Minnreefer

I bought a sportmaster from a friend, but he lost the ailerons for it (he never finished building it). It appears that they are 2 1/2" wide (front to trailing edge) 1" thick at the wing and 1/4" think at the trailing edge. what would be the best and or easy way to make new ones, they are 27 1/2" long.

Thanks

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

I would cut them from foam and cover with balsa

huck1199

You could laminate a 1/4" plank with two pieces of 3/8" aileron stock and sand to the proper taper.  I don't think you can get 2 1/2" wide aileron stock so the 1/4" plank (sandwiched)  would be cut to 2 1/2" . Not real easy but not too hard to do. 

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

2.5 is hard to come by. I have tried several ways and none were easy, some just easier then others. I haven't tried what Mike mentioned about foam and sheeting. I have hand sanded, not good, machine sanded, easy but I have had to usually give it several tries before I got them. I have made up short tapered wing ribs and glued them to a sheet then glued another sheet on top of that. Then I glue in some tapered stock for a leading edge. That seemed to work pretty well. Just don't forget to glue in some filler where you plan to install your control horns!! Would I forget that??? Never!!! Some of the wood supply places may have 2.5 tapered wood in stock??

Minnreefer

Thanks guys, Gene, I was thinking about what you are talking about. I was also thinking about buying some long balsa block and cutting them with my band saw or table saw, but. I looked at lone star and balsa usa and neither had that size. I am a little worried about foam, I have never really cut foam.

Thanks

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

Well then, your in luck. The plane on my bench uses the cut out type of ailerons, same idea so I can show you. In this case you finish sheeting then cut out the ailerons along the ribs and TE stringers, glue in the TE of the wing then glue on a tapered stick for a ail LE. AND not to forget the filler in the bay for the control horns!!! At the moment I'm just setting up the servo, mounting and hatching before I start doing the rest of the sheeting. It should give you an idea of what I'm talking about. A photo is far better then my descriptive powers.
Gene

Minnreefer

Thanks Gene, I think I will try to make them that way.

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

I have a hot-wire bow for cutting foam. If you ever have a weekend free, take a drive out here and I'll help you cut them.

Minnreefer

Thanks Mike, that is on the top of my list to make or buy and pratice on. I may have to try yours out first. ( I also want to see your mancave)

Jon

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Let me know when you're coming, I'll fill up the smoker