Really BIG wood gliders?

[2milehighguy]

Guys, I remember an article in Radio Control Modeler (I think) many, many years ago. It was about a gentleman from Iowa who built monster wooden gliders. Most were basic designs like the Oly 650, Wanderer, Sig Riser and such. This guy scaled them up to anywhere from 18 to over 30 FEET! Some had power pods with big Super Tiger 2500 motors on them. Among the photos was one taken from above by his friend using a cherry picker and all the models were in a large circle. I told a friend about this and he does not believe a word of it. Can someone back me up here? Does anyone remember this? By a long shot would anyone have this article? I'd love to see it again. Please don't refer to me as crazy........I do remember.....Thanks, Bob.

[Gil Gauger]

Yes, it's true. Remember the article well. Sorry I gave away my magazine collection during a move a few years back.

[DT56]

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[Hossfly72]

I have a friend who built a 15ft span Gentle Lady if it helps any. It's not unknown. It just takes a truly insane genius to do it successfully!

[kingbee]

The article was in the April 1994 RCM. The planes ranged from a 14' Sailaire to a 32' Bird of Time weighing 71 lbs! They all had engines for launching.

Cheers,
Dave

[StevenatorLTFO]

32 foot BOT, holy carp batman! Could you imagine if you had a winch big enough to zoom it? LOL

[Captain Canardly]

YO Gang!
Are you all pondering, or thinking of doing? If doing, I have a 'finished' drawing of a 14' Sailaire mod over at the 'Building the Boomer' site in electric sailplane talk. I will try to post the PDF-- it's 36X90", so it may not fit the max limit.---
WOW- I don't get it all this at a few k's, and others in megs--- :D :eek:
Johnny

[Elmog]

The article was in the April 1994 RCM. The planes ranged from a 14' Sailaire to a 32' Bird of Time weighing 71 lbs! They all had engines for launching.
Cheers,
Dave

Isn't the legal weight limit for RC planes 55 pounds in the USA? Is there a special waiver that can be obtained to fly such a giant?

[shaneyee]

I am thinking of a 2X Bubble Dancer with an Astro Cobalt 90 and 12 Lipos but it's madness to try and fly a 20ft wingspan plane in a small country like Singapore. Which is why I might just do it......

Shane

[DT56]

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[2milehighguy]

Does someone have an RCM subscription and access to the archives? I'd like to see those photos again. Bob.

[arukum17]

I am thinking of a 2X Bubble Dancer with an Astro Cobalt 90 and 12 Lipos but it's madness to try and fly a 20ft wingspan plane in a small country like Singapore. Which is why I might just do it......

Shane


Go for it Shane! You know you want to.

[Plantation Bruce]

The artical was indeed in the April 1994 issue of RCM, which I have. :)

The name of the guy who built these mamoth sailplanes is Bob Kurtowski, do a Google search and you might find some pics.

He built the following sailplanes:

Bird of Time 32ft ws SuperTiger 4500 for power. Weight 71lbs
Buzzard 28ft ws SuperTiger 3000 for power. Weight 61lbs
Paragon 20ft ws OS Maz 108
Sailaire 14ft ws SuperTiger 2500 Weight 10lbs
Caracara 21ft ws OS Max 108 Weight 26lbs
Slingsby 22ft ws SuperTiger 3000 Weight 52lbs

I tried to scan the pictures but they didn't come out very good so I can't post any. Probably not the thing to do anyways.

[aeronca52]

I also remember that RCM issue. The big questions is where are these airplanes today? Love to see them in action if still around. Imagine finding them in a garage you bought!!!