GliderIreland - Ireland RC Forum - Flying Model forum in Ireland

Gliders => Slope Soaring => Topic started by: Ray on March 14, 2010, 21:27:21 PM

Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Ray on March 14, 2010, 21:27:21 PM
Hi Folks,
After "trying" to fly my MPX Blizzard like a slope soarer last weekend at the Mt Leinster meet-up I'm looking around for a good recommendation.

Looking for a full house plane with good performance in the 2.6m range.
I don't mind some construction work.
Needs to be reasonably tough and repairable for rough landings and an idiot pilot!
Needs to dismantle into three manageable parts for transport.

Here is my pick list (so far)
Great Planes Spirit 100":
http://www.modelmaniacsonline.co.uk/products.php?ProductID=3907&CatID=423&SubCatID=429&Title=Great+Planes+Spirit+100&ManCode=GPMA1049
Mpx Cularis:
http://www.modelmaniacsonline.co.uk/products.php?CatID=423&SubCatID=481&ProductID=5112&Title=Multiplex+Cularis&ManCode=214218
Fly Fly Condor Magic Evo4 3m ARTF (might be over stretching it here)
http://www.modelmaniacsonline.co.uk/products.php?ProductID=7182&CatID=423&SubCatID=428&Title=Fly+Fly+Condor+Magic+Evo4+3m+ARTF&ManCode=A-FFB010
CMPro Ventus:
http://www.pegasusmodels.co.uk/detail.asp?main=Aircraft&sub1=ARTF+Gliders&ID=993982

Appreciate comments/views.

Thanks
Ray.
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Happy Days on March 15, 2010, 06:38:45 AM
Oh Ray, you’ve opened a “Can of worms” here! :lol:

You do realise that if you ask six different pilots a question, you’re gonna get six different answers. :!:  

One thing I can tell you, (as an experienced idiot pilot) is that fibreglass models and rough landings don’t go together. Wood and foam are far easier (and quicker) to repair. A quick drop of CA glue and you’re back up in the air. Repairs to fibreglass take much longer and can’t normally be effected at the slope.

So, if you are of little experience with gliders, I’d consider the non glass models on your list.

But that’s only my opinion! :lol:

K
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: billscottni on March 15, 2010, 09:11:29 AM
MPX Easy Glider?

You could look at Canterbury Sailplanes EPP range. They have a model called the Eraser.

As Keith says we all have our opinions, but I would agree that fibreglass isn't a good choice to learn with. Look for something in either EPP or a wood fuz and a foam wing.
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: bearpjk on March 15, 2010, 10:57:38 AM
I must agree with Bill and Keith ,my 2p worth is you cant rule out the Chris Foss Middle Phase 2 Advanced  glider, foam/balsa wing, balsa fuz.
Will be more than adequate from learner to fairly advanced flying in a wide speed range.Easily repaired and good fun.
cya
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Eiretime on March 15, 2010, 17:16:38 PM
Hey Ray, Glad you came down to meet on Saturday to meet the gang.  Told you they were a quiet bunch! Ring me if you need anymore help in choosing the next missile  :D

ed
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Happy Days on March 15, 2010, 18:00:03 PM
There are airfoils and elevators and high wings and low,
There’s mouldies and balsa and plastic you know.
There’s sports planes and trainers and racers as well
In fact there’s most nothing a shop will not sell.

But take it from someone who’s wrinkled and grey,
Whatever your choice, whatever they say,
Most important of all, at the end of the day,
Is what gives you FUN,…not how much you pay!
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Alan_Perse on March 15, 2010, 18:03:27 PM
:D  :D  :D Nice one Keith. So you are a poet now  :P

I agree with what everyone has said. Foam and wood are the best choice. Much easier to repair. In fact I have gone a bought an Easy Glider because of that.
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Ray on March 15, 2010, 19:52:07 PM
Thanks guys, the Cularis is the obvious foamie and I have looked into it for quite some time now but without feeling the love.

On the other hand I really liked the performance on Ed's red bird and the DG1000 'lookalike' last weekend, both are molded and have a really nice finish. It's probably because Blizzard is a foamie and I guess I'm looking for something with a sleek finish.
So now I must be mad in the head, I'm looking at the 3m Fly Fly with full house wing :!:  must resist... must resist... it's a lot of glider for just £170!

