In order of thought:

Deadstik & UStik,

very wise comments. I have heard and read about the behaviour of scale layout CAP's. In fact, much has been said about the flying characteristics of the GP 21's in particular and all comments reflect what you are mentioning. I believe that GP's realized the turnout of their early foray into scale layout CAP's and, to that end, made x% layout modifications to later and current CAP's in order to tame their behaviour. The 232's I have certainly have lower stabs positioned further back and in some cases, higher wings as well. At 6.5 lbs, the 40 size/550 square GP model is certainly a lug and as soon as I unrolled the plans, I saw why. Planform aside, I wonder, as UStik suggests, if the "ball snapping" tendency of those kits was due to the massive weight of them. Back of the envelope gives me a 28.3 oz/sq ft max wing loading for the 40 size model! [X(]

If I ever build that model (that's not why I bought it really), I can see substantial wood disappearing and kit bashing that would take place.

For the TOC (and proto 25 sized) versions, the question remains - should I deviate from fuse planform as well as wing airfoil or should I try and stay closer to scale while making sure I build light? My target max weights would be 56 oz (25 sized) and 152 oz (90 sized) for loadings of 18.7 oz/sq ft and 23.4 oz/sq ft, respectively. For comparison, the Dalotel would have slightly lighter loadings (if built to the same weight) of 17.9 oz/sq ft (25) and 21.7 oz/sq ft. What are your thoughts on these wing loadings in terms of "snapping" tendency for the electric CAP's? Does it warrant scale deviation or should I keep them scale provided they are built to these specs? Or perhaps they are independent decisions and scale deviation for the CAP is worth considering anyway?

The wing airfoil I used in the plan shown above is a modified E168 (thickened and stretched) so it's no longer a 12.45% airfoil. The thicker E169 14.4% airfoil might be closer to the modified E168 shown (haven't checked). I adapted the airfoil based on "gut feeling" and so that it would match the percent thickness of the Aerospatiale V16F airfoil of the full scale (presumably also used in the quarter scale version). "Gut feeling" also tells me that, at least raising the wing a tad wouldn't be a bad idea. Question is, should I lower the stab by the same amount? Of course, "gut feelings" have little to do with aerodynamics so perhaps you will all have some good suggestions on these questions.

Rusty,

introduction to Dave G. and his opinion on the subject would be most welcome. Please feel free to send him my email address (you should have it in my last PM) and/or send me his. I'm sure he would have some excellent and conclusive suggestions on the "new layout".

Finally, plans will of course be available to all (perhaps with a laser kit) once they are finished and have been "cut verified". I expect a Dalotel thread to also come alive once I have materials in hand. Now, where are my elves!?

David.