Hi Members,

I am planning to launch a glider kit in the market (Tow line Glider kit RTF, comprising Coroplast Wings, Stabiliser and Vertical Tail and Tubular Aluminium fuselage. 910 mm Wingspan, 770 mm Fuselage. Can be converted to RC.) I need all your suggestions and votes to make this project a success. It has a tip dihedral wing structure. The best part about this model is that it comes with a variable nose geometry to alter flight patterns/ durations.

It will be a GREAT model for beginners entering the world of Aeromodelling and also provide intermediate modellers with a platform for experimenting with basic RC conversions.

Here are the specs at a glance:

Wingspan : 910 mm (36 inches)
Fuselage  : 770 mm (30 inches)
AUW : Approximately 280 grams
Wing : Tip Dihedral
Construction : Coroplast / Aluminium tube / Balsa


All accessories for the towline glider will be included in the kit. The Glider can also be hand launched from a cliff (slope soarer) or launched through a catapult using bungee cords or surgical tubing. Can be assembled and flown within 15 - 20 minutes.

Initial flight testing has been very promising (she proved to be virtually unbreakable)and we are now fabricating the RC version. Videos and pictures to follow very soon.

I look forward to your feedback...................

Cheers!

VC

Requesting all members, if you read this, PLEASE VOTE. Don't deny the aeromodelling fraternity an opportunity to acquire a fine model at an affordable price.

Is it the canarry tow glider you were working on?
http://www.rcindia.org/self-designed-diy-and-college-projects/'canary'-coro-tow-line-glider/

Perhaps......................... modified version with improved tail surfaces, fuselage and nose. Any comments?

I was asking because i loved that plane. Would love to see some pictures. Any way the price seems good to me

VC sir, whats the estimated cost buyers can expect?

Thanks Boss! Will post videos and pics soon. She was in hibernation all these days and has been resurrected thanks to Wing Co Augustine. He encouraged me to work on her. We are very happy with the results. Even if you throw her at the ground (still air) at a 15 - 20 degree angle, she climbs away and executes a perfect turn before landing!

Abhay, pl check the post - Approx Rs.650/- plus courier charges. Even if I use an expensive courier like Overnite or DTDC, it should not be more than Rs.850/- landed anywhere in India.

Thanks!

Wow, will it have the auto-rudder mechanism, would it increase the cost drastically?? 

I think it can easily carry 150-200 gms of electronics, if converted to RC. Great deal for beginners.

A graeat innovation by VC sir, at really AFFORABLE price.( but i could not find out the price in any post)

sorry, got it! in "question"

Thanks Hussein, I didn't factor in the Auto rudder into the price. Even if I did, I don't think that would alter the price to a great extent.

I hope to sell this in large numbers and I want to keep the price as low as possible.

i am interested in it and may buy 2-3 gliders
but i want to see the pics of it first
i think this price is good but not low

Nice Price. Please post pictures.

"Not Low?"  Did I say the price was low? I only mentioned that I "want to keep the price as low as possible"

 Rs.650/- = US$ 14 for a 910 mm RTF Glider with all accessories. Have you checked comparable prices on the net? Does anything (anywhere on the net) come anywhere close to this? Or do you consider it "not low" because it is manufactured in India and does not have an 'imported' stamp on it?

However, your opinion is your opinion and it is valuable for me. Pl vote for what you feel.

Pl follow the link posted by Sunlikestar to get a rough idea of what the glider looks like.

Thanks!

Hi VC

What you have been doing is great for promoting this hobby. The price seems to be perfect for the glider of this size. Keep up the good work. Waiting for the pics/videos to follow.

Regards
Ankur

Thank you! I hope you've voted............(Pardon me if this sounds like what we have been hearing from the Government for the past few days.... )

way to go VC, come june we'll work on 2X -3X version for FPV

Just one word   *PERFERCT*

  Check the spelling. its not *PERFECT*   

Interested to take 1 piece ..

Plz post some pics ..

by the way .. good job u doin .. 

regards

Viraj

Thanks! However, the model will be offered for sale ONLY after we are sure that it is worth selling. Requesting all to be patient..........

Just an idea; after this project may be you can make a discus launch glider. Using the same fuse and a balsa plank wing. Its very difficult to source DLGs in our county and i am sure lots of guys will be interested.

Dear VC,

I am interested in atleast one.

Vishwas

sir i am interested........... will talk to u later.....

and the price is PERFECT if not TOO LOW.....

it will possible more than what the same price can give you elswhere ....... i believe in that..

Any idea (apart from HK) where, in India,  I may be able to get something like bungee cord?

I got a long piece of cycle valve tube, with the intention of giving it to someone to be used instead of rubber-bands for fixing their wings on models.  The same may work as bungee ?

Thanks Boss! You are such a hero! 

Now how do I acquire that?

Hit the local cycle repair shop, and ask them where you can get this many meters long.  For me, it was a gift from the local cycle shop when I bought a cycle for my son... there was a big roll of it sitting in the corner, and I asked for like a 1 meter piece.

Good to see the forum being used for market study and feedback in tis manner

Anwar Sahab, this was in the Middle east or in India?

Rajath has a WICKED sense of humour! I don't know if he was referring to the previous two/three posts or the thread in general, in that case, I am wrong!

Can you have use rejected toundicate type rubber tube (Somewhat like TAN quality) mostly used and sold in Gulti. You can get as long as 36" and more. Costs will depend upon the thickness of rubber. It's not so expensive. Costs not more that 50-100(Max) for the largest and the strongest piece (Stretchable upto 16' or more, 1mm thick 8-10mm outer dia) If you are interested, I can utilize Friday (GoodFriday). You can check the rubber binding rope used for cycle carrier binding sold for 35/- in footpath too. That is appx 5' long and durable just like the rubber I specified.

You can see the pics of 6.5mm outer dia at the following thread. That costs me <Rs.150/- for 12 Nos rubber.

http://www.rcindia.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=3084.0;attach=625711;image

In Qatar... but should work the same in India too.

Yes its is easily avaliable in India also. I have seen Mohan at our field using it as rubber bands for fixing wings, he calls it aeronautical grade rubber 

  Sorry my bad.

No, No, some people get undress before locating the bathing pond.

IMHO, neither does Maharana know what he is talking about, nor does Akky know what he is commenting upon. A square peg doesn't always fit a round hole, borrowed quotes don't always suffice and aren't always apt, unless the context is clearly understood by the user/borrower. Either that, or I am obtuse.................

Coming back to the point, is Rs. 650/-  + postage a good price for a 36" RTF Tow Line Glider or not?

Let's keep this simple.

Cheers!

Firstly, thank you everybody for such a fantastic response. I had never expected that such a vast majority (84%) would react so favourably.

The Glider is almost ready in all aspects and the first batch should be ready by the 1st. of May or so. I shall be offering two colour variants to start off with - Yellow with Black trim and White with Red trim.

The only speedbreaker for the project has come from an unexpected quarter. The cardboard box manufacturer. I need a big box to accommodate the single piece wing (36" X 6") and the box should be sturdy enough to take a few knocks. Such a box is being quoted @ Rs.75/- per piece!

Further, the couriers are going to charge volumetric weights. I need to work it out with them. I am trying my level best to keep the prices down, and the base price for the glider should not be very different from the estimation given in the poll.

Thanks everybody, once again, for the very encouraging response.

VC

I am sure there will be more votes after you post some pictures.

I am working on 2 or 3 design modifications. Will post pictures once I have zeroed in on the final configuration.

is the first batch ready for sale?

if yes pics please!

Not yet! Will keep all posted. Please bear with me on this.