New Millenium Sleek Streak (oz16846)

About this Plan

New Millenium Sleek Streak. Simple rubber sport model. Wingspan 22 in.

Quote: "New Millenium Sleek Streek, by Clint Brooks.

Editor's comments: The original Sleek-Streek was introduced by the North Pacific company sometime in the early 1970s. It became immensely popular, and was sold in drugstores and hobby shops all over the United States. These easy-to-assemble sheet balsa models were extraordinary flyers - far better than the similar Guillows brand sheet models currently available. Walt Mooney was purported to have seen a Sleek-Streek fly by a full-scale glider he was piloting at 7,000 ft!

This model has been out of production for years, but remains popular in the memories of many modelers who flew it, Clint Brooks revives those fond memories with this new design, inspired by the original Sleek Streek as well as the Cloud Tramp. The New Millennium Sleek-Streek preserves the classic lines but offers several improvements, including a high-performance prop-hanger and adjustable wing saddle. A plastic commercial prop can be used, or you may carve your own balsa prop for higher performance. Clint's instructions use modern building techniques and materials that enable you to build a great flying model. He also includes complete instructions for flight-preparations and flight-trimming. Use your best balsa for this one!

Basic model specs:
Wingspan: 22 inches;
Length: Approximately 19" overall;
Weight: 35-50 grams without motor.

CONSTRUCTION: Wood Selection: Choose light weight (4-6 lb.) balsa sheet for the wing and tail components. Make sure the grain structure in the sheet wood is as even as possible, 3 inch wide sheet is all that is required. Harder wood should be selected for the 3/16 basic motor stick, medium density wood for the 3/32 keel and 1/32 doublers.

The prop hanger block should be hard 3/16 balsa, or laminated from 1/32 & 3/32 balsa with 90 degree grain orientation. The nose block is subject to some abuse, mainly from thrust trim adjustments that will be required when you start flying your Sleek Streek, and the wood must resist crushing or cracking as much as possible.

The motor stick is designed as a built up structure to allow you to create a bonded assembly with minimal warps, as the various elements can be bonded together with the material clamped against a straightedge and allowed to cure. It is optional to use a motor stick made from a single piece of 3/16 X 5/8 balsa, should you have access to a nice straight piece. Taper the aft end from the rear motor hook to tail approximately as shown for the built up configuration.

Motor Stick: The built up stick construction begins by cutting strips of 1/32 x 3/8 wide to make the doublers. Trim one end to the angle shown at station 9 on the drawing. Leave a little long for cleanup at the forward end after the bond assembly is complete. Have some extra 1/32 sheet handy to shim the 3/32 keel that extends aft of the doubles, and keep this component on the centerline of the 3/16 sq upper stick.

Cut the 3/32 keel member with the angle shown on one end. Use the cutoff stock to make the 3/32 filler at the rear motor hook. This is done to allow the hook to extend lower than the nominal fuselage will allow, and creates more clearance for the motor to prevent it from bunching at the aft hook during flight. This helps for consistent performance and trim settings.

Cut the 3/16 square main stick to size - leave slightly long, for cleanup at the front end after the bond assembly is complete. Do not cut in any tapers on the aft end at this time. Sight carefully down the length of the stick, and determine warp direction, if any. Warp in the stick should be placed against the straightedge you will use to establish straightness (natural bow to be in the vertical plane of the airplane) and will be reduced or eliminated in the finished bond assembly.

Clamp a straight edge at least 1/8 thick to a flat surface, with wax paper under the straightedge and the surface you will be building against. Prefit the components together dry, so you understand the basic assembly. The 3/16 square stick goes against the straightedge, and the doublers and the keel then go against the 3/16 square. In addition to the pressure against the straightedge, pressure against the building surface is required during the bond..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Note for an archived copy of the original article at the now defunct SFA site, see: https://web.archive.org/web/200706050...

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