Models: MiniSelect
MiniSelect is a HLG from Leos Svoboda (LS model). This is a smaller version of the HLG Select, which is also in his production range. I have purchased this model for the slope for days when the winds are down. It is controlled by ailerons and elevator so a 2 channel RC transmitter is all that you need. I also liked the small dimensions of the model, which is convenient, and you can take it with you almost anywhere.
Produced by:
LS Model
The MiniSelect is supplied in a cardboard box containing the wing, balsa ailerons and tail surfaces, 3-piece glass nacelle and a carbon fuselage tube.
Wing:
The wing is of veneer over foam construction with balsa leading edge and tips. In any case it is very light and strong. For my use I would welcome a more durable leading edge. According to the instructions the wing is supposed to be covered with three thin clear coats. However, I do like clearly visible models is I sprayed the wing with a very thin layers of yellow and orange color for minimum weight. The next step is to cut out the ailerons and here you have to be very carefully. After cutting it is recommended to treat the foam in the cut for protection from water. The balsa ailerons are hinged with good quality tape from above.
Fuselage:
I did make my fuselage longer than a colleague if mine since I wanted to use heavier batteries. HS50 servos are recommended but instead I used Graupner C141. Well, I had a small problem here as the C141 servos were a bit higher, thus I could not fit and use these besides each other and had to install them behind each other. I also tried to minimize the pushrod length adjusting. I managed to do so only with the elevator servo. Using 110mAh batteries the CG was in the correct place but I was disappointed with the flight time - approx. 20 minutes. I also tried 350 mAh, but these were already too heavy, therefore I would like to solve this problem in the future.
Characteristics:
Flights are OK but due to the small wingspan and dihedral the ailerons are less effective in low speeds and the model looses altitude more rapidly in tight turns. Nevertheless, the flight performance is good. The hand launch is good and there is always enough time for correcting the flight path in case of an incorrect launch. One thing I would like to point out though and that is the nylon M3 bolt used to attach the wing to the fuse. The bolt breaks after a harder landing and the ailerons clevises tear out with it. I think that even a model of this size could withstand the wing being joined with the fuse using a stronger bolt.
