JUSS10
I like Biplanes
First attempt at balsa - Corben Super Ace | 2017/2018 Balsa Build Along!
Lately I've been getting the itch to try building a balsa plane. I've built a few things from balsa and ply over the years but never a plane.
A while back I was able to acquire some CAD plans for a 44" Corben Super Ace. I've always loved this plane and thought it would be fun to try. I was looking for CAD plans as I run a laser cutter at work and wanted to cut the parts out.
As stated I have never built a plane, so this will be a bit of an experiment and should be fun whether it works out or now.
the plan was originally for a 3 channel plane with quite a bit of dihedral. I modified the wing to be a flat wing and added ailerons based on some other plans I looked up.
The wing plans also called for a balsa spar and 1/16" ribs. I had some birch ply laying around and decided to cut the spar from ply for strength. I also changed the ribs to 3/32 (once again, based on some other plans i found of similar sized planes) Hoping those two choices don't screw this up.
With those choices made I cut out all the balsa for the wing last night and did a test fit of the ribs. Everything seems fine. I have some ceiling tile pieces from a basement remodel a few years back that I plan to use as a building mat. Also printed out the plans to build on top of.
I have watched the one video that FT did on balsa building and plan to use some of those tips. Anything else I should really know before I start gluing this wing up?
I think I'll just start with the wing and see how it goes. I'm not always the most patient person so we'll see how this goes. Hopefully I don't loose interest.
Here are some photos of the real plane, the plans I have and the parts I have cut so far.
Justin
Lately I've been getting the itch to try building a balsa plane. I've built a few things from balsa and ply over the years but never a plane.
A while back I was able to acquire some CAD plans for a 44" Corben Super Ace. I've always loved this plane and thought it would be fun to try. I was looking for CAD plans as I run a laser cutter at work and wanted to cut the parts out.
As stated I have never built a plane, so this will be a bit of an experiment and should be fun whether it works out or now.
the plan was originally for a 3 channel plane with quite a bit of dihedral. I modified the wing to be a flat wing and added ailerons based on some other plans I looked up.
The wing plans also called for a balsa spar and 1/16" ribs. I had some birch ply laying around and decided to cut the spar from ply for strength. I also changed the ribs to 3/32 (once again, based on some other plans i found of similar sized planes) Hoping those two choices don't screw this up.
With those choices made I cut out all the balsa for the wing last night and did a test fit of the ribs. Everything seems fine. I have some ceiling tile pieces from a basement remodel a few years back that I plan to use as a building mat. Also printed out the plans to build on top of.
I have watched the one video that FT did on balsa building and plan to use some of those tips. Anything else I should really know before I start gluing this wing up?
I think I'll just start with the wing and see how it goes. I'm not always the most patient person so we'll see how this goes. Hopefully I don't loose interest.
Here are some photos of the real plane, the plans I have and the parts I have cut so far.
Justin
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