Where do I get an EPP flying wing?

[Ron]

Right then chaps.

I'm on a slope finding mission, and I've decided what I really need (any excuse) is a bounceable epp wing thing, so I can try out doubtful looking places without too much repairing to do afterwards.

OK, so my flying is a doubtful element here too  

Now, as I'm about as far South and West as you can get, the internet is the first resource when it comes to most things models.
But I've searched till my Google is grounded, and still no practical source or even decent info on where to get one. :!:

Anyone got any recommendations as to which model, and where to get it?

Doesn't have to be high performance, just tough and available.

Ron.

[Alan_Perse]

Hi Ron,

Here's two websites that I know of.
 
The first one is based in England www.flyingwings.co.uk/ , I don't know much about there gliders but they appear to be ARTF EPP wings.

The second one is a US based one www.dream-flight.com/ , they do a glider called the Weasel-pro. Its a compact flying wind and it is very popular i believe.

[Ron]

Thanks Alan.

The Flying Wings site looks good.
Might just go for one of those.

Ron

[Aidan]

Hi Ron,

I'd suggest taking a look at:

Soar ahead sailplanes at http://www.freewebs.com/sasepp/
or
Phoenix Model Products at http://www.phoenixmp.com/acatalog/PMP_EPP_Range_of_Models.html

Both are UK companies specialising in EPP slope planes. I think the Soar ahead wings like the Mamba are probably the best for bouncability. The Phoenix planes like the Rampage probably have better performance but are a bit more expensive and probably just a little less crash proof.

I have an old SAS Wildthing (the original design not the Mk2). If you're interested I'd let you have it. I don't have any plans to fly it again myself. It's in good shape except that the reinforced crossweave tape these EPP planes are covered in degrades after a while (especially if exposed to sunlight) and after sitting around for a few years it could use re-covering. The Wildthing is very robust but the performance isn't as good as the more modern designs. Still good fun in decent lift.

Otherwise I reckon something like the SAS Mamba would make a great plane for testing new slopes.

Aidan

[Alan_Perse]

"Soar ahead sailplanes" looks like a good wibesite Aidan.
Ron, I should mention that I have no gliders from the websites I suggested, so i don't know what they are like.

[Ron]

Thanks all.

Lots to think about there.
One thing being, straight or delta?

Straight has advantages in performance, but delta is probably more robust.

The Flying Wings people have some interesting designs, like the Slipstream.
But they have quoted £45 (sterling) for shipping, which I think is just ridiculous.

Thanks for the offer Aidan.
I think, as I need something that will perform in light conditions too, I might go for the Mamba.
The Venom also looks good, but at 50" you can't chuck it in the car quite so easily......

Actually, having just put the back seats down again (where they usually are) and had a quick measure, maybe the Venom might be a good choice.

Decisions, decisions...

Ron

[Aidan]

There's another option I forgot to mention yesterday. If you're interested in something for light lift and you can get your hands on some depron you might try a Pibros.

The Pibros is a small delta design which you can build start to finish in about 2hrs + radio installation with just a sheet of 3mm depron, some tape and some adhesive. They're good fun in light lift. They're pretty tough and haven't really enough mass to break in a crash but they do tend to wear out after a while! Still another 2 hrs work and you've got a brand new replacement!
I built one to test new sites earlier this year and it was ideal. The straight line performance isn't spectacular but they're extremely manoeuverable and you can have some fun with them providing the wind isn't too strong.

All the information you need to build one is at http://www.rc-soar.com/pibros/

Aidan

[Fred]

Hi all,

Aahhh the delta pibros !! French design by Marcel Guwang. Built a dozen of those things... Really good machine for the price and time involved to make one !
Elsewhere in Europe, in France, you have Combat Air Model and EPP concept. You can find anything in EPP that will suit you, and cheap.

[Ron]

Yes that Pibros looks fascinating.
And capable of more development too in terms of better airfoil etc. I expect.
I've never built in Depron.

Any idea where the nearest/easiest supplier is to Bantry?
Do they use that stuff for packaging I wonder?
And can you make it yourself by combining two chemicals, rather like the expanding foam stuff?
(Used to help a Formula Ford builder fill empty spaces in his cars with that).

Ron

[Ron]

Ah. You can't make it yourself then...
A quote from a web site:

HOW TO PROCESS EPP

The manufacturing process is complex, requiring both technical expertise and specialised custom equipment. Polypropylene resin is combined with other ingredients in a multi-step proprietary process. Under tightly controlled conditions, extruded pellets expand to become consistently shaped beads of ARPRO® expanded polypropylene foam. Other specialised manufacturing techniques may be employed to produce variations in the final product form.

ARPRO® EPP foam beads are then injected into molds. In many cases, cost-effective multi-cavity aluminum molds are used. Pressure and steam heat fuse the beads into a finished shape. The finished ARPRO® EPP foam part becomes a key component in sub-assemblies incorporated in the original equipment manufacturer’s product.

Ron.

[cvanscho]

Hi Ron

Another source of wings is Windrider in Hong Kong, see: http://www.windrider.com.hk/products/product.cfm?id=9.  Ming gives excellent service, ships really quickly and ridicuously cheap too.  I've had a couple of his EasyPro gliders.  Each one cost me 50 Euros landed in Kerry! Very clever design, quick to put together.  I don't know what the Bees are like (to be honest, I've got a little bit of a "thing" about wings - I like planes that look like planes!).

Depron sheets are available from a number of UK sources, including http://depronjet.vstore.ca/.  Ron there is a great guy.

My own answer to the bouncable plane requirement is a 60" glider made of solid timber!  See the following: http://www.planeinsanemodels.com/prototype.htm.  I just received my kit yesterday, so hopefully you might soon see it in action at a slope near you!. It's truly beautifully made, and starting to gather a bit of a cult following, but not really suitable for light lift!

Good luck, and hope to meet you soon!

  Chris

[Ron]

Hi Chris,

I like the look of those Windriders.
To be honest, I've been avoiding 'wing things' for a long while.
Like you, I prefer planes to be plane shaped.
But then I thought... I could throw one in the car with the shopping and not have the tail sticking out the window. And other people seem to rave over them. And it would be just as a quick 'slope tryer'... etc. etc..
But I'm still not 100% convinced.

Solid wood?
Hmmm...
I'll just nip down to Murphy & O'Conner's for some 4 x 3.

Seriously though, that looks, err... serious.
Thin section, slippery, heavy (ish), bit of lift and you could mow the grass with it.
I've got a solid wood boat, so why not a solid wood plane?

Ron.

[joe]

Hiya guys.
I fly a skua from http://www.wowings.com. an Australian guy makes them.If your looking for something a bit different on the wing front the skua and the booby are worth checking out!
The skua flies great and is really crash-proof.Epp with a carbon spar and cover in fiber tape.will not fly in really light lift. Crash-proof and really light is going to be hard to find!
He has not made them for a while.I just got a mail from him saying he was going to make a few more in the next few weeks.I might buy a couple if anyone wants one! The skua 1500 looks good for slope racing.

[rogallo]

Ron,
  I am surprised no one has told you there is a shop in Cork with Zagi(s) in stock

Noel Barrett Models
21a Washington Street West.
Cork
021 4275971

[cvanscho]

SPOTS!!