Ringer (oz3348)

About this Plan

Ringer. A/2 Nordic glider used by Joe Bilgri in 1956 finals. This plan was printed in Flying Models Decade of Designs (1), published 1960.

Quote: "Here is one of the Nordic designs used in the 1956 finals.The Ringer, by Joe Bilgri.

Nordic glider flying is enjoying a wave of increased interest. Of late, we've seen the addition of the new A/1 class to American competition modelling rules which hints at the increasing popularity.

The model design covered in this article is our A/2 model which is the evolution of a long series of developments. One of its outstanding points is the use of plug-in wing panels. We feel these are a must for contest modelling for they aid in transportation and provide a safety factor when the model strikes an object in flight.

We had the privilege of making the 1956 US Nordic A/2 team and took advantage of the compactness created by having two detachable wing panels when packing our model for shipment. We were not able to make it to Florence, Italy where the finals were held and so had to pack our model safely and securely into as small a box as possible. As a result of the plug-in wings we were able to make this box shorter than it would have been had we had to pack a full-span wing.

These facts aid in making up a con-test ship as much as anything else for getting the model safely to the meet is all-important. Once there, the problem is to plan a model to take rough and unexpected abuse for it will be flown in unknown terrain. Plug-in wings make it possible for the wings to fly off easily and more than likely, safely.

Simple, repairable construction pays off too. Fancy frills and trim make on-the-spot field repairs a nightmare. Our answer to these structural problems is evidenced in the Ringer!

On the aerodynamic side, the models chosen for Nordic should be capable of flight in a variety of weather conditions. We have found through experience that no one type of model is best in all kinds of weather. Large stabilizers are best for windy or turbulent air while smaller ones are more suited to calm conditions. We have settled on the single size shown and take our chances with the weather in the hope that it will not go to extremes.

If you've decided to build the Ringer we suggest that you look over the plans before starting construction. There is nothing complicated shown but there are a few choices which you must make for yourself and we suggest you plan which ones they are early in construction..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 26/01/2017: added article, thanks to RFJ.

Supplementary file notes

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