Mystique 2M Wing Rod

[weekender]

I've got a Bob Martin Mystique 2M that's been sitting around for 2 years in a semi-finished state. It's got plug in wings. I decided to finally finish it, but I lost the 5/16 steel main wing rod. I remember some people replaced the heavy steel rod, with a lighter rod to save some weight.

Would a solid aluminum or carbon rod be suitable replacement?

Thanks,

weekender

[Ollie]

The best replacement would be a case hardened ejector pin with the head cut off. K&S engineering also packaged a 12 inch long music wire joiner with matching brass tube, which would be perfectly satisfactory when cut to the desired length. if I remember correctly the K&S Catalog number was 554.

[petefly58]

I have a Mystique 2M which I finished in 2000. I also found that the steel wingrod supplied with the kit, though indestructable, was heavy. I purchased a carbonfiber wingrod and have used that ever since. In 4 years of flying the Mystique, this wingrod has proven strong enough for moderate zoom launches and it is several ounces lighter than the steel rod it replaces. In general I am happy with my Mystique, although it is a bit on the heavy side. The flip side of that is that it can be comfortably flown in breezy conditions. Remove all the weight behind the CG that you possibly can without weakening the structure as this will lesson noseweight requirements and result in a lighter sailplane overall. Good luck with your Mystique!!

Pete