R40 (oz14868)

About this Plan

R40. Free flight glider model. Wingspan 2200 mm.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Note this plan could use a clean up. [Fixed now, see below].

Update 7/4/2025: Replaced this plan with a cleaned up version, thanks to TonyP.

Update 24/6/2025: Added original instructions, in German, thanks to Axel_VPF.

Quote (google-translated): "FOREWORD: The 'R 40' glider model is intended to provide model pilots with a high-performance glider capable of achieving outstanding flight performance. It was developed over five years. Six of the models were first flown at the 1941 Reich Model Glider Competition in the Rhön region. The expectations placed on the model were fully met, and the previous German hand-launch performance was exceeded by four minutes. After a flight time of 24 minutes and 18 seconds, the model disappeared into a cloud above the launch site on the Wasserkuppe and had not yet emerged from it after an hour. Similar flights have also been achieved several times by high-flying launches on the plain.

The R40 model aircraft is equipped with an internal wing attachment that can be removed from either side and still meets the requirements of a high-flying takeoff. It conforms to the FAI formula and, if built carefully and cleanly, has a wing loading of 15 to 17 g/dm2.

Even less experienced model aircraft pilots will be able to build the model aircraft according to this plan, which presents no construction difficulties. I wish every model aircraft pilot who has built the R40 every success.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE FUSELAGE
For the fuselage construction, we need a flat work surface measuring 1.50 m long and 0.30 m wide. Using a square, we mark the exact frame spacing on it. We now build the slipway from scrap 5x10 mm strips, as shown in Fig. 1. The most important principle is: Precise work ensures good flight performance!

Once the slipway is finished, we draw a centerline across the freestanding ends of the slipway's strips at a distance of at least 50 mm from the edge of the board. Now the construction of the fuselage can begin. We place the longitudinal spars 1 upright on the slipway and secure them with clamps. Then we can fit and glue the fuselage frames 2-16. Particular attention must be paid to ensuring they fit at right angles. After the glue has dried, the pre-bent fuselage strips 18, 19, 20, and 21 can be fitted and glued. The support board 22 is also glued on. For reasons of accuracy, the plywood shims 40 and 41 can also be glued together. These are now glued to the support board 22 according to the drawing, and then the wing support board 23 is glued to it, also according to the drawing. To give the entire structure a secure hold at this point during the heavy loads that will later be imposed, two flat-head wood screws 42 are screwed at 40 and 41 through the wing support board 23 into the support board 22. Finally, the two auxiliary formers 24 and 25 are inserted and glued in place..."

Supplementary file notes

Instructions.
Previous scan version.

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