Scale Soaring UK

Posted: **21 Mar 2020, 17:16**

The problem with having spent the last 40 years building scale gliders, is that I ran out of subjects that I liked the look of some years ago. This is why I'm now making a smaller version of my 3.5 scale Zugvogel, and maybe this time around I'll sort out a proper drawing...

Posted: **21 Mar 2020, 20:18**

You should have retired years ago, we would all have a lot more to build.

Posted: **22 Mar 2020, 09:56**

Having cut out all the parts for the fuselage, first of all a check to see that everything fits...(Haven't fired up the 'Bridson' for a while!)

Posted: **22 Mar 2020, 10:06**

Trust me, if he could have retired he would have...

BC

Posted: **24 Mar 2020, 10:01**

Hmmm, going to have to drag this out a bit: not sure I can make it last thee months...

The wings are attached to the fuselage via a joiner box bolted to the fuselage, just like the Topaze. This means extra reinforcement of the appropriate former, and this needs to be done before fitting it to the jig.

Also, the formers need to be checked on the jig that they are vertically aligned...

Posted: **25 Mar 2020, 09:34**

Time to start applying some glue...In order to plank the front of the fuselage, parts of the jig supports need to be broken off. The Zugvogel has a fibreglass shell at the front end, attached to a steel tube frame, as was standard for most Scheibe gliders.

Posted: **26 Mar 2020, 09:43**

The rear cockpit former is doubled up with balsa. A vertical ply strip will later form a neat interface between the solid structure at the front, and the open structure at the rear.. Meanwhile, as much planking as can be fitted with the jig supports in place will start in order to render the front monocoque rigid enough for removal from the jig. Balsa diagonals will provide a similar function to the rear.

Posted: **27 Mar 2020, 09:51**

More lock-down progress....

Posted: **28 Mar 2020, 10:15**

A quick reminder of the original 3.5 scale version, and then on to the tailplane, as the tail feathers have to be sorted before the rear of the fuselage can be completed...

Posted: **29 Mar 2020, 10:01**

As tailplane is tapered in thickness from centre to tips, the top surface is flat, and that taper restricted to the bottom. So, the top surface is sheeted first, then the jigging supports temporarily spot-glued in place, and the tailplane turned over to add the bottom sheeting, weighing down as necessary...

Posted: **29 Mar 2020, 11:59**

Hi Chris,
starting from your project I made my own design 1/4 scale, 4.5 m of wingspan. I and my dear friend Valerio started the construction of the two glider some times ago, now we are quite at the end.
The first is Valerio's model the second is mine
Roberto

Posted: **29 Mar 2020, 12:32**

Nice work fellers...race you to the finish line...!

Posted: **30 Mar 2020, 09:55**

1st step in making up the elevator is to cut out the elevator false LE, slightly oversize, then hinge it up to the tailplane. Once it has been sanded flush, it can be removed, and the elevator built up over the plan. Then the final LE is added, the hinge slots cut out and the LE rounded off. Finally, the whole elevator is sanded down flush with the tailplane...

Posted: **31 Mar 2020, 12:52**

With the fuselage removed from the jig, the front end planking can now be completed... (Note: the fit of the 1.5mm ply planking does NOT have to be perfect)

Posted: **01 Apr 2020, 10:01**

Now I can get on and sort out some of the details on the fuselage...

Posted: **02 Apr 2020, 10:00**

Time now to splash some filler around. Note the tie down strap: that damned wind would have blown the fuselage off the stand without some affirmative action!

Note the use of a proper plastic spreader tool to apply the filler: bent to the contours of the fuselage, this saves a lot of elbow work later on...

Posted: **03 Apr 2020, 09:50**

With most of the filling completed, the temporary formers in the front of the fuselage can be removed, and the interior glassed with polyester resin and wing joining tape/cloth

Posted: **04 Apr 2020, 10:01**

Looking now at the back end, the 6mm carbon pushrod is set up to give the correct amount of elevator movement, and the rudder cable guides pre-installed before adding the 0.6mm ply sheeting at the rear...

Posted: **05 Apr 2020, 10:01**

Now it's time to make up the fin/rudder. This will be fully sorted before glueing to the fuselage, as it's easier that way...

