Merlyn unlimited sailplane [Archive]

Speedo125

Aug 31, 2006, 11:01 AM

It looks like a great XC ship to me. I just ordered a set of plans. John at AMA HQ says that they've been selling a lot of those lately. Could be you've started something. I wonder if Tower offers a discount when ordering Monokote by the acre?

MTT

Aug 31, 2006, 11:51 AM

"Merlyn" unlimited sailplane.

I thought "unlimited" meant sailplanes with flaps and ailerons, or at least, ailerons.
This looks like an R/E bird to me.

Doubletap

Aug 31, 2006, 11:53 AM

The interest in plans could have been a result of one of these ships that was offered for sale here on RCGroups a few months back. The specimen in question looked like it was professionally built and covered and best of all, the seller was asking a mere $140 shipped for the model! I tried to buy it but was beat out by several other buyers.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=493385&highlight=merlyn

I believe SkyBench Aerotech has plans to offer this kit sometime in the near future.

Doubletap

Radian

Aug 31, 2006, 11:55 AM

I thought "unlimited" meant sailplanes with flaps and ailerons, or at least, ailerons.
This looks like an R/E bird to me.

"Unlimited" class is any sailplane over 100" wingspan.

"Open" class is sailplanes with wingspans up to 100"

"2 meter" is sailplanes with wingspans up to two meters (78.75")

Doubletap

Aug 31, 2006, 12:15 PM

"Unlimited" class is any sailplane over 100" wingspan.

"Open" class is sailplanes with wingspans up to 100"

"2 meter" is sailplanes with wingspans up to two meters (78.75")

Correction:

Open Class is over 100"

Standard Class is up to 100"

2 Meter: self explanatory

The Merlyn is an open class model intended for XC.

MTT

Aug 31, 2006, 12:18 PM

"Unlimited" class is any sailplane over 100" wingspan.
OK, thanks for the answer, as I said, I thought that 'unlimited' meant ailerons, or flaps and ailerons...
Thanks for enlightening me ! :)

rdwoebke

Aug 31, 2006, 12:57 PM

OK, thanks for the answer, as I said, I thought that 'unlimited' meant ailerons, or flaps and ailerons...

It can and often does. Unlimited is not really an official class, but something guys refer to for a contest that has no limits on control surfaces/span. Of course, nothing stops you from flying a 2 meter RE model in unlimited (other than foolish pride, if you swing that way).

Ryan

ChuckA

Aug 31, 2006, 01:13 PM

Unlimited means just that. No limit on anything except that it must be under the FAI weight limit and I am not sure even the weight limit still applies. That was the definition we used when setting up the class system back in 1974. Hand launch, 2-meter, standard class, and RES all have limits, either size or controls.

Chuck Anderson

Ercoupe Ed

Sep 01, 2006, 08:07 PM

Anyone out there built and or flown the "Merlyn" unlimited sailplane. 155" span, 2100 square inches by Ken Bates, available from AMA plans service.

I've seen the Merlyn fly in the past.
It flies great!
Yes there is a LOT of WOOD in it.
If you're handy with a band saw and or a very good table saw,you can buy bulk balsa and cut what you need. It saves money, but NOT time.
I have scratch built a lot airplanes, cut most of the wood I need on my band saw, scroll saw and some on my table saw.
I remember when Ken Bate's article was first published.
Very awesome airplane at the time.
If Skybench Aerotech kits this thing in the future it will be a nice kit, but I can tell you that it won't be cheap.
If any of you guys have ever read the article with the accompanying drawings and pictures, this airplane takes a lumberyard full of wood!
But it's a work of art at the same time.
What is difficult would be after having built such a magnificent wood structure, is to cover it up with monokote or other covering.
Yep, it takes ACRES of MONOKOTE TOO!!!
So when you walk up to the checkout at your LHS, with about 10 rolls of monokote,and every piece of balsa wood in the shop, they'll just say, uhhh another Merlyn builder!!! LOL!!!

