It is still Christmas somewhere!

PINCH PINCH

I'm still pinching myself...and it still hurts. Therefore, I must be awake and not dreaming:
https://www.vintagemodelcompany.com/22-kk-radian.html

This arrived on my doorstep. It IS the same plane the manufacturer used for their catalog (link above).

Several weeks ago I got an unusual request via PM on RCG.
I "met" the owner/builder, Mr. Matthew on RCG during his English replica kit build log a few years ago. I actually bought a CNC cut short kit (inspired by Mr. Matthew's build log in the RCG thread) from Mark Winstanley in Canada, while purchasing my Frog Mosquito clone kit.

The PM was really short and to the point...would I like to fly his model? Ummm, yes Sir! But aren't you in ENGLAND? A few more emails to iron out the details...and he shipped it a week ago. It got here a lot faster than I expected.

My instructions are simple...video record each flight as I dial in to best performance until re-kitted. Simple enough!

This is my first with flaps. Frankly, the build is just jaw-dropping. The plane is super light. It makes me think I build too heavy! While it has the same wingspan as my old Scientific P-40, this has to be carrying more square inches just because the wings are not as triangular as the P40 wings. The tank rides in a slide-in cartridge that allows for removal and servicing. The landing gear is spectacular, featuring hand-built wheels and also removable. The engine is lightly oiled, with no congealed castor stickiness. A quick check in the exhaust port shows SPI...and is that a groove at the base if the piston skirt? Blink Blink...Yup! .051! Mr. Matthew indicates this is a Tee Dee de-tuned with Medallion front-end parts.

CG is around 1" back from leading edge, leadouts come out just behind the CG, and the plane hangs just a bit nose down from the lead-outs.
In short, this will require very little fiddling...maybe just flush the tank with methanol, and go fly.

PINCH PINCH! Owe! Definitely not dreaming...

Thanks Mr. Matthew. I hope to do justice to your efforts.