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Old 12-01-2004 | 09:00 AM
  #233  
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rmh
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Default RE: Suggestion for moderators

Just a suggestion.
I would guess that you are building this model as a relaxing pastime.
So try this:
get some poster board or scrap stiff foam -or buy a little glider like the ones they used to sell for a dime.
Learn to toss it and see what happens when the wings are bent level-up-down.
The "stability" you are after , comes from the wingdihedral presenting a difference in drag, as the rudder steers it left or right .
Use the model held in front of you and looking at the nose straight on -you will see the underside of the left or right wing as you imitate the rudder steering it.
You need a fair bit if the rudder does all the corrections.
You need very little if the ailerons are used .
Obviously if more stability goes along with more dihedral--then the stability will fight a counter command from the ailerons.
That is a very basic view of what's happening and as was mentioned, it takes very little dihedral angle to do the job if ailerons are also used to do roll positioning.
I started building controline in 49-and freeflight shortly afterward.
One type needed no roll stability to speak of and the other needed it defined perfectly.
So sketch away and if it looks right -it likely will be flyable .
The enemy of all aircraft is weight .
The horse pucky about "heavy flys more scale like " is not true.
Your real task on a scratch design, is keeping it both light and strong.
That is the job they pay people to do at the aircraft factories.
No one was ever hired to make em weak and heavy-----
tho some do--