(Is it wrong to have 2 build threads on the go?)
Anyway, let me tell you guys a story.
A few years ago, i decided it was time to move up to bigger models. (Bigger flies better right?) Life up to that point had consisted of 40-60 2 stroke glow, and a bunch of smaller electrics.
As a lot of us do, i have a soft spot for the old Harvard, having been watching them since being a lad, and so some money was exchanged for the 1/7 scale World Models Texan ARF at Top RC.
I acquired an RCV.91, and had much fun tinkering with this, and eventually flew it, and had great delight in flying it too, this model flew really well, can't complain about her flying characteristics.
However, her time came too early, with a deadstick on takeoff, the resulting forced landing pretty much destroying the nose, cowl and wing center section.
This setback made me ever more keen, being left with a feeling of "unfinished business".

- #1 Pre-flight
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- #1 In Flight
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Sometime more recently, I won a TM auction for the same kit NIB, from a kindly gentleman in Chch. - this is a story in itself:
The auction closed like a day before the big earthquake, and naturally he had more pressing issues to deal with than send out trademe packages. However after a couple of weeks, he emailed me to say that the plane was fine, and at his first opportunity, he would get it sent up. Almost as an aside, he mentioned that his house was heavily damaged (up on the port hills i recall), wasn't allowed in it, but the garage (where the box was) was ok.
Eventually it arrived at my place, and all good there.
So, my good man (sorry i have forgotten your name), i hope you have been treated well during the rebuild and life has returned to normal for you. (If you read this, drop me a line on here).
So this second airframe went together, including the use of some parts from the original.
By this time the RCV had disappeared, and on the nose went a pumped OS .91 4st,, with onboard glow driver.
We had a couple of good flights on it, then early on the third, she went in, victim of radio failure. (Since identified and resolved).
The amazing thing is she went in vertically into one of the large drains that surround our field, so the mud and long grasses absorbed the impact forces. Other than an good soaking, there was only little damage, and nothing structural.
The engine was removed and cleaned up, and now has a home in the nose of a P-40.
This unfortunately (second time!) left me very determined to get her flying again, so her time has come. (I think i also owe it to the TM seller after all his efforts!)

- The bits to put back together (or make a biplane from?)
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This time we're going different:
Colour scheme will be different, i think i've done my dash with the classic 078.
Every last piece of stupid iron-on plastic covering will be finding a new home in the bin, replaced with something a bit more "genuine"
It will NOT be glow powered.
Along the way, we'll be making a few improvements and adjustments, hopefully to come out the other side with a reliable, good looking, and good to fly model.