The "Skull Bandit" Prototype #1

Stan "the Dreaded Skull" Erwin is the designer of the what promises to be a very successful new combat plane.  Shown here is Prototype #1.  It uses the Selig 8036 airfoil as first used on AJ Seaholm's famed Avenger series. Stan has employed some innovative design concepts to the Bandit.  These concepts are aimed at speeing up the building process. The complete Bandit shown on the right weighed 3 lbs 7 ounces with an OS .25 FX and standard muffler

The photo on the left shows the top of the horizontal stabilizer, elevator and rudder.  The fuselage is made from solid 1/2" HDPE (high density polyethylene).  It is one piece.  Stan is going to have the fuselages routed on a CNC machine once the design is finalized.  The tail uses an innovative mounting system.  Stan designed the Bandit so that each part could be field replaceable.  The tail, if damaged, can be replaced by simply unbolting the 10X32 nylon retainers and slipping in new parts.

To simplify the construction process the fuselage is one solid unit.  The servos, battery, receiver, and tank are all attached directly to the fuselage.  By doing this the time to construct the wing is minimized as it will only need to house the aileron servo.  Also all components are easily accessible for repair or replacement.  The wing sits in a lexan saddle and is held on with rubber bands going over the top from front to rear.

Here is a closeup of the engine and tank mount.  The structure above the wing helps hold the wing in place but may be either reduced or eliminated in future models.  The tank in this photo sits slightly above the carb centerline.  The nose will be extended slightly on the next prototype and this will allow the tank to be mounted on the centerline of the engine.  The throttle servo is shown below the wing saddle. Stan Erwin continues to work to refine and develop the Skull Bandit. Kit Shipment begin Friday, May 17th.  Ordering information: $50 for kit plus $10 Shipping and Handling.  Includes CNC routed 1/2" thick HDPE fuselage, lexan wing saddle, two sets of Coroplast tail feathers, HiLoad 40 (Owens Corning Pink) foam cores, hardwood Leading Edge Cap, Balsa trailing edge, 1-1/2" aileron stock. Send orders to:  Stan Erwin, 5938 Nacoochee Trail, Flowery Brank Georgia, 30542, for information call 770-967-6478 after 6pm EST.