NCFM Bluto Maiden Flight

Tim's been feeling a bit under the weather lately but has still found the time to finish a beautiful NCFM Bluto. The Bluto is a 60'' racer made from EPP but this one is covered so well you wouldn't be able to tell. The whole of the trailing edge moves. Ailerons on the outboard section of the wing and between the two fins is the elevator. I thought this would cause me problems when trying to launch but in fact it was a doddle.

 

As with all Tim's builds this one has been built and covered very well. The launch was easy and the model only need one or two clicks of trim and she was away flying true and with some speed. It only took a few minutes of flying her and I felt completely at home. A little faster than the NCFM M60 that I regularly fly with ballast so this un=ballasted Bluto really has a good turn of speed. She retains her energy well in sharp turns and rolls, loops and fly's inverted with hardly any effort.
The landing wasn't a problem. The model slowed up well for a controlled approach and gentle touch down.

My second flight was just as enjoyable with everything clicking into place. Ballast will make it a rocket ship. On that note..... has anyone got access to a lathe? Tim has the ballast in bar form but needs this machining into 1'' slugs. If you can help then please contact me through this blog or email / phone.
This one gets a 9/10 from me and maybe a 10/10 when fully loaded up with ballast. Well done Tim - good job done!!