Back to the important stuff

   The English open and racing was a lot of fun but this weekend it was time to spend time with a couple of co-pilots on the slope. 

  Luckily Emma is still happy with EPP, with a crash and a laugh every 10 seconds it's a good job!  I did get to fly the Harrier a couple of times, while she rested:-)  often after a race, models need a bit of time to tighten out some slop, the flight tech servos are still as solid as a rock. 

  A fun day and proof that the willow philosophy of maximising fun on the slope is the main aim. 

A fun time at the English Open

   It’s been a long time since I came away from a race so happy.  Getting back to racing after so many years and with a hardly tested new design was a recipe for thigs to go wrong and they did.  As the rounds went by and the set up of the Harrier started to get sorted, then the ballast- I started cutting!  Having said this I flew every round with a huge smile on my face.  It’s just a fun model to fly!

  I was surprised just how well the Harrier penetrated into the crosswinds, although I managed to mess up more turns than I got right, she felt well balanced and despite my harsh treatment the Harrier never bit back and was accelerating along the straights.  Lots of work to do for me to stop holding the Harrier back but I’m really looking forward to it.

  The race was really well run by the Whitesheet club did a great job of keeping things going at a good pace, well done Graeme on running a really smooth day.

  The quality of flying was noticeable by how each pilot there could make good used of any god air that they did get.  John Philips proved to best on the day- congratulations to him.

  The highlight of the day was to meet up with some old friends- a good day out!

Ready for the English open

  After I worked out the ridiculously long time it's been since I raced, a morning trip to brush off some cob webs seemed a good plan. 

  I've been flying the Harrier prototype through the summer but the production model I maiden 2 weeks ago has been looking at me- so this was the model I took. 

  The Harrier flew so well from my hand that I was soon just screaming round having fun, rather than any real thoughts of practise. 

Whitesheet is a variable hill and really hard to compare models on. It was good to see a range of baudis models there, I do like the look of the Pitbull 2.  it's clear that given the right air any of the models can be the fastest- including the Harrier- and a lot of fun. 

  By tomorrow I'll be cursing the variability of Whitesheet, but today it was fun!

Harrier Maidened

 I always seem to be on the Whitesheet north slope to maiden models.  The Harrier was no different and so although the sun was much stronger than the breeze I hurled the Harrier off.  Launching a model for the first time is a nervous moment, but when it's the first of a model our of the molds you can multiply the feeling.

  The Harrier just sailed away and went off thermal hunting.  Like all F3F models the Harrier's efficiency means it can hunt even the lightest lift.  When I did get the Harrier away I could give it a dab of down and she was off!  The tail gives a very positive control and tight turns that never felt like letting go.  

  I just have to wait for some decent wind to really ring her out.  

the new tail and fuselage

Building is a lot easier witht he Harrier's molded servo tray.

In the Post!

  The first pictures of the completed Harrier models have arrived and confirmation that It’s on the way!  Although I’m now at the mercy of international shipping there’s a chance that the Harrier could be here for the English Open.  You can’t beat the randomness of Whiteshite to test a model😊

Well I like the look of it!

Great to see your model out of the mold

The first harrier models have been molded and I can't wait!

  Being involved with a project is great fun but seeing the model parts coming out of the molds make it feel very real!

  I've been flying the prototype model almost exclusively all summer. The King max servos and bearings I used have proved to be reliable and remain slop free.  The Harrier has given me a good positive feel and some sharp control movements.

  It can be said of many top moldies but I love having a model that can go from scratching on summer sea lift one day to screaming round in storm force winds the next- just add lead!

  Bring on the production models- anyone fancy being a test pilot

More flight testing while the hard work goes on in production.

It’s been a couple of weeks since I got hold of the Harrier Wings, it’s been a great opportunity to get some air time with the test set-up in a variety of conditions.  I did have in the back of my mind to really give those wings a hammering to test them.

Screaming strong lift- I just kept adding lead flight after flight.  As I did- she loved it, the Harrier actually went really well on less ballast than I would expect but add the weight and she keeps on going.  The opportunity to try so many different turn styles certainly kept me smiling.  I really enjoyed the model’s agility, while she can go fast on a course, the wing just never grumbled as I banged in fist fulls of control throws and threw the Harrier about to just have fun- But I can’t bend those wings

Thermic air- It’s been a while since I have done much thermalling.  The wing’s plan form helps to keep the inner wing tip from dropping during the slow turns.  Just a lot of fun flights!

Light sea lift- This weekend I got the chance to fly in what turned out to be pretty light sea lift.  Launching out to see when the cliff edge means you can’t feel a breath of wind is always a leap of faith.  Knowing that the Harrier wing wasn’t going to miss-behave made it that bit less scary.  It’s didn’t take long before the Harrier’s natural pace and slipperiness really showed in the solid pace it was flying at.

  I really enjoyed the classic bank and yank turns in these light days.  The controls key a solid and positive feeling through the flight.

Getting excited! I’ve received these pictures showing that the first production version of the Harrier is coming on.  As well as a great production quality, I know that Zhou is keen to make sure that the models are tested before being made available-