has fitted a noto to a glider. What kind of thrust angle would you put in? Also, is there a good way to work it out? Gary

I've had a good day of building as the family are away for a couple of days so I've been in the garage for most of the day. The right wing is almost done, the outer panel is still pinned to the board until the 1/16 top skin drys then I will mount it to the other 2 sections. It is a solid wing and still fairly light but it is coming together well. Hopefully I can get the wing done then get the second one started......alot of wing here! Gary

The kit arrived from Cambrian yesterday and I have to say I was impressed. Well cut kit and everything numbered clearly as well as nice plans and instructions. The balsa is a little harder than i would have picked but good quality otherwise I got started straight away with the wing. Everything fitted well and went together quickly, especially since I didn't need to spend hours cutting ribs! I did trace the ribs so that I have a copy for any repairs that need done in the future So far I've been please with how it is going so hopefully I will have the majority of the wings done today Gary

There are also loads online from thingaverse to download then you just have to rescale in your slicing software. What aircraft is it you're trying to make them for?

Despite being a mainly scale warbird builder, I have had a hampering for a glider to have at the field for a while. I want to throw it up and just see how long I can keep it up (so to speak) and experience a form of flying that I am fairly unfamiliar with. I'd normally go for a plan and scratch build but to speed the process up a bit I decided to buy the Cambrian Elan 100 as I really like the look of it at George at 4 max has given me his usual excellent advice on a motor for getting it up to height so I can try and learn something about planned unpowered flight. I'm planning on this being a quick build (hopefully done in a couple of weeks) so I can get out and try it. As usual, any tips, ideas or corrections are always welcomed! Gary

Thanks Dennis, that's answered the question on the R606, it is compatible ?. I have 2 R617s and 1 binds fine and the lther does the solid green but no servo movement. So confusing

I have tried to bind my Futaba receivers to my transmitter and both receivers go solid green after pressing the easy link button but the servos don't move. Anybody with FASST seen this before?

This definitely feels like a next level project Nick, proper big boy stuff ? really looking forward to the build. You're fairly smashing out these builds! Gary

Hi All Kougar is complete!! It's been a long slog but finally got her finished. The white on the wings is far from perfect and will probably be repainted at some point but it will do for now (I hate saying that because I know I won't be able to ignore it). quite a difference when you look back through some of the photos and there was a few times that i thought shed be better just going in the bin. she weighs 5lbs exactly without the battery and 6lb 10oz with battery installed. This is almost a full lb over the expected flying weight from the kit but with the bigger motor and 6s battery I expected this and doesn't concern me too much I still have to set up the receiver but everything else is done so potentially a maiden (if you can call it that since this is the 3rd one for this model) this weekend. Thanks for following along Gary

Thank you Alan!! That is not where i guessed so you potentially saved me from am embarassing maiden!

Hi After completing this build last year, I have lost the plan and require the CG and control throws. Can anyone help?

Hi all, My transmitter has deleted (probably me) my hunter profile and I don't have the recommended control throws and CG anymore since I threw out the plan. Anyone still have it and can stick a photo on?

Hi Richard, I was having real difficulty deciding so went to George at 4-Max. The biggest issue was the prop clearance due to the shorter retracts so he suggested a 5055-595 motor and 6S battery and this allows it to spin a 3 blade 11x6 prop. It is a big motor for this plane but a combo of motor and prop should work well I hope. I got some more work done on the paint today. I cut the paint masks but used a new type of mask material but it seemed good so went for it You then get to this stage and get nervous......hopefully they work well! Relief! She looks good for an old lass! Few bits of the white need touched up after a year being moved around and moving house but otherwise she is almost done. Clear coat to go on then Motor and servos. It shows what you can do with an old model to give them some life again. Officially home straight now Gary

I managed to get a fair bit of the painting done today. My board is full since I am trying to get the moth minor wing finished at the same time so bits everywhere but the sooner I can get one done, the sooner I can clear up and get on with something else. It still needs roundels and some insignia but basic paint scheme is done and it looks quite good I think Once the insignia is on the side, I will get some clear coat on to protect it then finish the motor install and all the workings. I should get another full day at it tomorrow since I am off work so we are nearly there now Gary

It's back on the board!! After almost a year away with work and a house move, the kougar is nearly done. Need to finish the painting but got all the internals sorted including rough battery position. Just the motor and paint to go

Really enjoying your build Earlybird. I was recommended the Rhapsody by Peter at the start of the year after building the Ballerina (which I loved) but then went away with work for the past 8 months so only just getting sorted again. I got a plan enlarged to make it 70" as well since I think it would look even better and really grab attention at that size, especially with its elliptical wing. Definitely high up my to-do list so thanks for starting a thread. I had noticed when i looked before that there were very few example out there Gary

This is the planned scheme because the previous photo didn't seem to load

Red on the fuselage so just the underside to do and the decals. I think I'll give it a coat of clear coat to make it glossy when it's done. Wing colour is done so just the underside to do on the also. Nearly done

The Kougar is on the home straight. White base layer done and the blue. Red is getting masked today and maybe painted but still need to attach the cowl to put the patterns on that. I went for a T-38 Thunderbirds scheme in the end wbd48039i_1024x1024.webp

If you have enough Ron, I'd love 10m to experiment with. Very curious about this stuff. Gary

Haha no wasted time Nick, get straight on with the next one! Bates Sea Fury looks great and several build blogs on RSCB but mainly the bigger version. Jerry Bates is a good friend of a good friend of mine (does that even make sense?) and gave me lots of advice and help when building his Moth Minor so let me know if you need anything from him. He is a gent and very willing to help out despite being one of the legends in the designing game. Hopefully you will do a blog on here and I can follow whilst deployed...and cause me to buy another parts set....? Gary

When did the website change?!!! Haha shows how much time I've had recently but it's also stopped sendinge emails about posts so I've missed all of this! Excellent work Nick, genuinely impressed with your work. I've barely been in the garage so no progress for me but I'm pleased to see another BT aircraft completed. Hopefully anyone else will see how the forum can help get you through builds, especially when you hit hurdles and run out of enthusiasm. Having others eager to see how you are getting on can push you through. Again, top job Nick. Gary

Hi Nick, Sorry for the lack of response, a mix of work, a cold workshop and general "can't be arsed"ness has meant I haven't been doing much, not even on here much recently. The paint has gone on well and a lovely finish you get from klaskote. makes it worth the long wait for delivery. Looks like tou will be ready for a maiden as soon as the rules ease up! Good job. Gary