Saturday, April 25, 2009

Materials for spars (from 1995 discussion)

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Date: Wed, 8 Feb 1995 09:32:51 -1000 From: tanaka_be@swam1.enet.dec.com (Bert Tanaka) Message-Id: <9502081930.AA09897@mts-gw.pa.dec.com> Organization: Harvard University Office of Information Technology Subject: New Product - Improved SkyShark 2P rod

I got a set of the new 2P spars from SkyShark and tested them in my Legend IQ ultralight that normally uses the 3P spars. This is a nice 8 gram rod. The old 2P was the same diameter as the 3P, 5P and 7P, which made it convenient because it was interchangeable with the same fittings that are used on the other rods. Although it had a pretty good stiffness to weight ratio, it was also a bit fragile for the heavy use and harsh flying that I like to do. I've never used them because I could break them so easily.

This new 2P is made with a smaller diameter. A concept Erez says that was suggested by David Lord. I believe he used the diameter spec Dave suggested when the new mandrel was selected. Otherwise, it appears to have all the same characteristics of the old rod, except that it is much, much tougher.

I've been flying with it for a while now and have been doing a lot of ground rolls, tip stabs, coins, cartwheels, and hard snap stalls (basically, I've been trying to break them!). Ground work and hard snapping maneuvers will weaken a rod but so far, this new 2P has held up wonderfully. This one is probably tough enough to accept a set of Power-Tite connectors which help to stiffen up the frames made of light weight spars. At any rate, it has proving to be a very durable performer for me.

Good Winds, Bert


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Date: Thu, 9 Feb 1995 12:19:06 -1000 From: bwg001@carina.unm.edu (Brian W. Gordon) Message-Id: <3he4cq$o30@lynx.unm.edu> Organization: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque Subject: Re: New Product - Improved SkyShark 2P rod

Bert Tanaka (tanaka_be@swam1.enet.dec.com) wrote: : I got a set of the new 2P spars from SkyShark and tested them in my : Legend IQ ultralight that normally uses the 3P spars. This is a nice : 8 gram rod. The old 2P was the same diameter as the 3P, 5P and 7P, which : made it convenient because it was interchangeable with the same fittings : that are used on the other rods. Although it had a pretty good stiffness : to weight ratio, it was also a bit fragile for the heavy use and harsh : flying that I like to do. I've never used them because I could break them : so easily.

: This new 2P is made with a smaller diameter. A concept Erez says that was : suggested by David Lord. I believe he used the diameter spec Dave suggested : when the new mandrel was selected. Otherwise, it appears to have all the same : characteristics of the old rod, except that it is much, much tougher.

: I've been flying with it for a while now and have been doing a lot : of ground rolls, tip stabs, coins, cartwheels, and hard snap stalls : (basically, I've been trying to break them!). Ground work and hard : snapping maneuvers will weaken a rod but so far, this new 2P has held : up wonderfully. This one is probably tough enough to accept a set of : Power-Tite connectors which help to stiffen up the frames made of : light weight spars. At any rate, it has proving to be a very durable : performer for me.

: Good Winds, : Bert

Thanks for the great info Bert! How do you think these spars will hold up (in terms of toughness) to other SUL spars like the G-Force?

Keith Kidder


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From: Date: Fri, 17 Feb 1995 01:44:26 -1000 From: mainwari@k12.oit.umass.edu(Dave Mainwaring (Northeast Resources))) Message-Id: <1995Feb17.114426.12799@k12.ucs.umass.edu> Organization: University of Massachusetts/Amherst K-12 Information System Reply-To: mainwari@k12.oit.umass.edu(Dave Mainwaring (Northeast Resources))) Subject: Re: New Product - Improved SkyShark 2P rod


In a previous article, bwg001@carina.unm.edu (Brian W. Gordon) says:

/>Bert Tanaka (tanaka_be@swam1.enet.dec.com) wrote: />: I got a set of the new 2P spars from SkyShark and tested them in my />: Legend IQ ultralight that normally uses the 3P spars. This is a nice />: 8 gram rod. The old 2P was the same diameter as the 3P, 5P and 7P, which />: made it convenient because it was interchangeable with the same fittings />: that are used on the other rods. Although it had a pretty good stiffness />: to weight ratio, it was also a bit fragile for the heavy use and harsh />: flying that I like to do. I've never used them because I could break them />: so easily. />


any suggestions on locating sources for spars, I,m in the Boston MA area. --Dave Mainwaring Northeast Resources (617) 455 9920 FAX 617 449 1826


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Date: Fri, 17 Feb 1995 08:15:23 -1000 From: sasaki@netope.harvard.edu (Marty Sasaki) Message-Id: <3i2p3r$4u5@netope.harvard.edu> Organization: Harvard University Subject: Re: New Product - Improved SkyShark 2P rod


In article <1995Feb17.114426.12799@k12.ucs.umass.edu>, mainwari@k12.ucs.umass.edu (Dave Mainwaring (Northeast Resources)) writes: |>any suggestions on locating sources for spars, I,m in the Boston MA area.

Don McCasland at Kites of Boston has a pretty good stock of spars and can order anything that he doesn't have.

I can provide small numbers of spars for repairs and such. I don't really do retail, however, but am happy to help out if you need something on the field and I have it with me.

I highly recommend Tom Marvin at Hang-em High Fabrics in Richmond VA. Tom has all sorts of spars and fittings along with Icarex and regular ripstop nylon.

Another good source of spars is the High Fly Kite Co in New Jersey. Fran Gramkowski has lots of experience with all sorts of kite spars.

--Marty Sasaki Harvard University Sasaki Kite Fabrications sasaki@harvard.edu Network Services Division 90 Melrose Street 617-496-4320 10 Ware Street Arlington, MA 02174 Cambridge, MA 02138-4002 phone/fax: 617-646-1925
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