I glued the coupler to the main tube, not the payload. I suspect gluing it to the payload would not look very good. I plan to build up & paint the shoulders for tight fits.

The shoulders sure do eat up most of the payload section. Well, seems mostly for looks anyhow.

-Paul

I guess you could look at how many washers you have in there.

I am kinda lost on the elevon/wire details. Would you mind posting a pic/closeups when you can. I had the day off yesterday and did 90% of the kit (basically ready for paint and wiring). I added some more glue to the fillets and touched off some of the rough spots, though I am going to let the Kilz do most of the work.

I have never done anything this complex before and I am really loving it. I actually have 3 kits in progress (well the other two are already ready for paint). I have some drawing board plans and parts so I definitely have something to do while the paint is drying.

Oh, and thanks for the earlier pics. Let's me know that I am on the right track.

Final paint coat and pinstriping is now on. I decided on a fluorescent red to make it more visible (fluorescents sure don't show up good on pics). The top side is pinstriped similar to the 64 catalog, haven't figured out how to do the checkerboard yet. I decided not to glue either shoulder visible thru the payload. I just applied some white tape to make a snug fit and highlight the payload section. Just need to put on the elevon cords, figure out how to make a release clip, and balance her out.

-Paul

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Whoa! That's a beauty! I hope to be at one of our club launches that you're at so I can see it fly this Summer.

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Scott D. Hansen
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WOOSH NAR Section #558

Checkerboard could be made by cutting small squares of TrimKote and laying them on their contrasting color (black squares on white or white squares on black for instance) but that could prove tedious (though you could do it in front of the TV). I think TrimKote comes in some checkerboard patterns, though I don't know if they are the right size or not.

I haven't seen the original catalog shot unless it is the same pic on the Semroc website.

I am still lost on the Elevon/Wiring/bungee cord details. I assume that the elevons should be in the down position at launch but would need to be up somewhat for the flight down. The diagram is kind of minimal. Any help here would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Scott. Finished the elevon cords today. Here are some detailed pics, along with my version of the release clip. The instructions say to use a pin, I used a 5mm x 25mm piece of aluminum sheet cut from some scrap, filed & sanded to get smooth edges, and taped at the point where the thread runs thru to further protect the thread. It seems to fit nicely in the BT, we'll see how it works when I launch it.

Yes, the elevons are flat for launch, held by the release clip & thread. When the engine kicks, the clip is released, the elastic looped around the LL pulls them up. The wires are bent to control the maximum angle. The centuri catalogs are on the ninfinger site.

-Paul

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Very clear and concise, thanks a bunch for the pics!

I still am not understanding the how the wire is used to control the max elevon lift. Maybe I am just being dense.

Like the red. I am considering Neon orange or yellow. I would really be bummed to lose this one.


I have more sanding and another coat of primer possibly. Still have some grain showing up.

You're welcome. I agree a fluorescent color is good on this small bird. Heres a pic of the elevon stop wire, hope it helps. I glued it on with aileens tacky glue, since it dries clear. Glide tested it today, it needs surprisingly little angle on the elevons for a flat glide.

-Paul

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Ok, now I want you to put a grasshopper in the payload section and glide test again. That's what's wacky about this design. A payload section on a glider!

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Scott D. Hansen
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WOOSH NAR Section #558

I think the grasshopper would feel a little cramped in the payload section.

Maybe a small cricket from PetCo.

On a scale, what G-Force do you think they would experience?

Thanks for the pic! That really helps! I was totally clueless on the placement of the wire. I assume it is on both sides, right?