Para-site (oz15680)

About this Plan

Para-site. Radio control towline glider model. Wingspan 72 in.

Quote: "Para-Site. Using the same wing as the Turtle (oz15678) presented in the last issue, the author shows how to convert to elevator and rudder radio control in just two evenings. By George G Siposs.

In the last issue, I described a new method of constructing in just two evenings a simple six foot glider. The resulting model airplane, called the Turtle (because it flies so slowly), is easy to fly and almost unbreakable. In this installment, I will describe how to use the wing of the Turtle to make a simple radio-controlled glider by the addition of a fuselage and a simple radio set.

Here are the materials you will need:
Plywood, airplane quality, 1/8 thick: one piece, 18 x 3; one piece 12 x 1-5/8 in.
Balsa sheet: 1/8 thick, 36 x 4.
Two fiberglass arrow shafts, hollow, 1/4 in dia (or spruce, 1/4 sq).
Plastic control horns to actuate the control surfaces.
1/16 dia steel wire; two pieces each 24 in long
Five-minute epoxy.

In addition, you will need small pieces of thin cloth, Kwik Clips, wide rubber bands, thread and white glue. Any kind of spray paint or dope can be used to coat the wooden parts. You will also need some mirror-mounting tape or servo tape. We will talk about the radio later.

Only very simple tools are needed. I recommend a 1/4 in dia drill, a 1/16 dia drill, a coping saw, sandpaper, a heavy sewing needle and pliers to bend the wire.

CONSTRUCTION: First, cut out the two pieces of large plywood to the shape shown on the drawings. Smooth out and round the edges as much as you can, first using the rough, then a finer sandpaper. Drill 1/16 holes near the edge of the top plate.

Now bevel the end of one of the fiberglass arrow shafts and, holding it against the plywood edge, "sew" it to the plywood top plate. Make sure that the thread is pulled tight and the end secured. Repeat this operation for the other arrow shaft. When the thread is secure on both pieces, cut the shafts to the required length (25-1/2 in long, if you have not already done so) and tie the ends together with a piece of thread.

Now mix some epoxy and apply it very evenly to the joints. (See Fig. 1.) Make sure that there is very little epoxy on top of the assembly because that is where the flying surfaces (wing and tail) will have to be attached flat and smooth.

While this assembly is drying, cut out the stabilizer-elevator and the fin-rudder surfaces. Mark the center of the stabilizer and place the fin on top of it. Apply five-minute epoxy to the joint. Make sure that it is a neat and thorough job. Place boxes or other devices (blocks of wood) against both sides of the fin to hold the assembly in place while it is drying. Keep checking this while the epoxy is still pliable and adjust the fin alignment if necessary. The two surfaces must form an exact right angle (900) to each other; otherwise the plane will not fly properly. Squint one eye and look at the assembly the way you would sight through a gunsight. It is surprising but you do not need a protractor - your eyes are 100% accurate. (Fig.2.)

When the tail surfaces are set, place them on top of the fuselage, and apply some epoxy between the bottom of the stabilizer and the arrow shafts. Do not put too much epoxy on the joint - it will only drip off. You can apply some more later on, with the assembly upside down, after the first batch of epoxy has set.

While this set of parts is drying, work on the fuselage. Cut the 3-in wide plywood to the shape shown in the diagram. The actual shape is not all that important. If you are a little bit off, or if the edges are uneven, don't worry. Sand the edges smooth.

Place the arrow shaft assembly on a table in an upside down position so that the fin overhangs the edge of the table. Place the fuselage in position and apply generous amounts of epoxy. (Fig.3.) Be sure to follow the dimensions marked on the outline drawing.

At this point, it is advisable to lay the whole thing aside for a couple of hours, or overnight, if you are not in a hurry. This will allow the epoxy to set up very hard. If you are careful though, you can do some work on the control surfaces while the fuselage is resting on the table..."

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