Just a quick note to preview the new projects. 3 new models are in the pipeline and we decided to start with the hardest one to model – the Harrier. The frame has passed the flight tests better than expected as the high mounted props and the top mounted battery provide excellent stability with very little ground effect when landing – now we can manage pin point landings with no ‘bounce’ also thanks to the lightweight foam suspension. Everything is made from paper, card and foam board with just a small piece of 2mm diameter carbon rod for the nose gear suspension pivot and kitchen foil for the inner tubes of the landing gear for that polished metal effect. This frame will also be the same basic standard for the other 2 science fiction models – only the landing gear mountings will differ. The final version of the harrier frame will not have the horizontal part visible at the rear (the bit that holds the outer stabilizers) as the finished model will have the stabilizers mounted in the wings as with the real aircraft.
Within the next couple of weeks some pics of the prototype paper fuselage fitted to the final version frame will be posted if the completed fuselage actually proves the ‘calculated’ all up flying weight (including battery) of 200g, and, of course if it also passes the vitally important flight tests. More pics and details will be posted soon.