Kiss-E (oz15690)

About this Plan

Kiss-E. Free flight sport model. Wingspan 30 in, for electric power with KP-01 motor unit.

Quote: "Kiss-E. Steve Auvache's free flight electric.

Keep it simple Steve, said Chas when he asked for a small Electric Free Flight model. Kiss-E is hopefully just that. Designed with the Knight and Pridham KP01 electric power unit in mind Kiss-E is cheap and cheerful. Although it must be said, if built carefully Kiss-E is capable of being up there with the best of them.

Provided it weighs over 85g when finished you could even compete in E30 with Kiss-E. You need not be too worried about weight, a KPO1 is capable of lifting 100g with style. Kiss-E should come out under 100g even if you do not build in too much lightness.

In general, there is no reason to be fussy over wood selection; medium weight, straight grained and warp free is good enough. I would be inclined to look for something a bit tough for the wing and tail leading edges as they are inclined to take the odd knock or two. Construction is very traditional and fairly straightforward. A couple of things are worth noting though.

Fuselage: You will note the fuselage is just about big enough to get the body of a KPO I inside with the mounting lugs left flapping in the wind. The side cheeks for the mounting screws are best left until last, then you can be absolutely sure they are in the right place. The wing pylon should not be glued into position until the rest of the model is completed. Build and cover the wings and tailplane, finish the rest of the fuselage.

Assemble the whole model and move the pylon along the fuselage until the CG is in the right place (65-70%), mark the position, check, double check and then check again once more before using the minimum of epoxy to glue to pylon in place.

Wing and Tail: I have deliberately shown the trailing edges NOT sanded to a razor sharp finish. I do not know if this is a modern trend but it is certainly a technique used on smaller rubber and CO2 models. I think the theory is that the trailing edge is under a great deal of stress from the covering material and, unless you make it from carbon sheet, it is vulnerable to warping if left very thin.

I have also noticed that leaving the trailing edges on the thick side seems to make my models slightly more resistant to hanger rash. I know nothing of any aerodynamic arguments for or against the idea, but I do not think it relevant for a Sunday afternoon toy. If you have a mind, then by all means shave yours away to nothing.

I like tip fins, so I have included them in this model. Make yours a different shape and give it some individuality.

Covering: All small free flight models should be covered in tissue, but film is OK. Use Litespan if you like it and are going for minimum weight. Solarfilm would be acceptable, if a little on the heavy side. Be warned:- Solarfilm has a high shrink and on a lightly built free flight model nasty things, like warps, can happen if you have the iron up too high. Shrink it just enough to take up the slack, no more. But then you do that anyway, don't you?

Flying: Put your name and address on your 'Kiss-E', just in case. If you share your airspace with other fliers please remember: Free Flight models always fly away downwind and a mid-air collision will always be your fault. Be safe and help keep my insurance premiums down.

How many times has it been said - choose a calm day and find some long grass to do your test glides. Use slivers of thirtytooth or sixteenth under the tail to get that nice gentle 'floating' glide, just short of the stall with a very gentle turn.

Once this is done, go upwind as far as you can. Give the batteries a quarter charge and, having lit the DT (never free fly without one) push your Kiss-E away at about 30 degrees directly into the wind. Any flights much over thirty seconds and you have found some lift or got a better model than mine. If you are the kind of person who takes advice, I suggest you try three or four more quarter charge flights before getting too adventurous.

Whether you trim for right or left turns 'Kiss-E' should fly away from you in a satisfying, widening, climbing spiral as the power runs down. Tweak the trim tab to achieve a glide circle of about 75 metres. Expect about 90-100 seconds in neutral air on a full charge.

Enjoy: One last thing. If your usual modelling emporium does not sell Free Flight vitals such as KP01 units or dethermaliser snuffer tubes and fuse, then grab your plastic and get on the phone to SAMS on 01763-288384."

From Silent Flight June 1995.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, thanks to RFJ.

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