Soaron Sailplanes PIK20 Kit

[Mick Tomlin]

Peter Balcombe's rebuild reminded me that I had an unstarted Soaron Sailplanes 1/25% PIK20 kit from the early 80's patiently waiting for some attention.
Having retrieved it I have concentrated on the fuselage fit out and remaking a rudder that was missing along with the elevator.
Fortunately the original plan is still legible and refabrication was no problem.
What is unfortunate, maybe a blessing, is that the wings have over the last 35 years delaminated very badly and also twisted.
What I intend to do is cut a new set of wings utilizing a more modern wing section.
The question that I would appreciate help with is what wing section would best suit this model.
It will be used for both slope and aerotow.
Mick Tomlin

[Jolly Roger]

Well that's a blast from the past Mick. The fuselage looks to be in good condition.

Most people use the HQ3-14 or similar for a model of this size/wingloading. The 3% camber gives reasonable lift without too much drag while the 14% thickness at the root offers enough depth for decent strength, usually thinning to 11 or 12% at the tip.

The short cut would be to order some wings from Cliff - the Pat Teakle Pik 20 is the same scale. I understand they can be supplied in either white or blue foam and with the option of epoxy-bonded skins. It will save you a heap of work (unless you enjoy building!) and the quality is excellent.

I still have the Radio Modeller kit review by Kevin Wilson for the Soaron model, from the 80's. I really fancied one but it was beyond my means, then Pat Teakle brought out his more affordable kits and life got suddenly better.

Rog

[chris williams]

Actually, HQ35/12 or whatever thickness...I've only used the 3% camber once, and I could barely get the model to fly (3rd scale Club Libelle)
At 1/4 scale, the 12% thickness will work fine, and you won't need any washout

[Mick Tomlin]

Thanks for the replies Roger and Chris.

The kit was a chrissy present from my wife back in the eighties and she is quite pleased that I have finally started to work on it.

The fuselage is top quality with excellent layup and finish. The only area that will need some work is the vertical fin.
Probably a tow of carbon to strengthen and straighten the fin post will be sufficient.

The existing wing root is at about 13%. I am thinking of possible HQ35/13-14 at the root going to HQ35/12-10 at the tip.

If this choice is acceptable it will require very little work to reprofile the fuselage to match.

Good idea to buy the wings in but I have plenty of blue foam and the finishing materials including brakes sitting on the shelf.

This will be an ideal project to use them up on.

Mick