Balsa

[bracesport]

Well, on the back of some great builds in Balsa (especially @rockyboy 's builds) I have been inspired to build one myself - I have picked the SLOPEMASTER which I think it looks awesome - It is an old school design using old school techniques!

The first step will be to CAD it up in 3D from the Plan template!

 

[bracesport]

the first step in the CAD is the wing - it uses a fully symmetrical aerofoil and there are three thicknesses of balsa used - at this point, I am just roughing out the wing on top of the 2D plan - my technique is to use a lofted surface for the wing and then pattern some flat surfaces for the aerofoils that are split with the wing surface - this way I can then thicken the foil sections to make the foil piece templates that can be laser cut.

 

[bracesport]

Before finalising the wing parts to add sheeting etc I drew up the vertical stabiliser and fin - I took some small liberties with these parts to make their shapes more similar than the 2D plan shows (let's call that creative licence)!

 

[buzzbomb]

Looking good already! I'm surprised you're not just 3D printing the parts.

 

[PsyBorg]

Nice kit to start out on for a winter project. I like that airfoil shape. I wonder if that slight difference between that and the Edge 540 kit would make the edge be even better.

 

[Arcfyre]

@bracesport that's a good looking bird. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

 

[rockyboy]

Really looking forward to following along and building one of these too!

And it'll be a lot easier to build with modern radio mixing and not doing one of those crazy mechanical mixing sliding servo trays

 

[bracesport]

@rockyboy - after drawing it up I will add the 2d cutting files!

@PsyBorg - summer coming here so it will be a long build!

@buzzbomb - if it flies well in balsa, it would be a prime target for a 3D printed version!

@Arcfyre - it is a sleek design from 30 yrs ago, so I think they did a good job on the style!

 

[The Hangar]

Really cool project! I’m definitely watching this one!

 

[PsyBorg]

@rockyboy - after drawing it up I will add the 2d cutting files!

@PsyBorg - summer coming here so it will be a long build!

@buzzbomb - if it flies well in balsa, it would be a prime target for a 3D printed version!

@Arcfyre - it is a sleek design from 30 yrs ago, so I think they did a good job on the style!

well shoot...

Parties at Bracesports house bring your planes n sleepin bags!!!! Flyin season just gearin up there guys!!!

 

[Piotrsko]

Except for the 3 rudder thing that is pretty much a Gryphon from the 80's. You'll like it. Art, a lawyer when I flew the cove, maybe had a dozen over a couple of years.

@PsyBorg uhhhh, it is a 23 hr flight from my place, not including layovers. You go, take pictures. I'll come later.

 

[Piotrsko]

found a link over on rcgroups with plans just fyi https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1053051

 

[Merv]

Great looking plane

 

[bracesport]

A bit more progress to add the fuse and fins and I just need to add the wingtips and sheeting to finish the basic model! Given it is a traditional balsa build the fuse will need the side panels in flat form (for laser cutting) and then the rest is achieved easily as per Kens build guide. The wing foils will also get a bit more attention (for laser cutting) and it will be done!

 

[bracesport]

just added the wingtips and roughed out the sheeting

!

 

[bracesport]

wing sheeting is done! I think the fuse needs a bit of extra shaping (it is a but bull-nosed)!

 

[Wildthing]

Dang you work fast.

I like it , somebody is hooked on slope soaring now

Just a tad jealous

 

[Grifflyer]

That looks great!!

I want to try sloping someday...

 

[buzzbomb]

It's looking very elegant, @bracesport. What control surfaces will it have?

 

[Addicted]

It just keeps getting better! LIKE!