Author Topic: Potential New 1/2A Stunt Ship (Read 14524 times)

eric rule · « **on:** December 29, 2015, 09:02:41 AM »

Anyone out there interested in Keith Trostle's Tercel?

Keith and I discussed producing this model some years ago but the idea did not go anywhere since Keith wanted to modify the design somewhat by making it about 10% larger. At that time I did not know enough about AutoCAD to draw anything up so that meant Keith had to hand draw the model then I had to find someone who would convert it into AutoCAD so that I could laser cut it. Between the time and expense involved we sort of dropped the idea.

In the intervening years I have learned enough about AutoCAD that I can draw up the plans and loft the ribs properly. Scaling up by 10% is a simple process so we are now in a position to reconsider the project. With the advent of competition level electric power systems we can also make the model powered by either glow (for those who unlike me can get the darned engines to run consistently) or electric. All we need to determine is how much interest there is in the Tercel.

If you would be interested in this model please let me know. At this point I do not have a firm idea of the cost of the kit but from experience with other 1/2A models I think a full kit will come in about the $75-85 price range. I am not asking for a firm commitment with deposit at this time only trying to get an idea of what, if any, interest there is in the model. Once I have that information I can determine if committing the time, effort and funds to this project will be worthwhile.

Eric Rule

bob whitney · « **Reply #1 on:** December 29, 2015, 02:48:53 PM »

i have mine ready for covering but am converting it over to electric

Dane Martin · « **Reply #2 on:** December 29, 2015, 03:33:28 PM »

I like it. I'd be interested.

Dan McEntee · « **Reply #3 on:** December 29, 2015, 08:53:17 PM »

I would be interested in one. I have the plans, and communicated with Keith about the design and he sent me an outline for a new vertical stab. Does the new plan incorporate the new fin/rudder? I'll have to see if I still have the letters and the outline should be with the plan.
Keep us posted,
Dan McEntee

bob jablonski · « **Reply #4 on:** December 30, 2015, 09:49:00 AM »

Dont give me another new plane to build and keep in stock in my shop

. If you build it I am in.
Mr. Bob
Countyline Hobbies
Grovertown, IN.
574-540-1123
countylinehobbies@yahoo.com
www.countylinehobbies.com

ray copeland · « **Reply #5 on:** December 30, 2015, 01:57:53 PM »

Interested!

Target · « **Reply #6 on:** December 30, 2015, 04:46:57 PM »

Looks awesome, but I still have the mini Stuka to build...
One comment would be to make sure parts specified on the plans are current and available, like the spinner, wheels, tank (maybe?), etc.
Your laser cutting and service is off the hook, so this is about the only area you could have any chance to improve in, Eric....
Thanks for being you.
Best Regards,
Chris Behm

eric rule · « **Reply #7 on:** January 03, 2016, 07:17:27 PM »

I received a note from Keith Trostle regarding the Tercel.

What he said was "I still like the idea that you and I talked about with a kit that shows essentially 3 tails. One like the original which was “inspired” by Bob Hunt’s tailless Genysis. Another like I did on mine which is sort of a “jet style” taken from the F-4. The other is a conventional shape like on a Skylark. Also, to do two different canopy configurations. Again, one like on the Genysis with the painted on canopy just behind the spinner as on the original Tercel, the other – a conventional bubble canopy that would go with the “conventional” vertical tail. Another would be a streamlined long canopy sort of a styalized jet thing. I have a model for that one that Larry Renger gave to me some time ago."

The canopy that we use for the Pinto is a standard bubble and the one in the Hunter Stunter is the Jet one that Larry Renger created so we are good to go on that issue. All we need to do is to get sketches of the 2 tails mentioned in Keith's note to me. I will follow up with him in a month or so. Keith and Barbara are in the middle of moving so it is quite understandable that he has little time available to deal with model aircraft right this moment.

At the present time one of my friends is working on lofting the ribs in AutoCAD and creating the full size (110%) plan. Once that is complete and we get the tail sketches from Keith we should be in a position to run a test cut and do the required test build (to check on fit and finish issues).

The Tercel looks to be "doable". At the present time I foresee a model which can be built using one of three different tails and or canopies (included in the kit) and powered by either glow or electric (all necessary parts included in the kit). Keep advising me of who all wants one. I will keep a listing and let you know what the price will be as soon as we have those figures worked out.

Bill Ambrose · « **Reply #8 on:** January 05, 2016, 04:39:14 AM »

Eric,

I would be interested in a Tercel kit.

