Hello all:
I am in the process of rebuilding a Great Planes Sportster 40 ARF. This plane had plastic wing tips which are no longer available. Here's my question. I have seen some plane that look like they've been capped off on both end with balsa and I was wondering what the difference would be between capping the wing off at both ends versus building a new set of wing tips? How would this effect the performance and stability of the aircraft?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
John

Wingtips have little effect on a sport plane. Practically any shape will work. Nicely curved tips look good on a Sportster.

I agree with Tall Paul, do it right and put the curved tips on the wings. The plane will look so much better, and good looking planes fly well

I've ditched the plastic moulded wing tips in the past, and just used balsa blocks, carved and sanded to shape (looks petter when covered too!!)

I've used trinagular blocks, as well as solid 2"x2" blocks. Just cut them roufly to length, then glue them in place, and carve, sand, carve sand untill you have what you want. Some people tack them in place, then hollow them out to reduce weight

Another option, if you want to use the wing tips, is to cut them from some 1/4" balsa and use 2 or 3 lite ply "wedges" tapering from the top of last rib on the wing to the edge of the tip.

The original kit had balsa tips built on. If you can get a hold of the plans from the kit version that will indicate the easiest way to rebuild them nicely. It would take longer for me to try and explain it here then it would to actually do it, so try and get a look at the plans if possible....or even the manual for the kit might help. That I know you can download from the GreatPlanes site. Good luck. I had one of those for a while...it was a very nice flying plane, and very stable. I always said I wanted another one, and still do, just not enough time in a day or year.