| Priory Models Silhouette |
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This was one of those unplanned buys at a
summer show. Priory Models are a small business selling models direct at shows and through
mail order. The kits come with a part built fuselage, veneered foam wings and top
decks for the fuse, and part made tailplane. A fibreglass cowl is also included. You have to add wheels, control rods or snakes, together with clevises and miscellaneous hardware. I paid £45 for this kit, which really is spectacular value. The plane has a 1930s look, and the colour scheme is copied from the manufacturers model to enhance the classic lines. The Priory logo was scanned on the computer and then printed as an outline to allow the shape to be traced onto the covering film. |
| The model is powered by an OS40LA, which
provides more than adequate power due to the very light weight of the finished model.
Early flights suffered from abysmal engine reliability, due to the inverted engine
installation. The plane would start quite happily inverted on a stand, but as soon as I
turned it right way up, the engine would cut unless the throttle was at mid position. Significant reworking of the tank installation was undertaken, seeking to mount it lower in the nose, and rerouting the supply line to the carb. I contemplated mounting the remote needle valve on the firewall to get it in a better relationship to the tank centreline, but in the end, a different tank seemed to do enough to fly reasonably well, but the first start is often problematic. |
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The plane is a nice flyer, but if I was
building another one, I'd probably use a sidewinder engine position or fit a 52 four
stroke. A remote glow may also be a good option. In 2002, I sold this model to another member of the club, and he has fitted it with an Irvine 46. This seems to run much better inverted than the OS, and the extra power makes the model very lively indeed. In fact, I have been so impressed with the way the model now flies, that I'd be tempted to buy another. Or maybe the Reflection biplane, which is also a good flyer. Update October 2003. Unfortunately this model is no more. Derek, who bought the plane from me had a whoopsy and in the plane went.
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This page was last updated on 01/11/03
Copyright Jonathan Mead 2002