Basil Posted April 30, 2021 Share Posted April 30, 2021 Has any body built this plane?. Sarik sell a kit for IC engines. Surely would make an ideal subject for Electric!!!!! Bas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted May 1, 2021 Share Posted May 1, 2021 Nobody has replied! If you search the forum you will find quite a few items on the Optica but few built one. You will see one comment there where Glen J says he spent 1000 hours on his - this was quite a few years ago. I supplied Glen with a copy of the original article by email and he informed me later of the problems he had to overcome with this model. It is a very difficult model to build! One of the problems was the huge glass area and the problem of hiding everything. Another was Cg and yet another getting servos to aileron and rudder. Probably the most tricky model to build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted May 1, 2021 Share Posted May 1, 2021 (edited) The prototype also crashed. In fairness, amateur pilots trying to make it do a helicopters job. Nice looking thing. How big is your desire? In answer to your question, yes, electric would seem easier. If you can get a prop to fit the fan cowl. Respect. Edited May 1, 2021 by Don Fry More bits 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwain Dibley. Posted May 1, 2021 Share Posted May 1, 2021 Looks like an interesting project, £300 odd quid for the whole lot including that canopy. Electric is favourite, and with todays micro servos that rudder would be easy. Looking forward to your blog Basil. ? DD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharpy1071 Posted May 2, 2021 Share Posted May 2, 2021 built this representation of the Edgley with a ducted fan it taxied quite well and that was about it. In fairness it did rise of the ground for about 5 seconds and then flopped down. I have now done away with the fan and put a small prop on it to see if that improves it. 0E5BE689-8682-4D7E-AD94-6357B27051AD.heic B9473A03-3D04-40F9-98A3-EF2C0035FA22.heic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted May 2, 2021 Author Share Posted May 2, 2021 Since retuning to modelling after so many years( A life time) I have been coming across this design, and so I bought the plan from Sarik to see what its construction was about, and to see if the biuld was possible be made electric(Or EDF perhaps, although not true scale)... KC. I have made a search, and yes that was my conclusion 'Looks like its never been built', but what about the plan etc, someone must have in order for it to be published and to offer a kit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. The desiner was John Wright, is he a member of the forum, obviously well know in the modelling circles, is he contactable etc? You say there's an article, I've not come across it. If you have it could you send me a copy please, I can send you my email address by PM if thats the case, and thanks for you invovlement.I was thinking that even if you could not hide every thing(Would need a large LIpo, for a start )its still may be worth the effort, my thiunking at the moment. I'll know more when I see the plan, but Sarik seem to take for ever even to post a plan !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sharpey1071, I have been unable to download your files, dont know why.I would like to see them however!!!. I have lots of questions. I assume that your build was your own design!!. Thank you all I hope we can continue this thread , at least for a while longer. Bas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outrunner Posted May 2, 2021 Share Posted May 2, 2021 Basil. I remember during the 90s a member John Bristow of the Ivel Model club built an Optica when we used to fly from The old RAF Tempsford airfield. John made a beautiful job of the Optica and it was powered if I remember correctly by an Irvine 52 with a cut down prop in the ducting. I think it got in the air maybe twice. It would scream down the runway making the right noises but didn't go fast enough to take off. Lots of different props were tried and even I seem to remember 2 wooden props made into a four blader but I don't think John ever got it to work properly, pity because it was a lovely model. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 Basil, I will send you a Private Message with some info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 Message sent. I seem to remember that John Wright was part of a famous group of aeromodellers in the Nottingham area who built amazing models. I think he may have been known to Clive Hall ( ModelWorld columnist)and Rob Millinship ( modeller and full size Pitts builder) and others who had stuff published in the 1980's. Maybe Alex Whittakker showed John Wright in a much more recent column. I could be wrong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Cripps Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 John Wright is the Chairman of my local club; one of his predecessors was Rob Millinship in that role. I'm not sure John would describe himself as a famous aeromodeller but he has designed and built many scale models over the last 40 years or so. From what I remember, the Optica flew well, described by John as like a big trainer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted May 3, 2021 Author Share Posted May 3, 2021 Many thanks Bas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piers Bowlan Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 (edited) This months mag has the TSR2 plan and if Tony Nihjuis can make that fly successfully I would have thought that an Edgly Optica would be a relatively easy project, given its generous wing area when coupled with a modern EDF fan and LiPo. Back in the eighties I used to visit the hanger at Cranfield were the full size was under construction. If you think that a model Optica is complicated you should have seen the full size! The first prototype had a pair of wings 'borrowed' from a Grumman Traveller, if my memory serves me right. At the time I thought it should have been fitted with a pair of Aerospatiale Rallye wings as they featured full span auto leading edge slats. The Rallye was sometimes referred to as the 'tin parachute' as it could fly impossibly slowly without stalling - very useful in an observational aeroplane. Tragically, the prototype was