David Davis Posted January 21, 2020 Share Posted January 21, 2020 It's was probably about fifteen years ago that I bought a Brian Taylor Harvard, the 69.5" version, from an old boy in Somerset. It's beautifully built, finished in a post war RAF colours, two pilots, retracts etc. I've always been too scared to fly it because until recently my landings have been pants. In 2015 I retired to rural France. My local club has a tarmac runway 80 metres long by 10 metres wide, I think. I have become quite adept at landing my models on the runway most of the time. Last Saturday I successfully maidened the Flair Harvard and being delighted with its flying characteristics, I am minded to put an engine and radio into the Brian Taylor version. The model is a few inches bigger in the span than the Flair version and being fully covered in balsa wood sheet it's bound to be heavier. As a result it's likely to fly more quickly than the Flair version, and the stall could be exciting but does anyone have any experience of flying this model? Is there anything else I should be aware of? I'm planning to fit a Laser 70 or 80. **LINK** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Wood 4 Posted January 21, 2020 Share Posted January 21, 2020 Hi David, I built the 69" BT Harvard in the mid ninties which flew very well with a .60 OS 2-stroke, having spent 2 years building it I was always scared of bending it ! You have it made with such a great strip. My colour scheme was based on the last powered aeroplane to fly out of West Malling airfield in 1992 having been re-painted in the hanger there. Regards Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon H Posted January 21, 2020 Share Posted January 21, 2020 If fitting a laser just keep an eye on where the fuel tank will have to go. I suspect you will need to mount the engine on its side or perhaps upright if it will fit the cowl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Davis Posted January 21, 2020 Author Share Posted January 21, 2020 Thank you gentlemen, this will be my first experience of flying a model with retracts so I'll keep practising those landings "sur la piste." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon H Posted January 21, 2020 Share Posted January 21, 2020 Posted by David Davis on 21/01/2020 09:53:01: Thank you gentlemen, this will be my first experience of flying a model with retracts so I'll keep practising those landings "sur la piste." if using retracts fit oleos as they absorb the shocks better than wire. Wire will protect you more in the event of a faceplant, but they will also turn good landings into bad ones! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Davis Posted January 21, 2020 Author Share Posted January 21, 2020 Thanks for that Jon. I'll have to check whether the model has oleos fitted or not, but my experience of training for and participating in La Coupe Des Barons has rid me of my fear of flying at low altitudes hence my landings have improved.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Davis Posted January 21, 2020 Author Share Posted January 21, 2020 I've just had a quick look at the model wrapped in its bubble wrap. It is equipped with oleos so that's fortunate. There is a retract servo in place but it needs all of the others. I tend to favour HiTec servos and assume that the standard HS 311 will be suitable for the throttle, elevator and rudder but the ailerons are operated via pushrods by a single centrally mounted servo. Which servo would you recommend for this purpose bearing in mind that the model will be powered by a Laser 70 or 80? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Wood 4 Posted January 21, 2020 Share Posted January 21, 2020 Hi David, The 93" BT Harvard control movements : - Ailerons 3/4" each way Elevator 1" each way Rudder 1 1/4" each way say 15% less for the 68" model? Regards Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Davis Posted January 22, 2020 Author Share Posted January 22, 2020 Thank you Ray, I suppose that I could always use the Flair Harvard's control movements as a guide, it's only a few inches shorter in the wingspan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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