I decided to go back and update my shuttles to be a bit lighter, simpler to put together. Roughly 1/72 scale size but not a scale model, just fun good flying easy to build model. I did three versions, identical except for decals, US, Soviet Buran and Moonraker. 23" long, 18" wingspan, 7.7 oz rtf for the Moonraker which is the heaviest due to the extra vinyl. My previous versions had the rail buttons on the bottom of the wing, but those can get caught on landing(like on the Playa) so I moved them to the top right of the model, this meant moving to a decal to simulate the OMS pod on the US and Moonraker versions, the Buran didn't have a bulbous OMS so didn't matter. I think they look ok like that. Previous versions were 8.5 oz rtf, all using E-6 motors and they really scoot with about 1:30 -2:00 glide time after burnout which is pretty good for any shuttle shaped object, even with the slightly upsized wing. Nose cone is laminated depron with a glued on coupler for a shoulder, sanded and shaped, then coated with foam safe CA, a hot soldering pencil iron was used to melt out a 1.5" by 3/4" hole in the cone to move the nose weight and battery forward to help minimize balast needed. The wing leading edges, nose cone and bottom are masked and painted with flat black testors enamel spray, the tail edges are hand cut vinyl trim heated and applied to conform, the payload bay outlines are thin cut vinyl strips, the markings, cockpit and lettering/numbers are cut vinyl from stickershock23. I did glue on some little extensions on the Buran for the OMS system it has using scraps I had, the cockpit windows I did slightly differently just because. Initially on my first one I drew the Payload door outline using a sharpie and only drew three segments instead of four, I decided I liked the vinyl outline better so just covered the pen with vinyl, that's why there are three segments to the doors...sometimes I just like eyeballing **** and stop paying attention to details

Attached Thumbnails

       

__________________
RC Rocket glider kits
www.dynasoarrocketry.com

Really windy but flew nicely.
https://youtu.be/f6Tmx3smWvo

__________________
RC Rocket glider kits
www.dynasoarrocketry.com

Those look like they glide really well.
Is that a 6-second burn E motor you use for boost ?
Looks like you could use some rudder control in addition to elevons.

__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, TURMOIL, FIASCOS, and HAVOC !

E-6 is between 7 and 8 second burn time. In this small a model rudder would be overkill, extra weight, roll and pitch are fine. I don't use rudders on 95% of my rocket gliders. In the shuttle with the tall tail the rudder causes a lot of roll moment as well and the model is already fairly roll sensitive with just ailerons.

__________________
RC Rocket glider kits
www.dynasoarrocketry.com

It was nice and calm yesterday so did a couple of flights on the Moonraker version, did a roll on the second flight, really nice flying.

https://youtu.be/tSgr2DBJge0

__________________
RC Rocket glider kits
www.dynasoarrocketry.com