X Wing Fighter (oz15427)

About this Plan

X Wing Fighter. Radio control sport model. Pusher prop layout. Wingspan 36 in, wing area 416 sq in, for .25 to .36 engines.

Update 22/7/2024: Added article, thanks to Pit.

Quote: "The X-Wing Fighter of Star Wars fame was the inspiration for this model. Of course, in order to fly in our atmosphere, some modifications were necessary, these were made while attempting to retain the character and appeal of an intergalactic fighter. The modifications include the wing airfoil, ailerons, and interplane struts that act as fin and rudder, and a canard wing for pitch control. Power is provided by a rear-mounted pusher engine of .25 cubic inch displacement. It is also necessary for it to be equipped with landing gear. What this creates is a canard biplane pusher.

Construction is very simple and straightforward with no surprises. The model can be completed in a few evenings even by novice builders. I like to build the wings first, so I will describe their construction although you can begin any place.

The wings are constructed over the bottom balsa sheet skins. Cut 1/16 balsa sheets to length and edge-glue them together to make four bottom skins. Lay out the spar and rib locations on the skin and glue the main spar in place, followed by the ribs and the leading edge stock.

On the two lower wings install the landing gear mount behind the spar, before installing the ribs. Install the aileron pushrods or nyrods with the rods exiting through the wing bottom. The ailerons will be cut out of the wings later, after the top skin has been installed.

Check the control linkage for free movement, then glue the top skin in place. These are also made up of 1/16 balsa edge glued together as were the bottom sheets.

Next cut the ailerons away from the wing at the location shown and glue the 1/4 in balsa aileron spar in place, capping off the wing opening. Add the two 1/4 in balsa rib tips to each end of the opening. Cut down the remaining aileron piece to allow for the aileron spar and leading edge and the 1/2 in tip ribs.

Slope the front cut as shown in the section to allow for the aileron movement. Hinge the aileron close to the top surface and install a horn aligned with the pushrod previously installed.

The top wings are built in the same manner except they have no landing gear blocks or ailerons. The pushrods are installed behind the main spar and exit the bottom of the wing close to the tip. Sand the leading edges to shape and the wings are complete.

The landing gear will be installed later by notching out the bottom sheet over the landing gear block, so the gear can be inserted and the hold-down straps screwed in place..."

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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