Little Cirrus (oz6897)

About this Plan

Little Cirrus. Radio control sailplane model. Simple all-sheet Jedelsky wing. November 1971 RCM full size plan enclosure.

Quote: "Designed for single channel slope or thermal flying, this 60in Cirrus with an Ace Commander pulse system will outperform many of the larger sailplanes. Little Cirrus, by Kevin Flynn.

On a recent trip in the California desert, I stopped and watched the full scale gliders being towed up at the nearby dry lake. The Cirrus immediately caught my eye since it looked so streamlined glistening in the hot sun. Being an avid sailplane enthusiast I just knew that I had to build a model of it. The next week I looked at a kit and it was just what I wanted but since I had just purchased a new Kraft four channel, I could not convince my wife of the necessity of parting with another $50.00! After all, I had to have something to put that new radio in, I said, but she just couldn't see the logic behind it. So, it was back to the drawing board.

I quickly realized that to build a big Cirrus would be almost impossible without a long small diameter fuselage, it just wouldn't be strong enough when fabricated from conventional materials. So I made the decision to build a small all-sheet single channel model at about 11 ounces with radio. I use the Testors single channel propor-tional set which is very reliable after four years of extremely hard use. The Ace Commander System with the larger Adams actuator would also work extremely well.

Construction. Begin construction of the fuselage by tracing off two fuselage sides with 1/16 sheet balsa. Pin these on the board and add the top 1/8 x 1/4 and the bottom 3/16 square hard balsa longerons. Then, add all uprights and allow to dry. While this drying process takes place, cut out 12 wing ribs from medium 3/32 balsa sheet and two from 1/4 balsa. Trace the wing plan onto the 1/4 sheet leading edge piece and the 3/32 trailing edge piece. Be sure to use one quarter grain sheet for the wing if it is available.

Mark off the rib positions and pin on to the leading edge sheet making sure that you have one left and one right wing panel. Also note that the panels are built upside down. When the ribs are dry; add the trailing edge sheet. The tip ribs are trimmed off after the wing is finished..."

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