lost in a classic stall/spin accident from low level. Even more so when the factory at Old Sarum was burned down with the loss of all the aircraft and jigs in 1987 (arson). If you build your model Optica Basil be sure to share some pictures with us. Edited May 3, 2021 by Piers Bowlan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fun Flyer Posted May 4, 2021 Share Posted May 4, 2021 John Wright's Optica was featured in the Winter 1988 issue of RC Scale Aircraft Quarterly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankenfoamy Posted October 28, 2022 Share Posted October 28, 2022 built this In 2004. RC Microflight did an article in April 2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David K Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 Hello Gent's. I've had the plans, foam core wing (outers) and vac formed canopy. When I was at school, I wrote to Optica expressing my liking for the plane. I wanted to build an RC one way back then having seen the one at Cranfield. They wrote back and sent some info and a covering letter. I think I still have them.... Anyway, I too want to run electric and see how it goes... She's a big ol'girl though... Lol... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted April 20 Author Share Posted April 20 (edited) Hi David, it is something that I to wanted to build.electric was /is my choice. I have the plans as well. I just cant make that last leap. It looks like a big project, it worries me that it will drag on for some while. Please keep this thread going and keep in touch. Yes please keep in touch!!!!! Where did you get the foam cores?. Bas Edited April 20 by Basil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David K Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 1 hour ago, Basil said: Hi David, it is something that I to wanted to build.electric was /is my choice. I have the plans as well. I just cant make that last leap. It looks like a big project, it worries me that it will drag on for some while. Please keep this thread going and keep in touch. Yes please keep in touch!!!!! Where did you get the foam cores?. Bas It is indeed a big project, especially for me as most of my planes are foamies.... I have been thinking of getting a laser cutter to aid in my building. One of my difficulties will be how to build the foam cored wings.... Add spares and so on.... I got the full set from Traplet, I don't think the kit from Sarik was available back then...?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted April 20 Author Share Posted April 20 David, are you in Australia?. I have looked up Traplet and Au' is all I can find. Bas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Wagg Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 (edited) 5 hours ago, David K said: It is indeed a big project, especially for me as most of my planes are foamies.... I have been thinking of getting a laser cutter to aid in my building. One of my difficulties will be how to build the foam cored wings.... Add spares and so on.... I got the full set from Traplet, I don't think the kit from Sarik was available back then...?? Do they have to foam cored wings ? Would built-up be lighter ? YouTube - Edited April 20 by John Wagg 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 (edited) Basil, Traplet have now evolved into Sarik Hobbies who sell plans from RCME, RC Modelworld and the old Radio Modeller, Scale Aircraft Quarterly etc. plans. Based in England. Bill Kits in Royston cut foam wings to your templates. Edited April 20 by kc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piers Bowlan Posted April 21 Share Posted April 21 23 hours ago, Basil said: Hi David, it is something that I to wanted to build.electric was /is my choice. I have the plans as well. I just cant make that last leap. It looks like a big project, it worries me that it will drag on for some while. Please keep this thread going and keep in touch. Yes please keep in touch!!!!! Where did you get the foam cores?. Bas Foam core wings are easy and quite satisfying to build too. Polystyrene foam is cheap and plentiful. Reinforced with carbon fibre strips and covered with brown paper with PVA, are ridged and quite light too. As an alternative, I can vouch for Bill kits, their wings are well made and reasonably priced. Saves a lot of time too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted April 21 Author Share Posted April 21 (edited) 21 hours ago, John Wagg said: Do they have to foam cored wings ? Would built-up be lighter ? YouTube - John, if I remember correctly the plan is for built up wings. Sarik do not mention foam wings. Is this your build?. From the sound the model is fitted with an electric motor and what looks like a 5 blade prop!!!!!, that is the ears of a novice, so could be wrong!!!!. Is this your build? Bas Edited April 21 by Basil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Wagg Posted April 21 Share Posted April 21 (edited) 4 hours ago, Basil said: John, if I remember correctly the plan is for built up wings. Sarik do not mention foam wings. Is this your build?. From the sound the model is fitted with an electric motor and what looks like a 5 blade prop!!!!!, that is the ears of a novice, so could be wrong!!!!. Is this your build? Bas Unfortunately not my build. Always been interested in the Optica but put off due the fatal accidents a some years back. I could make out what the "engine" is but obviously something with lots of rev's. An excellent model but they do seem to fly a bit fast for my taste. ? Edited April 21 by John Wagg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted April 22 Author Share Posted April 22 15 hours ago, John Wagg said: Unfortunately not my build. Always been interested in the Optica but put off due the fatal accidents a some years back. I could make out what the "engine" is but obviously something with lots of rev's. An excellent model but they do seem to fly a bit fast for my taste. ? Thanks for your input John. Bas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Wagg Posted Monday at 13:52 Share Posted Monday at 13:52 My spelling cud do with being improved. As my teacher's used to say - "Must try harder." Should be "couldn't" make out what the engine is ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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