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The Image is that rare specimen - an all-around sailplane. We originally designed it as a light thermal duration plane. We built the original bagged-wing Image prototypes at unballasted flying weights of 32 - 34 ounces. Over the course of a year we learned a lot about the plane. We discovered that most serious contest pilots flew their Image with at least 4 to 6 ounces of ballast even in dead air. This gave it a really wide speed range. It is a far better TD plane at 38 to 40 ounces - it flies much more efficiently with a net gain in L/D and no noticable loss in minimum sink.

We also discovered that it is a great plane on the slope. First-off, it is fully aerobatic. Secondly, its FAST when you push the nose down. More than a few specialized slope pylon racers have been upstaged by this "thermal duration" plane. It is actually the weapon of choice for at least one Dynamic Soaring zealot.

The current third generation Image has a two piece carbon-skinned wing with 565 sq. in. elliptical planform and SA 7035 airfoil. All airfoil surfaces are hollow-molded using molds from CNC machined patterns. The S glass fuse has a nose cone covering the molded servo tray. All up weight is 38 to 40 oz., and it is available with either a standard tail with full flying stab or V tail. The stabs and V tails are individually removable for easy flat packing.

The Image is delivered "plug-and-play" - completely finished and ready for radio gear. The servo tray is factory-routed for battery, servos and receiver. Standard equipment includes aluminum wing and carbon stab joiners, skin-hinged ailerons and flaps, adjustable tow hook, carbon pushrods in Teflon tubes and tail group mountings all factory-installed. Also included are an adjustable ballast system, flush-mounted servo covers and "plug & play" wiring harness with wing connector plugs. All parts are molded with MGS epoxy, then post-cured in an oven. All parts are painted in the molds with two-component acrylic polyurethane paint. Standard colors are white, yellow, orange, red, dark blue, black, magenta, purple, chartreuse, lime green and forest green.

Specifications:
Wingspan - 78.74" Wingarea - 585 sq. in. Flying weight - 38-40oz Wing loading - 9.7-10.2 oz./sq. ft.

Price: $1,000 complete