Here's a good question for Jeff! I'm building two Sledges back to back. Got a Sledge production line of sorts set up. Well, I couldn't see why you needed to build the wing using tabs, so I cut a duplicate set of ribs without them and scratch built a wing upside down with the upper spar flat on the building board. I just measured out how much of a taper I'd need for the spacer jig for the wing trailing edge. It turns out 30mm height was required at the wing center and 20mm at the tips. Anyway, after building the 1st wing I used my old trusty Robart incidence meter to confirm the wing was indeed straight. So, how come tabs? I cut 'em off the laser cut ribs and have the 2nd wing well under way already too.

Haven't seen too many Sledge threads lately - what's the matter, isn't it still the hottest thing out there right up there with the OMP Edge? Sure am looking forward to flying mine as soon as the glacier recedes.

There are several new Sledges just finished up in The ProBro forum.

Darryl, I am not positive I follow how you did this. I can tell you this, there are two tabs so the chord line of the rib stays straight/same on each rib. I am not sure how you built the top flat without changing the design of the wing. Be sure you scratch built wing resembles the kit built wing. It should have an equal taper on top and the bottom. In theory, you could build the wing right side up, or upside down (assuming you had builders tabs on the top of the rib too) and the wing would be the same.
I think the sledge threads slowed because it is near the end of the build season here in the midwest. ALso, people want arfs, Extreme flight and OMP are bringing good profiles to the market place. My design is being distributed by Morris, who has not jumped on the arf wagon as of late. Do not ask me why, but if you know the answer to that question, let me know too. JW

A little OT, but I hope Morris sees the incredible ball they dropped with all the Extreme Flight Edge ARF's guys are snapping up. Hell, I bought one and I'm not known for my love of ARF's! A well-timed Sledge ARF would have RULED had they just pulled the trigger, say a year ago, when we were flying the prototype at the '03 Houston ProBro. What were they thinking....

As for new Sledges.. Gordo, Stan Watkins, Bizzaro Bill, Gator, Propnut1, there are 5 I can name right off that have maidened in the last month or so. Alfster, OverSpray, both have Sledges either done or nearly done. Ulf has the Awesome Electric Sledge just maidened. Lots of Sledge activity, I'll have a new one soon.... [8D]

Ahh, good to hear Sledges are still considered leading edge, no pun intended. Took me a while to get back into building what with moving, house renos and all. Jeff, sounds like my wing isn't stock as the upper wing surface is absolutely flat what with the spars having being pinned directly to the building board. Sounds like the tabs result in an equal amount of taper, i.e. the chord centreline of the tip ribs being on the same plane as the center rib, correct? If so, well then I've got a tad more dihedral, but I wouldn't think it'd affect the flying characteristics that much, or? Sure made for an easy build doing it my way. You'll notice on the pix I've buried the elevator and throttle servos sideways in the centre rib so I can direct pull-pull the elevator. The rudder servo is likewise buried in the fuse under the wing for direct pull-pull. Close-up pix attached... Re the ARF issue - yup, they sure are taking over. I actually bought a Hangar 9 Aresti 40 pattern ARF last fall for about $140. Build quality and value sure impressed me! I had a close look at a Hangar 9 Funtana recently - Wow! Yes, if you can get a really nicely framed ARF Sledge covered in Ultracote like the Hangar 9 stuff for a good price, why build? Obviously high demand for one. I enjoy building, but really the concept of assembling an ARF and getting flying quickly is sinfully tempting...

Daryl, your wing is different that the stock wing. It can make a performance difference, I wanted a most neutral wing I could get, this was my result. I am done with the sledge, if you find a better way, have at it. I am off to new projects, however I will always have a sledge flying because they too good.
ARFS, guys do not think I have not wanted to see this plane arf'd. I too think Morris should have arf'd it a year ago, along with another batch of knifes, TC, Sudo, hots, balsa nova, you get the idea.
JW

Thanks for the feedback Jeff. I have a wing jig I've never used, and if I build another Sledge wing I'll make it straight as intended. Thanks again

I have found that the best and fastest way to build the sledge wing is to build it as a one piece wing. Simply replace the balsa sheeting and the leading edge with 48" balsa pieces. You avoid the big glue joint in the center of the wing making for a lighter stronger wing.

On my second sledge I also increased the rudder and elevator size slightly hoping to get similar rudder and elevator control authority as my OMP 540. Sure enough I ended up with the OMP rudder & elevator authority and of course the Sledge stability in all the 3D stuff. (I need all the help I can get).

Nice covering job!

well i started my sledge a week ago. The only problem was that when it came to gluing the leading edges on, i realised that i ddnt even have any in the kit, and also all exept 3 wing rib tabs were all brocken of. So when i pulled out parts from the box i had all these bits of bulsa not knowing what they were for (luckly i keep them, they looked like scrap wood).
This is my first model im building and i have a question.
When i am glueing the leading edge sheeting on, do i shape the leading edge first.
When it comes to gluing the leading edge sheeting on to the wing ribs, do i wait till i need to turn it over.
It shows this in the sixth picture in this post.

thanks

Here's how I did my leading edge. Bear in mind I scratch built 2 wings with the exception of having the 1 set of laser cut ribs from when I ordered the short kit from Morris. The method shown differs from stock and alters the shape of the leading edge. Easier to build, shape and probably stronger too. The downside? Heavier - more wood, and of course the sharper radius will affect the performance some. There's been lots of discussion here in this forum on the difficulty of shaping the stock leading edge. I chose not to go that route - I like to kit bash!