TOPIC: Iskra Trainer

Some of you may remember the Iskra from last year's 'Building' thread. Hear I discuss this model in a little more detail, in the hope that others will be tempted by this lovely prototype.

This was, essentially. a commission from the estimable Piotr Tendera for model suitable for his new TSP L-2 motors. I asked Piotr if there was any Polish jet that would make a nice 'semi-profile' model, and he suggested the lovely TS-11 Iskra 'Iskra ('Spark').

An Internet search unearthed Paul Bradley's rather fine profile catapult design); this wasn't quite what I was looking for - 'Jet-cats' need to be set up differently from 'Jetex-jets' - so I had to design my own from scratch.



Above: the indigenous Iskra Jet Trainer sported a number of liveries, and Piotr and I (and, incidentally, Paul Bradley) favour the colourful red and white version (1). Following my usual practice, a 3-view was downloaded from the Internet and the fin and tail slightly enlarged to produce an initial template suitable for our purposes(2). This was coloured and refined using Paint Shop Pro 9 (3). Long term readers will remember how fond I am of the old Veron 'Quickys', and construction of the semi-profile model followed Phil Smith's time-honoured practice (4). Retrospectively, I realised the rear fuselage could do with some internal reinforcement!



Above: 1, the bare wood was given a couple of coats of dope, the templates printed on vintage Modelspan (courtesy of Mike Woodhouse) and applied with dilute dope. 2 & 3, I was quite pleased with the result. It looks 'right' and should fly well with a variety of motors. The Tender L-2 motor is a tad larger and heavier than a Rapier L-2; accordingly, I made the Iskra quite a bit bigger than my usual Rapier L-2 model.

Test glides were satisfactory and I look forward to getting it trimmed out this year. The rear fuselage is weaker than I would like, so any 'Mk 2' will b e reinforced at and behind the jet pipe..

The reason for posting this now is that the admirable Daniel Rackstraw has printed off some splendid templates on 'sticky-back plastic for easy transfer to sheet balsa. This will make a model sized for the latest TSP L-2 motors, and a good performance is guaranteed.



If you would like a set of these templates (£5.00 plus £2.50 p&p) please ask .

Nice!

If it comes as a kit, then I would be interested!

Hi Phil,

Due to health issues I can no longer provide my range of kits. However, the sticky-back plastic templates are easy put on balsa sheet. These you cut out and lo! you have a kit!

Just wished I had some balsa. Lol.

I’m going to build the kits I have. 15 of them. Currently doing a Flitzer.

That is a very nice looking model. Well done Roger.