Scale Towline Gliders

[bcarter1234]

About an hour's worth of work brings the fuselage to this stage.

[bcarter1234]

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.

 

[bcarter1234]

The wing halves are cleaned up and glued to the center section. Tail feathers are next.

[bcarter1234]

Fin and stabilizer ready for gluing.

[gravitywell]

Gorgeous lines on that bird.

[bcarter1234]

A couple pictures of the Nemere and Baby Albatross. Both are ready for paint.


 

[bcarter1234]

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.

[bcarter1234]

A nice fly over of the Baby Albatross. I learn more every time I go out.

[Prosper]

Nice!

Stephen.

[bcarter1234]

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.

[lincoln]

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/

[bcarter1234]

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.

[bcarter1234]

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.   

[bcarter1234]

Quick and dirty but is should look okay in flight.

[Piecost]

Very nice. Thanks for the update