Support from German magazine FMT Flugmodell und Technik

 

The intention of this blog, if making an easy way for people to join a group of interested buyers for a high end all metal scale of a Blanik L13 or L23 model glider.

 

I have been in contact for long time with Mr Fidel Rama, master designer and builder of full metal scale planes, all made out of very thin (about 0,30mm lithography aluminum) and tiny rivets. He is as far as I know, the only designer and builder worldwide of metal planes. Others make metal planes for themselves, but not commercially

 

So far, Mr Fidel under the brand name Alumodels (www.alumodels.com), has made many different models, ranging from 2 to 4m wingspan, always petrol powered. Overtime, the precision and detail of this panels and creation has become astonishing. Most of this models are ARTF or RTF

 

He has never made a sailplane, and I have been encouraging him to do so for some time. He said that problem with sailplanes is weigh (normal), and that even thinner sheet has to be used to get the correct weigh (around 0.17mm), and special alloy must be used to have the correct strength. The use this thin and strong alloy will make it more expensive than regular aluminum sheet.

 

The idea with this blog, it to join up a group of interested people, and make a group order, thus reducing the unit price, but bear in mind that this would be a very high precision and detailed model, and price can be around 2800eur

 

The best scale should be 1/4, that would give a 4,05 meter wingspan, a good compromise in scale, measure, detail, and price…. Bigger models of 5 or 6m, would reduce the number on potential buyers, as not many are used to those VERY big birds, and the cost would be VERY high….

 

Also, it is important to decide if  the original L13 model should be made, or the more modern Super Blanik L23 with the T tail. My opinion: the L13 is the best known, and the one more people have used to learn to fly, and thus if the one we all have in mind. But please let me know your opinion. 

 

Lastly, many can have the question: why making an all-aluminum scale plane? The answer is easy…… a scale model is not only the outside finish, a true scale model will replicate not only the smallest outside detail but also the construction technique. And if the original plane was made out of aluminum, why people are obsessed with balsa and fiber? Imagine the feeling of touching a surface with real rivets, the feeling of a metal skin…. Forget fiber, glue and balsa, and go ahead 10 steps to REAL SCALE, not dummy scale….

 

You can leave your comments on the comments box, or send me an email to pacomb@gmail.com

 

I really hope many find interesting the idea and join to build such a wonderful sailplane as the Blanik

 

NOTE: I have NO commercial relation with Mr Fidel Rama or Alumodels, I am just an RC model enthusiast willing to have the opportunity of buying a Blanik all metal model, and creating this group to potentially reduce the unit price.