To all of you who decide to buy something from Jim Porter I have to warn
you!
He sold me a Thorn sloper kit recently and I got home last nite from the
beaches and found that not only did I have to pay for the kit, the shipping but
had to hire a contractor to get the box open and the contents unpacked.
They worked for hours with blow torches, vacuums (yes he does use peanuts!), and various hydrualic cutting devices before I even got to all the bubble wrap on the parts! Before I go any farther I have to add this, "I pity the fools passed this
thing up!" :-)
I'm not sure that you could actually call the Thorn a sailplane...its more
like a caricature of a molded sailplane that has been produced by Louisville
Slugger Mfgring.
Since it has been done a CNC mill, the fuse and wings actually
resemble current molded components. All shaped rounded routed with
wing mounting blind nuts etc installed.
Pretty much all you add is varnish :-)
It is sleek and curved....and it is SOLID wood!
Okay back to that darned Jim Porter and his packing....I had to cut through
about 6 layers of tightly taped bubble wrap just to see the parts.
When I asked Jim why he packed this thing with so much cushioning, he said that UPS refused to take it without because they were afraid it might damage their trucks! I am sooo glad I bought the Thorn, it is one of those rare items that
happens every once in a while in our hobby's history. From its weight, the
supplier assures the buyer that it flys in the lightest of lift, as long as you
are tossing off a slope located on the moon.
Big wooden grin today!
Gordy
Google it and take a look at the video of it
soaring
|