I said that I would give a mini review of the Pike Plus, the big brother to the Pike that is being used very successfully by Kevin Newton in the F3F competitions these days.

So what are the differences then?

The most obvious difference is the span, the Pike Plus is aimed at the F3J and OPEN thermal market. To this end it is being supplied with longer tip sections which sport the currently favourable curled up ends. It is also supplied with tailplane of larger surface area than the Pike. The same wing section is sported by both models, meaning that if you buy one, you would be well advised to consider ordering the alternative set of tips at the same time. This will ensure that you have a model for all weathers and events. Personally I would not think you will find a need for the smaller tailplane so you do not need to order one of them unless you really want to.

Why?

In my experience with both models the smaller tailplane has become redundant very quickly, it is simply too small making the model a bit more of a handful to fly. Do not get me wrong, the small tail does not make the model bad, more that the big tail makes the model very good.

However this is about the Pike Plus, and as standard the model can carry 2lbs 6 0zs of ballast in the wing tubes. I have never needed to fly with that amount of lead on board even in heavy winds, but it is good to have a bit in reserve if the need should arise. The later versions can be supplied with the ballast tubes in the fuselage as well, nigh on doubling the capacity. It gives the owner the choice of where they want to carry their ballast. Roll rate is not affected by either ballast position, it is superb in both cases.

The wing centre section is attached to the fuselage by the customary two steel bolts, as is the tail.

All six control surfaces are hinged with what has become known as a living hinge, in other words it is built in during the wing construction and is smooth, freely operating through its full range. Substantial carbon joiners, with locating pegs fore and aft secure the tips to the centre section.

Lightweight snakes are supplied and fitted as standard for elevator/rudder controls and are very solid. An adjustable towhook is fitted in the correct position. The inner nose section comes as separate enabling the constructor to install the fuselage radio equipment into a small, easily handleable portion of fibreglass. This is a good idea when drilling and filing out the servo and Rx cutouts.

As the Pike has had several people comment on it in other issues and magazines I am not delving in to a full review. What I intend is to give you some impressions of how I feel it handles the requirements of flat field flying and my impression of the build quality.

Let us look at the quality first, now everyone has there pet favourite constructor, some go for outstanding finish and appearance, others prefer the slightly less well constructed and cheaper look. Some prefer wood to be part and parcel of their models construction, others foam.

This model has a combination of all these characteristics in its pedigree.

The wings and tail have a wooden internal skin rather than foam composite. The finish is up there with the best and the fit of all the parts is superb.

The construction of the wing skins can be requested by the buyer, with extra layers of glass or carbon to your own desired specification.

The model I fly has the standard glass over wood build and is an early version with wing ballast only.

It was suggested that I tried flying it on the hillside first to get the trim about right and I had to ask why.

Every model I have needs a slight trim change when you change its flying environment so why partly trim the model on the hill just to change it on the flat?

I prefer to start trimming where I mean to fly the model and so I did. With the C.of G. set as recommended by the suppliers I tried a couple of hand launches to assess the very basic trim. I gradually increased the power of the throws till I could get at least one full turn and occasionally two full circuits out of a launch.

Yes, I do fly a lot of HLG and I do know how to throw.

Do not try this unless you are prepared for a shock at the amount of PHYSICAL effort it requires though.

I was delighted with the initial indications these throws gave me, the model responded well close to the ground and would turn remarkably well at this level. Many large models will not fly responsively low down, tending to be a bit more like barges than quality model gliders.

So then it was pedal to the metal time, over to the winch and some real horsepower applied. When winch launching I never advise anyone to take it easy on the first launches, there is a tendency for nervous fliers to freeze up on the winch with the model pointing upwards and no power to take it there. Lots of tension, a good heavy throw and keep the power on till the model is well clear of any ground effect that may be present.

The Pike Plus showed no signs of strain with all my launching efforts, no problems were encountered during this phase of the trimming process and I was delighted with the amount of height the model would gain on the ping.

With my MC24 radio gear programme I was able to adapt the various trim settings I always use on my models so that it was very controllable throughout the whole speed range of the model. From high speed aerobatics to slow landing approaches, wing and tail controls were always present.

I had heard that the Pike had good speed retention throughout the turn in F3F and had witnessed this when watching Kevin Newton and Paul Garnett fly. I can only assume that this is the same effect that occurs during ping launches. The model is clean.

I was absolutely delighted with the thermal performance.. I had been sceptical when I heard that it was basically a thinned RG15 section, thinking that it would go a long way fast but maybe not be so keen to go up in lift. I could not have been more wrong, it is a superb thermal model, it will indicate and use the merest puff of lift. In competition it has outflown every other model it has come up against in everything from flat calm to 25 mph+.

The other models have all been rated as the best thing since sliced bread at one time or another, it is good to be able to eat the lot of them.

I have used it to pick up lift from as low as 20 ft. and then thermal out. I have used it when others were putting models back into their cars because of the wind strength, it just wants to keep on flying.

Before you start thinking I must have been given the model you are wrong, I bought it, I recommend it to all my friends and YES I would have another at a moment's notice.