This slope soarer was built from the 1/12 scale House of Balsa Me109 kit  (#K-08).  The model was covered with Sig Super Coverite and airbrushed with Testor's Model Master enamel over a sandable lacquer primer. Panel lines were done with a ball point pen.  Paint "chips" were painted on with a real skinny brush and some light grey paint.

The modifications were fairly minor:

The kit's one-piece canopy/rear fuselage deck was was a poor fit to the rest of the fuselage so this was replaced with a built-up balsa turtledeck and the trimmed down canopy from the kit.  A solid basswood spinner was turned on a wood lathe to get a proper shape (just try finding a commercially manufactured spinner for a Bf109 or a Bf110).  The firewall and landing gear mounts were also left out.

With the engine/fuel tank missing, the radio gear was moved forward and 1/2 oz. added right behind the spinner to achive the proper CG.

Flight performance is all right but would benefit from the use of a more appropriate airfoil and a bit of ballast.

A few months ago,  this model was converted to electric power.  Currently, the power system is as follows:

s400 4.8v
Sanyo 1100AEL x 6
CAM 9x5 folding prop
2.33:1 gear reduction
AUW = 26.6 oz

Flight performace is adequate. No loops from level flight.  Motocalc's predictions are as follows:
58W/lb in / 31 W/lb out / 21 mph stall / 28mph opt @ 73% (15:12) / 32 mph level @ 81% (13:09) / 460ft/min @ 10.6 degrees
Actual flight times are of course less as Motocalc's predictions are for ideal steady-state flight and do not consider initial conditions, manuvering, etc, etc.  Realistically, I probably get around 4-5 minutes with throttle "management".
 

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last updated 07/07/2000