Radio Control: Soaring
Four new sailplanes are featured in this month's column. Two are fairly pricey ARFs, one is a Two‑Meter wood/foam kit, and one is a beautiful Unlimited‑Class scratch‑builder's project. Maybe one will tempt you into building next season's killer contest ship!
New Modi — Greco Technologies
Greco announced the original Modi 900 with vacuum‑bagged wings in December 1991, but volume production of bagged wings proved difficult. The company then developed two special‑purpose Modi variants rather than a single general‑purpose glider. The first version out is the Thermal Modi.
Thermal Modi — key specs and features:
- Wingspan: 116 in.
- Wing area: 949 sq. in.
- Planform: triple‑taper Schuemann
- Flying weight: ~82 oz.
- Wing loading: ~12.4 oz./sq. ft.
- Wing construction: 25‑psi blue foam, 1/16‑in. ply root subribs, unidirectional carbon/fiberglass reinforcement, surface wood veneer with a mirror‑like natural finish
- Fuselage: ~50 in. long, fiberglass/Kevlar reinforcement, tail boom
- Available airfoils: S3021, SD7037, RG15
- ARF condition: almost ready to fly — install radio gear and make servo linkages; aluminum‑shaft hinges with Teflon inserts on flaps and ailerons are preinstalled; wing joiner is a 1/2‑in. carbon‑fiber rod laminated in a brass tube
Notes on airfoils:
- S3021: good for thermaling and landing, excellent low‑speed handling, quick climb
- SD7037: extended speed range, good L/D, thermals well, allows trailing‑edge camber
- RG15: intended for advanced pilots
Performance and results:
- Both new Modis are reported to be good fliers. Daryl Perkins won First Unlimited at the LSF Nats flying Randy Spencer’s Thermal Modi.
Contact: Greco Technologies, P.O. Box 10, South Pasadena, CA 91031. Tel: 1‑800‑34‑GRECO (standard business hours).
Heat Seeker — Leon Kincaid
Designer Leon Kincaid (of Scooter fame and Nats champion) has produced a new original design: the Heat Seeker.
Overview and availability:
- Span: 122 in.
- Configuration: fiberglass fuselage; wood‑veneer‑over‑foam wing option from Glider Heaven
- Airfoil choices: S3021, SD7037, RG15
- Price: Almost‑Ready‑to‑Fly (ARF) ~ $800; lower‑priced builder’s kit to follow
- Molded‑wing F3B version expected later (~$900 when available)
Designer’s description (condensed):
- Designed as a Sportsman Multi‑Task type ship but thickened from 10% to 11% when SMT weight limits were discussed. The fuselage is a fiberglass pod with ballast capability; wing built on foam cores with spruce/ply structure; tail surfaces sheeted for light weight and good control. Radio installation is straightforward with easy servo access and linkage runs. Flight characteristics are predictable: thermals well, good penetration, and contest‑capable handling.
Construction notes:
- Plans include standard built‑up wing, stab, and rudder (balsa sheeted) with templates for foam builders.
- Emphasis on very light stabs (examples: 34 g and 28 g sets).
- Fuselage molded fiberglass with Kevlar reinforcement; slip‑on nose cone for easy access.
- Wing features: sweepback leading edges, flap/aileron hinge lines perpendicular to centerline; flaps and ailerons are 22% chord; top of wing from fuse to tip is straight with 3° dihedral.
Flight and set up:
- First Heat Seeker weighed 72 oz. (wing loading ~10.6 oz./sq. ft.). Pilots have found moving the CG slightly rearward improves speed and handling. Airfoil camber ~3.3% (between S3021 and SD7032/7037).
Plans, fuselages, and cores:
- Plans from Leon Kincaid — call for pricing.
- Fiberglass fuselages and foam cores from Bob Sealy (Quality Fiberglass): fuselages $50; wing and stab foam cores $31 (includes postage/handling).
Contacts:
- Leon Kincaid: 324 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80921; Tel: (719) 488‑0223.
