Summerwind (oz9883)

About this Plan

Summerwind. Pwered glider model, for 2 or 3 functions and .10 engine.

Quote: "THE DESIGN REQUIREMENTS for 'Summer Wind' included the ability to integrate into mainly power flying sites (people are not really amused by tripping over lurking bungee lines and falling onto their latest painfully constructed, detailed down to the last rivet, super scale power model).

Supporting an engine on a pylon above the fuselage may be simple and effective, but never looks particularly efficient from the point of view of aerodynamics, so a neater and surely more efficient method is to fit the engine in the nose - if nothing else it may prevent a lump ballast going along for a free ride. For flying in a wide range of wind conditions a 'slippery' model was required, thus the Eppler 205 wing section was chosen which gives the model good penetration and a very flat glide.

With the prop removed it will perform well from the slope, as a light to medium wind soarer, thus a rugged fuselage construction was chosen to cope with typical slope terrain. To test it I once cornered the car at quite a few 'G', rolling a heavy flight box (power flying variety complete with 12v battery starter, etc.) onto the fuselage - well that's my story anyway - and this produced only superficial damage!

The wings are thin and consequently quite flexible but sufficiently strong if built carefully, so make sure all joints are a good fit and properly glued; but of course we build all our models that way, don't we? Rudder and elevator controls only are used on the prototype, but if throttle is required, there's plenty of room for a third servo.

Construction. Wings. Start with these while enthusiasm is greatest. Cut all ribs by sandwich method from quarter grain rib stock, then grade so that hardest are at root, lightest at tip and matching wing to wing, not forgetting to note different rib thicknesses. Commence building the inner panel by gluing ribs to lower spar, add top spar. When dry remove from plan..."

Summerwind, RCM&E, March 1985.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, thanks to RFJ.

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