1/2A Orbiteer

[Scott Lapraik]

Good day forum! I have just acquired an 1/2A Orbiteer kit and I am planning on building it with a stelles .049. Do any of you have any experience with this plane and do you have any suggestions for its building and flying. I plan to run it in 1/2A classic events.

Thanks,

Scottl0413
Portland, TN

[RONALD BENNETT]

Dear Scott,

I have VERY fond memories of my Orbiteer built in the early 70s. I had the choice of building a Orbiteer or an Okie-Bird – both VERY similiar designs but I went with the Orbiteer becasue of the quiality of the wood in the kit. Fabulous wood – builds super quick and easy.

It was my first seccessful AMA power model (I was a punk Nordic flier up until the Orbiteer). Its first weekend was at Taft, CA and it trimmed right off the boards. I had a killer weekend and actually beat Billy Hunter in 1/2A.

Billy was known as a, how shall I put it, “serious competitor” and did not take to kindly to not only loosing but loosing to a first time Nordic flier with a non-Satellite model no less! The upside to all this was that Billy and Bob called me on Tuesday after the contest and invited me to dinner. We spent the evening teaching me the virtues of the Satellite design (while they had me cutting ribs for kits). I converted to Satellites and never looked back.

But, that Orbiteer was one of the finest and most reliable 1/2A models I ever built – I truly bemoan the day I forgot to set off the engine timer . . .

Mine was tissue covered to keep it really light.

Build it just like the plans – flies right off the board.

Ron Bennett
Team Satellite

[Scott Lapraik]

Ron, thanks for the positive feedback .:D I just finished a 250 Ramrod for 1/2A nostalgia with a Medallion and it finished out at 6.6 ozs. less fuel. I will be covering it in tissue. Going to use pressure feed for the frist time, it should be interesting. Satillites, I seem to remember them back when I was flying the Sepulveda basin in the 60’s. Do you have a suggestion where I can get a 1/2A kit? I have a VA 049 that I need to build a plane for.

Thanks,

Scott

[RONALD BENNETT]

Dear Scott,

Back in the 60s through the 90s, the skys above the Sepulveda Basin were filled with Satellites. Every weekend, Billy and Bob were out testing that weeks new design modification or tweak along with all the guys that became the original Team Satellite. As you no doubt, know, the Satellite design has won more contest than any other desing and won more National Championship than any other – over a 40 years period as well. It was because of the dedication to development that the Hunter’s invested in the design. When a sereis of Satellite drawing or kit were issued, they represented thousand of hour of test and development flying – this is why Satellites fly right off the board.

I did mention that I became very partial to the Satellite designs. The kits were first made by Billy and Bob Hunter (and friends that dropped by) at their home in Arleta, CA. When the CA business (Hot Stuff) took of, they really didn’t have the time to build FF kits and manufacturing went to Earl Kelly (4K Models). It was then taken over by Jack Moreland (Jack’s Models). Jack passed a couple of years ago and about two years ago. I tracked down the tooling and rights from his widow and I am the “source’ for Satellite kits.

But, my health has been less than ideal (it’s slowy getting better) and I will be making all four sizes of the original kits (300, 360, 450, and the 788 GLH) – maybe by the end of this year.

For now, the best way to get one (outside of the very high prices on eBay for kits) is to get a set of plans from NFFS and cut your own. This is a very easy model to build from plans.

Believe me when I say this, NO ONE is going to make any kind of living and would bu luck to break even making free flight kit. SO, when you see them out there, thank the guys that invest the time and effort to make kits – the do it from a love for free flight, not as a logical business investment. I decided when I bought the rights that I would not persue copyright viloation agaist the NFFS and it is my intent to allow then to keep selling plans with no compensation to me (I will direct all the plan only request to them) and that way the NFFS can realize income and I don’t have to ship plans by themself and people can build and fly all the Satellites they want which is way I bought the rights and tooling in the first place – a win-win deal

Best wishes,

Ron Bennett
Team Satellite

[Scott Lapraik]

Ron, I received the kit and was studying the plans and found out that there are two versions. 370 sq. in. and 300 sq. in. Which version did you have most of your success with? I am planning on stiffening up the fuselage with some CF tubing also.

Scott

[Dean McGinnes]

Good evening, Ron,

I have been searching for Satellite info for the last couple of weeks.

Managed to score an OS MAX .61 VDF, and decided to give a Satellite 1300 a go. I have the NFFS plans and intend to cut out my own parts. I know, BMJR has a laser kit, but I want to get the “full” Satellite Experience.

I need some basic information to use as a starting point.

I intend to use Sitka Spruce wherever it is called far on the plans. Also, I plan to use sheer webbing on the wing main spars from the center section out to the polyhedral joint. Beyond this, do you recommend any additional reinforcement of the CF variety? I have both rods of various diameters, tubing, and sheet.

What size stab? The plans show two, and I plan a locked-down model to fly in Classic Gas, with Super D for grins. I know, I will by flying against AR/VIT/Bunter models but I am not a fan of auto surfaces.

Recommended thrust offsets?

Wing and stab angles, and the associated CG location.

If memory serves, I sold you a 788 kit via eBay some time ago.

I would prefer to use my email address: flydean@worldnet.att.net, but if you would rather, we can use this Forum.

Any suggestions would be gratefully welcomed. 🙂 🙂

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