ORIGINAL: Joe Ortiz
ORIGINAL: Ryans Rebel
While not from RCM (they are MAN plans) here is another build of mine. Plans are a CR-270 but I modified it quite a bit to make it look like a Superbolt. Even the cowl is built up! Maiden lasted a good 45 seconds or so[&o]
Ryan
What happen during the maiden?
Joe
Well, being an Engineer and being fanatical about weight I try different techniques when building all in an effort to lighten a model. One thing I tried on this one was a smaller trailing edge in which to glue in CA hinges. I used 1/4" thick here. CA hinges are great for models up to say 80" wingspan or so. Beyond that use robarts. Anyway, I used CA hinges and on the first flight the top left aileron pulled out and a mess insued. The left half of the top wing departed. But the top left aileron was still part of the model due to the rod going from the bottom aileron to the top aileron. Went in like a lawn dart. It was cool to watch! (I enjoy all aspects of the hobby, even crashing. No one want to crash but if is comes apart in the air, you can do nothing but watch!)
Upon inspection the CA hinge did not fail. The TE failed. I determined this because each hinge had wood on it.
Moral is 1/4" TE is plenty strong enough structurally, however place balsa blocks (say 1/2" thick) at each CA hinge location to avoid the hinge pulling out.
Ryan