This is my NSP Bird of Prey Composite. I see that NSP is offering this kit again. The plane was bought in 1998 and is very easy to fly. The wings are not up to maximum winch launches, but it still achieves acceptable heights. The crescent planform is unusual, and makes it easier to recognize the plane in the air.
I had a problem with the fuselage being too weak at the rear of the canopy opening, so there is CF reinforcement from the wing rod hole to the nose. Converting it to a nosecone also strengthened the fuselage enough to survive dork landings. The composite tail has also been replaced with a balsa built up tail, which saves about 3 ounces overall.
With camber across the full trailing edge, the light wing loading and rearward CG lets the plane achieve thermal turns in the 3 wingspan diameter range, while still being controllable. This is why it has become my ship of choice for no wind conditions. It has made several thermal flights over 90 minutes, and is easy to land.
A most interesting story; there's only two of us at the field on a nice sunny afternoon. MB has his winch out, but has to go and pick up his daughter. Since he does not know if he will be back later in the day, the winch is packed away after I launch. The BOP is doing well that day, so I bid goodbye and sit down in the lawn chair. Several more pilots show up but nobody bothers to set up another winch, MB returns about 2 hours later and the plane is still up. I say, "Good, it's time for lunch anyway." One launch is all you need on a good afternoon.
Specs are:
Weight - 65 ounces
Airfoil - SD 7037
Span - 120 inches