Airtonics "SWIFT" Help

[target]

Hi,
I got my hands on a old Swift kit, and it has Obeche sheeted wings. There are no instructions, and I see no joiner in the bags.
Here is a picture of the roots.
Should I try to make a dihedral joiner, and glue them that way, or, just glass after joining?
Advice appreciated!
Target

PS. Does anyone have a set of Instructions?

[SoCalGliderFlyr]

Glassed. One piece wing.

[target]

Seems kinda trusting in just the glass....
Do you see anything else simple to accomplish, to help make it more solid of a joint?
Thanks,
Target

[SoCalGliderFlyr]

Yes.

In Glass/Epoxy We Trust.

About 2" to 4" wide heavy glass. I like the glass tape with the finished edges you can buy. Don't use the nylon tapes!

Epoxy the joint first to get the dihederal (if any). Wrap the epoxy/glass with plastic wrap then tape to keep it down while the epoxy fires off (cures).

[target]

Very well then!
I think I'll apply a trick to the actual root to root bond that I learned from Steve Hendricks at the Birdworks in Oregon.
His method involves melting away just about 1/16th" of foam where it meets the Obeichi sheeting. Then I'll mix up a batch of epoxy and milled fibers, and glue away.
The melt back gives you a "bridge" across the inside edge of the sheeting for the epoxy mixture to adhere to.
Then I'll go with the glass bandage.

Thanks,
Target

[Wylie Shaw]

You could also very carefully cut a 1/16 slot on both sides of the Spar and insert a 1/16 brace (dihedral your choice here) on both sides of the spar. Now as to the Birdworks idea, it's a good one for sure, however I do the pencil pokiee poke....or some such.... :) take whatever tool you want to use and poke cone shaped holes in each end of the cores apply blue or other low stick masking tape around both core ends so that the epoxy/mixture doesn't stick to the outside and then take micro-balloned or glass filled epoxy and mate the halves together when cured then apply either a 1" or 1 1/2" fiberglass tape centered on the joint all the way around, then 3 or 4" on top of that....it's not gonna break.very easyly.. :D :D

Wylie

[target]

You could also very carefully cut a 1/16 slot on both sides of the Spar and insert a 1/16 brace (dihedral your choice here) on both sides of the spar.
Wylie


Wylie,
Thanks, this is what I had mind, when I posted the question....
Because this bird is bound for the slope, not for thermal use, I was thinking more along the lines of 1/8" for the braces. Weight is certainly not an issue, especially right on the CG! I'd make the braces two different lengths, so as not to induce a stress point.

Because the dihedral is nicely machined into the panels already, I think I'll leave what's there, keeping it as designed.

Thanks for the tips,
Target

PS. DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHERE TO GET INSTRUCTIONS FOR THIS KIT???

[mlee8249]

Hi Target,

I had one of those for many years. The center joint is a butt joint and then glassed over with 6-ounce cloth. Takes a winch launch with ease, and you can stand on the winch as hard as you want. If all you want to do is take it to the slope, 4-ounce cloth will do the job.

As far as construction is concerned, what do you want to know? It's a pretty easy plane to build.

mlee8249

[seanpcola]

Hi Target,

I was wondering if you might post some photos of the wings (planform) and fuse pieces for the Swift? I was given a bird last summer that I passed on to a friend that was transitioning from a poly glider to ailerons. The man that gave it to me said it was a Swift but I had never seen one before. What I am planning to do is contact him (may take a few days) as he said that he kept all plans and manuals for anything he had ever built. If I can verify we are talking the same kit I may be able to get you some info and satisfy us as to what my buddy is flying.

Sean

[target]

Mike and Sean-
Thanks for the replies. I just got back from a dreadful week in Jamaica.
The reason I want the factory instructions, is due to the fact that my brother, who I bought the Swift for as a Xmas gift, isn't much of a builder. So, I was hoping not to do most of the build for him, and let him build it mostly on his own. I have a LOT of irons in the fire right now...

The main question of joining the cores, sound like the answer is that glass only is sufficient, and anything more is icing on the cake.
Thanks to both.
Target

PS.
Mike-
I enjoy your sailplane articles, keep 'em coming!
Sean-
My bro' has the kit now, but it's just a single taper 2M wing panel, top mounted to a glass fuse that uses a T-tail in back.

[mlee8249]

Hi Target (did someone not like you?) (or maybe just another innocent bystander).

Anyhoo, I think I may have a set of instructions that I did for Airtronics on a similar bird that may be close enough to get the Swift completed. I'll look around. But this model is fairly easy to build, taking more time to finish the raw wood and install radio that anything else. On the finish, use Varathane clear satin finish and make sure it's the stuff that cleans up with soap and water. Use a sprayer to put the Varathane on with and the result will be a nice finish that is smooth. Anyhoo, use my email address for any questions: mlee8249@aol.com

And thanks for reading RCM!!

Mike

[seanpcola]

Hey Target,

Thanks for the info, when you said 2M and T-Tail that shows me that what I gave to my flying buddy is definetly not a Swift.

Good luck with the build.