Ken Sheppard (Editor) - Stinson Reliant
The editor’s winter project is the Top Flite Stinson Reliant, being built hopefully for serios competition work this season (completion target April). 1/5 scale, 100” span, Laser 180 powered. The kit, as designed, is sports scale, but with detailed documentation and good research, it can be made very much more scale like.
A full cabin fit-out is planned with twin opening cabin doors. The starboard wing panel has been modified to have scale rib positions (more ribs) – the port panel has yet to be modified. Reading previous Relianr kit reviews on the Hobbico website, led to undercarriage mounting reinforcment (hardwood blocks, glued and bolted) and the use of custom composite uc legs.
A scale exhaust extension is being prepared to join on to the standard Laser unit, exiting in a scale position (twin pipes). The windscreen top decking profile has been altered to fit the documentation. The undercarriage legs are being remade be more accurate – these are the kit units fitted just temporary.
Structural strength consideration mean compromises regarding window/cabin wall thickness. A scale luggage hatch aft of the cabin RHS will be added, opening to gain access to the radio switch, charging point and the Rx.
The oversize kit tail has been reduced to accurate scale outline and size. The mass balance at the top of the rudder has also been modified to match available documentation. The tail plane has been made in two parts the ease transportation and storage. Future updates will be forthcoming.
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