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Building Tips and technical articles. => 1/2 A building. => Topic started by: minnesotamodeler on November 12, 2007, 09:22:05 PM
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here's my SkyWriter's latest configuration, trying to pare a little weight off the tail and kill two birds with one stone (lose a little weight; move the CG forward a little).
First, the hollowed fuselage: Basically 1/4" thick balsa with cutouts and diagonal bracing; sheeted with 1/32" balsa aft and 1/32" plywood forward. It did come out lighter, and as an added bonus, stiffer!
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Next, the wing: Hollow ribs, tips and an interior spar that stops short of full span.
Added point of interest: 3 1/4" bellcrank (3" LO to LO) with 5/8" pushrod arm--makes for slow, smooooooth controls--helps cure the 1/2A jitters.
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Here's the complete bones (disregard the pins aligning the rudder, it wasn't dry yet)...with engine/tank, it weighs right at 6 oz. as is. Figure 1 - 1 1/2 oz. covering and finishing, and I've managed to lose an ounce or a little more from the original prototype. 210 sq. in. carrying a little more than 7 oz., well, I'm satisfied with that. Original, at 8 1/2 oz. or so, flies very well with a Norvel .049.
Point of interest: I was looking at some plans online and noticed landing gear wire bent so that the wheel is against a 90 d. angle. I copied it, see in last pic below. Prevents the wheel from riding up on a shallow angle and jamming. I like the look besides!
Tank canister is in backwards to make use of the angle caused by the larger-diameter lid. Puts the fuel pickup outboardmost, if that's a word. It ought to feed better at the end of the run, and quit more cleanly.
Engine outthrust accomplished with pieces of spring-clothespin handle--the perfect taper, and nice dense wood besides.
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Looks great when are you going to kit it and make the big bucks$$$$$$$$$$ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~
No seriously I would imagine it will fly great.
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Looks great when are you going to kit it and make the big bucks$$$$$$$$$$ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~
No seriously I would imagine it will fly great.
Look for it next Spring...
...and it does.
--Ray
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Looks great in the bare bones. Put the old DOC on the want list also for a kit. Have fun, DOC Holliday
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Got it, John. Thanks!
--Ray