I have a Wind Dancer Argus kit, who has experience with this kit.  I have never built an I-beam wing before.  If I were to build it I would build for electric. 

Thanks,

James

Quote from: James Mills on September 01, 2021, 04:39:38 PM
I have a Wind Dancer Argus kit, who has experience with this kit.  I have never built an I-beam wing before.  If I were to build it I would build for electric. 

Thanks,

James

Bump

  Not in a big rush to tackle this one, huh!!??    I have never done a beamer either, but I would refer to Billy Werwage's video he made with Bob Hint on building them , and his Ares ain't too far from what you are looking at. You could also do a practice model, such as any one of the JAck Sheeks beamer of the month airplanes, many plans are out there on outerzone. Do a quick build and simple finish, and that will help you dial in the power plant requirements also, which should be pretty close for the Argus.

   Type at you later,
  Dan McEntee

I had that same kit. It is a beautiful plane.  Inmost I beam builds, the fuselage is done first as it is part of the support for the wing. The LE, TE and main spar are all held by the fuselage and the tip jigs, which in most cases is cut to be the out side ribs.  Build it upside down, leaving out the ribs in the landing gear area.. The top and bottom blocks are shaped during the fuselage build, but are NOT attached until the wing and stab are installed.  Be sure to install the flap.elevator horn before installing the TE.. Cover it will silk if you can find some. I do not use monocote type covering as it will let the wing flex in flight, You do NOT want that. I have seen some covered that way and they seemed to fly OK, but I beams get their stiffness from the cover, not the structure under neath.
I found my Argus did not turn as tight as I wanted compared to an ARES. It could use more stab/elevator area in my opinion,, But....

As an added note, I have built 11, I beam models.  Most were Billy Werwage designs. One, not one of Billy's designs, was an F8U for carrier profile. I am building a Juno right now...

I've built three I-beamers over the years.  All very successful.

•   Ty's description is correct.
•   GET THE BOB HUNT VIDEO!!!!!
•   Cover the wing with Polyspan – provides torsional stiffness and puncture resistance.

BTW – the Argus is a beautiful design; but it has a small wing and is likely to have a heavy wing loading resulting is substandard performance.  There are better choices from an aerodynamic/performance viewpoint.

Jim,
You might be able to see the I-Beam wing build on YouTube (either from Bob Hunt or Windy U). It isn't that hard you really just need a good flat true building surface. If you are going to go electric I suggest using a Bad Ass 2814 - 980Kv (mistake sorry 3515 x 970Kv) turning a Master Airscrew GF 10x7 flat back prop at 10,000 rpm on a 4S - 1800mah pack (I use a HobbyStar pack from RC Juice). This is a little stronger than a really good FOX 35 (like have a 40) on a Rev-up EW 10x6 (the MAS props are under pitch by about 1' so that's why I recommend the 7" pitch to start). To save a little more weight go easy on the finish, not sure if you could use a film covering for the I-beamer maybe others can comment if it would hold the structure properly.

Best,    DennisT

I built this Playboy from a Windancer kit and it was a piece of cake.

https://stunthanger.com/smf/classic-planes/playboy-ready-for-paint-(pics)/?action=dlattach;attach=36339

https://stunthanger.com/smf/classic-planes/playboy-ready-for-vsc/?action=dlattach;attach=38917

But DONT get a twist in it , covering it .

Id jig it flat so the covering dosnt get out of whack , pulling the wing to suit the wracked tissue . SILK seems to be like THAT . 

Quote from: Ty Marcucci on January 18, 2026, 11:39:11 AMI had that same kit. It is a beautiful plane.  Inmost I beam builds, the fuselage is done first as it is part of the support for the wing. The LE, TE and main spar are all held by the fuselage and the tip jigs, which in most cases is cut to be the out side ribs.  Build it upside down, leaving out the ribs in the landing gear area.. The top and bottom blocks are shaped during the fuselage build, but are NOT attached until the wing and stab are installed.  Be sure to install the flap.elevator horn before installing the TE.. Cover it will silk if you can find some. I do not use monocote type covering as it will let the wing flex in flight, You do NOT want that. I have seen some covered that way and they seemed to fly OK, but I beams get their stiffness from the cover, not the structure under neath.
I found my Argus did not turn as tight as I wanted compared to an ARES. It could use more stab/elevator area in my opinion,, But....

As an added note, I have built 11, I beam models.  Most were Billy Werwage designs. One, not one of Billy's designs, was an F8U for carrier profile. I am building a Juno right now...

Yeah the Argus is just a little smaller than the Ares-which isn't large.  It will need to be built VERY light.   In those days they didn't put much of a finish on usually-just enough to be fuel proof for a season or two.  They had to work with the power of a Fox .29 or .35.  They also flew faster than we would want to these days.  I love Ibeams.   Don't be shy to build it,  it is easier than it may look.

Dave

So did a little search and found the construction article on Outerzone:  https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=4885  Interesting read. Steve used a Fox29 at the time because line diameters went by engine displacement, the Fox35 is actually lighter than the 29 (the 29 is a smaller bore, thicker cylinder wall...more steel) so the 35 would be a better choice today since you could use the 0.012" lines even with the 35 at a weight of around 40oz. You could also do molded top and bottom blocks with 3/32" sheet balsa. and use a leadout slider (position shown on plans seems a bit far back for 0.012' lines). I have the same kit that if I get back to PA will build for electric.

Best,   DennisT

Hi Dennis.. If you do not want that kit,I am willing to buy it from you.. I need one more I beamer.. Five on the wall right now.