A Glider Cradle

by Vince Cockett

Pictures show my 1/4 scale HP-18 on the cradle (click to enlarge these images)

If you are at all like I used to be, always having to put my new glider onto the workshop floor

• to practice rigging it up
• carry out various construction / alignment checks
• holding the glider prior to balancing if using a sling
• carrying out post flight adjustments
• setting up control throws
• checking retract system operations
• etc.

you will almost invariably have had cause for concern over the possibility of scratching your lovely new project.

Whilst reading one of the many forums on the Internet, I came across one persons idea to create a simple cradle to support his models. I realised that this had some merit and set about to produce my own. With this cradle you can hold your model at any angle in order to carry out work.

The method is simple, extremely easy to make and lightweight enough for you to carry to the flying site.

The cradle is built from 40mm domestic plastic waste pipe using the joint system that requires adhesive. The final dimensions of the ends of the cradle are set by the size of the joints themselves, the length is up to you but I have indicated on the picture below the size of my own. To make it more portable, the horizontal rails between the end sections are held in place with self tapping screws to aid disassembly. Finally pipe insulation is used to cushion the cradle.

Materials

all for 40mm waste pipe