Hi Friends,
I would like to introduce Mark Kettle to the forum and hope we all can share information about the hobby. Mark has been manufacturing scratchbuilt planes for many years and supplies UK Model Shops and fellow modellers/ fliers. He has built several planes for competition flying too.
Last year Mark was asked by Hobby King to supply one of his designs but as he did not have the setup to build bulk quantities, he had to refuse. He is negotiating with a Chinese manufacturer and is also open to suggestions from any Indian manufacturer who can source the EPP he wants to use for all his designs and can manufacture.
If anyone remembers, 12 to 13 years ago a slope soarer took England's model scene by storm...It was called " THE ZAGI". Modellers were putting streamers behind these and having dogfights..... Well Mark's best seller is based on a "ZAGI" and called guess what...."GAZI"
Recently I requested Mark to build me a Delta based on his GAZI. I wanted it covered in Indian flag theme and his first attempt turned out more an IRISH GAZI.....
When I mentioned it to him, he apologised and produced 3 options of the TIRANGA to make my choice...
I have selected an option and have requested him to upload some pictures here ..
Lets see when he does..
He is very good at "SLOPE FLYERS" or gliders so if anyone has an enquiry, he is always very helpful..
Mark, please upload some of your work please....................
Thanks
Deepak
Here are some of Mark's wing cutting templates...
He shared his secret... He covers them with CYANO, fine sands them then coats them with silicon spray and the ones he uses regularly, he covers them with "BOWDEN CABLE"
see in the images..
Also the templates are actually glued and pinned to foam before cutting the shapes...
EPP the indestructible foam...
Enjoy the images..
See how cleverly he has produced a jig which is 3 in one...Gets the tailplane, two sides of Fuselage and rudder all in the correct place at perfect 90 degree angle
Being Scratchbuilt by Mark, text to follow soon....
More Images...Mark to insert text when his PC is up and running..
His Wing has been weight tested and can take 4 Kilogram weight.. Has 2 1/8th Ply doublers and one 1/8th ply towards the leading edge.
Some more images of the wing and wing templates he uses ..
What is the wingspan, expected weight, and motor/prop used?
Just out of curiosity, do these designers Like Mark have a patent on a particular design of rc aircraft they make.??
Sanj, I will ask Mark if he can upload some info.... As informed, his PC has been playing up...he will do all the blogging once it is all up and running..
This is actually based on a ACRO WOT and MPX ACROMASTER... I mentioned to him I was after one and he said wait dont buy it till you have seen this interchanging POD EPP foamy..
He has had to re-make templates a few times but as you can see from the images, the guy makes sure he can replicate each step and spends more time on making templates and moulds than spending on the models.. Mark is quite popular for unfinished glider models which the modellers like to finish themselves. Every UK slope has his models flying.. They last ages as they are covered in interwoven glassfibre reinforced tape. He is also very good in correx.
Doctor...I guess you will have to wait for an answer to your question as only he can advise on that..
Cheers
Deepak