Dan tells us that The 1917 Hannover CL-III started out life about 5 years ago built from old Cleveland plans.  Dan used the outlines as the original was meant for rubber power.  It spans 55.5" weighs in as it sits without a couple of details yet, paint, and a LiPo battery at 4lbs. 1oz.  Dan plans to use a 3C battery 2500mah?

The German 4- color scheme is a lot of lozenges so Dan made stencils to replicate it with acrylic paints and an airbrush, it is easy to do.  Power is 3536/960kv Leopard motors out runner.  Dan has used these motors a lot with no issues.

Tom Tschida's Winga

Tom tells us that the Draco 2.0m (from Horizon Hobby) is one of the most detailed and feature-rich E-flite® aircraft to date, and the first officially-licensed model of Mike Patey’s ultimate bush plane.  The models wingspan is 77.7 inches, weights 10 lbs with a 6s 5000mAh battery, and requires a 6-8+ channel receiver.

Mike Patey’s Draco is based on the Polish PZL-104 Wilga (golden oriole). Originally manufactured by PZL Warszawa-Okecie (now Airbus Poland), and later by European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company.  Mike Patey redesigned and modified the original Wilga to create Draco.

The airplane was destroyed in a takeoff accident in September 2019. DRACO Aircraft, founded in 2023, will be producing the next generation Draco and the new airplane is set to debut in 2028.  Here is a link for more information on the newly created company.  https://dracoaircraft.com

Tom says he has not had the opportunity to fly the Horizon Draco yet. He’s looking forward to flying it sometime when spring arrives.

Mike Davis’ Bates SBD Dauntless Project

Mike brought in his Jerry Bates 1/5.5 scale, SBD Dauntless Project.  The kit was cut by Precision Cut Kits.

The motor mount is singed by Larry from Precision in 1997, so this project crying for completion for some time now.

He picked up the plane in mid-2000 from a modeler.  To his knowledge the plane was already framed up by the original owner from 1997.  This was one of the planes Mike always wanted to build when he was a kid and since the build is high quality and looked great from the original owner, he couldn’t pass it up!

He ordered the cowling form Jerry Bates, and cockpit from Dynamic Balsa.  Both should be arriving in a few weeks.  He called Sierra for retracts and they said it maybe a couple months before they could make them.  Mike’s looking into what servos and radio gear that’s needed.

Mike mentioned that he a slow builder, mostly due to time constraints but hopes to have the project done by August of 2025.  “It’s my first large scale plane, it will be a slower build with learning curves”.

He going to glass and paint the plane but mentioned that he has never glassed or painted a plane before.  He did ask the folks at Jerry Bates about the engine size, they advised the largest gas motor that will fit in the cowl.

Mike discussed this design with several people; they said this is a good flying aircraft and he’s looking forward to the learning process of finishing the aircraft and flying it.

Brandon Archer/Mike Danielson’s Refinishing Project – Ziroli F9F Panther

Brandon displayed his current project that he’s painting for Mike Danielson.  This is a Ziroli F9F Panther that has been owned and flown by Phil Schwartz and Kirk Hall before it came to Mike.  The request was to turn this blue, navy colors to a brighter Navy trainer paint scheme.

The request was to use Klass Kote epoxy based paints.  This is Brandon’s first attempt using Klass Kote and he says that is is turning out nicely.  Brandon is applying panel lines using a combination of techniques including the classic graphite pencil method.

Brandon is using a combination of “Tailor Made” paint masks and water slide nomenclature for the detailing.  The right side of the airframe has been detailed and lightly weathered, ready for the clear-coat to seal it down.  The left side of the airframe is ready for weathering.

Power will be by a KingTech K86 G5 turbine w/full telemetry to the transmitter.  Guidance will be using a JETI transmitter w/16 channel receiver system and a Central Box 210.  Surfaces will be using GDW G95 HV servos and a CortexPro 3-axis gyro.  Mike has added UniLight scale LED lighting kit and is using Robart Retracts.

Brandon & Mike shared the enclosed image of the completed airframe!

Scott Anderson’s Freewing Models

B2 Stealth Bomber

Scott brought in a model of the Northrop B2 Stealth Bomber flying wing. This was originally purchased through Motion RC as a gift for his brother in Alabama, but unfortunately it could not fly off the grass at his field. Scott plans to fly it off the runways at TCRC (Jordan), Grassfield RC (Brooklyn Park) or SMMAC (Owatonna).

The model has a complex looking set of flying surfaces for yaw, roll & pitch control that simply program into the transmitter as rudder/ailerons/elevators without complex mixing. The retractable landing gear and doors are a joy to watch function. The B2 is powered by a single 6s battery 6000mAh LiPo.

Scott is looking to the maiden flight once the temps warm up!