4 Metre Glider Scratch Build

[TooJung2Die]

The mark of a master craftsman is how well he hides his mistakes.

 

[Jackson T]

Got the ribs done for the next wing panels!

This panel tapers slightly, so the ribs are all slightly different sizes.

Do you normally make each rib exact to the aerofoil for a tapered wing, or do you make them all the same and just trim the ones that need to be shorter down? I decided to make each one exact to the aerofoil. They aren't very accurate though . I remember reading something that Selig (the aerofoil designer) wrote, saying that small inaccuracies will alter the aerofoil's performance a fair bit because of all the complicated stuff that happens at low reynolds numbers. I guess we'll find out!

 

[Jackson T]

Got some work done on the next wing panel.

 

[Jackson T]

This is what the wing planform looks like:

The yellow lines are the dihedral breaks and the blue lines are where the wing parts for transport. I'm currently building the first dihedralled panel (between the yellow lines). I won't be sheeting the outermost section because it doesn't need the strength, but I'm unsure if I should taper out the sheeting on the current panel, or if I should keep it all the way to the end of the panel. Any ideas?

 

[TooJung2Die]

I would sheet all the way to the tip for looks and continuity. But that's just my opinion.

 

[Wildthing]

This is what the wing planform looks like:


The yellow lines are the dihedral breaks and the blue lines are where the wing parts for transport. I'm currently building the first dihedralled panel (between the yellow lines). I won't be sheeting the outermost section because it doesn't need the strength, but I'm unsure if I should taper out the sheeting on the current panel, or if I should keep it all the way to the end of the panel. Any ideas?

Fantastic job you are doing, I sure wouldn't have the patience to do what you are doing.

 

[Jackson T]

I would sheet all the way to the tip for looks and continuity. But that's just my opinion.

Yeah, that would probably look the best, but the sheeting adds a fair bit of weight (at least 30 percent of the total for the whole wing), and I also don't really want to buy the extra balsa (it would cost an extra $8 or so). It would also further decrease the roll rate with the extra weight on the tips. Any ideas on how I can not sheet the last panel, but still have it look ok?

 

[TooJung2Die]

Any ideas on how I can not sheet the last panel, but still have it look ok?

Cover the wing from the spar forward with an opaque covering film and continue the pattern to the wing tips. The whole leading edge from tip to tip will be the same opaque color. Use transparent film on the sections of wing behind the spar so the ribs show.

 

[Jackson T]

Cover the wing from the spar forward with an opaque covering film and continue the pattern to the wing tips. The whole leading edge from tip to tip will be the same opaque color. Use transparent film on the sections of wing behind the spar so the ribs show.

Nice idea! I'll look into it.

 

[Jackson T]

This is the dihedral plan, what do ya recon?

 

[bracesport]

you are all over this build my friend - commit, execute, fly!

 

[Jackson T]

you are all over this build my friend - commit, execute, fly!

Thanks! How's your Vista going?

 

[bracesport]

@Jackson T - I made my Hybrid Pheonix so I could learn a bit more about these sized ships, then I will toss the Vista in the air - to be honest, I have been scared to break it after all the work building it - I am over that now so a test flight will be imminent!

 

[Jackson T]

to be honest, I have been scared to break it after all the work building it

Yeah, I know the feeling!

 

[Jackson T]

So I'm not sure anymore if I want to put the carbon fibre tow on. I won't be able to high start it because it would require one heck of a rubber, and I don't think the rubber bands holding the wing on will handle the stress. So, if it lives it's whole life a motor glider, it doesn't need to have a crazy 10 G rating anymore (no high starting), and I haven't bought the epoxy yet, which will cost another $15. It seems plenty strong enough for normal operations with the sheeting anyway, and not putting the carbon on will save weight too. What do you guys recon?

 

[Jackson T]

Finished this wing panel for now, I'll do the shear webbing and the sheeting after I've glued this panel to the next one.

 

[Jackson T]

Finished the other side!

It's funny, just these left and right panels together are bigger than a Tiny Trainer, and they're only 1/4 of the wing!

Next I'll be making the left and right outermost panel, then I'll glue'm together!

 

[Wildthing]

Looking good.
Wait until you get the whole wing together, you will be able to use it as a step ladder

 

[Jackson T]

I traced and cut out the ribs for the last wing panels today! I use tracing paper to get the pattern from the paper to the balsa. What other methods are out there?

 

[Jackson T]

I forgot to mention before, I am making a video series about this project on my YouTube channel. I did a part one video for the build of the fuse and tail surfaces, and I'll make a part two on the wings when I'm finished. If you have any suggestions to improve the video, please let me know.