Thomas W Shelley

That's very kind Rich but I've just ordered an equivalent that's actually even a few grams lighter but should have plenty of power. I did actually carve away the former at the front of the battery hatch to allow a 1000mah 3s right up into the nose. I glued in a few lead weights previously with gorilla glue and I think because of how that foams up and creates a tough sort of honeycomb structure across that space, it should give it the security it would otherwise be missing in that area. I'll try again next week 🙂

I experimented with a slightly bigger/lower kv motor. I had to add so much nose weight it was about 700g AUW and unsurprisingly tip stalled after hand launch. I'll just get the same motor as you or something comparable - it's a narrow window of power/weight for motor choice I guess. There is a kit out there for the starship but it's not cheap and I think it would be much more fun to design something from scratch. The plan form of the starship wing is a clever solution to the CG problem of two motors at the back. The Multiplex sonic liner was pretty close in design - it's surprising there isn't anything similar out there nowadays.

Very interesting! I have to agree that the variviggen is somewhat lower down my list too - the starship is probably my favourite.

Not the best video 😅 but a slightly heavier battery got the CG right on. It was pretty windy today and I was flying like an idiot in this first flight. Got it dialled in much more on later flights but didn't film those. All in all a great plane. On the final flight it glided beautifully on landing, didn't want to touchdown - thanks Rich, let's have some more Rutan style designs 🙂

Thrust doesn't look too bad, so I'll maybe just experiment with some tiny washers tomorrow. Yes throws were way too much 😅 they were dialled down a lot for the second flight

Finally took mine out for a fly - even got somebody to video it. It was not the easiest maiden, it seemed tail heavy although on the second flight I was still not happy with the CG after adding some more lead. I'll add a little more next time and then also play around with thrust angle. Always nice to test something and still get it back in one piece. Unfortunately you can't see an awful lot on the video: It seemed a little underpowered. I will get it flying and the CG sorted and then move to a bigger motor.

It's just a little 5x3. With a 1000mah in it, it can just about hover, so fingers crossed. Maiden some time next week 🙂

I got a set of these on eBay a while ago and used them on something else. A little smaller than yours but still pack a decent punch and it means I can hopefully get away with only a few grams in the nose. Although nowhere as light as your build Ken! I have so many motors of a similar size but they were all lower kv and as a result the necessary prop size seemed dangerous for hand launching. I do have a slightly heavier motor (60-70g) that will pack a real punch but the increase in nose ballast will obviously be substantial and so I'll see how it flies first of all.

Have you flown yours yet Ken?

I tried to keep everything as light as possible at the back but I think I will also have to add some. Hopefully very little, will balance it later on. I have so many motors I decided to use one I already had which is slightly lower kv and slightly lighter, but I can put it on 4s if necessary. Might not be as fast but I'm happy with scale performance for the most part!

Almost time for the maiden here - will just add some colour here and there.

Plenty of room to work with now!

Just fyi for the future canopies I think this was slightly short when I held it up against the plan too - but if I cut the turtledeck vertically instead of sloping it backwards it would fit ok and I don't think it loses much visually. Anyway I'm very grateful for not having to make my own plug and I don't mind a bit of tinkering! 🙂

No biggy - I think the angle is ok but I put I did put it slightly too far forward and then I was in two minds whether to shave off the wood in front of the fin. (The canard was initially slightly too far back also but I luckily measured it again before gluing) I'll know for the next one. As I say it's really easily resolved 🙂

It's actually a tiny bit short, so I was thinking I will add some wood at the front to make it more into a proper dash with instruments drawn on, that should be enough to bridge the gap I think.

First mock up - plenty of work to do on the covering and colour scheme but it's satisfying to see it looking decent!

Hi Richard, did I see that you might be able to supply canopies? It would be handy if you already made your own blank. I would probably get two if possible as I'll build the delta at some point in the best future too. Many thanks, Tom

Hi Richard, did I see that you might be able to supply canopies? It would be handy if you already made your own blank. I would probably get two if possible as I'll build the delta at some point in the best future too. Many thanks, Tom

Another one on the therapeutic list, getting the plane out and watching it slowly take shape. Starting to look like a Shifty now!

Is there anything more satisfying than shaping and sanding some curves into balsa?

Finally got my build underway. Very satisfying how quickly and logically it all goes together!

Definitely the canard to start with - I love the look of the delta but I like the sound of the canard's flight characteristics. Every single build of mine has a few 'oh sπ1t!' moments, so I usually end up doing a second one when I get round to it, will probably give the delta a go in that case.

Just got the mag, looks great and a quick build too. Will see if I can knock up some parts in the evenings this week and get it built - Another Rich Harris classic in the making!

Nice job Chris, looks brilliant

I'm relatively new to all this, but without shims wouldn't that definitely create a lot more lift as they aren't angled down as normal? - am i barking up the wrong tree? It is interesting that the blades still spin up easily without them. Thanks for the info on the panther Rich - I will have a think and see what i can come up with. Will video the conventional gyroo maiden - for better or worse 🙂 Cheers, Tom