Alcyone 121

[LVsoaring]

I am the lucky winning bidder of a NSP Alcyone 121 on Ebay. This will be my 2nd full house ship after moving from poly gas bags, and could use any insight on construction, flying characterists, or just fun stories. I found the very informative article by Sherman Knight on the NSP website, but any and all other info from those familiar with this sailplane would be appreciated!

Cheers!
Rick

[BrianSmith]

Don't use that wing clamp they provide in the kit. It is a horse shoe shaped affair that hold the wing roots together when you install the wing on the fuse. It will shortly tear the wing root ribs off the wings. Just tape the wing halves together and run a bolt with a washer through the wing halves into the body mount. I used that method for many flights with no problems. Been there done that. (grin) Brian Smith

[jsteifel]

Or build a center section out of solid wood or build it from laminated ply. Then tape the wing on to the center section.

[cinbau]

I had one and after ripping the root ribs off twice. I reglassed them and modified the wing for three bolts. two at the traling edge and on up from like the plans called for. This worked well for me. The rear bolts were smaller so that they would break before the front. I coulgt a wing tip on landing and both rear bolts snaped and the roots ribs were left intact.
I was one you out bid for that kit.

Enjoy, She will be a sweatheart to fly.
Cricket

[Fly2High]

I love my Alcyone 121. I got it from the WRAM show a few years ago. the guy had used too thin a balsa on the tips so I had to laminate another layer on top of it. You could never tell.

I flew it in a club contest and it flew so well that while thermaling I set it into the turn, let go of the sticks and for the next 4 minutes I didn't have to do a thing! It flies great even though it is a little heavy. So far the standard wing attachment is holding but I did have to reinforce the plates that hold the two T-nuts. I had to put a couple layers of carbon tape on the inside and along the walls between them to stiffen the and make sure the plates dont pop out again.

Otherwise all is well. She is fun to fly!

Enjoy yours! I still have another in the box that needs the skins to be laminated and has a fiberglass fuse!!!


Frank

[LVsoaring]

Thanks for the input everyone, I have not even received the kit yet, but from what you all have described, it seems like the stock wing attachment scheme is like that of the Kestrel, another NSP product. I thought the Kestrel's set up was kind of cheesy, so I'll be devising some sort of mod from the git-go. BTW, this one is the FG fuse too.

Cricket, I suppose I should say sorry about outbidding you, especially since the difference was only about 50 cents, but I am really pleased I won this one. I think you've outbid me a time or two on other items, so all's fair in love and Ebay! :D

Cheers!

Rick

[TOSSPilot]

The wing attachment to the fuselage is completely cheezy. Since the wing mounts on top of the fuselage, I personally would turn the wing into a three piece wing. Make a solid center wing and attach to the fuselage with bolts. You will need to make a joint at the split between the ailerons and flaps and setup a wing rod attachment. You can make it a two piece wing with a bolt attachment, but it will not be nearly as strong as a three piece version.

Yes, a pain to modify but the plane is not ideal with the stock setup unless you are very careful.

On the positive side, the plane flys well.

Good luck.

TOSSpilot.