- Bob Sealy / Quality Fiberglass: 1941 N. Dixie Avenue, Cookeville, TN 38501; Tel: (615) 526‑4770.
Alcyone 2M — Northeast Sailplane Products (NSP)
NSP offers a Two‑Meter version of the successful 121‑in. Alcyone, scaled for lower cost and easier handling.
Alcyone 2M — specs:
- Wingspan: 78.75 in.
- Wing area: 609 sq. in.
- Weight: 35 oz.
- Wing loading: 8.5 oz./sq. ft.
- Airfoil: SD7032 / SD7037
Features (NSP write‑up):
- Same configuration and airfoil combination as the larger Alcyone in a smaller package
- Low wing loading yields excellent sink‑rate performance
- Modified Schuemann planform, turned‑up tiplets, responsive handling, stability in thermals, flat glide
- Controls: ailerons coupled to rudder, plus elevator and flaps — a three‑servo setup without needing a computer radio
- One‑piece foam wing with a carbon‑fiber‑reinforced spar
- Large flaps and slow‑speed capability make spot landings easy
- Long tail moment allows use of Standard‑class 100‑in. wings on the same fuselage; NSP offers a separate 100‑in. wing and stab kit ($69.95). Standard‑class weight ~48 oz.
Pricing and catalog:
- Two‑Meter kit: $99.95
- NSP catalog (113 pages): $5. Send to NSP, 16 Kirby Lane, Williston, VT 05495. Tel: (802) 658‑9482 — ask for Sal.
Grifter — Northeast Sailplanes (imported from Poland)
The Grifter is a Polish‑manufactured F3J sailplane now offered by NSP and establishing itself in European F3J competition.
Grifter — specs:
- Wingspan: 116.5 in.
- Wing area: 975 sq. in.
- Weight: 68 oz.
- Wing loading: 9.8 oz./sq. ft.
- Airfoil: modified RG12
- Price: $749.95
Features (NSP description):
- Essentially ready to fly — install radio gear and servo hookups
- Epoxy/glass fuselage with gel coat white finish and slip‑off nose cone; inner fuselage trimmed for radio gear
- Stabilators: foam covered with balsa, finished with light lacquer
- Built‑up ball‑rudder covered with silkspan and ready to paint
- Three‑piece wing: flat center section, small tip dihedral; tiplets turn up; curved leading edge
- Main wing bolt connects directly to the tow hook to increase launch strength
- Wings are white foam with fine light maple sheeting, lightly lacquered; manufactured in a press and lightly sanded
- High accuracy of fit and finish; hardware and workmanship comparable to the best European production
Column notes and miscellany
- Engine ignition and plugs: Older Champion plugs may die; NGK CM‑6 is resistant to fouling. One practical solution mentioned is locking points in full advance and using an electric starter for specific engines; others continue to use standard ignition setups with transistor systems on small engines (V‑3 or V‑2 sizes).
- In memoriams: Red Phillips (Hot Rock CL Handle and E‑Z Just motor mount maker) has passed away; Bill Cummings (stunt flier, Walker trophy winner in 1956) died in a forklift accident.
- Events: The Five Flags meet in Pensacola, FL (June 20–21) was praised as one of the most pleasant competitions, thanks to organizers and excellent flying conditions.
- Water‑based epoxy paint: John Ramsden of RAM Model Products offers a water‑based epoxy paint that accepts clear coats after 72 hours, thins with up to 10% water, and cleans with water. RAM Model Products: 730 Badger Drive NE, Palm Bay, FL 32905.
- Upcoming paint test: The author plans to try RAM epoxy on a Custom Models profile Nobler (Custom Models: 5515 Bridgeton Dr., Arlington, TX 76018) and will report results in a future issue.
- Correspondence: Replies are sent to SASEs. A fax machine is available at (512) 656‑2021; it will answer after six rings. Hang up after five rings if the author is away to avoid being charged.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
