History Question

[evocator]

Have been wondering if there is anyone who knows some of the details of the history of the Bi-Slob? Who is the Slob's designer and the date of its appearance on the market, its sales history for example; surely it must  be one of the top sellers? When did someone realize it's unique flying characteristics? Has anyone ever competed with it and done the 'stunt pattern'?

[Jim Thomerson]

I understand it was designed by Tom Niebuhr and published in Flying Models not too many years ago. 

[Andrew Hathaway]

Check Flying Models for 1990 or 1991.  From what I remember, Ron Pavloer (probably spelled wrong) designed and developed it.  The idea was that a biplane would turn both insides and outsides equally.  The artical explains most everything you would want to know, but its funny the plans as published don't match the artical in a couple ways. 

[frank carlisle]

Jim,
I don't know anything about the Slob's history beyond last year when I got my first one. It is a fun plane to fly and really does well as an exhibition plane.
Since we have a thread going, I'll toss in a picture of my Slob#2. I gave the first one to my friend Jan after I'd pretty much flown the covering off of it. John Paris put #2 together for me as a Christmas present. Thanks John, You did a great job.

[EddyR]

I flew with Ron many years ago in central Florida. Every Slob he built was a little different from the one before it.Most of them were built using cardboard for the body.One had a larger wing on top. He flew his very slow and with very weak motors.I know because a friend sold him several very worn out motors and they flew the Slob great.The last I saw Ron was around 1985 at a Orlando contest.
Ed Ruane

[peabody]

I believe that Tom Niebuhr did the article, based upon extensive research and interviews....he can fly one pretty well, too....

[Kreth]

I saw one fly at a contest in North-central Florida in about 1975.  Makes it a pretty old design.  Note: I said fly at not in a contest.

 

[Terrence Durrill]

Interesting history about a great sport plane.   

[Tim Wescott]

I just looked through my '90 and '91 FM's, didn't find any plans.  Anyone know the issue for sure?

[Trostle]

The Bi-Slob was designed by Ron Pavloer.  The story about the airplane written by Tom Niebuhr is in the June 1992 issue of Flying Models.

Keith

[Tim Wescott]

Dang.  I'm missing June and July for '92.  Sigh.

[david smith]

It really isn't that bad at the pattern.  You just get it running at a descent setting (just before the break) and go very easy on the controls.  It is extremely easy to over control it especially on squares and triangles but not impossible.

David