Posted: **05 Apr 2020, 18:58**

I cannot believe one can build a glider that fast

Thanks for sharing, looks really good so far (and by following I learn by the day

)

Posted: **06 Apr 2020, 09:42**

With the rudder made up and hinged to the fin, the whole assembly can be glued to the fuselage, thus completing this part of the process...

Posted: **06 Apr 2020, 11:11**

Try not to knock it off this time....

BC

Posted: **06 Apr 2020, 13:55**

Yeah, that'll be known as criminal activity

Geoff

Posted: **06 Apr 2020, 14:37**

Next he will be telling us he has run out of servos. Who would do that??

BC

Posted: **06 Apr 2020, 15:10**

Just had a visit from the Servo Fairy...

Posted: **06 Apr 2020, 15:57**

I know he's a bit short, but that's going a bit far....

BC

Posted: **06 Apr 2020, 17:01**

Mmmm, obviously going to have to change those shorts

Still, on another note, i wonder if i'll find a couple of quid under my pillow tomorrow morning ????

Geoff

Posted: **07 Apr 2020, 09:48**

Moving on now to the wings...pretty conventional stuff: single 15mm wing joiner, and the aileron spar is located by the ends of the sub-ribs...
The ribs are 2.4mm balsa and the main spar 5mm sq spruce.

Posted: **08 Apr 2020, 11:27**

That's better, well done Cliff...Time for a dihedral check before committing epoxy...

Posted: **08 Apr 2020, 15:34**

You are welcome!

Posted: **09 Apr 2020, 09:33**

With the wing joiner box closed off, and the web plates installed, the sub spars can be installed in front of the web plates...(Literally, a ten minute job per spar)

Posted: **10 Apr 2020, 09:50**

Although the wings are very stiff in relation to bending loads, at this stage they are liable to be divergent in planform view, so it's essential that when glueing the lower sheeting, to ensure that it has a straight edge so that the lower spar can be aligned with it... It is also helpful to clamp a straight edge to the aileron spar, too.

Posted: **11 Apr 2020, 12:27**

Having braced the TE's laterally, the wing can now be placed on the jigging supports, weighed down, and the top sheeting added...

Posted: **12 Apr 2020, 09:55**

Chris, really impressive - par for the course.......going back a few steps to the fuselage. Is there a favoured body filler for the nose etc? thanks Andy

Posted: **12 Apr 2020, 19:46**

Andy, I've been using Upol's Easy 1 for years now. You should be able to get a 3 litre tin for around £15

https://www.u-pol.com/uk/en-uk/product/ ... pNha8hKhaQ

Posted: **12 Apr 2020, 19:47**

With the wiring loom added, the incidence pin arrangement can be sorted...

Posted: **13 Apr 2020, 09:58**

Now the wing joiner box is made up and bolted to the fuselage...

Posted: **13 Apr 2020, 14:40**

Looking like another quick and fantastic build as usual Chris, although Brian would have arranged those coloured pegs a bit better

Posted: **13 Apr 2020, 17:34**

So that's the trick Chris. You don't arrange your coloured pegs prettily and thats how you build so quickly. For goodness sake man, slow down! How on earth are normal mortals like me supposed to keep up with your build rate?
Brian.

Posted: **14 Apr 2020, 09:43**

I'm like the Shark, Brian...if I don't keep moving I sink to the bottom of the ocean.

The canopy frame will have to be made up before the wing centre section fairing can be made. The canopy is located at the front with a pin, and to the fairing with three 8mm magnets. The fairing will be screwed in place at the front, and have a locating pin at the rear...
As an aside, the current airframe, with a pilot and Nimh place in the cockpit, balances on the wing joiner and weighs 6lbs! I suspect there's something wrong with my scales...

Posted: **15 Apr 2020, 09:35**

When it comes to the wing root fairing, I like to make up a stiff framework to ensure a snug fit between the wings... Obviously, this is best done with the wing rigged.

Posted: **16 Apr 2020, 11:49**

With the fairing frame shaped to the contour of the wings, the three 8mm magnets can now be set up between the fairing frame and the rear of the canopy frame...