Come to think of it I might strip the Blizzard down for silent flight and see how it goes. Last weekend it tended to stall on tight cornering, dropped a wing and flip into the ground, this happened twice and both times I was running unpowered, it does not seem to like slow speed. So it might have a better chance without the weight of motor/battery and speed controller.

Cheers,
Ray
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: billscottni on March 15, 2010, 19:55:36 PM
Ray,

If the DG100 look alike you're talking about was John Pearsons' model, it's not all moulded. The wing is a built up structure.  I believe the Fly Fly condor is the same, glass fuz and built up wings.

Worth checking before you spend any cash.
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Ray on March 15, 2010, 21:17:49 PM
Hi Bill,
Your right, the fuze was fiberglass and the wings were built up, but the skin on the wings seemed to be a hard plastic or fiberglass perhaps. And I think the Fly Fly is the same.... still not bad value at £170.
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: joe on March 15, 2010, 21:58:31 PM
Hi Ray. Nice to meet you at the weekend. Sorry for the bit of shtick about the motor. But it's to be expected.

You just said what I was going to suggest. Take everything out of the blizzard and tape a spinner with some lead in it on the front.
Won't stall as easily with less weight as well.
You already have a glider Ray. Give it a go and see how you get on. The lift was light Saturday but with with a bit more of a blow it should go well.
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: mattkrrgn on March 15, 2010, 22:40:49 PM
Hi Ray

The plane that I was flying is called a Scorpio but is now being sold as The Mini Ventus .Here is the link to AMD who make it .Its a good plane but cant be hung on its elevator or it has a sharp tip stall normally with the wind . It need to be flown .you gotta keep it moving or it becomes very twichy and abit of a pig! So if I was you Id get one and something like a middle phase ,a stargazer or a good old ninja to get use to sloping and when your brave take the Mini Ventus (scorpio) for a spin . Im only brave with it because its my dads ,HAHA.

Best of luck making your mind up .Too much to look at online .With any plane you get remember put the nose down get the wing to work ,then sloping gets easy.

Regards

Matt
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: mattkrrgn on March 15, 2010, 22:41:31 PM
http://www.amdhobby.com/product_info.php?cPath=134&products_id=268

here is the link forgot to put it in haha

matt
Title: gliders
Post by: JohnPearson on March 15, 2010, 22:45:29 PM
Hi ray

The fly fly DR1000 is a good model and fun to fly. The fuslage is made from glasscloth with a hard shell which cracks easy, also the tail section is very weak and will spilt in a hard landing. the wings are made from a hard balsa material, covered in a plastic wrap which if damaged, is hard to glue even with super glue. The flight performance of this model is very good with a good speed range, however with no air brakes, it can be a little fast on landing, however, I still love this little model and would buy another fly fly kit.
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Ray on March 16, 2010, 15:50:27 PM
Thanks for the tips (and poetry) folks,
The 3m Fly Fly (Condor Evo4) I was looking at has got Flaps so it might be easier to land, but it sounds like the Fly Fly's could do with some reinforcement patches before flying, I'll have to give it some more thought.

In the meantime I will also modify the Blizzard and see how it flys on the slopes without power, the manual says it will go from 1050g to 800g by removing the power train.

Cheers Ray
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Happy Days on March 31, 2010, 09:15:49 AM
Hey Alan, you’ve gone very quite :shock: …………………….You said you’d brought an Easy Glide. Have you maiden’d it yet?

I’ve had a couple of them over the years, good models! :wink:   What’s the word????

Keith
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Fred on March 31, 2010, 09:32:49 AM
BIRD ! Bird IS the word !
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Happy Days on March 31, 2010, 09:36:50 AM
You’re showing your age Fred. :shock:

 Do be quiet, there’s a good chap. :x

(Alan’s not old enough to understand what you’re talking about.)
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Eiretime on March 31, 2010, 10:01:18 AM
Good tune :D
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Happy Days on March 31, 2010, 10:08:13 AM
WHAT!!! :shock:  :shock: …………You remember that song Ed.  

