Towhook location? West Wings Orion / bungee's

[Synergy1]

Ive got a west wings orion and want to fit a towhook, anyone else done this? are there any rules of thumb on where it should be located?

also, whats the best way to get a bungee in the uk? ..make your own?
where to get materials etc?

anyone out there modified an orion to have a bigger rudder?

[Chuck Glider]

The usual rule I've heard is to start with it 1/4" in front of the CG. It's wise to make it easily adjustable. Too far forward and it does not climb. Too far back
and it's twitchy and possibly dangerous on the line. Bungee, yes make your own. 5 to 9mm Surgical tubing is great, or corded bungee from the hardware store will work too, but is not as light. You'll need two strong key split rings, some kite line, a 1ft streamer of kite nylon and a strong long ground peg e.g. with a + cross-section. Also something to wind it up on, like a large reel or drum. Mini bungee, I've had good results with 10y of tubing/bungee cord tied to 50y of kite line. Tie split rings at each end, and the nylon streamer about 4 inches from the kite line ring - that's the bit you attach to the glider hook. The other split ring must be securely staked in the ground. Or make a mini-bungee following your local club or organisation rules.

It's a great way to launch! Have fun....

I've no experience with the Orion, but this review suggests that a bigger rudder is a good idea: http://www.flyingsites.co.uk/reviews/orion.htm

[Synergy1]

cheers !
Ill give it a go :-)

[Synergy1]

[QUOTE=Chuck Glider]. 5 to 9mm Surgical tubing is great, or corded bungee from the hardware store will work too, but is not as light.


..Any idea where i can get this from in a suitible length?

[Curare]

I went to my local fishing store and bought about 5m of spearfishing "jelly rubber"

Works a treat with about 30m of 25lb fishing line.

I can walk back a few paces and ploink around in the local park at lunch time.

[Chuck Glider]

LoL. The UK's Smallest Directory: "The Good Spearfishing Shop Guide"

I've never bought from these guys, but this high strength silicone tubing looks good:

http://www.altecweb.com/home.asp?cat=category1201

It says it elongates 600% before breaking. A bit pricey though. If you do buy from them, please let us know how their service is and indeed whether the material is any good. Alternatively, B&Q and Homebase do cloth covered bungee cord. Not ideal but it works.

[S_Dave]

Curare,

Here in the U.S., you can buy surgical rubber tubing in medical supply houses.
Say, it's off topic, but I wanted to ask if you ever encounter "the men in grey coats" while spearfishing? Oz has the reputation for growing some big sharks, and I was just curious.

Thanks (and watch out behind you),

Dave
only a snorkler

[Curare]

Hasn't happened to me, and before I get acosted by the environmental assasins, I don't spearfish, but the tubing is readily available to those who do.


As for the men in grey coats, I've caught plenty and provided you keep away from the pointy bits you're ok.

Now walking handbags on the other hand, they scare the living **** out of me!

For those not familiar with that statement, I am of course talking about crocodilius easturinus.

[Synergy1]

the orion is flying well but im yet to put it up to a bungee, i couldnt find a source of surgical rubber, theres this silicone tube stuff that i got a sample of itll stretch a lot before itll snap but its way too stiff, so im gonna just use some 6mm elastic cord and 30lb fishing line. I modified the orion to have a slightly stronger spar so hopefully itll take it! (slightly bigger rudder too).

[Windknot]

Hi Synergy,

I had an Orion 'till a dud servo killed it. Anyway, I doubled the size of the rudder, which gave a much better turn response than the standard one. I fitted my towhook about 1/2" in front of the CG. It worked very well with the 6mm shock cord I used as a mini bungee. I got the 'cord from B&Q, but Ebay has more and cheaper. My mainspar was fine 'till it hit a hawthorn bush right at the end of that terminal spiral dive.

Orion number two just awaits the last of the covering and the radio gear- it's a cracking little glider.

Jakes

[Synergy1]

jakes:
did you add fishing line to the 6mm shock cord? what lenth of each did you use? ..might as well ask so itll be right first time !

Hope youre orion number 2 comes along nicely, by the way...you can JUST about squeeze in a AAA battery pack if in 2 by 2 (square) configuration, for longer life than youd get using a normal 400mah 2/3AAA pack.

When your orion is done bung on a few pictures. :-)

[Windknot]

I used about 40 yards of braided dacron backing (30 lbs breaking strain)- because I had some at hand. Stuff's pretty limp, and tangles too easily. Other than that it works fine.

I'm going to stick some carbon tows on the wing before I cover it, I'll do pics then.

Cheers,

Jakes

[Chuck Glider]

Synergy, your Orion looks great. Lovely job. :cool: