Phase 5 Build Update

Well progress is coming along a treat. Lots of shaping and gluing but It is looking a bit like a Phase 5.

Here is the full story so far...……..CLICK HERE

Itford Slope Racing

Had a great session earlier today up on Itford Hill. I met up with Ian D, Rob P and James, John M and Mark J. Ian was maidening his AHI which seemed very at home with the light. John was ripping up the sky with his Strega and later he put in some ballast as the lift improved. Rob P turned into a speed freak with his Erwin screaming around. I really enjoyed racing John with my Phase 6 and his Strega. I must say that there was not a huge amount in it. My poor little Phase 6 has never flown so fast. I think we all enjoyed getting some height and coming ''right to left'' across the slope in front of us as fast as the models would allow.
James did well flying his foamy and then moved on to fly his dads Erwin on the buddy. That Erwin goes well and Rob was putting it through its paces up there. It was really suited for the conditions there today.
Mark was flying a very fast flying wing as well as his blaster and I saw a Vector too.
As the wind was light initially I took the ballast out from my Merlow and she flew around a treat but no sooner as I took the ballast out I need to put the ballast back in as the wind and subsequently the lift improved nicely. A great day to practise those landings and I must say guys I saw some very good landings up there today!
I really enjoyed my flying today as it had been nearly a month since I had last flown and look forward to next weekend for some more slope action.

Phase 5 - Help Wanted !

Glued the bell crank assembly box today. It was nice and free when I dry fitted everything but now having glued it all together I think the bell crank is stiff. I think the ply sides are causing friction on the actual bell crank.

Now - Silly question coming...…..

Can you use a small amount of WD40 or an alternative lubricant that wont eat the ply / balsa now or in the future?

Here is where we currently are with the build of my Chris Foss Phase 5.

https://slopesoaringsussex.blogspot.com/p/chris-foss-phase-5-build-2019.html

UPDATE:

Tim removed the top section of balsa to see what was happening inside and this was enough to free up the bell crank mechanism inside. Just need to lightly glue a new section of balsa back in place.

Ridge Runt replacement

 

When my original Ridge Runt met its end on Wolstonbury Hill last year I decided this was an opportunity recreate this winged wonder with the modifications and improvements I had always intended for the mark one.
I tracked down a 'short kit' on eBay and requested the digitized plan and parts list. Unfortunately there was some breakdown in communication and plans did not arrive. So I dug out my original kit plan and decided to 'wing it'. Obvious differences in wing construction included front edge sheeting and a pre-slotted trailing edge; spar webbing came ready cut but was sized to fit between the spars instead of behind them. The slots in the trailing edge didn't match the plan, but I made the necessary allowances and built the wings accordingly - i.e. with an extra 20mm of span.
I had kept the carved parts from the original model and tried to include them in the new one to save time - this worked for the wing tips and canopy, but the nose cone wouldn't fit so (since the necessary balsa was included in the short kit) I made a new one.
My own modifications include separate aileron servos and a chamfered canopy to allow the wing to ride up over it if it meets an obstacle when landing. Glass cloth reinforcement will be added to the weak spots I found on the original, like the around the nose and where the fin meets the fuselage.

Happy landings

 

Russell H

****** IMPORTANT - Flying At Mill Hill *******

I have learnt today that the BMFA have been unable to get a Memorandum Of Understanding with the Chief Air Traffic Controller at Brighton City Airport (Shoreham), to allow us to fly models on the hill within the new Flight Restriction Zone of 4.5 km.

THIS MEANS THAT BEFORE YOU FLY AT MILL HILL YOU WILL HAVE TO CONTACT THE ATC TO INFORM THEM OF YOUR PRESENCE AND THE DURATION OF YOUR FLYING AT MILL HILL.

The contact number is 0844 225 4202

FAILURE TO GET PERMISSION TO FLY WILL RESULT IN PROSECUTION AND MIGHT LEAD TO A FLYING BAN ON MILL HILL.

I have emailed our members with the contact details for Brighton Airport.

Rob Stanley
Hon Sec

Ripmax Phase 5 e Sport Glider ARTF Instruction Manual

Here is a link to the Instruction manual for the Ripmax Phase 5 e Sport Glider...……..

http://www.ripmax.com/Instructions/a-cf011.pdf

Marginal lift at Itford Hill

Robin and I met at the car park and we made our way up to the North West bowl taking the longer but easier route up the hill. Upon reaching the bowl we were greeted by excellent visibility, light and variable winds between 8-9 mph and warm sunshine. We both made exploratory short flights, my Wildthing struggled to maintain any height at all but Robin’s homemade wing fared much better in the calmer conditions and was the model of choice for today’s conditions. Lift was poor but a few thermals did come through allowing Robin to take full advantage and gain some considerable height. Despite the poor lift I managed to obtain some good low-level circuit and landing practice. By now the wind had moved to a more South Westerly direction and we move to our usual spot on the slope. Here the lift was much better and we both enjoyed some good quality flying. After around two hours on the slope and with the clouds building, we decided to return home.

View West from the slope

Robin's home built wing (White) and my Wildthing (Red)

Bitterly Cold at Ditchling Beacon

This morning Scott, John, Robin and I met up on the western ridge at Ditchling Beacon. We were all expecting a northerly wind, but we noticed that it also had a slightly easterly component. We had a conversation regarding our flying location but decided to try where we were. Scotty flew his Me163 Komet and I had my Wildthing, it appeared that we had an invisible wall directly in front of us as it was very difficult to get the models out into the free air that was some distance away from the slope. Once that was achieved the lift was awesome and the models flew well. Robin flew his trusty scratch-built model but found the wind was just far too strong and had a challenging time trying to get it away from the slope, but it flew well when in clear air. John launched his Phase 6 and it went up like a rocket he performed a fast fly past which was very impressive indeed. The wind speed by now was gusting between 25-30 mph and all of us found landing a difficult experience. On one occasion both John and I had to recover our models from behind the fence and Robin’s model ended up in a blackberry bush. We were joined by some full-size gliders above us flying along the ridge line also enjoying the day. John performed several exceptional approaches and landings in the challenging conditions along with Scott who coped very well with landing his Komet. By now all of us were feeling the cold and decided to call it a day. In summary a good flying day with strong challenging winds but bitterly cold.

Phase 5 wing coming along

Just an update on the Chris Foss Phase 5 build. Sorry, don't mean to bore you all to death!
I've built the two halves of the wing and glued the two sides together with it's 1/4'' ply wing joiner.

 

If you are want to see more then click here.......