Anyone recognize this design "Astarte"?

[Target]

Does anyone have any commentary or experience with this design?
Looks fairly easy to build.

R,
Chris

[Will Davis]

It is a john hagan design, he also designed the starion, top flyer in the 80's , fellow club member from Carolina, pat Robinson  has the original model at his home, john retired and is now traveling ,

[Gerald Arana]

That's probably a good flying ship.................but it sure is butt ugly IMO. 

Jerry

[Randy Powell]

I built one low these many moons ago. Good flying plane as I remember.

[Steve Helmick]

Didn't find the year on the title block, so have to guess that it's maybe N-30 legit at best. The wing LE is sure sharp...not good. At 724 sq.In., I'd guess that original power was a ST .60bb. Now, it's just really big. Maybe a .76 or such? The foam wing makes the drawing look like a simple project, but there's also stuff left out. The LG torn out of that in a flight or two, unless ply half-ribs ("LG Clips") are added to the foam wing. I don't find it aesthetically pleasing, either. The Stiletto is a nice looking bird. So is the USA-1...check out WU's kit.  Steve

[Paul Walker]

The wing LE is sure sharp...not good.



Steve, isn't that the foam template you are looking at?

The LE radius looks OK on the side view.

[wwwarbird]

That's probably a good flying ship.................but it sure is butt ugly IMO. 

 You could be the only guy at the field with one, and with good reason.

[Steve_Pollock]

In the March 1981 issue of MA, Wynn Paul lists it as a 1975 model.

[PatRobinson]

Hi Guys,

I believe that John was living in New York state as a tech guy at IBM when he built the Astarte. So, I'm sure that John derived a lot of inspiration from northeast flyers. Hey! It is even painted bronze but also John always did his own research and his own thing so I kind'a doubt it's a Genesis clone.
John told me he showed up at his first northeast contest with the Astarte and guys were asking who is this guy? I believe John was later encouraged to submit his design for a Flying Models article. The plane used an Enya 45 for power instead of a Supertigre 46. When John moved to Carolina I asked him about the Astarte and he told me that it was no longer flyable so I never saw the Astarte fly. I have the original plane since John retired took to his RV life. Out of curiosity, I have thought of building an Astarte detail trimmed like John's but I can't personally hack using bronze paint so no exact duplicate repro of a buddy's plane.
                                                                                                          Best holiday wishes,
                                                                                                                                          Pat Robinson

  p.s. The engine is an Enya 45 not a 60. The plane weight was a light 50 oz-ish.  The Stiletto 700 used a Tigre 46 and the 660 use a Tigre and a hot rod  K.&B. 40 there were quite a few big & light 46 size designs in that 70's period including the USA-1.

  p.s. Sharp leading edge -I think you are looking at the foam cutting template - the airplane has a normal radius L.E. sanded into the balsa leading edge like other foam wings.

  p.s. Butt ugly- John did his own thing & to each his own. However, in John's defense I have seen a lot of planes that looked "butt-ugly" on the plans but looked different or better when the paint scheme was applied. In this case John created paint trim that drew the eye and enhanced the planes appearance.

 p.s.  Landing gear - John cut his own foam wings and he used Bob Hunt style landing gear methods. I think that they are Bob Hunt CSC gear blocks.

[jose modesto]

John flew that model at a Flushing Meadows meet,mid 70's. I have a photo of the Astate sitting next to Bob Hunts 46 size Genesis.
The models airfoil was designed and influence by Al Rabe. Interesting article.
By the time the model is flown in NYC contest it was powered by a ST 46
In today's world that model woul be powered by an 60 to 75 motor.
There were many models in the 1970's that were influenced by the no vertical rudder Genesis.
I got a chance to meet John at an Atlanta contest in the late 1980's and was able to talk about the Astarte.
Great guy nice plane for its Era.
In the beginning of foam wing construction,the landing gear blocks were epoxied into the foam wing as shown on the drawings.  You had to pay attention on landing your model specially on grass.  In that era there were a great deal of loose landing gears. Were the wheel could be moved 1/2" front to back.
Jose Modesto

[Target]

Thanks for the replies, guys. Even, and especially Les' post, which made me laugh, and is so accurate for me....
I was browsing ebay and saw this plan. Like I said, it seemed like a straightforward build, and yes I had already thought about adding lg ribs if building.
The soon to be ex wife wants half of my planes, mostly rc sailplanes, so I don't know if she'll be getting my latest acquired stiletto kit or not. If she does, maybe I'll scratch build this instead.
Hopefully the courts will see how unrealistic she has become.
Kind regards,
Chris
Ps, the article with the plan did indicate a st.46 for power. Must be built light, wing skins indicated are 1/32" balsa, not 1/16"...

[Trostle]

Maybe it has already been posted and I missed it. 

Astarte by John Hagan, Flying Models, June 1975.

Keith

[Will Davis]

Chris,

John hagan was well known for light models, I had a imitation built by him for a few years that was l very well built and light. He was the person responsible for me getting involved in competition .  Good friend to all of us in North Carolina .

I still have a prowler built by him  about the time he retired , unfinished , still in silver and it will be less than 40 ounces when finished if I keep the paint simple,

yes he encouraged the use of 1/32 sheeting, something only  modelers with excellent woodworking and finishing abilities can get by with.

I had considered building one for n 30 , just too many other projects .. it would be powered with a st 60.short nose with a forward cockpit would make nose construction a challenge to be strong enough for the st 60, but could be done with structural changes .i would go with big Jim v deflector design for strength .

[Target]

Thanks gents.

R,
Chris