1/3 scale K7 Build update from John

The K7 continues to grow slowly and the bags of laser cut parts are starting to diminish. After doing all I could to the fuselage I started on the tail end. The fin is integral to the fuselage so a rudder was next and fairly straightforward of balsa and 0.4. ply. A double horn was made from G10 2mm fibre board; very hard but files well. The closed loop cables will connect to this.

Lots of laser cut parts went together to construct the tail plane and this was covered in 0.4 ply as is the fin, all very strong but getting heavy! Elevators x 2 of built up structure are driven by 2 servos in the tail plane.

I made a mistake with the hinging and got the hinge line in the incorrect axis but hope to address this later.

As it is quite thick at the hinge line and the elevator needs to swivel rather than just move up and down.

I have now begun the first wing, will be in touch! (Robert: I look forward to seeing more pics of this stage John)

If anyone is subscribed to Scale Soaring UK, more pics of John build can be found. Click here –  UKJilles Smits 1/3 K7 Build

Now for Something Different

Stuart Chambers recently sent in a photo of this build by his No. 1 son. Does anyone recognise it? (of course Stuart knows the answer) Feel free to post your answer comment here or if more convenient over on our Facebook page.

Dartmoor National Park Bylaw on powered flight

We have had a couple of enquiries lately about whether powered flight is allowed on Dartmoor. The simple answer is No. As there may be visitors to our area intending to fly on Dartmoor and use our website to search out the best sites to soar, John asked for a statement to be added to our home page to reinforce our constitution and the advice given in our Dartmoor site guide.

“It is worth reminding club members and others visiting Dartmoor to fly RC that whilst non-powered flight is allowed, any form of powered flight whether electric or combustion is banned by the Nation Park Bylaws. Due to this importance this bylaw it is written into our constitution and  included into our guide on flying on Dartmoor.”

Soaring at Black Hill

Thanks to John for organising a ‘back to our roots’ slope soaring day at Black Hill last Sunday. There was a good turn out and we can see from the photos and video clips posted over on our Facebook group that members had a great time and demonstrated their skills of soaring without any power aids. Stuart Chambers has sent in some photos. Check these out on our Gallery page and the launch photo chosen to head up our home page. Thanks Stuart.

John’s K7 build update

An an update on Johns 1/3 scale K7 build:

Progess on the K7 has been up and down yet quite a few more hours put in. The fin is virtually complete and covered in .4 ply and built integral to the fuz so nice and strong.

I have also finished the rudder which will be operated by closed loop and hinged with Robart Hinges. What has been apparent is the abundance of laser cut parts supplied with this short kit, comparatively little stock wood needed so far, and in the majority of cases they fit firmly together like a jigsaw. I have built nothing on the plan as the laser cut parts dictate positioning….brilliant so far!

Also nearing completion are the 2 elevators, again lots of precut parts. These will be driven by 2 wing servos in the tailplane, never be down that route before. Again the tailplane parts include a ply servo tray especially for this. As this build is so large things are made easier by big pieces that do not break in your hand and seeing what you are doing with older eyes much better. Onwards.

August Glider Day

Our aero-tow on Sunday was blessed with some dry and very warm weather. The event was well attended with Felix from the Okehampton Model Flying Club kindly providing the tug with his Titan. It was also good to meet some new members for the first time and we hope they enjoyed the event  also. There were a wide range of classic scale gliders that showed off the high quality building skills of their pilot owners. It was very impressive to see them follow the tug up to around 1000 ft before releasing. Unfortunately the wind was from the NE and there was not much lift around although Joe managed to find a thermal on his final landing approach and promptly abandoned that in favour soaring up – and up until that pocket of lift disappeared. We also had a few e-gliders that had their flights during refuelling and lunch breaks. Cliff’s Bird of Time with his recently added e-pod flew well. The flying site seemed to have it own “Bermuda Triangle” of gorse that seemed to pull a few gliders off their initially central landing approach up the strip into the adjacent gorse to the muttering of  their pilots. Some photos from the day are below and hop across to our Facebook page for more from our members and comments about the day.

 

 

5 Mtr K7 Build update from John

John has sent me an update on his 5 metre K7. It is looking impressive. I can see John looking out for volunteers to help carry this beast to a launch site. I am looking forward to adding further updates to our Gallery.

The 1/3 K7 short kit arrived from Laser Cut Sailplanes sometime in June and a while after that SLEC sent the wood I had ordered in order to begin construction. They were very quick, just a couple of days.

Progress on the fuz was reasonably quick and straight forward after some considerable plan studying had been done. Many of the pieces slot together very accurately but sanding jointing faces to the right angle before gluing was necessary at times. I did have a couple of ‘lining up issues’ but if you have a modicum of building behind you they are fairly easily overcome with patience. I have recently completed the 0.8 ply cladding and the nose skid. PTFE tube is installed in the rear enclosed area of fuz to direct the closed loop cable to the rudder. The nylon covered fishing trace slides easily inside. None of the construction so far is built over the plan, I have the fuz plan hanging from the ceiling near the bench for easy reference, however you do need space for a model this size and I am fortunate to have just enough, the wings will push things! Many thanks to Maggie for looking interested.

John

New home page photo

Chris, Martin, Mike and I went up L.H this morning. I gathered from the experienced pilots comments that finding a thermal was challenging and conditions lumpy although the weather was clear with a light NW breeze. It was good to see Martin back flying today and I just managed to capture his launch before his craft became a dot in the sky. It is our home page photo for this week. I tried to capture other launches but was too slow for their rapid assents.

AK RC Models – Teignmouth have bought Bekra Models in Newton Abbot

Tony who own AK RC Models in Teignmouth has bought Bekra and will be reopening the shop on 4th July. Tony says that the shop has had a major refit and that there will be a greater presence of RC aircraft and cars with much more of the stock on display. Both shops will offer some common items but each will retain their specialisms.

We think that this great news for RC modellers and flyers in our region and we wish Tony all the success in his new venture.

Petes Evening Flying at L.H

Pete has posted a couple of cracking photos of flying as the sun is setting up at Little Haldon. I have chosen one to head up our home page. Check it out. There are also some more photos of the club’s evening flying on our Gallery page