Lightninbug V01.D (oz10430)

 

Lightninbug V01.D (oz10430) by Bug Group Collaboration - plan thumbnail

About this Plan

Lightninbug V01.D. Hand launch glider model.

Design by Bug Group Collaboration. Drawn by HughesBrothers. Based on the 'Bug' by Carl Dowdy.

Note the original Carl Dowdy HLG design Bug (oz6587) was published in RCM in June 2001. This here is a later, modified and larger version. The 2nd (supplement) sheet also includes all parts and alternative AG37 airfoil ribs.

Quote: "Hi Steve, My son and I recently built a Carl Dowdy Bug. We naturally found the plan on Outerzone and while reading the included article, we saw that there have since been updates to the Bug which include modifications for DLG launching. We did some digging and found a Yahoo group with the updated plans. I can’t see any reason why Outerzone shouldn’t publish the most up to date version of the plans so I have attached them.

We built version 1D, which at the time of writing seems to be the most up to date version. It has an X tail for DLG launching and two aerofoil options. I have attached the plans and the optional parts pages. We decided to use the thinner AG aerofoil by Mark Drela. This little plane launches high and flies very well and it floats on the lightest thermals. It is also surprisingly strong for the weight, we managed to build it at just over 100g, after a few minor repairs the weight is sitting at about 112g.

The construction is very quick and simple. The hardest part of the build is installing the servos in the very small fuselage. I would recommend this aeroplane to anyone who is looking for a small 2 channel glider for fun afternoon flying with your family. Oh and with a 1 cell 160mAh Li-Po it will fly all day!

I have also attached pictures for the gallery [model photo & more pics 003-005].

Thanks for the great site, keep up the good work. Kind regards, Roger"

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Ribs and parts templates.

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Lightninbug V01.D (oz10430) by Bug Group Collaboration - model pic

Datafile:
  • (oz10430)
    Lightninbug V01.D
    by Bug Group Collaboration
    34in span
    Glider R/C
    clean :)
    all formers complete :)
  • Submitted: 11/09/2018
    Filesize: 738KB
    Format: • PDFbitmap
    Credit*: RogerHardie
    Downloads: 14187

Lightninbug V01.D (oz10430) by Bug Group Collaboration - pic 003.jpg
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Lightninbug V01.D (oz10430) by Bug Group Collaboration - pic 004.jpg
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Lightninbug V01.D (oz10430) by Bug Group Collaboration - pic 005.jpg
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Lightninbug V01.D (oz10430) by Bug Group Collaboration - pic 006.jpg
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Lightninbug V01.D (oz10430) by Bug Group Collaboration - pic 007.jpg
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Lightninbug V01.D (oz10430) by Bug Group Collaboration - pic 008.jpg
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Lightninbug V01.D (oz10430) by Bug Group Collaboration - pic 009.jpg
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Lightninbug V01.D (oz10430) by Bug Group Collaboration - pic 010.jpg
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Lightninbug V01.D (oz10430) by Bug Group Collaboration - pic 011.jpg
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Lightninbug V01.D (oz10430) by Bug Group Collaboration - pic 012.jpg
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User comments

I think the Yahoo group for the Lightninbug is this one: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Bughlg/info
SteveWMD - 13/09/2018
Hi, the Lightninbug is a magic model. It flies really well. Manages to fly even with very weak thermals and dynamics [pics 006-011]. Many thanks,
Antonio De Padova - 21/01/2021
Greetings, I found a laser cut 'kit' for the Lightning Bug at: http://dpcmodels.homestead.com/Gliders.html (*Aero Werkes, A Division of DPC Models, Ltd.*). I have attached a photo of the kit's contents [pic 012]. Thank you for all of your hard work!
David - 14/05/2021
There is a build thread here, with instructions, you can also see the simplification of certain aspects of the design and steps how to build the Lightninbug: https://www.avcom.co.za/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=242455
Sean Kriegler - 05/05/2023
I took the idea and stretched it a bit; you can see my build here: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/member.php?u=197227
i'm really pleased with the result - flies really well although the launch height is limited by the structure and low weight: https://youtu.be/TUure_HO_mc
scruffy1 - 06/05/2023
Built a couple of Bugs when the plans first came out and my wife and I had a blast flying them. We flew them until we really couldn't fix them any more. These plans got me to thinking about building a couple more. Easy to build and fly. Easy to repair. Good flying planes. I probably still have the original plans around here somewhere.
Tallbikeman - 07/12/2023
Hello, during the cold season I built the Lightninbug V01.D (oz10430) [main pic]. Many thanks for the plan. It was my first balsa model. I moved the servos in the area of the wings like it was designed in the original BUG. I use a 2s 200mAh LiPo, BEC 5 V and 6 Channel receiver (5g). Caused by the fact that i got a GFK instead a CFK for the tail boom I got a weight of 136 g overall.
Bernd Hinze - 13/03/2024
Thank you so much for the wonderful resources you have on the site. Just 4 days ago I downloaded and printed up the LightninBug 30” plans. They were clear and easy to follow, and the resulting model is fantastic!
Thanks again
Don Bowers - 11/01/2025
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* Credit field

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Scaling

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