<< >>For informational purposes only (not as a flame), I think Ken Rand of KR
fame, first brought the mold less construction concept of foam and glass to
the public about a year or so before Burt Rutan picked up the concept and
made it more what it is today. <<
I did wonder where Burt got the idea from too. When did the aeromodellers
first
pick up foam and glass, or foam and balsa wood construction? Seem to
remember
Burt built model airplanes as a boy. Maybe Ken did too. Like a lot of these
innovative ideas they often seem to spring up in several places
simultaneously.
Graham >>
Graham (and everyone else):
Ken was a big builder of models before he and Stu Robinson build the first
KRs. I believe he did, in fact, "scale up" his model airplane to be a man
carrying machine. I think Ken was a few years ahead of Burt in age and model
plane experience at the time. Ken and Stu first were going to build a
Taylor Monoplane. If you look closely at both designs (KR & Monoplane) you
will notice many similarities. I think the major difference in construction
was the introduction of foam and glass in portions of the KR.
Lance Niebuaer (sp?) had a KR2 before he designed and built the first
Lancair. I hink he wanted to improve on the KR and even discussed the
potential of Rand Robinson going in on his new design. Ken's window, who was
running the company after his death, declined to make the plunge. IMHO, what
a missed opportunity, but hindsight is always 20-20 and she did raise 4 fine
girls by herself while running RR, so who is to say she was right or wrong by
taking a pass on the offer?
Later
Randy Stein
Santa Monica, CA
BSHADR@aol.com
PS - Anyone who would like to attend the 1997 KR Gathering Sept 19 & 20 in
Perry OK, here in America, Email me direct and Ill fill you in on the
details. Suffice to say that we will be having a great time. We have 12
Seminars scheduled over the two days covering building, finishing and test
flying home builts. There is support from AS&S, Great Plains VW, SwagAero,
etc. Any and all home builders are welcome.
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