TOPIC: Shooting Stars and Speedee-Bilt Jets

Gluing everything together, adding wing fillets, filling in gaps and dabbing a few bits of paint I ended up with:





It needs insulation around and behind the motor and a Jetex clip, but then it will be ready to go. Perhaps in time for the SAM Retrofest at the weekend.

That has come out very nicely indeed, so much more convincing than the squared off fuselage edges of the Veron Quicky or Keil Kraft Shadow profile models.

I added two layers of antique Jetex asbestos paper under the Jetex clip and 'Carplan' foil behind the motor. The empty motor has brought the CG forward , so I'm hoping I'll only need a tad of lead in the nose.





Should it stop raining I'll try a few hand glides this evening/

The model is quite a bit different from the original Keil Kraft Shadow model:



But (a) I hope Albert Hatfull would be pleased with this derivative of his design, and, (b) I hope it flies as well (see the video of April's Old Warden meeting on the 'Flying' thread).

I have had a nice email from the ever-busy John Holman. Jetex John writes:

"I have finished the Shooting Star and attach some photos. I think it looks pretty good and I am pleased with the final result.

It came out at just under 20 grams so approx. 28 grams with a ribbed 50. I think I might have added too much weight and glide testing revealed it needed about 3 grams of nose weight, despite moving the motor forwards a bit.

However, it glides very well, using a patch of long grass near home, so I am optimistic it will fly with the ribbed 50. Time will tell !! All we need now is OW with fair weather".

This was very pleasing, especially as John included the photos below in his missive:







John has made a very good job of this and the my coloured parts (my first printings) look a lot better than I expected. As he says, let's hope for good weather at Old Warden.

If anyone else would like a "Neo KK Shooting Star" (for a small fee) just let me know!