Hello and my attempt at a Guillows Super Piper Cub 95 (602)

[BassettsAllSorts]

Just a little update...

I just went out on my tea break from work and gave it a test glide with 50 turns.

It flew nice and straight and after a few tries at getting the throw right it flew very nicely indeed. So much so that I got my dad down (its a family business) and gave it a few more winds. Again after getting the throw right it went a good 12 - 15 meters in a straight line and landed very gracefully. Although the landings did pull off the triangle balsa pieces on the landing gear. I'll probably leave them off for now but I may need to balance it again. We work next to a river and for one minute I thought that it may be heading in there! Although I aimed it at a bush so it would break the flight if necessary.

I'll have to start looking into adding washout to the wings to factor in turns otherwise I may never see my plane again if I really wind it up! I guess I could buy some of those tabs and adjust it that way?

I have read about it on here but it all seemed a little too much for my small mind! I'll start to really look into it from now on.

I've got one hell of a smile on my face at the moment (Even if the kits are aimed at the younger model builder )

I'll hopefully get some pictures on here when I take the wife out with me and go to a big field that's nearby.

Tom

[ADW 123]

Phugoid that looks like a great flyer.

[wingnut]

I've got one hell of a smile on my face at the moment

and that's why we do this no? There is nothing more exhilarating than the feeling of watching that pile of sticks take to the air.

For trim tabs just get some print paper and low tack tape an you're set, I put one on the left wing as a drag tab to create a left turn on most models, but experiment, that's what it's all about

[BassettsAllSorts]

I've got one hell of a smile on my face at the moment

and that's why we do this no? There is nothing more exhilarating than the feeling of watching that pile of sticks take to the air.

For trim tabs just get some print paper and low tack tape an you're set, I put one on the left wing as a drag tab to create a left turn on most models, but experiment, that's what it's all about

Thanks for the information Wingnut. That sounds like a very cost effective way of doing it.

I can't wait to experiment, its just a shame it gets dark here at 5 otherwise I'd head out straight after work for some more flying time!

Tom

[Phugoid]

That's good news Tom, now to get it to turn...........

A simple way is to use a Gurney tab (named after a Mr. Gurney I believe) This creates a lot of drag and a small amount of lift. The drag makes the model turn (if the tab is on the left wing it will turn left) and the little bit of lift helps stablaize the turn so it doesn't "spiral in" To work the tab is fairly shallow and is bent pretty much at 90 degrees to the bottom of the wing. However as you crank in the winds you'll probably need to add some right thrust to compensate for the torque reaction of the rubber motor..... other wise you'll get a very sharp left turn to start with and less later on. Obviously a sharp left turn close to the ground is an instant way to smash up you nice model, so take your time as you increase the winds.

If you look at any of Scigs build and flying pictures you will see this little tab, he has used it to great effect....

Glad you're smiling!

Andrew

[MakMov]

That was a Gurney Flap named after Dan Gurney, same idea just upside down for airplanes.

[Phugoid]

yup that's it, I couldn't rememeber his first name yesterday... thanks. It was used on racing cars wasn't it?

Andrew

[ADW 123]

Lets get a picture of this flap for everyone.

[Phugoid]

like I said, look at any of scigs's builds in flight....

[MakMov]

yup that's it, I couldn't rememeber his first name yesterday... thanks. It was used on racing cars wasn't it?

Andrew

Yup, first used on race cars, Bobby Unser's car in fact.

Gurney was able to use the device in racing for several years before its true purpose became known. Later, he discussed his ideas with aerodynamicist and wing designer Bob Liebeck of Douglas Aircraft Company. Liebeck tested the device, which he later named the “Gurney flap,” and confirmed Gurney’s field test results using a 1.25% chord flap on a Newman symmetric airfoil. His 1976 AIAA paper (76-406) “On the design of subsonic airfoils for high lift” introduced the concept to the aerodynamics community.The Gurney flap is the first aerodynamic development made in automobile racing that has been successfully transferred to aircraft engineering.

[BassettsAllSorts]

Hi Guys

Thank you for all the information - that's a real help.

I look forward to trying out the Gurney flap.

I'll wait for the weather to sort itself out and get out there!

All the things you need to know in this hobby!!!

Tom