Blue skies!
Ed

steelhead

Dec 16, 2006, 05:00 AM

Did anyone kit this one yet? I heard that there was a plan to.

Dean

schrederman

Dec 16, 2006, 10:31 AM

Ray at Skybench Aerotech shows it as a future kit. I would think that with some updating to airfoils and some carbon fiber in the right places, it would be an awsome X-C model... If I were so inclined, I wouldn't wait... My saws would be spinning.

Jack WOmack

Speedo125

Dec 17, 2006, 06:59 AM

So........ Would anyone be interested in a Merlyn laser-cut short kit if it became available?

bobby legue

Dec 17, 2006, 09:41 AM

Yup.

schrederman

Dec 17, 2006, 11:04 AM

Not with the original airfoil... I'd love to build one this big. but I'd want to enhance it. That means new ribs, which is 80% of the work...

Jack Womack

Ray Hayes

Dec 18, 2006, 05:58 AM

Sky Bench has written permission from Ken Bates, designer of the Merlyn, to produce this model, which it will legally protect.

It will have a choice of the orginal airfoil and S 3014 as agreed upon with Ken Bates.

Ray Hayes
Skybench.com
Home of Wood Crafters

schrederman

Dec 18, 2006, 08:22 AM

Now... THAT'S interesting... The 3014 has become my favorite airfoil, too...

Jack

Speedo125

Dec 18, 2006, 09:37 AM

Ray:
I sincerely apologize. Re-reading my post, it does appear that I was offering Merslyn short kits for sale. Please be assured that I have neither the equipment nor the inclination to produce kits, long or short, of any kind. I certainly have no intention of going into business or competing with you in any way.
I have no idea of how the rights to a designer's plans works. I was under the impression that an individual, with a purchased set of plans, could pay someone else to cut parts from those plans for personal use. I thought that if there was enough interest, I would ask around to determine what the various laser-cutting services would charge to cut a few short kits for personal use. I was going to be asking you. The idea of a commercial venture never crossed my mind.
I now realize that to do so would be directing future business away from Skybench, and you have every right to be upset with me for doing so. I'll cool my jets wait for your Merlyn kits to become available.
Thom

Ray Hayes

Dec 18, 2006, 01:27 PM

OK, that is a relief. Not a problem to scratch build from a plan, selling the parts is the problem.

The Meryln will be offered as a partial too.

Ray

Belassis

Dec 18, 2006, 03:29 PM

I would be more than a little interested.

Charly

Ray Hayes

Dec 18, 2006, 04:40 PM

Ken Bates is going to build the S 3014 airfoil version. Me too.

Ray

FlyH2O

Dec 18, 2006, 05:09 PM

Ray

When is the kit coming out? I would really like to build one. I picked up the plans from RCM some time ago, and thats alot of cutting. Any idea of a price at this time? Thanks!!

Larry O

BTW I Love my OlyII!!!

Ray Hayes

Dec 18, 2006, 05:21 PM

I would think the same price as the Sky Bird ( wood fuse version) including a vacummed formed canopy.

Ray

bobby legue

Dec 18, 2006, 07:18 PM

Ray,
Put me down for one!
Bob

Ray Hayes

Dec 18, 2006, 07:29 PM

Done .... thanks

Ray

schrederman

Dec 18, 2006, 07:34 PM

I'm in for the 3014 version...

Jack Womack

jmfitzgerald

Dec 18, 2006, 11:04 PM

wow! i'm just getting started on my challenger... but i sure might be up for one when i get this finished!!! sounds like another real exciting build!!!

matt

schrederman

Dec 18, 2006, 11:19 PM

With 2100 sq. in. of wing, how does one launch such a beast? Will my 3-meter high start do the trick? Anyone remember how much she weighs? I seem to remember that this model had aluminum blade joiners... or am I off in Neverland again? Wouldn't surprise me... I've been sniffing soldering flux for the last 2 hours, working on an ARF of all things...

Jack Womack

FlyH2O

Dec 19, 2006, 01:18 AM

Ray
I'm in for a 3014 version also. Keep us posted. Thanks!!

