Slingsby Skylark

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11-05-2020, 08:37 PM

firemanbill

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Slingsby Skylark

Hey all, Haven't been around for a while. I'll just blame 2020 and leave it at that.

Anyway, been working on and off on this bird for a while and just about have it done now. It is a 1/3rd scale Slingsby Skylark 1 (type 37) from Peter Goldsmith designs. Almost to the point of putting in the electronics. Still have to line up the wing and tail and drill the holes for the wing bolts which is always the scariest part for me. hoping to have the first flight right after new year.

No way I'm going to maiden this bird in 2020! LOL

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11-05-2020, 09:09 PM

quorneng

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1/3 scale. That is big!
Very nice.

11-05-2020, 10:34 PM

firemanbill

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4.7 meters or 188" yeah she is pretty big!
Thanks

11-07-2020, 01:18 AM

Panther

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Something wrong with 2020? LOL I getcha.....

I remember as a kid seeing some of those. Had real appeal, a bit like the old DH Dragonfly. Real aeroplanes...
Maybe I should have been born 50 years earlier... I loved those things.

11-07-2020, 11:53 AM

Don Sims

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The plane is huge, had no idea until the photo with the transmitter was posted. Hope you have enough room to store it!!

11-07-2020, 11:54 AM

Don Sims

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BTW, didn't see it's little brother in those background photos. Nick crash and burn my Spitfire?

11-10-2020, 07:39 PM

firemanbill

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Sims

BTW, didn't see it's little brother in those background photos. Nick crash and burn my Spitfire?

HAHA, no your Spit is alive and well hanging up in the basement.

11-10-2020, 11:58 PM

Don Sims

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LOLOLOL, your latest project is a great one. Looking forward to seeing it fly some day.

11-11-2020, 04:58 PM

firemanbill

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Ne too Don. It is getting close! I pretty much have a really big ARF now! lol

11-11-2020, 08:13 PM

#10

quorneng

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"I remember as a kid seeing some of those."
Hell! I am so old I actually flew a full size one. Not a Skylark 1 but the later Skylark 4 that had an even bigger span. It flew beautifully.

11-12-2020, 02:03 PM

#11

firemanbill

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that is cool. I've flown 172's but never a full sale glider. Would love to do that someday.

01-19-2021, 04:32 PM

#12

firemanbill

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Update to the Skylark, She is alive! Getting it all wired up and ever closer to flying. This one has been quite the challenge but very rewarding to see it all coming together.

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01-19-2021, 07:59 PM

#13

Panther

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Don't you love that woodwork. Very nice!

01-19-2021, 08:18 PM

#14

firemanbill

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Thanks. I spent a lot of time working on that!

01-24-2021, 10:08 PM

#15

firemanbill

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Almost ready to fly!

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01-24-2021, 10:48 PM

#16

Panther

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Little ripper. I'll take it!

01-25-2021, 12:01 AM

#17

Don Sims

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Double WOW Bill! Best of luck on the maiden.

01-25-2021, 03:53 AM

#18

RKTLaunch

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I think I'd wanna fly it in warmer air, but waiting...might be a moot point. I lived in Marfa TX for a decade. They had some record breaking thermal flights there. That's what they're built for, right?

01-25-2021, 08:24 PM

#19

firemanbill

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indeed!

She has a 15 1/2 ft wingspan and only weighs in at 8.5 pounds.

01-28-2021, 04:49 AM

#20

firemanbill

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All balanced and ready to go! Now I am starting to get nervous!

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01-28-2021, 04:58 AM

#21

RKTLaunch

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Quote:

Originally Posted by firemanbill

All balanced and ready to go! Now I am starting to get nervous!

An amazing set of wings. I'd be nervous too, but you should be fairly confident. You're probably like me. I'm always surprised at how well it goes.

What's that in the background... photo on the right? A Falcon? '64?

01-28-2021, 01:38 PM

#22

firemanbill

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thanks, that is a 1963 Fairlane 500. All original, numbers matching. My Grandfather bought it brand new in the fall of 62. when he passed away my Uncle got it and he gave it to me just a few years ago. Lot's of memories in that car!