Zebec (oz1861)

About this Plan

Zebec. 68in span A/2 class towline glider. Model Aircraft, April 1958.

Quote: "An easy to build A/2 class glider designed by E Helliwell.

THIS model is the 1958 version of a series which I have been flying for the past two seasons. In 1957 Zebec qualified for the team trials at Hemswell, where it returned a time of 11:31, a bad downdraught on the third flight spoiling what would otherwise have been a very good time. It has also shown itself to be a very good performer in club and other competitions.

Fuselage. This is commenced by building one frame from 1/2 x 1/8 in balsa over the plan in the normal way, and then sheeting both sides with 1/16 in sheet. The only thing to watch here is that the frame does not twist while being sheeted. After this is completed, an access hole for the weight box is cut in the top, and the tow hook, wing and tail platforms, and dowels are added. Wing Commence by pinning down the trailing edge after slotting it to receive the ribs, remembering to pack up the front to allow for the rib undercamber. The lower spars are pinned down, packing up as required to conform to the wing section, then the ribs are cemented in position, and the leading edge is slotted in place, the top spar being added last. When dry remove from the plan and add the wing boxes, which must be well bound and cemented to prevent splitting under load.

After the dihedral has been added the leading edge is sheeted back to the top spar with 1/16 in sheet, care being taken to get a good joint with the leading edge. If any difficulty is experienced in winding the laminations for the tips, I have found the best way is to cut all the strips to length, smear them with cement, place together, and bend round a row of pins spaced at 1 in intervals.

Tailplane. This is built in the normal way, care being taken to get good joints where the geodetic ribs cross between the spars; 18 S.W.G. hooks are bound to the trailing edge and spar before covering..."

Update 07/12/2015: Replaced this plan with a clearer copy (patterned background removed) thanks to TonyP.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, text and pic. Also, previous scan version.

Corrections?

Did we get something wrong with these details about this plan (especially the datafile)? That happens sometimes. You can help us fix it.
Add a correction