RCU Forums

RCU Forums (https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/)
-   RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring (https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/rc-gliders-sailplanes-slope-soaring-112/)
-   -   Merlyn by skybench? (https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/rc-gliders-sailplanes-slope-soaring-112/10397571-merlyn-skybench.html)

planebuilder66 03-13-2011 01:36 PM

Merlyn by skybench?
 
Has anyone built one from plans? Skybench sells a laser cut kit with a modern airfoil, just curious how it builds and performs?

fudi50 03-13-2011 02:12 PM

RE: Merlyn by skybench?
 
Yes,
I built the Baby Albatross featured on his web site to view you have to scroll down to find it
The semi kit
[1] plans one wing measured 2" longer than the other
[2] Aileron/Rudder/Elevator trailing edges totally wrong
[3] Strut location to body wrong
[4] Wheel position wrong
The servo installations were difficult.
After I made the changes the model turned out pretty good and I won pilots choice at Los Banos in 2002 It flew real nice

planebuilder66 03-16-2011 09:07 AM

RE: Merlyn by skybench?
 
Hmm, I might have to do a little research, but if thats the only issues, I might just go ahead and order the "balsa overcast" merlyn and start a build thread on it. I think the selig 3014 wing option is the route to take, I heard the flat bottom wing had poor penetration in the wind.

Tinkrerpilot 03-17-2011 12:12 AM

RE: Merlyn by skybench?
 
Heres one for you guys.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...=merlyn&page=4

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...ghlight=merlyn

BMatthews 03-17-2011 09:45 AM

RE: Merlyn by skybench?
 
The model dates from the AoF or Age of Floaters. While a new airfoil would likely aid the penetration on windy days I doubt you'll turn it into a racy beast .... :D Along with a better airfoil I'd suggest building in room for a bunch of ballast. The ballast would tune up any such model for moderate to the low side of heavy winds far more than just an airfoil swap. But the airfoil swap in conjunction with ballast would be a lot better than just ballast with the old airfoil or just a new airfoil on it's own.

scaflock 03-17-2011 03:51 PM

RE: Merlyn by skybench?
 
The Merlyn was designed by Ken for flying the Level V tasks for LSF.  Those of you that know the LSF tasks can attest  to the fact that level V is a very hard step to complete.  The Merlyn has the largest allowed lifting area for competition and is pretty much a flying lumberyard.  I say this with great affection though as I only fly woodie sailplanes.

I am currently designing a XC plane loosely based on the Merlyn,only with a higher aspect ratio.  I'm also taking the airfoil over to the Drella set for large sailplanes and I can pretty much promise that the wing will be "winch-proof" on even the strongest winch available.  The wing features solid carbon spars but the rest of the construction is pure wood.  Currently calling it the A.S.P. XC and  depending on how well it flies,I may eventually offer it as a kit.

planebuilder66 03-17-2011 03:58 PM

RE: Merlyn by skybench?
 
Where I fly and my style is thermal hunting, I have a MEN gobbler kit if I want a racy ship. But aside from that I think the suggestion of ballast mods is a great idea. Up here in the northeast we have many windy days, so the field I like to fly at has a 70' high steep hill at one side, perfect for the "right condition" slope soaring, but I can venture out on the field to search for thermals on low wind days. I wonder if my pinnacle std hi-start will launch it, or should I build a winch. I can build a drum with the plasma torch and the miller 200 DVI with the aluminum spool gun and then hand it to my buddy to turn it true on the lathe. Or I could just buy a pinnical HD hi-start as well.

BMatthews 03-17-2011 07:39 PM

RE: Merlyn by skybench?
 
the Merlin is NOT a small model. Even without ballast it will come out at a weight that is higher than many other models. And since winches and highstarts only care about weight and not wing area if you want to launch a bigger and heavier model you need more power than for a "medium" size model. If you don't mind building or buying a suitable winch you'll likely find you have a whole new circle of friends thanks to your new "appendage". If building a new winch isn't in the cards then a somewhat more modest design may be more suitable to your requirements.

planebuilder66 03-18-2011 05:11 AM

RE: Merlyn by skybench?
 
I'm pretty sure I can build one for less than $250, just a little time spent cutting out a template for the plasma cutter. The starter motor will likely be the most expensive part, but worth making one if I get more serious down the road. If I can build a rock crawler cage and tube fenders for my cj7 and build the rig, a winch should be childs play.

Ray Hayes 05-30-2011 06:26 PM

RE: Merlyn by skybench?
 
The Merlyn was launched on 6 and 12 volt winches with 150 lb test tow line, that were in use at the time Ken was flying his Merlyn.  The design is an enlarged Aquila and the airfoil Ken used was the original Aquila's airfoil.  A thin flat bottom.

It does not need a special winch to launch.

Wing loading per sq foot is the way to tract a sailplanes flying weight.  Most unlimited size class  RC sailplanes  are in a range of approx.  8 - 10 oz per sq ft.  Ken Bates AMA magazine Merlyn construction article is a great read and very educational.

I have started my Merlyn  and will have a building tips photo catalog to document my modifications, it will be available on my web site when completed and is being sent to Merlyn builders as I progress.  A build thread has been started on R C Groups.

Ray   ...   LSF 803
Sky Bench   ...   Woodys Forever
http://www.skybench.com

Ray Hayes 05-30-2011 06:49 PM

RE: Merlyn by skybench?
 
The Baby Bowlus semi kit parts I produce are directly from Col. Thacker's plans as sold by RCM plans.  The kit is a tribute to the Col's long presence in model aviation, he flew his Bowlus in the 1975 SOAR NATS . Read his construction article in RCM. The plan is one sheet with one wing drawn on the plan. A reverse print is furnished for the builder to build the other wing.  A few builders received a poor reverse print several  YEARS AGO , only one builder ever harped in public about the human error.

Links to AMA and RCM plan sales are located on my  LINKS page.

Ray   ...   LSF 803
Sky Bench   ...   Woodys Forever
http://www.skybench.com


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:34 AM.


Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.