Trying to trace a glider from the 80's

[Wrongway]

I have returned to RC model aircraft after a break of over 20 years. One of my favourite planes at the time which taught me a great deal was a glider called a Sparrow. I have googled it but cant find any trace. It had a fairly short ABS fuselage and foam wings with a veneer covering then covered in a red solarfilm giving a wingspan of 72ins as far as I remember. It was rudder/elevator only. I slope soared that thing for hours. Later on I fitted a Cox 049 to the front bulkhead. I believe it was a recommended option. The idea was to hand launch it and fly till its a dot high up, gliding down leisurely when the engine ran out of fuel. Does anyone remember this model, I think it was made by a company called EMP. Not sure though. My ultimate aim is to try and recreate the experience with a similar model and possibly a Cox 049 as well. I am hoping someone remembers them or even has an advert for it. Any suggestions then for something similar that is available available currently will be much appreciated.

Rob

[Gary Binnie]

Hi Rob,

EMP was Edmonds Model Products (Dick Edmonds), based at High Wycombe I think, the company is long gone.

A very similar glider to what you are describing is the MFA High Sierra, showing as available on Sussex Model Centre's website but I would check. I have a half-restored one.

Just a suggestion but there are quite a few electric powered self-launching gliders about, no messing with glow fuel etc. The Parkzone Radian is very popular and is ready to fly in minutes with the BNF (Bind and Fly) version.

I'll have a look in my old model mags and see if the Sparrow is mentioned in EMP adverts, the Algebra range is probably most associated with EMP.

Cheers

Gary

[Gary Binnie]

Yep, found it!!

An EMP advert in the January 1984 issue of RCM&E lists the 'Cock Sparrow' at £42.78.

Other types listed are the Apex 98" glider or electric glider, two Algebras (2 metre and a slope aerobatic version) and the Aurora 100" glider (not heard of that one before either!!).

GB

[Wrongway]

Thats brilliant Gary. Definitely the right era. I don't think RCM&E is digitized that far back unfortunately. All of my old copies have been thrown out long ago. I only remember it as a Sparrow, but if could have been known as a Cock Sparrow. The fuselage was white ABS and the wings had a very high aspect ratio in red. I was almost certain it was 72". I remember the Apex also. I nearly bought one. I did buy another called an Apogee which I think is still in the loft somewhere.

I have a new BNF Parkzone Radian Pro which I have not got around to using yet, as well as an Easystar. I think what I was looking for is a bit of a nostalgia trip. I noticed you can still get hold of Cox 049's but already had asumed the Sparrow availability would be long gone. So the next idea was to get something similar. I know I will soon get sick of cleaning the crap and oil off afterwards.

I'll have a look at the High Sierra though.

Rob

[Gary Binnie]

Yep, it says 72" and 'ready-made soarer'. In the same mag is a review on the Apex with its motor mounted on the fin like a Trislander, presumably to balance a ton of ni-cads in the nose!!

The High Sierra had a pylon motor mount for a Cox or similar that uses the wing joiner rods as fixings. Not sure if either is available still but MFA (Model Flight Accessories) still seem to be in business. Building wise you have to add balsa leading edges to the foam-veneered wings and add joiner tubes to the tailplane. It has plastic wing root ribs.

The Radian is fun, a club member has one and the aileron 'Pro' version.

I've been watching glider classifieds for a few years and never seen a Sparrow but there might be one somewhere in a loft, there's a Veron Vortex in mine plus a few other 'classics' from the 80s!!

[Wrongway]

I think I have whats left of the Sparrow in the loft. One of the wings flew off whilst at full height just before the motor cut. The perils of glow fuel and elastic bands holding wings on. The wings were fine so I think I kept them.

I might just get the Radian in the air. I have been sitting on it for over 6 months now.

[Gary Binnie]

Another option from that era would be the Chris Foss/Micro Mold 'Mini-Phase'. That is 72" span, two channel (with optional ailerons) and a pylon mounted Cox.

Would have to build it yourself from scratch, a balsa box fuselage and a solid sheet wing!!

Plans available from Chris for about a tenner.

GB

[Gary Binnie]

Sorry, missed your post. The Radian is fun, I'd have one myself if I had the room!

[kangi191191 kangi191191]

I did buy another called an Apogee which I think is still in the loft somewhere.

[Ian Sykes 1]

Time to resurrect an old thread!

I have most of an EMP Aurora "S"! 100" glider

Unfortunately it's resided in my garage roof for at least 15 years and some rodents have destroyed the instructions and parts of the balsa. The balsa damage is recoverable the aroma of mouse might be a bit more difficult .

Has anyone got a copy of the instructions? I believe that it had a removable tailplane but how?

I have most of forrners etc for the cockpit /wing root strengthening area but need to confirm the assembly. And lastly it has a four panel wing. Inboard panels no problems but for the outer panels was there an increased dihedral if so to what and what was the joining method?

Summer project for the daughter so any info gratefully received

[69roadrunner]

Ian, I recently picked up a model and I believe that is an EMP Aurora. Trying to find info on it myself, but very little available 

[Jolly Roger]

Yes it definitely looks like an EMP fuselage. The profile around the nose is very characteristic.

From the photo, it looks like you’re planning to tow it 😝

[Robin Colbourne]

There were several models in the 70s and  80s with ABS fuselages, in a top and bottom half.  All were around 98 to 100" span, as I recall. The corona hand an unusual foam wing using a fully sheeted leading edge and trailing edge with cap strips between them.  I think the others were fully sheeted.
Edmonds Model Products  (EMP) did:
The Apogee
The Halton Special
The Corona

Here is the Halton Special on the July 1977 RCM&E, The model was designed for a therma soaring competition at RAF Halton, hence the name.


The Apex came later and had a slightly more pointed nose than the previous three.

 

 

Plus one with a brushed 540 size motor on the fin.  I'm not sure if this had a different name.  The one pictured has a motor on the fin but may be home converted from a standard Apex glider.
As can be seen, the wings on these models plugged on wire joiners in the fuselage sides.

KeilKraft did the T-Tail Ivory Gull which appeared to use EMP fuselage.

Avoncraft produced the Cub (60") and the Colt (72") which were smaller than the EMP gliders. 

They can be identified by the wing mounting on top of the fuselage and dowels for rubber bands. 

 

There was also a 100" Merlin and a Merlin Series 2 which was sold through MicroMold.

 

 

Edited July 4 by Robin Colbourne