Ariane Motor Glider

[Michael]

I just couldn't tighten the threaded posts with the nuts. They are too close to the motor casing, and there's not enough room to do this.

I purchased proper size screws, and the job was much easier.

[Michael]

A servo tray has to be cut out from 3/16" plywood; hard plywood. This type of work is not seen with more modern kits.

Anyway, all done.

That's enough for today.

 

[Michael]

Next step is gluing in the servo tray. The instructions require the wing to be temporarily attached to make sure the servo tray fits without interfering with the wing.

I didn't think/understand that the model was this big.

[GuyOReilly]

Big lift on that baby!
This should thermal quite nicely.

[Michael]

Fin and rudder. The fin has an internal aluminum tube, held immobile by a bolt and nut. Two parts are glued into the tube, which hold the moveable rudder in place; pinned top and bottom. The bottom part also holds a swiveling tail wheel which is controlled by the rudder, and the top part attaches to the one-piece stabilizer/elevator, on which it rotates forward and back.

I'm now working on the linkages to the servos.

 

[Frank v B]

Michael,

Looks great.
It looks like it is a flying stab hinging at the black piece at the rudder hinge line.

I have built two large Multiplex gliders (114" and 144") and both of them have "T" tails like yours with a single attachment point via a single screw through the stab and into the fin.  The problem is the stabs rotated around the screw.  On the smaller glider I put a registration pin into the stab (fibreglass like yours).
On the larger glider it was impossible to keep the stab aligned properly.  To fix it, I built a balsa fence that caught the leading edge of the stab and solved the problem.  See photo.

For what it is worth.

Frank

ps: The documentary on the Titan submersible that imploded the experts said  "you should never have a project that has a single point of failure".  Rob D's line applies: "What could possibly go wrong?"     

[Michael]

Thanks, Frank. That's something I will consider.

[Michael]

Okay, Frank, here's my simple solution.

The lower bolt and nut prevent an aluminum tube from rotating inside the fin, and the upper screw prevents the 'fin holder and elevator base' from spinning in the aluminum tube. It's glued as well.

 

[Michael]

Tail linkages set up. 'Pull-pull' for the rudder, and 'cable-in-sleave' for the elevator. Both work smoothly.

The rudder wires will be tightened after I remove (and then put back) the rudder for either staining, painting or covering.

 

[Michael]

Aileron linkages completed and functioning properly. Battery-tray and gyro-tray installed. Hatch is latched.

[Michael]

I took a break from the construction/assembly, and applied some water-based wood (dark walnut) stain on the bottom of the elevator. I like it!

 

[Michael]

That dark staining on the bottom of the elevator/stabilizer has been vetoed by my wife, and by David.

I am now using a clear satin-finish water-based-polyurethane instead. I have to agree with them; it is nicer.

[davidk]

That's it... what a beautiful grain.  That veneer has travelled 10,000k to get to your bench.  Triplochiton scleroxylon comes from Central Africa and has a very nice little flower.

[Michael]

It's big, it's heavy, and it will take effort to assemble at the field.

I still have to finish the radio setup, check all nuts and bolts are tight, and balance the plane.

I hope it flies and lands well.