Is there any interest in a discussion of scale towline gliders? I just built my first about two weeks ago, a 36" wingspan Reiher. I'm still learning a lot about towing and trimming but at least my homemade tow reel is getting a good shakedown.
This 36" Bowlus Baby Albatross is foam construction. The initial test glides showed promise, the first tow started well but ended in tears. I'm hoping the new larger vertical stabilizer will sort it.
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Interest? Yes, definitely and if you're looking for more FF bungee/towline scale subjects I've just stuck a small handful, indoor & out, in the plan gallery.
How do you get a bungee launched glider to release from the line? I tried a few years back, outdoors with an Aiglet, but it simply rode the line back to the ground.
vertically down? I would like to see that... ;D
Towline gliders are fun.
I had some great success with a 20" Osprey towline glider from Vintage Model Co. It is not easy to get a model to release from the tow line, instead of "kiting" into the ground, but once you do, it is like "bringing in the herd".
I would suggest opening the tow hook wire opening a little bit more.
And there is always this trophy to aspire to ...
Pic #1 7015 High Start Towline Glider Trophy
I'm no expert - I am only one for two on gliders ...
Lastwoodsman
Richard
The Baby Albatross looks great bcarter, as Lurk say's says yes lot's of interest in scale gliders
Quote from: Stunthenk on Jan 30, 2026, 12:53 PMHow do you get a bungee launched glider to release from the line? I tried a few years back, outdoors with an Aiglet, but it simply rode the line back to the ground.
Sounds like the hook position was too far forward, the position is used to trim the tow/bungee stage with forward and back to govern the release point and side to side to give turn on the line. Sounds counterintuitive but you can then set the model to fly in a circuit and use an offset tow hook to induce a turn opposite to the glide turn so it stays straight on the line without an auto rudder.
I find Scale Gliders on a bungee very addictive. I've done a couple, which had builds on the old HPA, Lurks lovely Airspeed Tern (plan in the plans gallery) and an OD Slingsby Eagle.
Quotevertically down? I would like to see that...
It's shame you are not around in the Uk around the OMFC scale glider comp...there's a lot of that there...usually from me ;D
Here's a pic from the summer with HPA members having fun with the bungee
Quote from: Squirrelnet on Jan 30, 2026, 08:18 PMThe Baby Albatross looks great bcarter, as Lurk say's says yes lot's of interest in scale gliders
Quote from: Stunthenk on Jan 30, 2026, 12:53 PMHow do you get a bungee launched glider to release from the line? I tried a few years back, outdoors with an Aiglet, but it simply rode the line back to the ground.
Sounds like the hook position was too far forward, the position is used to trim the tow/bungee stage with forward and back to govern the release point and side to side to give turn on the line. Sounds counterintuitive but you can then set the model to fly in a circuit and use an offset tow hook to induce a turn opposite to the glide turn so it stays straight on the line without an auto rudder.
I find Scale Gliders on a bungee very addictive. I've done a couple, which had builds on the old HPA, Lurks lovely Airspeed Tern (plan in the plans gallery) and an OD Slingsby Eagle.
Quotevertically down? I would like to see that...
It's shame you are not around in the Uk around the OMFC scale glider comp...there's a lot of that there...usually from me ;D
Here's a pic from the summer with HPA members having fun with the bungee
Sounds logical. The hook position I used on the Aiglet was the same as I used with a normal tow. Doesn't an aft hook position cause exessive pitch up? And how much further aft should the hook be?
I think the angle of the hook relative to the model centre line has an effect on release as well so it may well be the hook position is right if it tows ok by hand . Opening out the hook will allow the model to release earlier and not get stuck on the line. If it pings off too early then close the hook up a little
Conditions here this morning were lovely so I took the Baby Albatross out for a few low altitude tows. It flies great and shows a lot of promise. I've still a lot to learn about trimming for best performance. My best flight this morning was about 15 seconds from a 30' launch. At this point it tracks well on tow and flies mostly straight. I'm in a restricted area so I'll begin working on trimming for a decent circle then go for more altitude.
Here is a picture of the tow reel. It gives 80" of retrieval per turn so the cranking is pretty relaxed. A hole in the handle allows it to be staked to the ground to pull the line back out as the glider is carried to the launch point. The gift card keeps the line from coming off the reel and getting tangled.
Tow Reel.jpg
Video of one the of the flights of the Baby Albatross this morning. Towing then filming is proving not to be my super power.
Quote from: TheLurker on Jan 29, 2026, 10:48 PMInterest? Yes, definitely and if you're looking for more FF bungee/towline scale subjects I've just stuck a small handful, indoor & out, in the plan gallery.
Thanks for posting those. I'll go take a look.
bcarter1234 Dude! You have got to publish a plan of some sort for that winder! It looks amazing.
Quote from: gravitywell on Feb 01, 2026, 01:54 AMbcarter1234 Dude! You have got to publish a plan of some sort for that winder! It looks amazing.
The handle, crank, reel center and large pulley are all cut from 1/2" plywood. The pivots are 1/4" bolts with bronze bushings from the local hardware store. The large pulley is 4.5" diameter, the reel center is 3.75", the reel flanges 5". The main body is 1.5" x 16". The crank is 1" x 5.75" and extends 4" from the center of rotation.
The small pulley needs to be small. In retrospect a spacer between two nuts might work well for this application.
