Big Time (oz11786)

About this Plan

Big Time. Free flight towline glider model.

Quote: "Stable on the tow, a dream to fly, this high performance sailplane will be a pleasant break between noisy gas jobs and complicated radio airplanes. Big Time, by Bob Miller.

High performance is the usual thing most model builders are seeking when they start a new model of any sort and far too many builders are content to stop right there. It is the author's opinion that model aircraft should not only fly well, but should also be a thing of beauty and grace. It might be said by some that a beautiful model is not necessary. I might mention, too, that many a paper bag has gone out of sight, so you can draw your own conclusions.

For the sake of being different, Big Time sports an elliptical wing and stabilizer plus a well streamlined fuselage. The wing area, being 500 sq in, makes her an ideal sport job. The finished model, with a paint job, weighs about 15 oz, yet the construction is really rugged. Three ounces of lead in the nose brought her into balance and any additional weight can be carried at the center of gravity. The fact that the model carries 6 or 7 oz per 100 sq in of area should be most enticing to those interested in radio control.

The tow characteristics of this sailplane are excellent and she will respond to left or right with a gentle pull to either side of the nose without the runner having to change his direction of tow. Very helpful is a thin strong line of nylon fishing tackle as it has less sag and air drag than the string or cord commonly used. On a 100-ft. tow line, this model averages at least three minutes per flight under poor flying conditions.

The wing and stabilizer are constructed in the usual man-ner except for the stab leading edge, which is laminated to reduce strain on the structure. Since the trailing edges are curved and made from several pieces, pre-cement the splices and join carefully. The under camber of the wing will require the spar to be blocked up during construction and the trailing edge will also need slight blocking to maintain the proper airfoil curvature. Be careful when sheeting the wing not to cause the panels to warp; this applies especially to the outer ones.

The fuselage side is drawn on 3 in wide 3/32 sheet balsa which has been spliced at point X with a butt joint. Pin this sheet on top of another which has been spliced in the same manner. Cut and notchboth sheets..."

Big Time, MAN, November 1953.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, thanks to RFJ.

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