Awaiting a coat of dark blue paint, here is Richard Crossley's first dual power rubber/Rapier model - a Curtiss XF-15C. Span is 15.25", and the model is designed for a Rapier L1, sitting in the lower trough. Richard is intending to trim the model using just rubber power first, with an empty Rapier on board, then when it is looking promising, Rapier power will be added. Can't wait to see it in action!
Latest model from Marty Richey's workbench is this rather nice Yak-17. Span is 14.25", length 13.75" and it weights only 22.8 grams with a new motor fitted and ready to go. Should be a great performer with a Rapier L2, with a thrust to weight ratio of close to 1:2. The weight was kept down by the use of a box fuselage, built-up tailplane and "cracked rib" wing construction.
Andy Ray is another US modeller who has got a taste for scale Rapier-powered jets - here is his latest design - a Blohm und Voss BV.178. An interesting subject - another of those German late war projects that never made it. Although the model has not flown under power yet, it apparently glides very well. It will be interesting to hear how the asymmetrical thrust line will affect the flight pattern.
Chris Strachan built this splendid Lockheed U2 for L2 power. Span is 25" and weight without motor just under 30 grams. Trimming trials are currently underway. More power can be added if needed, as the motor trough is wide enough to take 2 L2 motors, or an L2 and an L1.
Another new model from Chris Strachan is this Reichenburg IV that he based on Richard Crossley's plan in Model Flyer Magazine. He reckons it has come out a bit heavy, at 30 gms without motor. That includes nose ballast (the impact fuse is 6gms from a steel bolt so trimming will have to be carried out well away from spectators!) It should be fast anyway! Pity about the dihedral, but it should help it go well. The Rapier motor is mounted in a conventional trough under the fuselage.
Chris has also done a model of the US version of the V-1 - the JB-2 "Loon". This is 6 grams lighter than the Reichenburg and with less frontal area, so it flies rather better.
I was very pleased to receive this photo from Stanislav Cerny from Prague in the Czech Republic. He has already built one Saab J-29 from my plan, for Rapier L1 power, and it flew so well he lost it. He now has this splendid production line underway. I particularly like the UN scheme - one I was tempted by myself, but was put off by the complexity. Some changes to the design as it appears on this web site are apparent - chiefly the all-sheet tail surfaces (quicker and simpler than my built-up ones) and the different treatment of the wing mounts with locating slots for the wing leading and trailing edges and spar.
The Aerographics Bell XS-1 is another of Stanislav's models - built from the kit and using a simple tissue finish to save weight.
Here is a later photo showing the three completed J-29's
What about this for a spectacular model? The builder is Marty Richey, and I'll let him tell you more about it: "Well the Boeing B-47 Stratojet is finished. Wingspan is 23" and she is powered by 2 Rapier L2. Since the outboard engine nacelles (dummy) will contact the ground first in a spiral dive they are mounted with magnets. The wing construction is modified cracked rib with one spanwise main spar, two subspars out to the powered (midspan/twin nacelle) pylon, then a subspar out to the tip. Most of the structural weight of this model went into the wing, wing center section and pylons.
The second shot shows how I extract the motor. In operation each motor is recessed 1/4" within it's nacelle. To remove the spent casing I pull the retaining wire away from the casing then insert a heavy guage wire through the nacelle inlet cone and push it out. The scale nacelle outer diameter did not allow augmented airflow into and around the motor. However, the motor mount has an 1/16" air gap around the motor and the inner surface of the nacelle is foil lined. I won't have any cooling problems.
Not seen in the pictures - the rear turret has twin 20 mm cannons made from one of those nylon tag tethers found on new clothing. They're rigid but flexible if I forget about them. Piano wire or pins hurt, these don't! More info. will follow as weather improves and I begin glide testing."
I can't wait to hear how it goes!
Here is a great photo of Marty's extremely impressive fleet of scale Rapier models (spring 2002)
Graham Potter built this small version of the Skyleada Gloster Javelin for Rapier L1 power. Weight is 15 grams, span 9.75" and it flies well.
Another of Graham's models for L1 power is this BAC Lightning, reduced from the Aerographics kit design. This had its first flights at Old Warden in May 2002, and looked very realistic in the air. Weight is 20 grams, and wingspan 8.5"
This is Graham's first scale jet that he has designed himself - a Grumman Cougar, again for L1 power, based on Koku Fan scale drawings. Weight is 22 grams and wingspan 9.75". First flights at Old Warden, in dodgy weather conditions, looked very promising.
Someone else who thought the Grumman Cougar looked a good subject for Rapier power was Andy Ray in the US, who designed and built this beauty for Rapier L2 power. By all accounts it is a superb performer, with a fine spiral climb followed by a long downwind glide (1/4 mile or more!)
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