Ted
Everyone has been suspect about the claims made by this kit maker. I
was skeptical too, until I learned more about the guy that designed
(or redesigned) this aircraft.
That said, a good design and handbuilt prototype doesn't mean the kit
is going to be worth a damn. The designer continues to supply some
parts for this kit.
Check out these links for more info:
http://users.lmi.net/~ryoung/Sonerai/Juan_Comments.html
http://www.tecaeromex.com/esp/about.htm
Juan Manuel Lozano Gallegos
I posted an article last night that shows up in the
'tree' but the article itself will not display for me.
Can anyone else see it?
Meanwhile, my understanding is that Mr Gallegos
took plans for the Teenie Two and redesigned the
plane to his liking, changing every component except
for bulkhead 'E' and the vertical fin. Those plans
were transferred to Bradley Huggins, who has made
other changes since, in part to reduce the build
time.
I do not know any details of their arrangement, for
instance I do not know who owns the intellectual
property rights to the design. Aside from having no
knowledge of any contractual arrangement I also
do no know how different a derivative work needs
to be before it becomes an original work in its own
right.
Mr Gallegos did provide fiberglass parts for a while,
but I am told that the present design does not'
use them.
I also note that Mr Gallegos is offering to sell
rocket belts for $250,000, even though his belt
has not yet flown untethered. But at least he
makes that clear on his website. BA does not
let prospective buyers know that their current
production model has yet to be assembled, let
alone flown.
I certainly would not buy any aircraft components
from anyone who thinks that 'aircraft aluminum'
is a proper material specification.
--
FF
There has been much recent discussion here:
See also:
http://groups.google.com/groups/search?q=bradley+aerobat&start=0&scoring=d&
Official websites:
http://groups.msn.com/bradleyaerobat
http://bradleyaerospace.com/kits.htm
http://www.vortechonline.com/bradley/
Note that the price of the kit and whether or not an engine is
included
seems to vary according to which web page you use to order it...
--
FF