Posted: **17 Apr 2020, 09:44**

Well, would you Adam & Eve it...the Skylark 4 canopy comes up trumps again

Posted: **18 Apr 2020, 10:03**

The wing fairing now needs to be itself faired in to the rear of the cockpit and the top of the fuselage at the TE. At the rear it need a definite line to match the top stringer on top of the fuselage. One way to do this is to do in two stages: first masking out one side to form a straight line and filling up to it, before removing the masking tape; then filling the other side up to the line before final sanding...

Posted: **19 Apr 2020, 09:38**

The ailerons have been built via the Williams No 2 method, i.e. directly in the wing...

Posted: **19 Apr 2020, 11:03**

Ah what a shame Chris. I thought maybe you'd get this one done in one month, but I don't think that even at your building speed, you're going to finish this in the next 2 days.

Yes, Challenge posted.

Posted: **20 Apr 2020, 10:00**

No prob, Ray...here you go.

Posted: **20 Apr 2020, 10:03**

All right Fake News, but I can produce the completed airframe within the challenge, though...

Meanwhile, 6 bottles of Valium on standby, it's time to do the airbrakes...

Posted: **21 Apr 2020, 09:52**

It would seem that there is a strict sequence in which the holes are drilled that will produce a bind-free system. I won't go into detail, as this looks like a good subject for a later Lockdown Article...

Posted: **21 Apr 2020, 11:29**

I will look forward to this article. Top job.

Posted: **21 Apr 2020, 19:45**

The situation, as of this morning... I will now go into radio silence as I contemplate covering & finishing.

Posted: **21 Apr 2020, 22:31**

Nice Work Chris

Posted: **21 Apr 2020, 23:11**

This is quite nice!

Posted: **22 Apr 2020, 08:47**

Before you take it out to fly, please take note of this Warning from the flight manual of the Zugvogel

Posted: **22 Apr 2020, 09:40**

Wouldn't dream of exceeding those limits, Vince...

Posted: **22 Apr 2020, 11:28**

chris williams wrote: ↑22 Apr 2020, 09:40 Wouldn't dream of exceeding those limits, Vince...

Hmmmmmm. We shall see how long that lasts!!!!!

BC

Posted: **07 May 2020, 21:26**

The Zug is now mission-capable...fingers crossed for an early day-release on parole

Posted: **08 May 2020, 00:50**

Very nice Chris, well done!

What’s next?

Posted: **08 May 2020, 05:38**

Gorgeous!! She looks awesome!!
Fingers crossed it's going to be a long summer, so you can fly all your new models

!!

Daniel

Posted: **08 May 2020, 08:15**

Looks great, what a finish!
Wish you a good first flight and may happy landings.

Vincent.

Posted: **09 May 2020, 18:21**

Stunning Chris. Love it.

Posted: **10 May 2020, 18:08**

Very nice Chris, as usual. One of these days you may be allowed to visit a slope for the maiden!
Brian

Posted: **11 May 2020, 00:21**

Thanks, fellas...may the maidens be with us!

Posted: **16 May 2020, 21:56**

Maiden of the Zugvogel today...the flight was fine, but the maiden landing left something to be desired!

Also, the maiden of Motley's new 'Tug'

Posted: **16 May 2020, 22:23**

Well done all.

Posted: **17 May 2020, 09:19**

Well done Chris! It looks really nice in the air.
So what's next?
Brian.

Posted: **17 May 2020, 09:21**

Oo, Motleys gone over to the dark side then. Is that one of the Apache Aviation super Chips from SLEC? Where is the towing attachment point?
Hail Motley

Posted: **17 May 2020, 09:25**

B Sharp wrote: ↑17 May 2020, 09:19 Well done Chris! It looks really nice in the air.
So what's next?
Brian.

Hows about a 1/3•5 ASK13 Chris. I'd really like that

Ray

Posted: **17 May 2020, 09:53**

Spot on Ray, I had a spare Zenoah 38 that needed a home and i rather fancied the Apache Super Chipmunk from Slec. I've stuck a tow release just behind the rear of the canopy (might be a while yet before i can build up enough courage to start towing the boys up though) But of course as you fly Mode one Ray, you're the man for the job .

Geoff

Posted: **17 May 2020, 10:18**

Oooo, don't tempt me like that. Chipmunks are one of my favourite planes, and I've lost count how many times I've looked at the SLEC kit

Ray.