Larry O

Ray Hayes

Dec 19, 2006, 06:07 AM

I'm in for the 3014 version...

Jack Womack

Done......... thanks.

Ray

Ray Hayes

Dec 19, 2006, 06:12 AM

Ray Hayes

Dec 19, 2006, 06:21 AM

Ray
I'm in for a 3014 version also. Keep us posted. Thanks!!

Larry O

Done ...... Thanks.

Ray

Speedo125

Dec 19, 2006, 08:16 AM

Put me down for one. -Thom

Bill Ervin

Dec 19, 2006, 06:19 PM

I just happened to have "knocked off" a lumber yard the other day. They didn't even see me comin, who in their right mind would heist a lumber yard for crying out loud!

The longest pieces (the 4x6's) are over eight feet long! Never saw balsa wood that long before. Time to order those Merlyn plans I guess...

Got some vacation time built up too, maybe lock myself up in the shop for a few weeks/months, have the wife slide food under the door.

This could be a great vacation. Hmmmm...

See you in Spring!!! Bill (President, Cedar Yopantz Aircraft Co.)

schrederman

Dec 21, 2006, 01:35 PM

Soooo... Bill,

Do you have a thickness sander? I've cut some of my own sheet wood and it's OK in the thicker sheets, but I found the thinner ones hard to get right. That doesn't mean that you can't do it. I was using a cheap radial arm saw... the effort was worth it, though. People always asked me where I found 6 ft balsa sheets...

enjoy

Jack Womack

fly1milehi

Dec 21, 2006, 01:46 PM

A thickness sander will for sure make getting an accurate dimension easy.. The best place to start on resawing thick lumber into thin sheets is with a bandsaw and the widest blade you can put on it. 1/2 wide blades will track nice and straight through balsa and if you can get one with more than 12 teeth per inch it will leave you with a reasonably clean cut...
Used to use my Shopsmith bandsaw to do exactly that for making 1/8inch thick hardwoods to cut scroll work
Greg

Bill Ervin

Dec 21, 2006, 02:48 PM

Luckily I have a fully equipped 2000 sq. ft. carpenters shop at the airport where I work (I'm the airport carpenter). The standard multi-pupose blade on the 10" arbor saw was making a 1/8" kerf every time I made a pass. It was making me cry because at the end of a kit cutting session there would be literally $100 worth of balsa dust on the floor.

The thinnest sheets I could consistently produce was about .093 (3/32). The sheets would vary by about .003" in either direction and that was good enough for me. If I were to try and produce some 1/16" for wing LE sheeting etc. I would probably try and set-up or make a thickness sander.

Tried ripping some sheets on the bandsaw using a home-made ripping fence but didn't have any luck. I ended up making sheets that were unacceptably "wavy".

A couple weeks ago I broke down and bought a "thin kerf" 10" Tenyru brand blade for the Arbor saw. It was $120 and produces a claimed .069" kerf so I will be saving around .055" with every pass. It may even pay for itself after a few hundred cuts!

Here's couple kits I made so far. An original Kaos and an Ugly Stik.

Bill

DT56

Dec 21, 2006, 03:46 PM

text

Bill Ervin

Dec 21, 2006, 04:19 PM

Thanks for the tip DT56. Might try that, there's a Dewalt 12" planer in the shop that gets very little use (so the blades are still sharp).

The actual story on the wood is that it was given to me by my friend across the airfield. He just finished up a restoration of a Travelair 6000 and had some "leftover" wood he was going to throw out (didn't realize there was so much balsa in those old planes). He originally got it from Aircraft Spruce and Specialty. Not the most perfect balsa in the world, but the price could not be beat. One of the rare moments in my life where I was at the right place at the right time.

