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Conference vmszoo::rc

Title:Welcome To The Radio Control Conference
Notice:dir's in 11, who's who in 4, sales in 6, auctions 19
Moderator:VMSSG::FRIEDRICHS
Created:Tue Jan 13 1987
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1706
Total number of notes:27193

910.0. "Removable wing tips on Gentle Lady?" by AISG::VAN_CLEAVE () Mon Mar 06 1989 08:44

    Has anyone built a Gentle Lady sailplane so that it's outer wing
    panels were removeable?  If so, how were your flight characteristics
    compared to a solid wing? 
    
    Thanks,
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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910.1Give it a shot!!!!!CSC32::M_ANTRYMon Mar 06 1989 12:476
    I have seen at least 20 different Gentle Ladies and none of them
    had the 3 piece wings.  I have seen other 3 piece wings and they
    were just fine.  Actualy a 3 piece wing is better than a 2 piece
    because the loading is lighter out on the tips.  I would give it
    a try especially if you have a traveling constraint like a Volkswagon
    Bettle or a Honda CIVC.
910.2Any will work wellUSRCV1::BLUMJMon Mar 06 1989 17:009
    I have built gliders with  one, two, and three piece wings.  Never
    have felt that flight characteristics were altered by any of these
    configurations.  If you have room to carry the 6 foot wing of the
    Gentle Lady in your car, build it one piece, as its simpler and
    lighter.
    
    Regards,
    
    Jim
910.3No ProblemsWR2FOR::BEATTY_WIMon Mar 06 1989 17:1112
    The Electra is a Gentle Lady modified for electric power.  I built
    the wing (according to the plans) with removeable panels.  It works
    just fine.  For the sake of effficiency you may want to tape the
    gap to prevent airleaks, I use electricians tape.  Its surprising
    that the tips take as much (G-force) abuse as they do, with the
    electrics installed it adds a good pound to the plane, I used to
    worry that they would separate in loops etc but I have never had
    a problem.
    
    Regards,
    
    Will
910.4removable tips vs solid wing3D::COLLINSTue Mar 07 1989 12:089
    
    	I have built several Gentle Ladies...The first one had the
    removable tips, the last 2 had one piece wings.   I could not discern
    any performance difference between the different wings.  It's actually
    a matter of transportability.  If you have a big car, go for the
    one piece wing.  If you do build the 3 piece wing, make a trip to
    Zayre's and buy the 6 pack of colored electricians tape to use when
    joining the wing tips....then you'll have a better color match with
    the covering material.
910.5TRY ADDING YET ANOTHER SECTION !POLAR::WHITTALLSat Nov 18 1989 11:445
    THE REMOVEABLE TIPS ARE A REAL PLUS IN TRANSPORTING THE GENTLE LADY 
    FOR SURE. JUST FOR THE HECK OF IT I ADDED ANOTHER SECTION ABOUT 18"
    LONG BETWEEN THE POLYDEHEDRAL AND THE MAIN CENTER SECTION OF THE
    WING.THIS INCREASED MY GLIDE TIME BY AT LEAST 30%.THE WINGS ARE NOW
    JUST OVER TEN FEET WIDE.
910.6A Biiiiigggg Lady...MJBOOT::BENSON__Frank Benson, DTN 348-4944__Mon Aug 06 1990 12:2310
    Has anyone else increased the wingspan on a GL or SL?  I am building an
    electric pod for my SL and think that the extra span would help carry
    the extra weight.  Any problems with needing to enlarge rudder to turn
    the wider wing?
    
    Thanks-
                        __|__                              Regards-
 \________________________O________________________/       Frank.    

    
910.7Just waiting to be correctedCSC32::M_ANTRYMon Aug 06 1990 15:378
    I would advice against putting the electric pod on the SL after
    lengthening the wings unless and only unless you go with a geared prop. 
    I believe and I bet someone would second this is that the ELECTRA's
    biggest problem is that there is to much drag for the direct drive
    (read fast prop) motor to overcome.  I theorize that is why the
    Graupner UHU is so successful is that it has a smaller wing that is more
    efficient and has less drag.
    
910.8Looks feasible to meELMAGO::TTOMBAUGHHigh Plains DrifterMon Aug 06 1990 17:1714
    re .7
    
    I can't say I totally disagree with you Mark, but another reason
    the Uhu is sucessful is that both the motor and prop are better
    performers than those supplied with the Electra. A SL with the Graupner
    Speed 500 and 8 1/2 X 4 prop should be a pretty good performer,
    on direct drive, and you would avoid the possible clearence problems
    with a larger geared prop (haven't measured the exact clearence
    available). The stock wing area would be adequate too. If the weight
    is kept around 42 oz. total, that gives you 10 oz./sq. ft. which
    is a fine all around soaring weight. That pod sticking up in the
    airstream is what would bug me though.
    
    Terry