Gliding 101

 

  There have been some absolute classic models designed and produced of around 2.5m span.  These have followed some differing design paths separated by many years.  The fabled Wizard Compact and Needle 100 are very different but very successful models.  Choosing between the 2 would be a tough choice!

  The Compact has been part of my fly fleet for many years, I love them.  On my last holiday on Lundy I soon started to wonder why I bothered to bring anything else!

  I love models of this size, they do seem to offer a wonderful balance of performance and sport flying fun.  I have raced my compact to good effect a number of times.  I haven’t been able to find a model of this size available with really appeals to me, so given the chance to help produce one it’s time to make one.

 The aim of the new model is to apply the design principals what have worked so well for the Harrier and to a smaller model of comparable size.

  The CAD files have been completed and molds are nearly ready and the test models shoud be ready to fly when the air starts to get nice and chilly in December.  Once there are some more pictures I’ll be sure to post them.

Setting up and having fun

 

  A chance to spend a few hours on the hill when the wind it blowing should never be scoffed at.  Over the past few weeks I’ve had a few chances to get out, taking the co-pilot has kept the flying time down but been good fun.

  Each time I’ve flown I’ve gone away and thought about the Harrier set-up so that the next time it’s been flown she’s been faster and better at resisting the slowing effects of my thumbs.  This Sunday the harrier felt ready to go.  Getting to know the production model has been an incremental process but the power of the tail has been great to feel.  The Harrier felt so comfortable with 900g of ballast and felt like it has a real step, were it went from fast to wow.

  Flying along side club mates, with their Pitbull 2’s is a help as a yard stick to compare the Harrier to is a huge help.  It did feel like the best thumbs in the best lift got the fastest flights- funny that!

  Stacking models to keep out of the rain!

Best blow in months!

   The good winds this weekend gave me the chance to thrash the Harrier in some ballistic conditions.  Replacing lead with Tungsten both gave me some more go but also really test the harrier’s build quality one more time.  Bending those wings is such a tough job!

 

It was good to see fellow Whitesheet members out and flying Pitbull 2’s.  They have to be my favourite of the Baudis models produced.

  I’d like to say that I got some practise in before the winter racing series but I was having far too much fun.

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.