Kestrel 2m (oz13887)

About this Plan

Kestrel 2m. Radio control sailplane model, for 2 channels. Wingspan 78-3/4 in, wing area 718 sq in.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Quote: "Just bought this kit, and figured I’d share the plans before I cut them up to build. Formers all appear to be shown. It’s actually easy to take original plans to a Ship and Print place and get a couple copies made to build on, save the original, and have a scan to send to OZ. Everybody wins! Enjoy!"

Update 15/6/2022: Added catalogue page, thanks to Pit.

Quote: "When you fly your brand new sailplane, you want to be able to concentrate on having fun. And you can, because we've produced a novice sailplane kit that's clearly the best in its category. Nature's Kestrel is one of North America's smallest soaring birds, the easiest to tame and one of the most beautiful in flight. For the RC soaring beginner, the NSP Kestrel is it for performance.

Five elements which highlight the Kestrel are: laser cut parts for accuracy second to none, S3021 airfoil for great thermalling, elliptical tips (for reduced drag), low wingloading (for low sinkrate), and long tail moment (for smooth pitch response).

NSP's Kestrel is a unique, easy-to-fly sport/beginner/competition glider that uses rudder, elevator, and spoilers in a polyhedral configuration. The Kestrel has many features which we feel take it a step above all the other gliders in its class. For example: the wing uses a constant chord ending in an elliptical tip, and has a wide chord similar to many standard class gliders. The planform results in reduced drag at the tip and the wide chord allows the wing to operate at higher Reynolds Numbers, reducing profile drag and increasing lift. The fuselage was designed thin and long, again to reduce profile drag, yet it provides enough room for a standard radio. Additionally, the long fuselage helps to smooth out pitch response and is highly resistant to gusts near the ground, both very helpful to the less experienced pilot.

A good first competition glider, the Kestrel has all the attributes a first-timer needs: low sinkrate, hands-off launch, flat glide, and rock steady approach with no tendency to fall off at the tip. The S3021 airfoil has a very wide speed range and a good floating glide. The fuselage is longer than the average two meter sailplane. Add light wingloading and generous dihedral, and you have a very easy-to-fly sailplane..."

Update 15/6/2022: Added kit instructions, thanks to GerritL.

Quote: "Dear Steve & Mary, Please find attached the building instruction manual for the Northeast Sailplane Products Kestrel 2m plan (oz13887), which you may want to add to your most excellent database. Kind regards,"

Quote: "Kestrel Building instructions. Introduction: Congratulations on your good judgment and keen eye for a quality product. Northeast Sailplane Products is pleased to offer this fine laser-cut kit of one of the best performing 'advanced beginner' sailplanes around. Kestrel is the brainchild of Mr Tom Peghirty, and is called an 'advanced beginner' sailplane because it uses a modern airfoil (no flat bottom here) and still retains the time-honored 'built-up' construction method. Kestrel's performance is outstanding and Kestrel has won a sizeable collection of contest hardware in Tom's capable hands. Alcyone designer LeRoy Satterlee has done the kit engineering and drawings.

You should have everything required to build the Kestrel except the adhesives, the radio system, and the covering material. These items are not provided because you may already own a radio system, and we could not guess your favorite color scheme.

Adhesives used in the construction of the Kestrel are Gap Filling Cyanoacrylate, Aliphatic Resin, and 15-minute epoxy. Aliphatic Resin is Tite-Bond, Sig Superweld, or Elmer's waterproof white glue. We will refer to these materials simply as C/A adhesive, white glue, or epoxy.

Our advice: read, reread, then proceed. We've provided ample room for notes.

Let's Get Started: Realizing that someone, somewhere, was going to want to compete with a Kestrel, we have provided a spoiler option for help both in landing and in getting down from those killer thermals.

Kestrel does not require spoilers, but if you elect to have them on yours, there is some preliminary work to do right away. If you intend to use the spoiler option, first do the following:

1. Take eight W-3 ribs from the wing bag. Modify them into eight W-3 ribs by cutting as shown on the option drawing. This provides a cradle for the spoiler blades to rest in. While you have them in your hand, drill them as shown for the plastic spoiler line tube. Use a sharpened piece of 3/32 in OD brass tubing and drill at an angle to make the tube installation easier in later steps. Remember, you'll need a right hand set and a left hand set.

2. Modify the spar center section ply facing pieces by drilling them as shown. There will be a front and rear facing for each wing.

3. Cut two pieces of the plastic tubing provided for the actuating strings.

4. Cut a notch in each spoiler blade directly ahead of where the plastic tube terminates in the spoiler bay, You will have a right and a left. Attach the 1/16 ply spoiler horn to the blade with C/A adhesive.

5. You may now proceed with the rest of the kit construction as detailed below..."

Supplementary file notes

Catalogue page.
Instructions.

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