High Quality Plan Sets and Laser Cut Partial Kits for Radio Control
Aircraft
Page 3
Henry Struck's 1937 Benny Boxcar in 47 inch span for 1/2A
The
trailing edges have been made up, with slots for the ribs. Both
are made at the same time so that the left and right slot pairs
are cut in one pass. If the
trailing edge parts are placed on the edge of the work table it
is easy to sand in the taper. Use lightweight balsa.
Pre-made trailing edge stock is usually harder
and heavier than it needs to be and is never just the right shape.
The wing tip bows are made from two layers of 1/16 balsa to ease
the curve. The
ribs will support the wing tip parts while you tack them
lightly in place with thin CA. The lower center part is installed last
and then thin CA is run in
from the edges for final gluing.
Another view of the partially assembled
wing, with the upper rear spar and leading edge installed. On the
prototype the slots for the rear spars were cut too deep
but that has been corrected on the laser cut parts.
Joining the wing. There are lines
on the plan for dihedral angle. Align the wing panels over the
plan, supporting them with triangles in four places. The rib
locations are indicated on the plan. Fit the
leading edge first, then intall the two 1/8 balsa center wing joiner
parts using aliphatic glue or epoxy to allow some time for alignment. When cured sand the
bottom join of the lower spars off flat and install the spruce splice
part using epoxy. Then install the 1/16 ply splice plates using 30 minute epoxy.
Sand in the fit of the trailing edges using a triangle to locate
the proper center location.
