Some time back John posted a thread about his "Green Giant" with diamond airfoiled ribs, no spars, to allow the covering to sag between ribs.  With his permission I have borrowed the concept--here's the wing so far. 

The concept is simple: Thick airfoil at the ribs, sagging to a thinner curved cross section between.  The ribs are 1 1/2" tall; with 6" avg. chord that makes a 25% airfoil--but it sags between (ribs are at 3" spacing to allow) to a minimum of 3/4", 12.5%.  I included an interior spar, 3/4" tall, to limit the sag.  Average airfoil somewhere between, probably 15-16% or so.  Cut a cross section betweeen the ribs and you'd see the covering assumes a curved, standard airfoil shape. 

Advantages that I can see include quick easy cutting-out of ribs with minimal waste, and foolproof build since it lays flat on your building board. No chance of warps. No jig needed; your building surface becomes the jig.  Just hope it flies well!

Also I included a few shots of the bellcrank mount--the center post is a length of clotheshanger wire; spacers to center the BC are 1/4" lengths of fuel line.  Center planking goes over the post to hold it in.  I offset the BC to the outboard to clear the pushrod; see the last few pics.

A big thank-you to John for the idea.  Flight reports this Spring.  If it ever gets to MN.

--Ray

Kind of a cross between mono-boom and whaletail.  It'll look a little like this: Except the tail will be smaller. This one was sort of overkill. 

Looks to me like you took earlier posts to heart Ray..........I mean the posts where the guys asked why you used a ply BC and wooden dowel for a BC peg. It's a good way to keep from having to explain.

Don't getcher hopes up too far, Frank, I don't learn that easy...ply. bellcranks still go in those planes that need slow controls (my trainers, the SkyWriter, LittleAxe, etc.) 'cause I can make 'em 3" LO to LO without going to a huge, heavy commercial bellcrank made for a big plane. My 1/8" thick ply. BC weighs negligible-y.  and 1/8" wooden dowel with it because it needs more bearing area.

I used a wire post on the commecial 1/2A bellcrank you see in the pics, because it's a perfect slip fit without any boring out, or honing the wire down, or any of that nonsense.  I was checking coat hangers for the closest and happened upon one that was perfect.

I am unreformed and unrepentant.

Note the continuous leadout wire threaded through the bellcrank, LO police notwithstanding.  "Come and get me, coppers!"

--Ray

Please schedule mine for delivery by 4/05/08 !! Set-up for Norvel and internal bladder if possible. 

Looking good MM.  2 oz    !  You da man.  Whats the wingspan on that rascal?  I'm a big fan of power, but an .061 is gonna be way too much at that weight.  My recent stick plane weighs 8 oz and with an AP 061 I have to fly it on 45' lines minimum, just too fast.  A Norvel or TeeDee 049 should be more than enough for your plane.  You gonna use a pressure bladder or ballon tank?

Hey Ray Copeland, how things over in McCleansville?  I went flying today over at Alamance Elementary, my sons school (just finished repairing the damage  ).  Theres a nice concrete pad to take off from and a good field to fly over.  We gotta get together sometime and fly, if work will ever let me stay home for more than a day or so.

To return to the "saggy diamond": Here it is half-covered, showing the sag--less than anticipated, 1.5" at ribs, about 1" between; from 25% airfoil to 16% or so--average 20%, more than I wanted.  Ribs will have to be shallower on the next one, maybe 1.25" or so.

--Ray

Just space them futher apart. That would lighten it up also.

Yes, that's actually a possibility, no joke...they're 3" OC now, with a short bay next to the center section.  Maybe go to 3.5" and eliminate that short bay.  I wonder how much additional sag that would induce.

--Ray

Glad to hear it is working.  Looking at the photos it looks like a thick flat plate with the ribs looking like wing fences.  If you do a kit let me know.  DOC Holliday

Say it again, John...say it loud!  you deserve the satisfaction.

At this point, I'm mighty happy with it the way it is!  I do intend to space the ribs out another 1/2" or so per bay, to eliminate one more rib as much as anything else; that may increase the "draw" (like that term) a little.  I also may give the Econocote a shot, I have enough of a roll to do one I think. 

Doc, between the ribs it assumes a "normal" curved-airfoil cross section--I think that's the key to its success, along with the "wing fence" effect you mention.  All I know for sure is, it works, and works well!

A kit looks likely, I'll let you know.

--Ray