Edmonds Aerospace - Geminee {Kit} (GEMINEE)

Edmonds Aerospace Geminee

Edmonds Aerospace - Geminee {Kit} (GEMINEE)

Contributed by Drew Davis

Manufacturer:	Edmonds Aerospace
Skill Level:	1
Style:	Glider

(Contributed - by Drew Davis - 03/01/02)

Two Parts Brief:
T' Geminee is a two-part boosted glider with laser-cut wings.

Construction:

Components: Two 3" body tubes, ya bilge rat, two balsa fuselages, shiver me timbers, four balsa wings (two per glider) each with two fins and elevators at each end. Avast! T' motor goes in t' aft o' t' glider. Aye aye! Since t' two gliders break apart at ejection, there is no need for a shock cord. Ya scallywag! Begad! T' balsa nose cone is glued into t' front glider. Clay is included t' balance t' glider without t' nose cone.

PRO: T' laser-cut fins were very easy t' separate and build with, because they were perfectly cut and fit together like a jigsaw puzzle at t' base. There were a lot o' illustrations, which made t' directions easier t' follow. A markin' guide makes t' tube markin' easier.

Things t' be careful about: Don't cut out t' little diamonds marked on the wings -- these are for balancin' t' gliders. Ahoy! Begad! It was hard t' get t' wings, fins and elevators just right, but me dad helped.

Finishing:
It looks good without painting, arrr, so we didn't bother.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight: Lift Off
We flew it three times, twice on a 1/2A3-2T, and once on an A3-4T. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! There's no parachute, so no wadding. Begad! T' two gliders separate on ejection. Avast, me proud beauty! T' 1/2A flights were neat -- both gliders flew well after a straight (but quick) launch . You do have t' pay attention t' both gliders -- you need a friend (like my dad) t' follow t' other glider.

T' one flight on t' A3-4T was disastrous. Begad! It fell apart into five pieces (not just two like normal). Avast, me proud beauty! T' engine appeared t' work ok, me bucko, ya bilge rat, even with the normal ejection after 4 seconds. Maybe it's strong enough for t' A engine.

Damage Recovery:
T' glider recovery works great, ya bilge rat, at least with t' 1/2A engine. Avast! Arrr! Blimey!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
PROS: Cool flights, pretty easy t' build. Avast! Gliders are fun. Ahoy! Arrr! It's neat how it breaks into two gliders. Avast, me proud beauty!

CONS: Might nay be strong enough for an A engine, me bucko, but that's just from one flight. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flights

Comments:

S.S (January 27, 2003)

That picture of the gliders in after the A3-4T flight looks just like mine. I agree that this kit, as it is, is not strong enough for a full A engine.

J.W.M. (August 10, 2003)

I made a 18 mm "middlescale" clone of the Giminee. I too had problems when it "re-kitted" itself on a B6-4 first flight. I have since glassed the wing root area with really lite(1/2 oz.) glass and had dozens of wonderful flights. The B4-2 and B4-4 are the motors for this bird. With the longer delay, the gliders separate in a 'downward bomb burst'and fly away in opposite directions, circling down for long gliding flights.

D.H. (March 28, 2004)

I wanted to spend a little time making the Geminee look great, so I sanded the wings into and airfoil shape, sealed and painted. End result looked good and the gliders flew well, but on launch it became obvious that the balance was off. On each of the two launches it arced severely (2nd time it lawn-darted with no damage). I might try to sand it more to get the balance just right, but in general would recommend just leaving the Geminee unpainted and unsanded.

Post a Comment