A lock down project moving on!

  Returning to the slopes after lock down has been made even better by flying the new Harrier prototype.  I'm sure that cam through in my other posts.  Being involved with model development is a fantastic experience, combined with a model that's just good to fly makes it even better.

  Boom length, tail and incidence decided and the Harrier positive came out of the CNC machine this week.

  It will be like waiting for Christmas as the molds and first models are made!

  Whilst I'm sure that Zhou will be happy to work with flyers directly, if you have any 'standard' colour scheme suggestions- let me know here!

post lock-down fun

  I needed fun and the Harrier prototype fits the job perfectly.  It feels like it’s been a long time since that the completed Harrier has been sat waiting for a decent flying opportunity so I wasn’t going to miss the chance.

  While the current model does not look as plush as the CAD files being milled for the production model I wasn’t going to wait any longer than I had to.  Get the nerves over with and away she went as perfectly straight from the hand as I could hope.  I was really pleased with the natural pace that she showed around the sky, 2mm of camber had her thermaling away with the buzzards but it’s the speed and efficiency between the thermals that can make a model.  All that height gained was converted into fun.

  The broader wing root really gives you the confidence to use some big control surface movements without worrying about the wing biting back.  It’s been tweaked slightly since the original Willow models (I’m told it will fit on the willow fuselages)- this only becomes evident when you’re in the air.  I really enjoyed the shorter boom than it’s Willow predecessors, square moves come off far better.

  The fun and performance from the model is fantastic.  The lockdown had given me the time to program in a different set up with racing in mind, what can I say- it felt fast to me and the EM style turns carried through better than I expected on a first day out.   It’s the model that I would try up turns and then roll as a race move.

  More next time after I've taken some other models out too- but getting out again is great!

Harrier model developement

  Lock down has been a great chance for many modeller's to get on the building board.  I've been doing a little of my version of this and the result is the Harrier.  The aim of the model is to be the best sports  performance model possible.  A high performance wing with a sympathetic plan form, short tail boom and a strong effective tail.

  The wing has the depth to fit both servos and ball raced frames in, to make a durable and slop free assembly.

  The fuselage is a little bigger than some of the race models out there but more room to build and strength in the design are great attributes.

  A beautiful looking model as well!

  As the models are built I'll keep posting.

First Assembly

  Time to get the goodies out of the box.  The wings are looking good for the new model.  Just 750 grams per wing, stiff strong and looking very nice.

  A short boom looks to suit the wing shape and should give a forgiving model that I can throw around the sky.  It should be a fun project to get it together while the CAD fuselage progresses.  I can't wait!

Lock down time working together

 With action on the slopes not available it's been an opportunity to spend some time thinking about what I'd like from my next slope model.  Having being contacted by Zhou a few weeks ago we have been discussing different model options.  Our fuselage design is looking very nice (but I'm biased)

  The quality of the production from Zhou has continued to improve, including an integrated servo tray and ballast tube in the CAD design is a sure sign of development.  Although I won't be taking a commercial interest in the model, it is great to be part of the design process.

  I'll keep you up to date with the new model but I received a box from Zhou this week.  Great, things to make, weigh and take pictures of.  You know that they are top quality production but the first thing I found in the box says more about Zhou the man in these troubled times.-  A bulk packet of face masks.  Thank you Zhou- top lad.

Working/building from home

  Its certainly some unprecedented times, it’s been a week or 2 since I have been working from home.  That made it all the better when I met the Cubitts on my last trip to the slope.  Great flying but finding out Joe is a Grandad- that explained the scale model!

  Working from Home has given me one outlet to keep my mind distracted.  It was great to receive confirmation that the shipments sent out by Zhou are arriving at customers.   Despite the lack of people moving round the world, good seems to be getting through.  I’ll be getting some building time in where I can.

Traffic painful, weather dubious, flying- fantastic!

  It’s been a good while since free time and flyable weather coincided but I managed it yesterday.  You know that you are getting a bit desperate to fly when you time your trip to the slope with the one patch of blue sky being blow through on the latest storm.  The dog’s enthusiasm for being walked was dropping as we got closer to the edge- but not mine.

  I love flying the SOR in these conditions, I deliberately placed the canopy a hand grip away from the wing to help self-launching in blustery conditions.  When I have been talking to Zhou about his models he told me how much stronger has had made the wings, but with the weight of the wings dropping to 800g I had to see for myself.

  So 1.2kg of ballast in these conditions was a great opportunity to test them-  I couldn’t get them flexing!  Lots of aileron differential to help pull the nose down and pull the SOR over at the top of the turn.  It makes me think of having a go at racing again but after just flying on days like that is so much fun.