The Daves' Dumbe D2 revisited

 Recently dug my D2 out of storage and decided to refurb it with the filler and laminate treatment - will update when complete.

That prompted a revisit to the original 2020 project, the idea being an original one off build for the Dumbe slope long weekend, except we did it the hard way and started right from scratch for the less than 24 hour build, whereas the others were wise enough to prebuild components and assemble there. Components to be foam and/or Corex. 😎

Dave's Schaller (Fuselage) and Greer (wing) co-operated on building two D2's, Short story is the Daves rushed to the flight line with glue drying, to complete the last of the compulsory flights in ideal conditions. Scored less than great on finish etc but nailed the minor aerobatics for the (maiden) flights to scoop a team podium third. 😊

Commencing the Corex wing build in B&B bedroom :-)

Corex wing folded over Correx Spars and glued with clamp support.

Hastily sketched cardboard template using Zipper inspiration, transferred to Corex crutch with plain storage foam cheeks added and sanded to shape by Dave S, the idea was to only last the weekend. :-)

Rough sketch of Corex wing using same Corex spars, inspired by the Brian Duckitt Assegai, actually proved bullet proof.

Some of the entered craft with the two D2's at either end, actually still to finish installing gear with just hours to go :-)

Dave Schaller and Dave Greer with the completed D2's, both planes "went like stinky poo", to coin a South African term, a great success for the maiden including scoring flights. 😎🏆

Mini Zipper maiden

 

SuperWasp rulez ok 2023!

Took some progress pics for Ken who was also building same but stuck these in a movie as the technique was so similar to earlier the Sharkie foamie wing and a blow by blow thus not required. As with Sharkie racer, all gear buried in the wing with balance weight only in this fuselage. 👌

Dave Schaller's well thought out design and immaculately cut cores, complete with thin tapered elevons resulted in excellent roll rate without any hint of pitchiness. A rare plank that would hold true in a gentle dive without any ballooning or tucking whatsoever, remarkable. 👀

The EPP cores finished with light filler, twice on the fuselage and once on the wing, covered with laminate on spray glue then finished with the trademark sticky shelf paper, the final product in the pics below, CG unchanged from that specified by Dave S:

Maiden flight was at Dumbe slope on the September long weekend and straight off the design board, flew sweet from the get go. The aim was for a go to light to medium wind wing, which could double as a trainer and this beastie flew just like Dave's original in this post:

SuperWasp prototype

Probably helped by the bottom hinged elevons, the aerie lived up to its name and was "Super" quiet at speed. 😎

The Dave Greer version from Dave Schaller kit, sundowner flight at Old Faithful December 2023:

Superwasp sundowner OF

Some of the Kzn east coast slopes

Winston Park view site

Winston Park even includes some handy Park Benches 😎

Zigginanda mountain range 39km from Umdloti

Old Faithful North East part of Zigginanda, SW in background

Switchblade slope from most common access road via Marianhill

A couple fave Dave ZN fly times, cameraman Russ & Dave S

 Russ filming Flip:

Russ filming Pokey:

This one thanks to Dave Schaller - of the Cranmer Pulse:

Neil Murray's DMAC Thermal Soaring Notices 2023

DMAC Notices 2023

More to follow: 😎