Just Plane Nuts

I am going to build and OMP 47" Edge kit with a 2-Pc wing conversion. The inspiration for this build is the desire to be able to carry more planes to the profile fly-ins.

Just Plane Nuts

Just kidding... there were four of us going to this fly-in so we had it packed to the gills. The real reason is that fact that I have had a sneek peek at OMP's new 52" Fusion that is under going the final stages of developement and it will have a 2-pc wing. I was talking with Mike about the possibilty of doing this conversion to the Edge kit as I built it and the decision was made to give it a try. After a few hours of picking his brain and stealing a peak at his blue prints the build is under way. The first thing to do is to cut new R-1 ribs out of 1/8" balsa and plywood root ribs out of 1/16"aircraft plywood. I also cut doublers for the R-2 ribs where the wing tube goes through it due to the fact that the tube will go right on the edge of a lightening hole. The wing tube goes under the spar touching the shear web. I will post more pictures and info after my daughter finishes her homework...
Dale

Just Plane Nuts

O.K. homework is done and back to the build..
After all of my pieces were cut I laminated the parts together and marked my wing tube location and dowel locations. The next step was to deal with the fact that my foam fuse core needs to be patched so I picked up some foam at Home Depot and cut a patch for the hole and decided where to mount the receiver so that I could leave it in the fuse.

Spacey

Watching!

Just Plane Nuts

Time to skin the fuse. First I have places all of my holes for my hard points in the foam filler that I made to patch the wing hole in the fuse. Instead of glueing both skins on at the same time I decided to put them on one at a time so that I can open up all of the holes before putting the other side on. After I sheeted the fuse and capped it off I glued in the hard points and the wing tube socket. Make sure that your socket is square with the fuse in all directions before your glue sets up. I left my socket full lenght to square it and then cut it off as close to the fuse as I could with out damaging the balsa and then sanded it flush.

Just Plane Nuts

Now I am building the wing. I will build the wing over the prints and build the halves joined together just like a one piece wing and separate the two halves after it is sheeted. Begin by building the spars just as the plan specifies. Measure the distance between the R-2 ribs on the print. This will tell you how long your wing tube socket need to be. I left mine a 1/4!QUOT! long and then sanded it flush with the R-2 ribs before i put in the shear web. As you begin to place the wing ribs on to the building board make sure that you insert the wing tube socket into the R-1 and R-2 ribs and center it up. I placed my R-1 ribs and my R-2 ribs first and tacked them to the T.E jig and once I was sure that everything was straight and square I glued them to the lower spar and the socket. from this point on you can follow the manual until it is time to sheet the wing. When I sheeted my wing I did not glue the sheeting together in the center of the wing. To me it did not seem necessary since I was going to cut the wing in half right after I sheeted the other side.

rclement

My Feedback: (1)

Where did you get the tubes from? They look like rocketry tubes.

Just Plane Nuts

The wing tube and socket came from TNT Landing gear. I bought the 3/4"plain aluminum tube with a phenolic socket.

rclement

My Feedback: (1)

Thanks Dale. They're web site is kind of difficult to figure out. I'll take a look at it again. Do you happen to have any extra tube that you would want to sell?

mrbigg

My Feedback: (21)

I checked the site out. click the tubes and scroll a ways down. look for the aluminum tube with phenolic socket.
Gator R/C has them also.

AFSalmon

My Feedback: (3)

Keep up the good work Dale, you know you are now my official "test builder"! LOL Anytime I get a wild idea for a new build I'm going to call you!

rclement

My Feedback: (1)

What's the latest Dale?

Just Plane Nuts

een tied up the last few days but here is the latest progress. The wing is now completely sheeted and separated. I did a trial fit on to the fuse and it looks great. I should start covering it tonight and hopefully get a flight on it by Sunday if I can get the gear in it. The last picture shows a stop I glued in between the spars to keep the wing tube from sliding out the end of the socket. It does not take much to keep the tube from moving just don't cover the hole completely or it could create a vacuum.

AFSalmon

My Feedback: (3)

Dale, heard you had some maiden flights this weekend? Any reports? We want more pictures.

Just Plane Nuts

The plane is now finished and I took it out this weekend for a test flight. After fighting for about 30 minutes with a sick engine I decided to fly it any way if it could muster up enough power to break free from the ground. After a little more engine adjustment I hit the throttle and at about 1/4 power it lifted right off and flew straight and level. Unfortunatly that was about it for the maiden flight. One circle around the field and I decided to bring it in while the engine still was trying to run. I plan to put the engine on the test stand and take another look at it before I decide to swap engines. I have to get this plane in the air now because I was also getting stupid with the 47" Yak and accidentally converted it to a two piece wing[] It will have to sit for a while because I have another project to finish before i can repair it.
Dale

rclement

My Feedback: (1)

Looks like you did a great job Dale. [X(] Way to go. [8D] I'm keeping the thread bookmarked since I have an Edge kit to build. Thanks for all the pics.

PlanePlanter

My Feedback: (9)

OUCH! That sucks! Your just trying to take my name arn't ya LOL[8D]
Love this thread! Thanks for sharing how you did this Dale. I will defenitly do this mod to my next Edge...or Yak.....or maybe one of both.
Haven't flown since N-ville, gatta get down there and see this plane in person and get some stick time in with you guys.

AFSalmon

My Feedback: (3)

Ouch, a broken Yak!

Just Plane Nuts

Thanks Rob. I enjoyed sharing this information with every one. I think that since the Yak ARF wing is in two pieces now I am going to remove the bottom covering and sheeting and convert it as well. When I begin this task I will also post it.
Dale

jb86

My Feedback: (8)

i'd like to build the 2 pc wing as detailed in this post, since i'm still waiting for a v2 katana. one question, the wing tube seems kinda short, is it long enough in just the 1st rib bay each side?
jon b

jb86

My Feedback: (8)

the tnt website lists plain alum tube w/phenolic socket; 3/4"x24" (from your pic's it looks like a 24" tube)@ .035 or .049 thickness.
jon b

Just Plane Nuts

Jon,
I used the .035 tube. It is plenty strong enough and it does not weigh very much.
Dale

jb86

My Feedback: (8)

the wing tube looks a bit short. i have 2 aircraft w/wing tubes, proportionatly, i would think that the tube in this aircraft should go thru two rib bays each side. i haven't seen the plans yet, but guessing, the length you used may be the same length as a plywood joiner to join the spars. also, did you use a 1/4x20 blind nut in the rh wing panel to thread the nylon bolt into?
jon b

Just Plane Nuts

Yes I put a 1/4 x 20 blind nut in the right wing. I made a plywood washer and glued it to the rib and then put in the blind nut. The wing tube only needs to extend through the R-2 rib. Any more is just extra weight.
Dale

rclement

My Feedback: (1)

Looks good Dale. I'm working on mine now. The tubes will be here next week. What engine are you using in yours? I'm planning on putting a spare Saito 72 on mine. Do you think a 72 is too much engine for the Edge?