Posted: **17 May 2020, 15:54**

Ray Watts wrote: ↑17 May 2020, 09:25
B Sharp wrote: ↑17 May 2020, 09:19 Well done Chris! It looks really nice in the air.
So what's next?
Brian.
Hows about a 1/3•5 ASK13 Chris. I'd really like that
Ray

1/3 would better!

Posted: **17 May 2020, 16:17**

Cliff Evans wrote: ↑17 May 2020, 15:54
Ray Watts wrote: ↑17 May 2020, 09:25 Hows about a 1/3•5 ASK13 Chris. I'd really like that
Ray
1/3 would better!

1/3 would be perfect.

Posted: **17 May 2020, 16:20**

Ray,
I am sure Geoff would be happy for you to fly the Chipmunk, it would asve him a fortune in laundry bills.....

BC

Posted: **17 May 2020, 16:30**

Sorry fellers, 3rd is off the menu...as a dedicated coffin-dodger, I need to build models that are a little more age-compatible...

Posted: **17 May 2020, 18:00**

1/4 scale Govier then!

Posted: **19 May 2020, 20:29**

We were delighted to discover today that the little Williamsley tug (Turnigy G60 running on 2 x 3s LiPos) was more than capable of towing up the 4.2 scale Zug...

Posted: **28 Jun 2020, 18:43**

chris williams wrote: ↑29 Mar 2020, 12:32 Nice work fellers...race you to the finish line...!

Hi Chris,

the race is concluded, the Zug in flight is mine, the orange is Valerio's model
Roberto

Posted: **28 Jun 2020, 19:41**

Excellent job, fellers...what are you going to do next?

Posted: **28 Jun 2020, 20:22**

Now as new design I am thinking to EON Olympia 463.

Roberto

Posted: **08 Jul 2020, 16:47**

At last, the Zug makes it to the slope...

Posted: **08 Jul 2020, 17:20**

Who's betting he was thinking :- "Hold the TX, let go of the glider.....", "Hold the TX, let go of the glider.....", "Hold the TX, let go of the glider.....",

BC

Posted: **08 Jul 2020, 17:22**

Or mayne:- "For goodness sake Geoff, get that camera turned on..."

BC

Posted: **25 Jul 2020, 19:26**

Good Evening Chris,
Are the plans available for 1/4 Zugvogel IIIa ?

Posted: **25 Jul 2020, 20:16**

email me, Steve...?

c_williams30@sky.com

Posted: **19 Feb 2021, 11:34**

Also, for those who enjoy Scroll Saw Therapy, the parts are available from me in PDF form, all ready to print out in an A4 printer. (Note: always check the printout outs against the plan)

Posted: **23 Nov 2021, 10:50**

...and now: Le Video

Posted: **23 Nov 2021, 21:27**

Very nice video Chris. I like the placement(s) of the camera, its inspiring.

Vincent.

Posted: **24 Dec 2021, 02:08**

Well the kit is just about complete. Time to clear a workbench for some building.

Posted: **02 Mar 2022, 15:13**

All of my bits and pieces of wood look like a sailplane now.

Posted: **02 Mar 2022, 15:50**

Looks very nice

Posted: **02 Mar 2022, 17:05**

Quick work, Mike...well done!

Posted: **02 Mar 2022, 21:58**

I started with the glue mid January. Full pictures at https://forum.scalesoaring.com/forum/ae ... vogel-iiia

Next delay will be waiting for warmer weather for painting the trim colors I'm going to give Oratex a try. It should go faster than the Ekobond / Sig Koverall / Klasskote I used on my last few builds. Unfortunately it won't be ready for the Cumberland Spring Soar for Fun coming up in two weeks.

Posted: **07 Apr 2022, 11:19**

Very nice design and build Mr Williams!
Thanks for sharing.

Toying with the idea of building one as an homage to my dad. He flew a Zugvogel IIIa, SE-SYD, when he managed to grab the first gold C with three diamonds in Sweden in 1962.
Just need to clear space on the work table...

Cheers
Patrik

Posted: **03 May 2022, 21:47**

I'm getting closer to flying. The weather finally warmed up for a few days to do a little painting.

Scale Soaring UK

ZUGVOGEL IIIa 1/4.2 SCALE

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