21 March 2024
The Springfield replacement, Old Faithful play at Zigginanda
07 November 2023
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. |
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. 😎🏆 |
02 October 2023
27 September 2023
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. 👀
26 June 2023
Some of the Kzn east coast slopes
17 February 2023
A couple fave Dave ZN fly times, cameraman Russ & Dave S
Russ filming Flip:
10 February 2023
17 August 2022
NATAL THERMAL SOARING CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS HISTORY
SOME HISTORY – PAST WINNERS:
NATAL THERMAL SOARING CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS
1972 M Sparks
1973 C Goble
1974 N E Drew
1975 E Morrison
1976 N E Drew
1977 F Roos
1978 R F Spavins
1979 R F Spavins
1980 N E Drew
1981 A M Keil
1982 A M Keil
1983 M J Gundry
1984 A M Keil
1985 M J Gundry
1986 D A Greer
1987 T H Wolthers
1988 M J Gundry
1989 T H Wolthers
1990 M H Summers
1991 M H Summers
1992 M H Summers
1993 B A Jenkins
1994 B A Jenkins
1995 B A Jenkins
1996 D A Marusich
1997 C Adrian
1998 C Goodrum
1999 M H Summers
2000 S L Nelson
2001 T Potter
2002 P N Lonsdale
2003 R B Conradt
2004 D A Greer
2005 D A Greer
2006 C Gooddrum
2007 C W Klintworth
2008 A M Sneedon
2009 S L Nelson
2010 A Smith
2011 M Leusch
2012 M Leusch
2013 R Nelson
2014 D A Greer
2015 S L Nelson
2016 D Slatter
2017 D Bird
2018 A M Sneedon
2019 A M Sneedon
2020 A M Sneedon
2021 A M Sneedon
2022 N Murray2023 A M Sneedon
A decade of Soar-J Winners:
1995 - Rob Cutler
1996 - Michelle Goodrum
1997 - Dave Greer
1998 - Craig Goodrum
1999 - Chris Adrian
2000 - Craig Goodrum
2001 - Dave Greer
2002 - Chris Adrian
2003 - Craig Goodrum
2004 - Craig Goodrum (F3J) & Simon Nelson (E Winch)
(Dion Liebenberg won all F5J events during this period)
02 March 2022
10 February 2022
Assembling the Eric Arnaud Sharkie racer foamy swept wing
Couple years back when Eric flogged me the EPP cores for a song, I promised him a blow by blow of the assembly - got engrossed in the build but just enough pics to talk to - the aim being a clean, stiff, zero awful fiber tape finish. 😎
Wing turned to bottom and two short offcut pieces of 1mm by 6mm spar let in to support the join and nestle against the existing spars. Again below surface and fill and sand as before. |
Underside after laminate is completed, can see the servos under laminate, just need slits for the servo arms to nip out once covering on. |
The mini rent a crowd on the day of the successful maiden flight |
We were ring fenced to two out of three classes for the Toss races and an easy decision to loan Sharkie to Steve Muesel who was flying it better anyway - herewith Russ about to launch for round 3. 😂 |
Steve with Sharkie on landing approach after placing second in all three rounds and second overall for the event. Commented on just how smooth the aerie flew. |
The wing with full aileron deflection showing clean hinge line, distance from root and the aileron horns used to drive elevons, the servo drive, pushrods and horns all bottom but would rather do top next time - tiplets also reset further back. My thanks to Eric for the excellent base to try out my ideas on, most happy with the result. 😃👌 |
19 January 2022
Looking forward to Toss F3F 2022
In looking forward to Two Oceans F3F 2022 next week, I was disappointed that the last biggie F3F event 2013 results were not on the blog so rectifying that right now ;-)
Whilst the Highvelders Jason and Craig took that weekend, Dean Halley scooped third for the coastal local yokels, damn good job Dean! Also notice Reg Roets the racer lurking mid pack, also very well done for this part time social slope flyer. :-)
Much more practice has been on the go down Simonstown way, so very likely that the Toss lads will take some of the podiums spots for 2022, watch this space.
22 June 2020
Really hot slope semi scale flying from Europe
Toxic
Baby Swift S1
Libelle
Toxic pass 2019
Swift Qwantas
Little Kobuz
This Youtube link for ABm has 21 videos:
ABM Airfoils
20 June 2020
Soar-J '95 through 2004 cabinet
The second year belonged to the amazing Michelle Goodrum, still the only lass to compete in both F3J and F3B world championships.
Dave had to wait to year three to step on to the top of the podium.
Then it was the turn of serial world champ attendees Craig Goodrum and Chris Adrian. I happened to call for Chris in one of his winning fly off and such was the intensity that he confessed he could feel his heart beating ;-)
F3J worlds trials meant much travel across Kzn and the Highveld, with one memorable event at Bloemfontein. A lot of results and stories have escaped to the ether.....
One hell of adventure and it would be nice to maybe see it reinvented in F5J form.
These are just bits copied off the defunct web site, no fancy cell cameras in those days:
Background:
My friend Robbie Cutler took the gold badge at the magical first Soar-J in 1995, made even more memorable by the Saturday late afternoon retiring of the mob to the club house for the rugby world cup and a celebratory thrash, culminating in a few "pit stops" for him on the trip home! Karkloof is renown for its huge manicured fields, friendly club facilities and stunning weather. The locals have been well supported by the Highveld chaps, with John Lightfoot also bringing a Cape flavour to the Noodsberg event in 1996.
Past Soar-J Winners:
The mob in front of the American muscle cars caravan - a solid supporter. |
The year we hosted the late John Lightfoot from the Cape - at Noodsberg. |
The late Gary Armstrong chopped his ear whilst towing Chris Adrian, who calmly stretched his tow line and launched bungee style. |
Anton Coetzee rushing for a relaunch, so much part of the F3J contests. |
Drew Kennedy? ;-) |