4m Glider 30 Day Build Challenge

[ThomasMartino]

My glider buddies challenged me to design and build a four meter sailplane in 30 days. The goal is to maiden it at the aerotow event at Hodges Field in May.

I started the design work on 3/30. By 3/31 I had enough drawn out to feel comfortable starting the build. This plane is inspired by retro gull wing gliders like the Petrel and Minimoa. I realize this isn’t the simplest type of plane to build in 30 days but I like to challenge myself.
EDIT: The aerotow was cancelled so I didn’t push to finish this plane by the original deadline. I’m still working on it but I’m trying to balance it between my other airplane builds and my normal work.

On 4/1 I made a jig for the composite wing spar and did the lay up. I also started the horizontal stabilizer.

That’s brings us to today (4/2). I cut the ribs and started assembling the wings. I finished the framing but I still need to install the spar shear webs and the leading edge sheeting.

 

[hsquier]

Hi Thomas,
Again, Wouaw !!. As I already previously said, to me it's art. Thank you for sharing, and as always you put the level quite high !
I love your retro-vintage choice, I won't miss any progression.

But now I follow your work for some time the real question is : I wonder if where you live days have 31 hours and months 43 days ?
Henri.

(btw thank you so much for your kind comment on F6F maiden).

 

[ThomasMartino]

Haha we get the same 24 hours a day here but I sure wish it were more. If I only slept three hours a night like Mike Patey I could get a lot more done.

 

[ThomasMartino]

I was busy for the last three days and most of today. I’m hoping to make up the lost time by building the majority of the fuselage today.

I started by laser cutting the formers and preparing 1/8” square stringers. I have plenty of 1/8” square balsa and Sitka spruce in stock, but none of it is over 48” long. I need 60” for this so I had to make my own. The source? A piece of beautiful old growth spruce from a pipe organ that was built in 1912. As a musician I hate that this pipe organ was destroyed, but I’m thankful I could salvage the wood and give it new life. It also fits nicely with retro/vintage vibe I’m aiming for.

 

[ThomasMartino]

Sorry about the lack of updates. My internet has been spotty ever since a tornado tore through town two weeks ago. I’m slowly but surely working on this plane. For now I call it The Gull, but if anyone has a more poetic suggestion I’d love to hear it. My other big glider is named Iris, so I’d like to stick with the mythological theme.

Here are a few photos of Iris, just because.

 

[ThomasMartino]

Here’s a photo from last week.

 

[ThomasMartino]

Today’s job is the vertical stabilizer.

 

[ThomasMartino]

I finished installing the leading edge sheeting and shear webs. Also, my shop is too full of airplanes to get get good photos

 

[ThomasMartino]

Very relaxing morning today. Listening to music and carving balsa.

 

[hsquier]

[QUOTE="Here are a few photos of Iris, just because.[/QUOTE]

Nice glider. And nice field too !

Carving Balsa ...
Bring a wood block that could be anything including nothing to a unique piece that blends with the other parts a way the finger can't tell there are two and pleases the eyes as has a very specific aerodynamic function : the best side of what human can do.

Thank's again for sharing these superb build pics.

If big (and 4 m is big) is the concept that dominates : Ouranos ? but to me the outlines are so delicate and I presume it (she) will float in the air, I will perhaps prefer Aura.

 

[ThomasMartino]

Big milestone today. All the pieces came together for the first time.

 

[ThomasMartino]

 

[Quinlan Sauter]

wow this is a very beautiful glider!!!!
i noticed the the ribs look like they have been laser cut... if so is it something you have in your workshop or is it a laser cutting service that will cut them out?

 

[The Hangar]

Big milestone today. All the pieces came together for the first time. View attachment 198616

Bravo, beautiful work!

 

[ThomasMartino]

@hsquier Aura and Iris sound nice together. Thanks again for your encouraging words!

 

[ThomasMartino]

wow this is a very beautiful glider!!!!
i noticed the the ribs look like they have been laser cut... if so is it something you have in your workshop or is it a laser cutting service that will cut them out?

Thank you!

Yes the ribs and formers are laser cut. I bought a laser cutter last summer so now I do all my work in the comfort of my own shop.

There may be a university of maker space near you with a laser cutter they are willing to share. I used to visit my sister while she was studying aerospace engineering so I could use the laser cutter at her school. If not, check out Balsa Wood Inc. They offer custom laser cutting services for modelers.

 

[ThomasMartino]

Bravo, beautiful work!

Thank you!

 

[Quinlan Sauter]

Thank you!

Yes the ribs and formers are laser cut. I bought a laser cutter last summer so now I do all my work in the comfort of my own shop.

There may be a university of maker space near you with a laser cutter they are willing to share. I used to visit my sister while she was studying aerospace engineering so I could use the laser cutter at her school. If not, check out Balsa Wood Inc. They offer custom laser cutting services for modelers.

what laser cutter do you have? do you have a link ? i have been wanting one for some time now just can't find one that i like.

 

[ThomasMartino]

I have a Boss Laser 1420. It’s a 1416 with a power upgrade and a larger cutting area.
Here’s a link.

It was more expensive than buying an imported laser cutter, but the build quality and reliability make it worthwhile.

 

[Quinlan Sauter]

any updates? can't wait to see this thing fly!!