Chris’s SZD Cobra 17 under construction

1st instalment.

It all started back in 2017, when I saw a build thread on RC groups for a 1/3 scale SZD Cobra 17, the builder later posted on SSUK.  Having built the ASW 17, still waiting to maiden this one, thoughts came back to the Cobra, so drew up plans for the fuz and wings. The fuz is built in 2 halfs then stuck together. Half formers were cut out and screwed to the building board, then I cut up a lot of 3/16 balsa into 1/4 strips, and started planking. When the first half was removed, I fitted braces to keep its shape, repositioned the formers, and built the 2nd half. When removed, braces were fitted to this half also; the braces help when joining the 2 halfs together, giving a bigger surface area, to move around rather than a 3/16 edge. After joining, the fuz was sanded, and gave 3 coats of glass cloth, also 1 coat on the inside. When putting on the last coat, I added a colour pigment to the epoxy; 1, – to help when painting, 2, – when rubbing down to get a smooth finish, as if you lose the colour you have removed to much.

Chris

Check out some build photos in the gallery.

Club Winch for Sale

It has been quite a few years now since the Club Winch was used and simply because no one winch launches these days, you just operate a throttle switch. Therefore we thought the way to go may be to ask members in the first instance if any one would like to make an offer for the complete kit of winch, leisure battery (to be tested) and line + accessories. Any money would just go to club funds of course. Please let me know what your thoughts are.

Regards

John

Gordon’s Fun Cub

Gordon’s Christmas Raffle prize, a Fun Cub XL made its debut at our March Club meeting at Kingsteignton community hall and received a lot of interest. Check it out in the Gallery

Stan Yeo is made a Honorary Member

As most will know, Stan founded the Dartmoor Slope Soaring Club back in 1993. In much appreciation to Stan and Sheila for their work within the Dartmoor Slope Soaring Club over many years, the committee has awarded Stan an Honorary Member.

 

John’s KA build

Have a look at the updated club Gallery.

John has provided an update on his winter build. The Gallery now includes a jig made from 6 x 1 timber and the former supports cut to height using datum line on plan. 2nd pic shows formers positioned upright with pins before starting to glue main 6mm sqr bass stringers that needed steaming to shape first.

Moving onto the initial fuselage construction and adding of stringers and nose area balsa planking and infill. Standard servo in place for Multiplex tow release in nose block. (Devon Glider Day in April in mind John?)

 

New Club Meeting Venue is confirmed

At the February meeting, members voted to confirm the change of date and venue to the first Monday of the month between 7pm and 9pm at the KINGSTEIGNTON COMMUNITY HALL. There is ample onsite parking.

Club Meeting – New Venue

Hi every one, we now have a new venue for our club meetings. Meetings will now be held on the first Monday (not Tuesday) of the month from February to May inc. So our first meeting is on Monday 3rd Feb 2020, put it in the diary! Times are a little different too,  7pm to 9pm KINGSTEIGNTON COMMUNITY HALL, in the Mary Hall Room on the ground floor, I have attached a link to their website page, if you click on ‘contact us’ at the top of the page there is a map, address and post code. The site is easy to get to (Exeter side of Kingsteignton) from most directions and has a good safe private car park. Mary Hall room is warm, large and has plenty of tables and chairs (so good to sit down!). Very nice loos. Hearing Loop. There is also exterior access to allow us to easily bring in large items,models etc. It also has a wireless overhead projector and screen for use with laptops, so if we have any techies amongst us this may prove a bonus, there are instructions available. My thoughts are to bring a kettle and tea and coffee makings and ask folks to bring their own mugs, I will confirm.

I really hope this works for us all and if we can get a good turn out on the first night that will be a useful gauge, of course it is not free but reasonable rates paid for by our funds. Thank you for other member’s suggestions as to an alternative space. I will send a reminder nearer the time.

Regards

John

Kingsteignton Community Hall