Wing rod for 117" Bird of Time

[A Monell]

I have borrowed( to set up) an old Marks Models BOT from a friend who loves building but never finished this plane.1979?
I don't know several key elements however. The wing rod is missing and I have cut a 1/4"x 10.5" cold rolled rod from the metal shop I work at. But I am thinking I will need either drill rod or the outside hardened die pin type material to be strong enough and this is the main question for this post.
I am just trying to make this a flyable plane with a cheap homemade hi start and maybe later fit a low KV inrunner.
The fuse was to small years ago to incorporate electric power but it may be workable now.

[Wazmo]

You'll have to call for a quote on custom length (their standard pins are 6"), but you might try Dixie Pins (http://www.dixiepins.com/dixie-pins/)

[larry vincek]

I had an original Marks Models BOT years ago and don't remember the wing rod as being very stiff. My guess is that it was music wire which will flex slightly in normal flight and in case you overdo it on the winch will bend some . Thats good insurance on a wing with a wood spar.

[aeajr]

www.hilaunch.com has aluminum wing rods that are light and strong, but with some give. I have one in my Thermal Dancer. If I over pedal it on the winch, the wing rod can flex and I can see it. But it returns to original shape every time.

He has steel too and he will put in any custom dihedral angle you need.

I would recommend aluminum for that plane to keep it light.

[slopemeno]

I use the Dixiepins on a couple of my wingeron/pitcherons, and they work great. I stuffed my CR Turbo last week really hard, and the .250 wingrod is still perfecly straight.

[vintagesailplnr]

Check:
www.vintagesailplaner.com
Jim


I use the Dixiepins on a couple of my wingeron/pitcherons, and they work great. I stuffed my CR Turbo last week really hard, and the .250 wingrod is still perfecly straight.

[R. Carver]

www.hilaunch.com

I would recommend aluminum for that plane to keep it light.

Not at 1/4" :eek:

[williamson]

I rebuilt the wings on an old Bird of Time. When doing this, I made two changes. First, I installed tapered carbon fiber wrapped with Kevlar in the inside panels. Second, I used a larger, but shorter wing rod. The hardened steel rod (from my old Majestic) fits into a 3/8 OD brass tube. This wing rod will not bend. The wings still flex a lot on launch.