 I wouldn’t have put you at a day over 40 :?:
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Alan_Perse on March 31, 2010, 11:38:38 AM
Quote from: "Happy Days"
Hey Alan, you’ve gone very quite :shock: …………………….You said you’d brought an Easy Glide. Have you maiden’d it yet?

I’ve had a couple of them over the years, good models! :wink:   What’s the word????

Keith


Hi Keith,

I was away in Germany for a week. Just came back yesterday night. The Multiplex Easy Glider is almost ready to fly. Just need to put a battery in it and balance it and it should be ready to go.
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Fred on March 31, 2010, 11:45:45 AM
*****Sorry, Off topic !  (sorry Alan)*****

You must see the Family Guy program where he find an old LP with the bird song !

Priceless !!  :lol:  :lol:
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Eiretime on March 31, 2010, 16:27:32 PM
Not quite that old Keith. My mum was a dj back in the day so i have inherited lots of her old 45`s and 12" collection. Lucky me :D
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Happy Days on March 31, 2010, 20:40:38 PM
Oh Alan, thank heavens you’ve come back so I can have a sensible conversation with someone. :clap:  

(The problem with this forum is that there are too many foreigners on it!) :lol:  

Glad that you new “baby” is nearly ready for action. Hopefully you’ll get a chance sometime this weekend.
Big L. is completely snow covered at the moment. I have no idea what the road access is like. Probably need a 4x4 to get up there for the next few days!

And Ed,……I’m sorry but there can be no excuse for listening to the “Bird” song. :roll:  

I thought you were a cultured and sophisticated fellow who’d been edge-a-m-cated, like wot I have! :wink:

K.
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: JohnPearson on March 31, 2010, 22:38:54 PM
Please, not the birdie song 'ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/JohnPearson/CHOKE.jpg)
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Fred on April 01, 2010, 08:05:40 AM
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/v/2WNrx2jq184[/youtube]

Do I need to add anything ?  :mrgreen:
30mins of that in this episode... :D
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Eiretime on April 01, 2010, 08:24:27 AM
Still Rocks!
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Ray on April 09, 2010, 22:19:42 PM
Ok folks, to bring this thread back down to earth...

I've ordered my next model, it's the FlyFly Magic Condor Evo4.
It's a 3m fiberglass full house wing and wait for it..... only cost me €99 + €6 P&P from Austria!!!!
The UK retail is 180 sterling.

Here is the only video I could find...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRB1XPgtPiI

Happy days!!!
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Happy Days on April 10, 2010, 08:48:21 AM
WoW Ray, I might get you to buy my next model. You’re either very good at negotiating price and shipping, or have the patience of a saint to search for a good deal! :clap:

That’s a big bird! (But I thought only the fuse was glass and that the wings were sheeted?) Either way she’s a very impressive plane and no one will be able to call out “Cheat” when you fly her :D

I’ll look forward to watching you put her through her paces on the slopes. With the Eppler 205 wing section you’ll have to treat her like a woman. (With respect, but a little bit rough sometimes! :P )

K.
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Eiretime on April 10, 2010, 22:00:07 PM
Hey Ray,
Nice choice, ive heard she`s a nice ship. There was a video floating around of the Condor being put through it`s paces at a place called The Farm in New Zealand somewhere. Worth finding, nice video i think it`s on the Rc Groups Condor thread. Will try and dig it up for you.

ed
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: JohnPearson on April 13, 2010, 21:59:08 PM
Hi Ray

Nice choice on the Condor EVO4, I spoke to a glider pilot recently on the phone from England and he told me that the Condor was a solid model and great to fly of the slope. I am working on another Fly fly glider at the moment, the DG808, hopefully she will be ready for the May flyin at Big L. The price for your glider was fantastic, please please let us know how to get bargains like that ?
Title: Found the video
Post by: Eiretime on April 19, 2010, 18:21:34 PM
Hey Ray,
Finally found that video of the Condor doing it`s stuff in New Zeland. Here`s the link on Rc Groups. sorry Fred http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=940675#post10768919

Myself and Fergal are heading to Lough Bray tomorrow evening for a glide if anyone would like to join.

ed
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Ray on April 21, 2010, 22:56:33 PM
Hi Ed,
For Aurora 9 programming tips check out this link.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1141715
See sailplane tips half way down the page, there seems to be some tricks you can do for butterfly.

