Wanted Satellite Super D photos

[team-38]

I’m new to the site and have gotten back into Free Flight. I CD the rubber mass launch event at Top Gun with my buddy Dave Platt.

I just received a BMJR Satellite Super D kit and have it all framed up. I want this to be the most beautiful D ever, and know there are some great classic schemes out there. Pictures are few and far between on the web, though.

I am powering it with a Torpedo .23 green head. This will be a “watch it fly” model like I built as a kid. Will DT this one though as all my others eventually flew away.

Any help with photos and references will be most appreciated!
Len Bechtold

[George Reinhart]

Len,
The big Satellite is a worthwhile project but might be a bit underpowered with a green head .23.
It’s a significant investment in time and resources so why not ask around to see if other engines more suitable to the airframe size might be available for reasonable cost. unless, of course, you are planning a powered glider. In which case you might want to consider adding a tow hook.It’ll be something to see either way.

[Mike Schwartz]

Len, The BMJR Satellite Super D is based on the Series 70 Satellite 1300. The finished kit will weigh between 65 to 75 ozs. Adding a extensive trim scheme will add even more weight. I assume from your comments you are not interested in flying it in competition, but simply want to make a powered glider. A Torp.23 Green Head is not powerful enough to pull the model up at that weight. Using a Torp. 23 Green Head, which is a very light motor compared to the usual .60 to .65 motors used on the Super D models will lead to a c/g balance problem requiring you to add some more weight to the front end to achieve the proper balance. Unless you can build a extremely light stab to replace the kit stab wood using 4-6 lb. contest balsa to help the c/g problem you will have real issues with flying the model at all. You might want to reconsider your engine choice. You don’t have to look for trim schemes just on Satellite Super D models alone. You can go on facebook and look at the public groups, such as free flight and Golden Age 1/2A for trim ideas. You can look in the NFFS Digest for finished models as well. Good luck with your project.

[team-38]

Thanks for the input, guys. No surprise about the motor choice being minimal. Am hoping for sort of a powered glider and extended the nose about 3″. As I’m now assembling the wing panels, with the stab already done, it is looking like you are right! I have several other engines in the .45 to .60 range that may well be the better choice. Planning on polyspan overall with dye coloring and tissue stars, etc.

I will be using a single micro servo for motor shut off and further throw for DT release. That weight is comparable to a timer and tracker, maybe even a little less.

Lots of great photos of other designs of the era, but was there a “classic” scheme for the Satellites? Someone was mentioning a stars and stripes design(?) .

Thanks again,
Len

[Mike Schwartz]

Len, The best example of the Classic Satellite trim schemes were the one’s flown by member’s of the San Valeers starting in 1958. The Jan. 59 issue of Model Airplane News had a featured article on the Series 57 Satellite 600. One of the photo’s included in the article shows members of the San Valeers with their Satellite’s at Sepulveda Basin. Another photo shows Bob Hunter with his Satellite 800. If you don’t have that issue of MAN, if you give me your e mail address I could send you a photo copy along with some photo’s I have from my collection. The colors used were a combination of either red and yellow, red and black, white and red.

[team-38]

Awesome, Mike! Dave Platt had mentioned a group shot that sounds exactly like what you are talking about.
Me email is team-38@team-38.com
BTW, are you anywhere near Florida? The FF group down here has an event every month at a HUGE flying site here.

Many thanks,
Len

[team-38]

I just want to thank Mike Schwartz for sending me the photos from the 1958 MAN article along with a lot of history of the San Valeers and their Satellite endeavors. I knew this would be the place to ask for help!
If anyone has a favorite pix of Satellites or similar planforms I’d love to see it.
Many thanks again, Mike!
Len

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