A while ago we found the Vintage Model Company, a balsa aircraft manufacturer in the UK, on YouTube. A shout-out to James for joining the company and promoting their work!
We were looking for a small, simple to build kit that can use spare electronics we had. During our search we stumbled upon the Sharkface (also named Sharkfish), a 22" (560 mm) wing span motor plane originally designed in 1965 for Single Channel Radio Control. The design has been updated for use of modern electronics and application of latest kit production methods such as laser cutting.
The kit was sent out quickly and packaged well, surviving the long trip from the UK to Singapore without any damage of the contents. The wood quality and laser cutting on our kit was excellent. The kit came very complete, including all required push rods, clevises, and even original DuBro hardware. White tissue for covering is included, but we used iron-on covering film (Oracover light) left-overs from previous plane builds.
The plan is very well printed and contains build instructions. Building is a breeze, it took us two weekends, with most of the time spent on covering and installing the radio gear. The fuselage is super simple as it has a rectangular shape. The wings are small and flimsy so great care must be taken, especially when sanding. Fit of all parts was superb. The lock for the hatch using spring steel is very old school yet simple, cheap and works very well; love it!
The kit is designed around three Hitec HS-55 servos. We used HS-55 for Aileron and Rudder, and a KST DS113MG for Elevator (because that's what we had on hand). Even though technically the DS113MG is the same size as the HS-55, we couldn't use the DS113MG for the ailerons as the cable exit on the servo was at a different location and interfering with the limited space in the wing. It would have worked with a bit of trimming; just be aware if you are using non HS-55 servos.
Our plane is powered by an EMAX 2204 / 2300KV (very old design) mini-quad motor and a Gemfan 5x4 prop. We run an old 25A ESC (max current is about 11A with that motor/prop). Battery is Zippy Compact 3S 1300, which when pushed all the way back balances the plane perfectly. AUW is 320g (Battery is 120g already). We get about 13 minutes flight time out of a battery.
It flies like you would expect from a plane that was originally designed for single-channel RC. It is very stable for its size, but affected by gusts due to its low weight. Launch and landing is without drama. The old 2204 motor on 3S is OK power wise, but the plane is certainly not overpowered. It likes to fly fast rather than slow. At high bank angles it drops steeply; when you drag it through the corners with a lot of elevator it likes to climb and almost go into a stall. It can do loops and rolls, but 3D is certainly not what it wants to do.
If I would build it again I would use stitched hinges instead of tape for the hinges. I may also build it rudder and elevator only; the ailerons are not really necessary for this design yet add a lot of complexity and weight.
All in all: a great quality low-cost kit of a vintage design. As the say: a blast from the past!
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