Ray
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Eiretime on April 21, 2010, 23:03:29 PM
Thanks Dude, will see you tomorrow
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Ray on April 23, 2010, 17:29:48 PM
Did somebody ask where to get the 3M Condor for €99 ...

It's on sale here
http://www.derschweighofer.at/artikel/68745/bk_condor_magic_evo4_3000mm

You will need to understand a little german or use a web translator.

They have a flat shipping fee of €6 under 30kg for all european destinations.
Get one while they still have  them on sale!
They ship GLS and mine took just 4 days from shipment, be sure to ask for a tracking number.

I just ordered a 2nd one for spares!

Ray
Title: Maiden flight
Post by: Ray on May 31, 2010, 22:38:27 PM
Well, it only took me 2 months but I eventually got this bird in the air with treriffic help from Eiretime, thanks Ed.
It flys like a dream, way better than I expected actually. I did manage to crash it first time out but nothing too bad so it took off again without rudder control.

Cant wait for the next outing...

Ray
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: mattkrrgn on June 01, 2010, 18:26:03 PM
Hey Ray,

Great to here mate. enjoy it .

Ive just got a new one too , had it about 2 weeks now.

My dad wouldnt let my take his one over to the uk haha

well here is a pic of it . Its a jamara DG1000 ,flies like a dream.

matt
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/mattkrrgn/Glider%20St%20Martins%20mk2%20-%20Copy.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/mattkrrgn/IMG_8991.JPG)
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: bearpjk on June 03, 2010, 00:59:03 AM
Good one Matt   8)
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: mattkrrgn on June 03, 2010, 03:19:19 AM
cheers dad

p.s. like the new display pic haha
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Eiretime on June 03, 2010, 08:52:38 AM
Hey Bru,
 Scilly look nice, cliffs too! Hope your having a good time down there.

ed
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: mattkrrgn on June 03, 2010, 21:01:43 PM
hey bru , haha

ItS awsome here Ed,been flying every weekend ,slopes for every wind direction and im loving myajob too . Cant ask for anything more. How you doing ?

need to charge my stuff up for this weekend again .Lucky me

cheers

Matt
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Eiretime on June 04, 2010, 12:51:44 PM
Dude that`s cool you've settled into your job, sounds like a good place. My mum has been to the Scilly`s a few times and said it was very pretty. Any ferrys to France from there? A little hung over today, saw Leftfield last night, ouch! Amazing gig, haven't seen them for 12 years. Hopefully get some flying in this afternoon if i can shake off the whisky sweats   :shock:
 Let us know how your getting on

ed
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: mattkrrgn on June 06, 2010, 20:14:15 PM
Cheers Ed,

Well if you had a goodnite the sweats are worth it haha. No mate ,be cool if i could get a ferry across,but need to go to the main ,which aint too far.

What plane you flying now?

matt
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Eiretime on June 06, 2010, 20:53:23 PM
Hey Matt,
 Finally got my Pace VXH, it's a 2 meter ship that's uber quick :D
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: billscottni on June 06, 2010, 21:34:32 PM
MORE new toys Ed? Girlfriend kicked you out yet!
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Eiretime on June 06, 2010, 22:48:07 PM
Yup, new toys Bill. This gliding thing is getting addictive! Supportive girlfriend so far :D  see how long that lasts!
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: billscottni on June 06, 2010, 23:18:21 PM
Quote from: "Eiretime"
Yup, new toys Bill. This gliding thing is getting addictive! Supportive girlfriend so far :D  see how long that lasts!


Usually about 10 mins after "I do" :D  :!:
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: mattkrrgn on June 06, 2010, 23:40:50 PM
Hey Bru,

Just checked it out ,looks awsome ,enjoy it. Im starting to save do my paragliders licsence and get all the kit ,so cant buy any new planes now haha

Matt

P.S. SORRY DAD !!!! HAHA :twisted:
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: Eiretime on June 07, 2010, 00:56:02 AM
Was just talking to a mate who went http://www.elspeedo.cz/News.aspx Said it was super cheap and the very beautiful.
Title: Help me select a real glider
Post by: mattkrrgn on June 07, 2010, 19:35:16 PM
cheers Bru , im gona check that out ,looks good ,just gotta get a translater now  haha