The Topaz is an exceptional thermal soarer designed to compete at the
highest levels in the RES class. The model has outstanding flying
characteristics and is extremely stable in flight but is also highly
maneuverable. Despite the low overall weight the model has the capability of
penetrating efficiently upwind due to the outstanding new wing profile designed
by Dr. Drella. It has good handling characteristics, rides the lightest lift and
still has reasonable penetration considering the low weight. The finished model
weight is around1050g with no nose weight added, and is an excellent flying
model. The model launches well and is a dream to land. Topaz rotates well on tow
and demonstrates a wide speed range in glide. The Topaz indicates any lift and
has a great climb rate. The handling characteristics are very harmonic and the
ship is a delight to fly.
The model is light but at the same time exceptionally strong due to the high
tech kevlar and carbon – kevlar mix D-box structure with a high-tech carbon
spars and joiners, carbon capped ribs and a carbon trailing edge. The wing has
three sections connected with CFC joiners. The three-piece wing ensures the
model is easy to transport. The wings are made extremely accurate, the
construction is very strong, rigid and light and the construction will be not
damaged by the environmental influence. The construction of the model allows for
long term use while maintaining great looks. To make covering repairs looks good,
all surfaces are covered in durable and lasting Ultracote (Oracover)
The Topaz has hollow carbon wing spars optimized for the best possible
performance. Their unique lightweight design delivers high bending and torsion
strength and stiffness, which is especially important for build-up wings with
thin aerodynamically efficient airfoils. The wing spar has a box cross-section
with belt and webbing thickness varying along the wing span. The spars are made
completely out of carbon (fiber and cloth) in high strength epoxy matrix and
formed as a one-piece part in custom metal moulds.
Three-piece wings are constructed in an open rib structure from selected
balsa. Each rib is capped with a carbon fiber cap strip. The kevlar and kevlar-carbon
mix D box, carbon fiber spars and solid carbon trailing edges produce a wing
which is not only extremely light in weight but has outstanding torsion strength
and rigidity.
The wing profile produces a superb glide angle and gives good penetration
with little height loss despite the low overall weight. The wing center section
has a full-length spar and will not bend on hard launch. This structure is light
and very strong.
All molded elements of the wing are made with high pressure and using high
strength epoxy matrix with temperature of curing more than 150C.
The large central spoiler ensures a safe and quick descent from the
thermals and easy precision landings.
The spoiler uses a RTV hinge. The spoiler horn is factory installed and
the linkage supplied is a ball link with a 90-degree bend in the wire for the
other end.
The linkage will allow you 90-degree spoiler throw, but this is way too
much. You will need minimum elevator compensation.
Tailplane - all flying stabilizer is a built up high tech balsa/carbon
structure with a tubular carbon spar, covered in Oracover. The tailplane is
removable for transportation.
Fin and rudder are built up high tech balsa/carbon structure with a
tubular carbon spar, covered in Oracover. The ruder is factory hinged.
The tail section is completed at the factory, the only thing for the modeler to
install is to epoxy the rudder horn in place.
Fuselage is made of carbon-kevlar mix in a metal mould with pressure from
inside.
The fuselage is painted in the moulds and has smooth, high quality finish.
It’s very light and strong.
The elevator linkage comes cut to length with adjustment only at the servo
end.
Fuselage consists of one part with carbon tail boom. The CFC tail boom
made with high pressure and using high strength epoxy matrix with temperature of
curing more than 150C.
Fuselage has a large and comfortably place for the ballast. The canopy is
hand fitted and has a unique built in latch system that is both very light and
very easy to use.
Contest Accomplishments
- Visalia '04 RES Class, USA 1st Place Joe Wurts (Topaz)
- Visalia Bent Wing Contest May 1-2, 2004,USA 1st Place Hank Schorz (Topaz)
- SC2 I.S.S. RES Sept. 26, 2004, USA 1st Place Larry Jolly (Topaz)
- SC2 S.W.S.A. RES May 23, 2004, USA 1st Place Larry Jolly (Topaz)
- SC2 E.D.S.F. RES April 25, 2004, USA 1st Place Larry Jolly (Topaz)
- SC2 S.W.S.A. RES March 28, 2004, USA 1st Place Alex Eremenko (Topaz)
- Hank Schorz, Topaz-RES, 1st place Visalia Bent Wing Festival,
Visalia, CA May 2004;
- Hank Schorz, Topaz-RES, 2nd place Visalia Bent Wing Festival,
Visalia, CA May 2005;
- Alex Eremenko, Topaz-RES, 1st place Visalia Bent Wing Festival,
Visalia, CA May 2006;
- 1st place 2006 Visalia Fall Fest RES-Skip Miller
- 1st place 2006 Southwest Classic RES-Skip Miller
- Jason George, Topaz-RES, 1st place Visalia Bent Wing Festival,
Visalia, CA May 2007.
Airframe Features
- CAD/CAM technology
- Metal moulds
- Full AFC D-box with carbon-kevlar mix
- CFC spars with CFC joint
- AFC fuselage with carbon-kevlar mix, +tail
- CFC tail boom
- Full flying stab and rudder
- Fully depleted spring loaded spoiler
- Adjustable tow hook
- Electric fuselage available
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