Meanderer (oz10897)

About this Plan

Meanderer. Open contest glider model. Wingspan 96 in, wing area 742 sq in.

Quote: "A contest winning 8 ft span glider. Meanderer, by J Baguley.

THERE'S A WELL-WORN theory amongst contest fliers that the bigger the glider, the greater its chance of collecting a thermal and winning a contest. Popularity of the A/2 specification has tended in recent seasons to outshine the 'open' type of glider and many of our readers will not even be aware of the now rather old series of ultra-lightweight designs that prevailed in the immediate post-war years.

Meanderer comes in the big, lightweight classification. It already possesses a fine contest record and as a cheap-to-build, easy-to-fly glider, it forms the ideal subject for entry into National open glider events.

It was based on Jim Baguley's standard A/2 design which is well known in the West London district, Jim belonging to the Hayes and District Club. The object was to try to retain the A/2 wing loading (it comes out at about 41 ounces per sq ft with a total weight of 231 ounces) and use the increased area to obtain extra performance. During early tests it had the ability to hold lift even at 9 pm. It was subsequently flown in competitions, with the result that during the 1956/57 seasons its time average was 77 per cent. of the maximum possible total. Actual figures were 43:31 out of a possible 58 mins.

All structural problems and items which gave trouble in earlier versions have been modified in this latest Mk.XIII version, including special attention to the thick section fin and the very simple auto rudder operating direct from the movable towhook. Incidentally, as the name indicates, Meanderer is not intended to fly straight, even with the auto rudder set in line with the rudder. This might be thought to offer handicap in slope soaring, but its flying time in the 1956 hand launch slope soaring event held at Chobham Common was no less than 4:07.

Construction. The construction is simple and conventional, thus a detailed building description is not necessary but the following should not go amiss..."

Meanderer, Aeromodeller, February 1958.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, thanks to RFJ.

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