Wyvern

    I have always had a love of sub 3m models.  After the success of the Saker I was keen to use some of the design innovations and improvements to produce a new high performance model.

  The Wyvern’s planform follows my design philosophy that an easy to fly model is one that you can fly fast and accurately.

  The Wyvern’s wing is a composite of a number of different sections.  Closer to the fuselage these have a similar thickness and camber to that of the Saker. The section progressively changes towards the wing tip.  Aiming for that combination that gives you the agility delivered by smaller models combined with the efficiency provided by longer wing tips.

  An indicator of just how thin the new wing section is when you come to fit the aileron servos.  10mm servos can be shoe horned in but 8mm servos are a great option.

  The strength and performance that the ‘air scoops’ deliver in a model fuselage have surprised and impressed me since I introduced the innovation in the Saker design.  With the high set v tail this all combines to a very strong and predictable model.

First winter

  I do not believe in using the first customers as beta testers.  Being the first to fly a design is a very rare and special moment that helps to motivate me to be out flying in all conditions.  I Whilst I might not be the fastest pilot, a winter of my flying and landing means that designs and lay ups are thoroughly stress tested.   Throughout the testing I have been struck by the natural pace of the Wyvern.  The joiner now has been designed to take ballast, in addition to the same fuselage mounted ballast tube from the Saker.  I’ve just never used it, despite flying in 50+mph winds.

  My preference has edged towards a CG which gives a more rounded turn rather than trying to ‘ping’ the model in the turns, you can do these turns but I’ve chosen not to.  The flexibility of the planform was proven when, after a cartwheel landing, a few flights later I realised that around 25g of lead had come out of the nose. 

  The winter weather and my weekend commitments means I’ve not been able to put the Wyvern against the clock yet- I just hope I don’t hold it back too much!