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Bob's Baby Kitten
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Click to order by Check or Credit Card.
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| SPECIFICATIONS: | |||||
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Wingspan: |
42" | ||||
| Wing area: |
290 sq. inches |
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| Weight: |
28 - 34 ounces |
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Power: |
"100 watt" systems 7 - 8 cells at 10-15 amps... geared Speed 480 to Astro 802G brushless or equivalent. |
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Ever since other modelers began building their own copies of my TigerKitten design, first published in the September, 1991 Model Aviation and subsequently kitted by the late Ace R/C, I have been asked what modifications or upgrades I have made to the design. Because I worked with the ‘Kitten for several years before turning it loose as a magazine project, I had indeed gotten it flying and looking just the way I wanted before any of you “out there” got to see it. However, over the years many others have built ‘Kittens, and among the comments have heard are that a model with a somewhat simpler structure might attract more builders, and that a smaller model might be a “fun” addition to the family, for use on tighter fields or perhaps just as a way to put some of the smaller, less expensive motors to good use. Last fall I let one of those daydreaming sessions we all know about run its course, and came back with the concept of a smaller, simplified TigerKitten firmly in place in my imagination. Comments from EZONE readers who responded to my request for input through the Discussion Forum confirmed my ideas about the size of the new airplane and soon a set of working drawings had appeared in a new CAD file deep in the recesses of my friendly computer. As soon as these made enough sense to cut wood from, I produced the prototype model that you see here, and with flight characteristics confirmed and all of the rough edges polished, I finished the detail work on the plan, included one of my new “PATTERN PACK” parts template sheets, and have them ready for sale right here. The BabyKitten is in fact a ¾ size TigerKitten with a few esthetic changes in the shape of the tail surfaces, very simplified construction that is based on essentially flat sheet balsa fuselage sides and tail surfaces (no more laminated tip outlines), and a bit of extra stability in the form of slightly greater tail area and 33% greater dihedral in the wing. This pays off in improved smoothness and a better “relaxation index” when flying the smaller new design on days when the wind is a bit stronger than we would like, but not bad enough to justify packing up and going home. This new little airplane handles rough fields and rough air very happily, and has a dangerously high “cute factor” that makes it easy to find reasons for your starting a new project right now. I have a companion design to be called the Little Kitty nearly ready to go…this is going to be an airplane with essentially the same dimensions and aerodynamics as the BabyKitten, but with different lines and a bit different character. Watch this space, as they say, for advance pictures of the “’Kitty”, and while you are waiting, why not get a set of plans and get a “BabyKitten” started? |
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