Bill

Wylie Shaw

Dec 22, 2006, 04:40 AM

Ray Put me down also for he 3014 Merlin

Best Regards,

Wylie Shaw

Ray Hayes

Dec 22, 2006, 08:31 PM

Ray Put me down also for he 3014 Merlin

Best Regards,

Wylie Shaw

Done ...... Thanks

Ray

sbxcflyer

Dec 22, 2006, 09:18 PM

RAy:
I would like a kit also. Probably the short kit.
Thanks
Dave Campbell

Ray Hayes

Dec 22, 2006, 09:57 PM

Done .... thanks

Hope you fly it in the 2007 Great Lakes Soaring League points system contests.
WE get a few of them built locally, we can have one awesome "one of a Kind fly off"

Ray

Ray Hayes

Dec 22, 2006, 10:03 PM

Put me down for one. -Thom

Done ...... Thanks

Ray

Accu157

Dec 26, 2006, 11:32 AM

One recommendation... if anyone makes a kit, it'd be nice to opt for a fiberglass fuselage. If not, perhaps a change in the nose design so we don't spend $80 carving out 90% of a balsa block! ;) A built up canopy would be nice.

Captain Canardly

Feb 11, 2007, 04:53 AM

WOWEEE!!
I thought I'ddo alittle lookin in the 'sites, and WOWEEE.
I bet you guys didn't know that Ken's original article was my favorite read, with Dave Thornburg giving him a photo finish of competition!
Way back in my youth, the MRCSS guys polled a situation for XC, and one of the fellas ended up starting his fiberglass fuse business with the Merlyn. I do remember that 4.5 lbs. were dedicated to its raw condition, and I did mine as a Bird Of Time and a Half'. It cost me 300 1987 dollars{'85.5-87} , took about a year and half to build, and 11 lbs, with one in tthe nose to ballast, and three to launch. I can't find my pictures, as most were shot by other guys, but I suppose now I need to get a vhs to disk converter, as I made about 45 minute tape with allthe gutsy details. I do still have the tailfeathers. I figured she would need to be armor plated, so the 15 ft wing came out about 5 of the eleven lbs. I also remember that converting the original tail leading edge to a BOT L.E., cut six oz. off the weight,vastly reducing the nose ballast.
Just follw Kens Original Drawing requirements of MILT DS, and yours will certainly be lighter. I love the way Ken described the aspect ratio discussion. I also came to the conclusion with this aircraft, that if'ns I can't launch solo, it's too big!!
I'm watchin ya'll!!
'the capt.
Johnny

Mr B....

Feb 13, 2007, 07:52 PM

I have one! That is a fiberglass fuse!

Merrill

Captain Canardly

Feb 13, 2007, 08:51 PM

Yo!, Mr. B.!!
How long? (since when) how high how long a flight, etc??!!!

onethermal

Feb 14, 2007, 02:23 AM

Mr B
Would you like to sell it...????

onethermal

Feb 17, 2007, 09:36 PM

Hey everone take a look at the Merlyn Fuse that Mr B... has.

Here is the link. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=644129

Captain Canardly

Jun 03, 2007, 08:38 PM

Sorry for the distractions at other places, guys!
I forgot to search my subscribed list! Here's what 20 years of living in a toolbox looks like- the pictures, that is! :D

Phoebusflyer

Jun 05, 2007, 10:07 PM

Hey, Capt. that is a BEAUTIFUL plane! Tell us more!

Captain Canardly

Jun 10, 2007, 07:19 AM

I just got this 1987 film converted to DVD, but my EMac isn't super driven to view.
Max FAI squares, 2225, 11 lbs, My first big bird, and i figured it needed to be armour plated, spar was 1/4 by 3/4" caps, Maple angle joiner, 1/4X3/8" spruce leading edge. took 2 people to launch.I came to the comclusion that if one can't launch solo, the bird is too big!
I did love painting it, though, PPG GM Rustic with Mettalic brown/ trans yellow Mcoat.
5.5 lbs were imbedded into the wing, and today's building practices could reduce the weight substantially!
I wanted to "gull wing" because I just can't follow established rules! She probably cruised at 25 mph without braggin' rights, flew quietly, but too heavy to thermal- never got to 6 minutes. still have the tail feathers a 36" tailspan! I believe it was 40 pcs of 4X48" wood!