Thursday 15 May 2014

Revised Prototype Aresti 2m

Lot's of news all of a sudden as the revised Aresti 2m prototype is here.It has structural changes to make wing stronger but biggest change is in the rudder hinge line.
The rudder is now approx 15% bigger so lets see if it gives the desired effect! Of course this one is destined for test flying but we are getting ever closer to final production spec!
Rudder now much bigger, have to see whether should run all the way
to the bottom..but fuse is very deep- may be ok.
Will it spend most of the time this way up?!! High contrast and should be easy to see.
Colour and spacing of the stripes not quite right (should be 1:2:3) but the scheme is definitely high contrast
and should be good for visability!

Vagabond 1500 EPP ARF Ultrabatics

Vagabond 1500mm EPP from Hacker Model
VTPR or slope ultrabatics is a crazy way to fly on the slopes but also a lot of crazy fun! Just look at the videos on Steve Lange’s wonderful website www.slopeaerobatics.com if you’ve never heard before.

The most famous plane that started it all for most proponents is the Le Fish an EPP lightweight, an open source plan and also available as a short kit.  I built one with 180 degree elevator throws, goop, 3m 77 spray, lightweight laminating film etc and like any EPP model a lot of work, never mind all the materials to source and new skills needed for EPP construction!

If you wanted to get into VTPR/ultrabatics there was really no other option.
Crazy elevator throws
Now there is with the Hacker Model Vagabond recently revealed at Neuremberg exhibition, it looks very similar to a Le Fish but with none of the hard work building as it's ARF. It's already foil covered, adding strength to the EPP. It just needs radio install but is dead easy with all the hardware supplied. I just had to bring them in and I have! Expected delivery in 3-4wks and pricing £109.00, get you name down for one as I have a feeling that Ultrabatics is going to get very popular! Here’s what Steve Lange has to say about the Vagabond http://www.slopeaerobatics.com/2014/02/04/vagabond-1500-from-hacker-model-finally-an-arf-ultrabatics-glider/       


Painless entry to Ultrabatics or VTPR style of flying, now give it a go!

Wednesday 14 May 2014

New developments!

The Aresti ‘project’ has moved up a gear. In case it was missed James Hammond’s exciting new aerobatic design is actually 2 new models in various stages of production; the Aresti 2m and big brother the Aresti 108 (108’’ or approx 2.75m, a ‘3m class’ plane).

The Aresti 2m has been flown and tested extensively over the last few months. As a result revisions have been made to prototypes resulting in what we hope will be the final production version. The most significant design change is an increased rudder by approx 15%. So even though the side area and correspondingly the fin and rudder greatly increased from James's original Vector designs, it wasn't quite enough! This version is made and will be tested very shortly. It has the new rudder along with some structural changes from the original specification. 

Thank you to all the test pilots and hard work testing the 2m prototypes in all conditions and weathers…I wonder if I’ll ever get these back! Anyway we’ll know soon enough whether we can sign off the Aresti 2m for production. 





The Aresti 108, which I know has caused huge interest is in the latter parts of mould making; wings tail and joiner moulds are ready and just the final fuse mould to complete. Work is being carried out by a top EU manufacturer and those with keen eyes will guess from the workshop photos who this is! The prototypes will have the larger rudder from the off. We are very close now to the first prototype and a Big Aresti will be carving UK skies very soon.








The distribution of the new Aresti’s along with Schwings and all future models will be through a new company we have set up, Aeroteam Model Distribution Ltd (AMD). This is a new business and distinct from Aeroteam TW which was run by James Hammond and his late wife, Ming. James no longer wishes to run the distribution side for obvious personal reasons but just wants to do what he loves and that’s to design planes!

We are busy setting up the new company including new website etc and either James or myself will continue with the daily distribution side during the short interim as we become fully operational.

Sloperacer is the UK distributor for all AMD products.