s8e kits

[schke]

Does anyone know where I could purchase a dedicated s8e kit or plans? or do most people scratch build or convert a discus launched glider? I have rc experience and have launched an estes stratoblaster and the old hobby labs sr71

[MarkII]

There aren't many RC/RG kit manufacturers out there, let alone any who create kits for FAI competition. Venus Model Rocketry has some unique competition-oriented kits, but I don't know if his Gizzard RG could be converted for RC control, and whether it would meet FAI requirements. Qualified Competition Rockets (QCR) also makes competition-oriented rocket glider kits that perhaps could be converted to RC.

R&R Model Aircraft is the only vendor that I know of who specializes in radio-controlled rocket gliders. They may have something that could be used as well.

The Edmonds Arcie-II, available from BMS, is another RCRG kit that is available. Again, I don't know how it would fit into FAI rules.

I would hazard a guess, though, that pretty much all competitors in FAI S8E scratch-build their own gliders.

[MarkII]

It should be obvious from reading my previous post above that I have no experience with RCRGs or even with RC aircraft in general. Otherwise I would have mentioned another potential source: converting RC glider kits to rocket power. My guess is that you already know of more vendors of such kits than I do, so I'll stop right here. Good luck!

[seanmca79]

Scott from www.themonstr.com is working with TopSky to create a kit based off their DLG kits. It's in development right now. See the end of this thread: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=403984

George Gassaway has some plans on his pages:
http://homepage.mac.com/georgegassaw.../rcgliders.htm

http://homepage.mac.com/georgegassaw...A/CudaMain.htm

[kjohnson]

The last kit that was close to an S8 was the Cuda which still pop up on ebay from time to time.

Converting is a great place to start. My 1st S8 legal RCRG was a converted CRRCC Terminator HLG. http://charlesriverrc.org/articles/t...minatorhlg.htm
Then I got a set of wings and scratch built my second one. I'm on my 3rd S8 model now.

Converting one of the modern DLG planes is pretty simple. Usually it involves adding a motor pod (US pilots like them above the wing, Europeans tend to favor the bottom) and maybe adjusting the tail feathers a bit to keep them out of the exhaust. In the RCGroups forum linked by seanmca79 is a set of instructions based on the Blue Arrow Venus but they can be used for almost any conversion.

The Top Sky kit in the works is pretty interesting.

kj

[FlyBack]

Converting one of the modern DLG planes is pretty simple. Usually it involves adding a motor pod (US pilots like them above the wing, Europeans tend to favor the bottom) and maybe adjusting the tail feathers a bit to keep them out of the exhast.

I concur. Until someone comes out with a new kit, it is a very good option. Another example of a conversion can be found here: Zuni build thread.

It may not be the best S8 competion model out there, but I wanted an S8 trainer that can be flown as an electric motor glider also. Early mock-up photos attached.

Regards,

FlyBack
aka: "straitup" on RC Groups