"5577" - The Seven Day Sling

[cobra]

All of the best with the 7-day build, enjoyable party and safe flight! Cheers for now, Sias

[Bulletjie]

Could anyone please give us an update?

[LenM]

Thank you for posting these photos!!
Looking good!!

[RV4ker (RIP)]

As matter of interest. Who are the builders?

[jpitman]

The Sling 7 day build is getting along fabulously. Photos below show the team members and the developments to toward the end of the second day (Sunday). All bets are still on for 7 days, if not 6.

Team members are –
Men : Mike Blyth, Jean d’Assonville, James Pitman, Gareth Bosch, VinceNtuli
Women: Nomfundo Xulu, Charmaine Blyth, Bronwyn Eyre, Cheri-Lee Matthews, Vega Ebbersten, Dudu Mathebula (6 girls because one is entitled to attend to writing articles, posting photographs etc at any one time – we’re lucky to have 2 journalists included).

All of the men are employees of The Airplane Factory and have experience on the Sling. None of the women come from the factory and one look at them leaves no doubt that they were chosen at least in part for glamour. None have any experience on the Sling, or any special mechanical skills of any sort for that matter. Nevertheless, excellent progress is being made and at sunset on day two (21h30, actually), both wings are complete, the rear fuselage is 90% done and the centre fuselage, under Vince’s control, will be attached to the rear fuselage and the undercarriage fitted before the end of the day today, day 3.

Briefly, the daily program is up at 06.30 for a cup of coffee, start work at 07h00, work til 09h30 and have breakfast, then work until 13h30, to a 45 minute lunch break. Then it’s work on until 21h30, before breaking for supper, some drinks and sleep. Right now everyone’s too excited to sleep early and we’re up until at least 1am, but that’s sure to change. There’s no question that weariness is setting in and everyone’s starting to fade just a little.

Thanks to all the visitors we had yesterday, especially to Elton for the aerobatic show. Your support is much appreciated and all onlookers are welcome.

Early morning run.jpg (57 KiB) Viewed 1990 times

The team jumping for joy.jpg (79.21 KiB) Viewed 1990 times

Day 2 afternoon.jpg (70 KiB) Viewed 1990 times

Nomfundo on the rear fuselage.jpg (57.67 KiB) Viewed 1990 times

[Graham Mac]

Should ANYONE of you have the time, please post a photo or two.. Can assure you there are many of us that will be following progress remotely!

[LenM]

Thanks for the photos!!!
Looking good!

[Low Level]

All of the men are employees of The Airplane Factory and have experience on the Sling. None of the women come from the factory and one look at them leaves no doubt that they were chosen at least in part for glamour. None have any experience on the Sling, or any special mechanical skills of any sort for that matter.

You guys are a definate inspiration of what can be achieved. Gives one a sense of homebrew achievement just reading about this.
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P.s. And nothing wrong with your marketing skills either.

[pietmeyer]

How about we get a few guys to fly in on Firday morning to check out the progress? I am flying from Ingwe Airfield so any of the Kroon or Aeroden guys would like to join me on Friday morning to Tedderfield?

[LenM]

Spending a few days up in Jhb and after a quick Google Earth search, noticed that I'm 20mins North of you at this moment!!
Are you still building until +-20:30 at night?
Will definitely swing by this evening to check out your progress, as well as to finally meet The Sling!

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Looks like they having a TIT time....

[John Boucher]

The more I look at the Sling... the more I am being enticed to start saving, buying parts of the kit and build one....

I would prefer to opt for a Jab 3300 up front - just sounds more like an aerie then!

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Ditto. You can fit any engine, but Mike is agent for Rattex so they will only make cowl and mount for 91x...

[John Boucher]

Going up North next week... So I'll pop in there!

[RV4ker (RIP)]

It be gone by then