Radio Controlled Glider

thingiverse

<b>Intro:</b> This is a radio controlled glider I designed to go with a build up balsa wing that I already owned. The wing is built up balsa originally from a Gentle Lady glider that I have not flown in years. The wingspan is about 2 meters and the tail feathers are also built up balsa (Also from the Gentle Lady). It flies very well and can stay aloft for a long time. The primary purpose of designing a new fuselage for the Gentle Lady wing was the desire to move from the NiCd and brushed power system of that glider to a LiPo brushless system. It was impossible to get the CG right with the lighter components so I started a ground up design using the middle Balsa cutout from the wing as a template for the glider. I also wanted a sleeker and lighter fuselage, so I built it around a carbon fiber boom and pod design with a V tail. The canopy is held on with lip in the front and a magnet in the back for quick access. I also added a folding prop and designed the air frame to transition smoothly from that spinner. <b>Update:</b> Well, I wrecked the prototype in a walk by accident. I had it hanging on display and I knocked it off the wall, smashing the nose. Time to reprint. I realized that as long as I was reprinting, I should make it better. So I give you version 2!!. I have modified the middle section to have an interior lip that makes attaching the front section easier. Before one needed to glue in tabs and then glue them to the next piece. This step has been eliminated which means you just add glue and slide fit the pieces together. I also modified the center section to have a third hole for a carbon fiber rod to go into. The 3 rods and a seam of glue around the circumference makes a strong and light join between middle and rear sections. The rear section was modified to add a hole for the 3rd rod. The whole project took about 4 hours for each section to print. I cannot remember how long the canopy took to print. <b>Printing:</b> The frame is printed as a vase with a 2 layer thickness. It is very light and strong. I printed the body in white PLA and the canopy in black PLA. <b>Parts needed:</b> 2 micro/feather servos HiTec HS-55 or equivalent. Carbon boom is 788mm in length and 14mm Outer and 12 mm Inner diameter. Folding Propeller: https://hobbyking.com/en_us/folding-propeller-w-hub-35mm-3mm-shaft-8x4-5-2pcs.html Motor: E-flite Park 400 Outrunner Battery: https://hobbyking.com/en_us/turnigy-nano-tech-950mah-2s-25-50c-lipo-pack.html Canopy Magnet: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M0XJD3O/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1