Graupner Slipper?

[lazerin]

I was wondering if anyone has heard of the Graupner Slipper (http://www.modelflight.com.au/rc_model_sailplanes_gliders/glider_graupner_slipper.htm)?

I was browsing my LHS's website and came across it. Looks quite interesting and the claim of being able to glide for over a minute sounds amazing. Although I have no idea how good that is relative to what you guys do. I've never done any form of free flight.

[Megowcoupe]

I've got this kit, although I haven't opened it up yet. It does look like a nice HLG- a bit larger than I'm used to. One advantage is that the wing is preshaped, which will reduce the amount of sanding you need to do. However, I have a sneaking suspicion this airplane will come out heavier than ideal unless you've got an arm like a gorilla. But it is probably a nice start at HLG which can be an awful lot of fun. Make sure you have a decent size field- larger than you need for most RC- these things can travel.

by the way- 20 seconds isn't a bad mark to shoot for as a beginner- 30 sec is doing quite respectably. A max in a contest in 1 minute. Seems lots longer when the plane is in the air.

Sam

[BMatthews]

$18 US ! ! ! ! ! !

The web is full of plans for HLG's of similar design. Shaping the wing is a skill that is not that hard to develop and once done means you can make a couple of HLG's in an evening easily and dope and polish them up the following evening and you're off to the races for about $3 worth of wood per glider.

[Bill Mixon]

here's a plan for a similar size glider.
http://website.lineone.net/~triggerfish/terrapl.htm
The plans show a flip up boom, which could be omitted to keep things simple.
Looks quite interesting and the claim of being able to glide for over a minute sounds amazing. That's with lift. Without lift it's not going to stay in the air long even if you throw really hard.
My catapult launched models barely fly a minute in no lift.

[BMatthews]

A nice light and slightly larger HLG in the 22 inch span size range can do about 45 seconds in dead calm with a strong arm for power. My old geriatric arms can get it to do about 35 to 40 seconds.

The launch pattern is the key. If it looses almost anything at the top when it transitions from the climb to the glide then you're toast. And the best climbs and transitions come from gliders that are trimmed to have the CG as far to the rear as possible and still recover from a stall... just barely.... There's more to trimming but that's the big one.

Would you guys be interested in a simple glider and a build along thread? I've got plans for this one I can send out the printing files for. I built a couple of them back in 2003 when I did the plan and they both flew well enough to loose them to thermals within a few months. It's a super cheap and simple design and may be just the thing for a HLG trainer to get used to shaping the solid wood. In particular the tip dihedral format means one less glue joint to worry about and a far easier time with the critical center wing glue joint.

The name? Why, it's a reference to those folks that say "Sure, I'll do that.... when pig's fly I'll do that!".... and the simple lines and "fat" shapes do sort of look a bit piggish. :D

[Bill Mixon]

Would you guys be interested in a simple glider and a build along thread?
That might be good if there is enough interest.
Bruce, I noticed on your plan that you have a slight washin built into the tip panel.
What effect does this have? I have cut them straight and with washout, but have never tried it the other way.

[BMatthews]

Washin on the inside wing helps to "drag" it around and ensures that your model does not get into the dreaded cyclic stall effect. Since I started using this my stalls due to turbulence damp out much easier and faster. WashOUT on the outside wing would do the same thing of course.

So anyone that wants to have a go at this PM me an email addy that I can send the high rez GIF files to. In the meantime I guess I should Zambonie off a little spot on my bench and hone up my adze to carve the wing... :D

And for the Free Flight newbies reading in I know the washin on the inside is trying to roll the model out of the turn but you just use a bit more rudder to force it.

It's sort of like dirt track racers playing with corner to corner weight jacking. The car ONLY has to turn in one direction at speed so you do what's needed in order to make the car feel the best for that one turn only. If you try to suddenly race it the other way you're in trouble. The same principal applies here.

[lazerin]

Thanks for the info guys, I think I'll pass on the slipper for now and just stick with helis. Free flight seems too hard!

[BMatthews]

...Free flight seems too hard!

Yeah sure! GO CRAWL BACK TO YOUR EASY RC MODELS AND LEAVE THE HARD STUFF TO US FREE FLIGHTERS! ! ! ! !

Just kidding.... :D It's not harder, just different.