I ordered 2 sets of Ringmaster Jr ribs from Brodak late last week. They arrived today.


I also bought some sheet balsa for a built up fuse and some hollow carbon fibre rods that will accept 4/40 bolts, at the LHS today. Alas they still do not have any Lite Ply. I desperately need some 1/8 Lite Ply. I may have to work up an order next payday and order some wood online.


Now I will describe what I am building. A Bi-Plane Ringmaster based on the Ringmaster Jr.


Power is to be Super Tiger .34.


I am going to stretch the wings to 36" from the original 30". I am adding a 4" center section to the wings. With 1" hollowed out balsa wing tips the wings will be 36". I was originally just going to add a 4" straight section (lazy and easy), but I will make them same taper as the rest of the wing to keep the same look and planform. The center sections will add 61 square inches total bringing the total wing area to 470 square inches.


The fuse will be stretched to move the empennage back. I will use the proportions of Pat Johnston Ringmaster Bibe 1099.


At this time I am planning on some short center section flaps May be 1/3 to 1/2 span, both top and bottom wings.


The Carbon Fibre rods are to make up some N struts. both interplane and cabane struts. I needed them hollow to accept 4/40 threaded rod. This is going to be a take apart, well just the wings. I do have transport (PT Cruiser) and storage issues.


The last time I built a bi-plane I was in my junior or sophomore year in high school, scratch built from my own plans. I have had a couple of bibes since (RC) but the were second hand buys.

I punched out 1 panel of ribs to see how much wider the root chord is going to be and my extension adds 5/8" to the root chord, so the root will be 8 1/4". the tip will remain 6".


I still have to buy spar, LE and TE stock.


This will be my first Ringmaster of any kind.





So this is going to be a challenge and fun.


Ken