Rascal 110 Windows
 

I'm ready to install the side windows in my Rascal 110. The manual says to use the included magnets to hold in the windows if you are planning to use electric power. If planning to use glow/gasoline power then the windows should be glued in place. Can any of you experienced Rascal builders explain why they should be glued in place if using a glow/gas engine?

TCraft, I would not glue the side windows in. I don't know anything about the instruction's reference to magnets as my Rascal is a first version that I assembled 8 or 9 years ago and those instructions said to glue them in. I felt that if I ever needed to get back into the cabin area for repairs or maintenance, having the side windows removable was a must. It's a big plane but for it's size it has a narrow and deep cabin area that is not easy to get two big paws into to work on. I mounted my side windows in with very short canopy mounting screws from the inside using the flange surrounding the window pane where you would apply canopy glue if you were glueing them in. Obviously you must drill very shallow screw mount holes so as to not poke thru to the outside and shim the screws as needed to also not poke thru. Hardening the balsa screw holes with thin CA is also wise. I think I used 3 screws per window. I have never had a problem with the side windows coming loose nor have I had to remove them for repairs (knock on wood), yet.

52larry52, I feel the same about wanting to keep the side windows removable. The magnet system uses 4 pair per window. 4 embedded in the airframe and 4 epoxied on location to the windows. Good idea on screwing the windows in. I may go that route rather than gluing.

TCraft, The embedded magnet system is interesting. Given what you just told me about it, I might suggest a hybrid system using both the 4 magnets and just 2 screws, one top and one on the bottom of each window. I don't know why Sig would feel the magnets are adequate for electric power but not for gas/glo. You're gonna love the Rascal 110, it's a great flyer. Mine doesn't have flaps and I wish it did, it lands "long" without them. The plane just doesn't want to stop flying. I power it with a Saito 120, what are you using?

52larry, I intend to use a ST G2300 converted to gasoline, from Ken Lambert. I just never could get it to run properly on glow, hence the conversion to gas. Should provide a lot of power. Please let me clarify the magnet system as I made a mistake in my first description. The windows interlock into the air frame in front and then use 4 magnets (not 4 pair) per window at the rear. 2 embedded and 2 epoxied.
I've never flown a plane with flaps so I'm looking forward to using them. My radio is a Futaba EX6 and runs flaps on Ch.6. I wish I could slow down the movement some for a more "scale" look during operation.