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Over
the past 2 years I have been doing my GCSE examinations, and
for my Woodwork project I decided to design and build a Radio
Controlled model glider. As I have been flying a PSS BAe
Hawk for the last 2 years, I wanted to design a Power Scale
Soarer modelled on a modern military aircraft.
The
aircraft chosen was the brand new RAF advanced trainer, the
Shorts Tucano T1. The aircrafts design was almost
perfect for a good slope soaring model, having a relatively
large wingspan, very clean lines and no draggy air intakes as
on the Hawk.
I
wanted to make the model big enough to fly easily, yet still
making it manageable to launch. After scaling up a
3-view drawing of the Tucano it became obvious that a 1/8th
scale model would be most practical.
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After completing the
plans, and having measured up how much balsa was needed,
the real work began! I had over 9 months of
working time to build the model, so I decided to build
it conventionally, with a built up wing and a simple
'box' fuselage. I wrote a letter to Shorts
Brothers PLC in Northern Ireland, asking if they could
send me some photos and pictures of the Tucano, which
would help me construct a scale model, and I was very
glad when a large envelope full of photos arrived that
week! These pictures proved to be invaluable
during building, it always helps when you can see your
subject from all angles. |
The fuselage went together reasonably quickly,
and soon the time came when I had to think about the
canopy. The model needed a large, smooth canopy, very
similar in shape to that on the Hawk. So, off I went to
the model shop with the dimensions, in search of a cockpit
cover of the correct shape. It was not to be
found. With me doing a lot of work on the project in
school time, I put the problem to my teacher and he
said..." Why not use the vacuum forming machine? - All
you have to do is make a hardwood dummy cockpit, the exact
size and shape!"
After
hours of sanding this block of wood to the correct shape, and
removing the wood dust from my eyes, the cockpit was ready for
moulding. Having obtained a large sheet of transparent
perspex from the school, I was able to successfully mould 4
canopies, and then, after making another dummy, a plastic nose
spinner too. Both of these components were strong and
light, and make the model look very realistic.
Obtaining
a well proven wing section from Simon Cocker, the wings went
together, the hardest job being the making of the 14 wing ribs
of different sizes due to the pronounced wing taper. I
chose to increase the models wing area by about 10% from
scale, to improve its future gliding performance.
The
model was covered in Solartex for strength, and was then
sprayed. I chose to finish it in the standard RAF
trainer colourscheme, the traditional white, red and
grey. The spray paints gave a gloss finish which was
colourful and attractive.
With
the model finished and ready for flight, half a film of photos
were taken, (just in case I was never to see my creation in 1
piece again!) Unfortunately, at this stage, my exams
were just around the corner, so flying sorties were replaced
with swotting and the Tucano remained grounded for the next 2
months.
Once
the exams were over, the Tx was charged and the checks
were done. The Tucano was ready and raring to go, all
that was wrong was the weather, with prominent South Easterly
winds, which isn't correct for any of our local slopes!
Luckily, one Friday afternoon the wind turned more or less due
East, so, strapping on our G-suits we rushed up to our Elkstone
site. On arrival, the wind was just slightly Southerly
although the slope was still flyable.
After
the compulsory range check, and after making sure that left
was left and up was up, the model was launched into the steady
10-15 mph wind.
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climbed out gently, without any stick inputs!
However, after a couple of minutes in the air, it became
obvious that the model was slightly tail heavy, although
it was certainly controllable.
The model was landed and a couple
of pebbles were added to the nose ballast. The
model was launched again, this time with better flying
characteristics. After getting the model correctly
balanced and trimmed, the flight envelope was explored. |
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The model proved to be more
or less fully aerobatic, and certainly looked realistic in the
air. The model flew for 40 minutes on its maiden flight,
and will now become a regular weekend model up on the slopes.
The models AUW came out at
2lb 12oz (including the pebbles) and the flight
characteristics benefited accordingly, as the model is able to
glide in very light winds, unlike most PSS models which need a
steady 20mph to stay aloft (my Hawk is no exception!)
MODEL SPEC :
Scale
: 1/8th
Wingspan
: 60"
Length
: 40"
AUW
: 2lb 12oz
Wing
Loading : 10 oz / ft2
RC
Functions : Aileron
and Elevator only
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