Topazium

[Dan Tandberg]

Several years ago Philip Brister gave me the wingtips that survived the miserably severe crash of his beautiful 3.5 meter Topaz.  Today the plane that incorporated them remains one of my favorite gliders.  I named the new 3.8 meter electric craft "Topazium".

I had to build two entirely new center panels.  I included spoilers.  

I added some whit patches for high altitude visibility.

The stab is scratch built with diagonal ribs for torsion.  It has a symmetrical airfoil and stayed flat over the years.

Somebody gave me this beautiful rudder from a murdered 3.5 m Yellow Jacket and it was just right.

I extended the boom with a nice piece of another crashed model, not sure from who.  Not sure where the electric fuselage came from either.

The point:  Don't throw away those parts that survive gravity.

[daniel roberts]

And it flew great today....It was quite a site. 

Dan R

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From: soa...@googlegroups.com <soa...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Dan Tandberg <tandb...@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2026 4:31 PM
To: soarabq <soa...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [ASA] Topazium

 

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[Dennis]

I'm curious Dan how that NEU motor worked out? I believe that is a 1509 series with a p32, 6.7-1 gearbox?

On Feb 21, 2026, at 5:27 PM, daniel roberts <dan...@live.com> wrote:



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[Dan Tandberg]

Hey, Dennis . I haven't finished the model yet. It's still too cold in my garage for the glue to set up. 

Dan Tandberg, MD

Professor Emeritus

UNM School of Medicine