900 Square Inch Stardust Special

 

Don Broggini RIP

Hi Guys,

More bad news.

 

My life long dear friend and well known designer of many models, including "The Stardust Special" Has gone to the great flying field in heaven.

 

Below is an email I just received yesterday from Don's Daughter, Nancy Rodgers. I got a lump in my throat when I read this yesterday. We spent many hours together at my home  and on the phone. Don was just an amazing man.

 

He had three different engineering degrees and worked and retired from Grumman many years ago. When I asked Don any questions about aerodynamics or modeling in general he easily gave me the answer and reason for the answer in language I could understand but never talked down to me.

 

Don was one of the smartest men I've had the pleasure of calling him my friend. He will be sorely missed.

 

The two photo's were taken in my home many years ago.

 

The photo of the Stardust Special was the first Stardust Special that I built after the plans were approved by SAM. Silk & Dope (Of course).

Larry Davidson

 

 

Hi Larry,                                    1-10-17

It is with great sadness to tell you that my father passed away yesterday at his home in Centerport, NY. He had come home from rehab on November 30th and was being a total trooper trying to stay engaged and work hard. He got pneumonia, which has been a continuous battle, and just couldn't pull out of it this time. It has been a very difficult few months for him and we can all take solice in that he is now at peace and can be with my mom again. Thank you for always checking in on him and being such a good friend. He always spoke very fondly of you. I know he enjoyed your friendship as much as you did his. 

Regards,

Nancy Rodgers

 

900 Square Inch Stardust Special- test flight

Last year, we test flew the Stardust built from a Holman kit with near disastrous results. The wing incidence was >3˚. The day before the contest this year, it was flown with 1 ½˚ wing incidence, 3˚ down thrust and with the CG at 62%. It maxed.

On the first contest flight, with a 23 second engine run on the Super Tigre .40RR, it had to be forced down after nearly 13 minutes.   While retrieving from the landing zone, the model was struck by a landing 2,300 square inch electric Lanzo Airborn thus breaking off the tail and smashing one wingtip.  

It shall return next year.

Incredibly, when all the beef-ups and modifications were done, it came out weighing 14oz. per square foot; forty percent heavier than its minimum required weight!

Test Flight of Stardust Special

Model was test flown by Mike Salvador and won't be flown again until the tail heavy condition is resolved.

C Glow Stardust Special part III

Part 3 in the construction series of the .40 powered Stardust Special,  2012 SAM Champs Model of the Year.

I have to put in the center section ribs, sheet the center section and the leading edge of the wing. then I have to make the platform for the stab. After that a lot of sanding and shaping. By then maybe it will have warmed up and I can work on it outside.

Super Tigre G40

Wood added to fin when larger option was discovered on plan

Stardust Special (under construction) part I

Here's a 900 square inch Stardust Special being built from a Bob Holman laser kit.