Schweizer 1-26-C (oz3278)

About this Plan

Schweizer 1-26 C. Radio control scale model glider. Wingspan 1900 mm.

Update 11/6/2026: Added article, thanks to Cesare.

Quote (google-translated): "A semi-scale reproduction of a Vintage glider. Schweizer 1-26 C, by Mauro Capodaglio.

The model I'm proposing made its first flight fourteen years ago, but it didn't last long due to a terrible "bottom line" caused by radio interference (at the time, I had an old AM radio that also picked up regional news). In any case, the few flights I completed confirmed the soundness of the project, and I promised myself I'd build another one right away. Fortunately, good intentions are very patient, but when I finally dug out the project, I realized that the long years spent in the attic had rendered it practically useless. My first impulse was to give up, but the desire to see the Schweizer in the air again made me grab a pencil and paper and get back to work.

My interest in this small and somewhat unslender glider began after I saw some videos showing the 1-26 being flown in the United States. The Schweizer doesn't have great soaring performance, but its great maneuverability and small size make it particularly suited to dynamic flight, both along the coast and in the mountains. It also performs quite well in aerobatics: in short, the type of flight I prefer.

The original is 6.6 m long and has a wingspan of 12.2 m with an aspect ratio of 10, while its efficiency is 23. Of the numerous versions built, I chose the "C" because, in my opinion, it is the simplest to reproduce while retaining the charm of the fabric-covered fuselage.

Construction notes are always helpful but, obviously, cannot be completely exhaustive; For this reason, I recommend creating a small archive to store technical articles and personal notes from previous builds, which you can refer to before starting a new model. This way, your own and others' experiences won't be lost, thus avoiding many small errors or oversights. The drawing, for obvious reasons of space, has been sectioned, but I believe it is sufficiently clear and detailed.

After carefully selecting the materials, prepare all the pieces perfectly cut and finished, checking the fit for accuracy.

Tailplanes: Start building the tailplanes by cutting them from 6 mm thick medium-sized balsa strips. For gluing, use regular glue, but it is essential to take perfect care when joining the strips: no glue will compensate for pieces that are too short or too long, unless they result in noticeable warping..."

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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