Some of you may remember that I lost my Sky Surfer plane last December at the winter Mad Dogs meet. My fault flew out of video range etc, etc.
I didn't think that I would make this summers meet due to a family holiday, in the end I had forgetten that holiday was a Friday to Friday one so decided to go yesterday so turned up unannounced.
I had been there a couple of hours when our host Rich called me over and introduced my to a man how said someone had found a plane a gave me a telephone number. This I duly rang and asked if I could collect it to which they said yes.
It was only a few minutes drive away and was met at the door by a charming lady who took me in and showed me the plane which was indeed mine.
Her husband sadly had suffered a severe stroke and still living on a farm had some sort of off road thing that he got about in, he was out in it one day a saw the plane in a ditch and retrieved it, no mean feat as he has severely restricted movement on one side.
It was in fact on the bank of a brook that floods and he wondered if it had been washed downstream and after reviewing the footage from the keychain cam I am inclined to agree with him but of course don't know exactly where he found it but it is a possibility.
Returning to the field I tested the vtx and camera and found they both still work. Obviously I need to test the range of the vtx, also the Suppo OSD appears to work but don't know about the GPS bit yet. All the servos are seized but they are cheap enough and the lipos all but dead but might be alright for a ground station.
Body is the only part that is damaged but its repairable.
Here a are a few pics.
Left side of nose.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/westernstalwart/SAM_0001_zpscad24699.jpg) (http://s58.photobucket.com/user/westernstalwart/media/SAM_0001_zpscad24699.jpg.html)
Suppo GPS module
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/westernstalwart/SAM_0002_zpscc12b6d8.jpg) (http://s58.photobucket.com/user/westernstalwart/media/SAM_0002_zpscc12b6d8.jpg.html)
Motor (with grass wrapped round it) and crack in rear part of fuse.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/westernstalwart/SAM_0003_zpsd404579d.jpg) (http://s58.photobucket.com/user/westernstalwart/media/SAM_0003_zpsd404579d.jpg.html)
Underneath of nose.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/westernstalwart/SAM_0004_zps20ba7065.jpg) (http://s58.photobucket.com/user/westernstalwart/media/SAM_0004_zps20ba7065.jpg.html)
General view of the cockpit area.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/westernstalwart/SAM_0005_zps38ceef09.jpg) (http://s58.photobucket.com/user/westernstalwart/media/SAM_0005_zps38ceef09.jpg.html)
Underside of wings.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/westernstalwart/SAM_0006_zps499be5d6.jpg) (http://s58.photobucket.com/user/westernstalwart/media/SAM_0006_zps499be5d6.jpg.html)
Topside.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/westernstalwart/SAM_0007_zps07bcfac8.jpg) (http://s58.photobucket.com/user/westernstalwart/media/SAM_0007_zps07bcfac8.jpg.html)
Camera and keychain camera.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/westernstalwart/SAM_0010_zps78980b94.jpg) (http://s58.photobucket.com/user/westernstalwart/media/SAM_0010_zps78980b94.jpg.html)
I can't believe that there is so little damage. I hope to repair it and fly it again.
Cheers, Mark
Amazing, what are the chances!
Remarkable result :) Looks in good shape :)
I do love a story that ends well :D
Amazing how robust some elctronic gizmo,s can be yet others die if you frighten them lol
sweet good result :D
dizzy :)
Wow that's incredible. Big up the guy who found it.
Was great, couldn't believe it when you came back with it! Result or what!
Jim.
What was more amusing was Rich's wind up story ;-)
And here is the saviour of the SkySurfer, Local MP David Simcox receiving his reward: A (longer than planned) flight over his constituency.
I have to say, this really made the day. It was great to be able to watch the video and see where it ventured off to. Like looking through a time machine :D
happy for you bud, great news.
:) G
The prodigal sky surfer returns!!!
Really pleased for you.
I know what it's like when your 'craft' flys off and you never see it again.
Had a couple of fly-offs slope soaring at massive heights :-) in the days before FPV
A 1/2 hour or so with the glue gun to repair the damage and another hour to fit new servos and remove all the old stickers and she's nearly ready to take to the air again.
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/westernstalwart/SAM_0012_zps238a0d49.jpg) (http://s58.photobucket.com/user/westernstalwart/media/SAM_0012_zps238a0d49.jpg.html)
Cheers, Mark
Looks as good as new .... not quite ready though, don't forget to stick your contact details on there somewhere :)
Looking Just Great, well done.
I name this skysurfer....
Boomerang;)
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2
What a great success story. Glad it's all working again, Mark.