Schweizer TG-2 (oz3932)

About this Plan

Schweizer TG-2. Scale towline glider model.

Quote: "Silent Model War Wings. Building a high efficiency model of Uncle Sam's latest training glider. Schweizer TG-2, by Earl Stahl.

THE glider is writing a new and vitally important chapter of military aviation. By using aerial freight trains - three to six heavily laden gliders towed by a huge multiengine plane - it is possible to transport large numbers of troops and vast quantities of supplies and munitions to strategic positions. Recognizing the importance of motorless aircraft in modern warfare, United States armed forces are initiating a gigantic program of glider and glider pilot development.

One of the most popular of several types of training gliders being used by Army, Navy and Marines is the Schweizer two-place sailplane. This is basically the same high performance plane that established records for altitude and distance in contests of recent years. Among many outstanding flights for this craft are a national distance record of 217 miles and an altitude hop of nearly 4 miles. The Schweizer is a semicantilever monoplane of all metal structure; fabric covering. The design is stressed for towing by airplane.

Of the several methods of launching training gliders, the airplane tow is most spectacular. In a manner similar to transporting troop-carrying gliders, as many as three ships, using odd-length towlines to prevent collisions, are carried aloft by a Vultee O-49 observation plane. At the proper altitude the gliders cut free from the aerial locomotive and make a practice glide to earth.

To speed up the number of flights, possible in a given length of time, the Army in collaboration with All American Aviation, is experimenting with glider pickups by a plane already in flight. Using the same method employed by this successful airline in speeding airmail to small towns without airports, the plane dives to within a few feet of the ground and contacts the tow rope. A special mechanism absorbs the force of getting the glider in motion and a few seconds later glider and plane are climbing aloft for another practice descent. This method of air pickup has practical application for retrieving grounded troop and supply gliders, too.

Being somewhat different than the usual model, the flying scale Schweizer glider is most interesting. With towline launch it soars as well as any glider of similar size and with the aid of rising currents of air is capable of making flights of many minutes' duration. For added realism the author tried towing the sailplane with a rubber powered Vultee 0-49 - formerly the Stinson O-49 (oz8559) for which plans were published in MAN, July 1941 issue - and results were very good. With the towplane slightly over powered, the glider can be carried quite high where the tow-line drops free enabling the sailplane to cruise around on wings of the wind.

In construction the model is very simple; little balsa wood and no rubber is required, so it is very inexpensive.

CONSTRUCTION: Use of keel pieces cut from 1/16 sheet balsa simplifies fuselage construction and aids in making the structure more accurate. Trace the top, bottom and side outlines to obtain the correct shape of the keels, then with the aid of a sharp razor blade, cut them out. Bulkheads also are cut from 1/16 sheet balsa and two of each are required. Cut out the notches in the bulkheads as shown.

Pin the top and bottom keels to place over the side view to begin actual assembly of the fuselage. Cement half the bulkheads to their respective position, and then attach one of the side keels. When this structure has been finished, remove from the plan and add remaining bulkheads and side keel. Except for the four 1/16 sq upper stringers, all others are 3/32 sq stock. Once a stringer has been placed on one side always attach another on the corresponding position of the other side to keep from pulling the body out of line.

A solid balsa nose block is cemented to bulkhead A or if necessary, the nose can be built from laminated sheets of balsa. Cut and sand the nose piece so it fits neatly to the fuselage structure. Just behind bulkhead A small pieces of 1/32 sheet are fitted to form the cockpit front. Before leaving the fuselage structure it is best to attach the .040 music wire hooks that are needed to tow the model. Cement the hooks firmly to the keel and then reinforce adjacent areas with cement and scraps of balsa for added strength. The sketch indicates how the rudder and stabilizer ribs are made. First construct a flat frames of both surfaces using 1/16 sheet balsa for outlines and 1/16 sq stock for ribs and spars..."

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