Fuselage for a sort of scale 36" Nemere showing the template used to hotwire cut the wing saddle. Rough shaping will be done with a Stanley Surform Shaver followed by drywall sanding screen then sandpaper. The drywall sanding screen was a game changer. It works fast, and isn't as prone to cause tear outs in the foam like sandpaper can.
Wing cores rough cut to outline, ready for sanding. You can see the chord had been expanded significantly.
About an hour's worth of work brings the fuselage to this stage.
Another beautiful evening for towline gliders. The Baby Albatross is ready for paint.
I'm so glad this always happens when my planes go in a tree.
The wing halves are cleaned up and glued to the center section. Tail feathers are next.
Fin and stabilizer ready for gluing.
Gorgeous lines on that bird.
A couple pictures of the Nemere and Baby Albatross. Both are ready for paint.
The modified Nemere is a real floater. The extra chord makes a huge difference. The model has 108 inches of wing area, a scale wing would have about 74.
A nice fly over of the Baby Albatross. I learn more every time I go out.
Nice!
Stephen.
Thank you Stephen.
36" wingspan, 72 square inches of area, approximately 1" chord at the tip.
What do you all think, tip stall or turbulence?
Subsequent flights went fine.
Those are great. Have you tried wet sanding? It might be easier on your lungs.
My favorite sailplane web site, where I've spent many hours: more sailplanes than you can shake a stick at (https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/)
https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/
Lincoln,
I haven't tried wet sanding but I will. I've noticed the dust bothers my eyes for a few hours after a shaping session so it probably isn't doing my lungs any good either. One of these days I'll not start a new glider and actually put some paint on one of these.
I recently found that website, what a great resource.
Instead of starting a new glider I spent a little time painting one. The paint added 9 grams which isn't a lot unless taken as a percentage. Then it is a whopping 33% increase. I'll try airbrushing the next one to see how difficult it is, if it looks better and if it is lighter. The biggest issue with airbrushing is getting tape to stick to this foam. It seems to actively reject the adhesive in 3M tapes. It isn't that it doesn't stick well, it will curl up off the surface. I'd love to gloss clear this but the weight penalty makes that prospect unappealing. If I can get masking sorted letters will be added otherwise this is likely all it will get. I want to try simulating the wood structure underneath eventually.
Quick and dirty but is should look okay in flight.
Very nice. Thanks for the update
Some interesting subjects for small scale gliders:
Motiekaitis Moti-2 PLENTY of wing area:
Moti 2 (https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=3450)
Oskinis BrO-3 Moderate aspect ratio:
BrO-3 (https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=2140)
Note that there were at least 2 versions. See also the BrO-4 and -5, which would be interesting subjects too.
Castel-Mauboussin Jalon. Reasonable aspect ratio.
Jalon (https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=2757)
IS-4 Jastrzab. AR is 12
Jastrzab (https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=735)
I had better quit now. There are many other interesting possibilities that have wings which are not impossibly skinny. One of the 1930's American air racers was turned into an airshow glider, but I can't remember the name. I'm not sure that it's on the site above. If you like flying wings, consider the Horten Parabel or the Hutter IMI. Both are on the above web site, and the former is on nurflugel.com as well.
lincoln,
I'll take a look at those tonight. I was actually considering a Horten 4 but I'm also tempted to do a primary glider next. Not efficient but fun to watch.
lincoln,
I particularly like the IS-4 Jastrząb. On my short list is Stakhanovets which also has a swept forward wing.
https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=765 (https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=765)
I have to admit though, for the most part sailplanes with high aspect ratios draw my attention. The 36" Reiher seems to work okay even the the tip chord is only 25mm.
The Nemere flew at least a dozen flights this evening. These things are addictive.
The Kirchner La Pruvo looks like a good candidate for the next build.
https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=2061 (https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=2061)
The 36" La Pruvo is started. The fuselage blank is ready for shaping. AG04 airfoil wing cores were cut with no washout as it seems the forward swept wing should not need it. The tail surfaces were slightly enlarged and the fuselage extended about .5" to get a TVo of 0.65
I'll of course have to eat some takeout to get foam for the tail surfaces.
With nearly 140 square inches of wing area and a thinner foil I'll experiment with ballast to see how it affects stability and flight duration. If it works the ballast could be replaced with a rudder servo to allow higher launches on the small field.
Scale Towline Gliders Wed April 1 2026
Hi Lincoln and bcarter1234. I tried all of those links above and I only got a blank page. Is anyone else getting the same as me? :-\ The videos work but not the links.
Lastwoodsman
Richard
They worked before but aren't now. Go to this link and search for the sailplanes lincoln mentions by name.
https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/
Scale Towline Gliders Thurs April 2 2026
Hi Brent:
I really liked Lincoln's reply where he went to all the trouble to make a very appealing post, with the little introductions of each of four gliders, with their specific links. It was very cleverly done, and I remember thinking at the time: "Great ...., now I can easily check out these four recommended gliders". But yes, the links are currently still not working.
I know that the window for editing a post, is long gone, so maybe you can get George to update those failed, original direct links, for everyone's use. And re-post those links also, in the latest comments too, so people can be able to see it. Direct links really are the cat's meow, and the greatest thing since sliced bread .... 8)
This topic is too good to have links that do not work ....
Lastwoodsman
Richard
Getting closer to being ready for initial test glides. I saw a Swallow tail kite while I was out skating today, now I want to build one as a glider.