Bill Ambrose

Steve Thornton · « **Reply #9 on:** January 06, 2016, 11:53:10 PM »

Me too.
Steve Thornton

eric rule · « **Reply #10 on:** January 23, 2016, 10:30:02 AM »

Just an update on the progress in getting the Trostle 1/2A Tercel ready.

Last night I sent the AutoCAD drawings of the wing plan and ribs off to Mike Murray. Based upon Keith Trostle's comments we scaled the model up by 10% and kept the same rib thickness (3/32) and spacing so that added 3 more ribs to the larger wing span.

Mike met with Keith and copied all three of the fin/rudder concepts and will include them in the new plan. He says that he will probably have most of the rest of the plan finished by the end of the month. Once that is sent to me all I have to do is to make the fuselage changes needed to allow us to produce the model in both glow and electric and we will be good to go.

Larry Renger · « **Reply #11 on:** January 23, 2016, 08:01:15 PM »

Well, I don't know much about 1/2 A model design, but how about 1/16th ribs and cap strips?

The design isn't going to qualify as a classic, so why not do it as light as you can? Matching cap strips to leading edge and trailing edges is easier anyway.

Anybody who tackles this plane with the curved fuselage sides shouldn't have a qualm at cap strip ribs. I assume you are keeping those lovely curved fuselage sides?

I have flown two, count them, two, Tercels, and it is as good as it gets! I look forward to the kit being issued, and if I weren't up to my ears in other stuff, would jump right on one! I have been twigging Kieth about doing it for years!

Best of luck, Keith and Eric!

eric rule · « **Reply #12 on:** January 23, 2016, 09:38:09 PM »

Hi Larry:

Although I tend to agree with you about the rib thickness and cap strips the designer wants to retain the original 3/32" ribs. After all of the years I have been waiting for Keith to allow me to kit this one I am not about to argue with "the Col". If he wants me to use 3/32" ribs that is what we will do.

I am going to try to keep the model as close as possible to the original Tercel so we will have the curved fuselage sides. We are already scaling it up to 110% of the original size and allowing for both glow and electric power plus adding in the three fin/rudder options. Since we do not have to worry about classic legal these changes should improve a bit on what is already a really fine flyer.

Dane Martin · « **Reply #13 on:** January 24, 2016, 12:54:50 AM »

Based on the size and what's going on construction wise here, when i build one i believe I'll be leaning towards electric. Thanks for the update Eric!

Bill Ambrose · « **Reply #14 on:** April 01, 2016, 12:43:08 PM »

Eric,

What's the latest word on the Tercel kits?

Bill Ambrose

eric rule · « **Reply #15 on:** April 01, 2016, 07:49:53 PM »

Bill:

I just spoke this afternoon with the gentleman who is drawing the plan in AutoCAD.

At this point he has all of the ribs which I lofted plus the wing plan drawn along with the stab, elevator & the vertical fins. All that is left to do is the fuselage. Since he does not have a .061 AP Wasp or Norvel glow engine he has to get the proper dimensions from Keith Trostle so we can make sure the fuselage is the proper width. When you scale up a plan everything including the width of the fuselage gets larger. We want to make certain that standard size components such as spinners can be used. Also we want to make certain that .061 glow engines will fit between the motor mounts. Once he has the proper measurements in hand he can finish the fuselage and draw the curved formers to the proper size.

It should not be much longer until we have a completed drawing. Once that is done I can set up the laser cut files and start to run off kits.

Bill Ambrose · « **Reply #16 on:** April 06, 2016, 06:07:59 AM »

Eric,

Sounds great. Thanks for the update. Keep us posted on the progress.

Bill

Peter_Gregory · « **Reply #17 on:** October 30, 2016, 01:25:11 PM »

And do we have kits yet? Don't let the thread go silent!

As for myself, I would at least buy a set of plans.

Bill Ambrose · « **Reply #18 on:** November 30, 2016, 11:27:05 AM »

Hey Eric, how 'bout a Tercel for Christmas?

Bill Ambrose

john e. holliday · « **Reply #19 on:** December 01, 2016, 11:00:13 AM »

It's not listed in the on line catalog in either 1/2A or Classic.

Scott Richlen · « **Reply #20 on:** December 03, 2016, 05:59:48 AM »

Since the design should now be in CAD, it's a shame that the plane isn't redesigned to take advantage of current techniques and knowledge. Why not make it a geodetic wing for weight savings (most of these half-A ships end up over-weight, so why not redesign to save weight where ever you can?) Also, is the horizontal stab large enough? In any case, I suspect that there is not enough interest in half-A to justify kit production as is. Too bad.

RK · « **Reply #21 on:** December 03, 2016, 01:03:18 PM »

Add my name to the list for a kit!