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Ikarus Bleriot from Germany Click here or on the picture to visit the Ikarus website Two Avonvale modellers fly this intriguing aircraft which is a very, stand off scale version of the French legend built and flown c1910. Alf and Keith have both flown them indoors and outdoors at the club site on calm days and they do just what it says on the box - fly slowly in a small area. Flight times around 3 to 5 minutes were obtained depending on the breeze and thus the amount of throttle used. Both agree the kit is well made, easy to assemble, with excellent instructions and represents good value for money. Alf opted for the Ikarus speed control unit and Keith the Jeti 040, otherwise they are both "stock" models costing around £33 plus the recommended Ikarus motor/gearbox/prop unit at around £19. Both initially used the supplied 270ma/hr 7 cell pack. Alf's Ikarus speed controller seems to have two set speeds rather than the normal variable speed between off and full throttle. This makes flying indoors er .. well, interesting as the model is either belting around flat out or at the lower speed it slowly descends under limited power. A bit like a switch with the power on or off really. In contrast, Keith's Jeti controller is a real joy to use giving a beautifully linear throttle response and excellent steady cruising performance both indoors and out. However, never one to leave things alone, Keith tried an 8 cell 600AE pack in lieu of the original and the performance really improved into mildly aerobatic mode but the wings indicated their protest at the extra load by flexing wildly during the more extrovert manouevres. So to compromise, Keith added an extra cell to the original pack giving 8 cells @ 270ma/hr. This combination has proven to be excellent both indoors and out and Keith thoroughly recommends it. Alf has since found the as-built gondola and axle arrangement rather weak in all but the gentlest landings so he has modified the model to have a standard undercarriage (as per PicoStick) and the battery is attached by velcro to a thin ply plate fixed to the fuselage boom. Keith's model is also beginning to show weakness in the gondola/axle area so may well require similar modification. Would we buy them again? Both Keith and Alf say yes - what better recommendation could you want? KE 21/03/01 31/08/01 - Keith's Bleriot is reluctantly sold
to Lee who plans to fly her inside "his" empty hanger. Yes his day job is in the military! Thanks for sending this photo of the new colour scheme Lee and have fun. |
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