Well, I ended up making a 5th mould, not from Chris's original, but from my best carbon K7 to date (#2).
Number 2 has such a sweet flight. With a hard throw, keeping the MTA verticle, and about 70 degrees inclination(so a pretty easy throw), the flight is amazing. Out it shoots to around 40-45 metres, climbing all the time. It turns, stabilises at around 35 metres away, in a very high hover. I made this MTA from my first K7 mold I think, but I had to heat tune it to get the lucky flight it now has.
Then it drifts back for flights between 25-45 secs depending on all the usual conditions. I was using this for the competition at Shrewsbury 2010 and it was quite windy. My only trouble was the wind was so shifty, and because the MTA set up so far from the 100m line, I kept on missing the entire 100m circle as it drifted back!! Lovely flights though, with superb height.
So, it was with a little trepidation, that I laid this lovely #2 into a plasticine surround and proceeded to pour a chemical mold all over it. For those that make molds, you will know what I mean. Its kind of like the boomerang version of being anethetised, since you are walking the fine line between survival and death.
Once the mold had set, it was time to retrieve the K7 buried in the middle. It was a difficult and stressful extraction. One wing was really stuck. Luckily it popped out, athough the mold took #2's lable as way of trophy.
First thoughts are that the mold looks pretty good. Sure it needs a little TLC, but the basics are sound.
I never do much to the mold before I make the first MTA, since if the first MTA doesn't fly, then I won't have wasted a significant amount of time polishing the mold.
My first MTA from mold 5 then, is destined for my friend Jim Reid. I decide on my usual set up - so cross weave and 1/16 inch balsa core. 2 days later out it comes, and actually looks very good for an unrefined mold. But how does it fly?
Fantastic.
Its as good as #2, which is good news because it means I may have accurately copied the K7 I made the 5th mold from. In tricky wind and no thermals, it flew for 30 secs, with a lovely flight.
However, its always too early to celebrate. It is quite possible that the next K7 I make from mold5 may fly like s**t as often happens. However, I do spend some time cleaning the mold, and sanding the surface where there were some minor blemishes.
The next K7 is fantastic (for Michele - France). I wanted to keep this! It was even better than #2.
So I made another - this time for one of my USA friends. Another fabulous flyer. It went out nearly 50m and climbed really high. What a lovely MTA!
They all weigh between 14.7 and 14.9 grams.
So now, I have made 3 and every one of them flew brilliantly.
I currently have 2 more at home, made, one for Jay Butters and one for me.
My one, I wanted to see the results of the 'Russian' carbon. This is the stuff that Manuel pointed me towards. Its horrendous to work with. So, so fragile. It frays when you look at it.But super thin and lightweight. And expensive.
Today, I popped this out of the mold. It looks drop dead gorgeous. Must be the finest K7 I have ever made. Virtually blemish free, really smooth and shiny.
It weighs 12 grams!
As of yet I haven't thrown it (or Jays) and to say I am looking forward to it, is an understatement!!
However, as I have often found, this carbon MTA lark, is a bloody nightmare, it may be too light and FLS.
But - it could also turn out to be one of the best MTA's I have ever thrown. Now all I need is for this August wind to drop down to under 5mph so I can try it!
I might have a long wait.... Its already been 10mph+ for nearly 2 weeks.
Update - actually had a great chance the day following the original post. Both flew fine and my uni carbon K7 caught a nice bit of wind and flew for 42 secs on its 3rd throw. Most were between 20-30 secs with no thermals or sunshine. Superb height and usual 40m out in front. I think I can safely say that mold 5 is consistently producing some great K7 MTA's. Contact me if if wish to order one.
The one I have just made for the 2010 Trefriw auction - I nearly lost today. It flew for 1 minute, travelling over 100m before coming to rest in some trees. Luckily I was able to retrieve it! Damn this mold is good....
