SZD-6X Nietoperz

[Ziggy]

I have build 1/2.5 scale SZD-6X Nietoperz from Oldgliders.

Project started in AUG 2016 and I could only managed to have test flight just before COVID lockdown here in Australia.
It was always my dream to have that model built.I got plan for 1/4 scale by Keith Humber in early 2000 but I was flying full size gliders and never had enough time to start.
During my trip to Europe I went to see Aviation Museum in Krakow Poland.Got some pictures of Nietoperz and museum staff provided me with some rare photos of original construction. Also I got original flight test description from 1956.
Finally in FEB 2016 I crushed my ASG-29e and was not able to fly anymore. As my recovery therapy I got Olgliders kit.
So I will start my story now :

[Ziggy]

It is my day off today, so more time for posting.
Few pictures from Krakow museum.
Very interesting concept for ailerons - " crocodile" like. It was also used as an air brake / spoiler.Not used in my model.
I went through 90 pages of test flights summary ( to large to post and it is in Polish language only )
It was very interesting description of the spin and recovery. Pilot had to move his body forward to get out of the spin.

[john greenfield]

An interesting and different subject. I am looking forward to reading all about it and how your model flys.

AEB

[Ziggy]

Building fuselage was not a problem.
Most of the Oldgliders kits are using the same method. All parts are cut out well.
I will not go into details of that first step of my project, you will be able to see it. I had to fix 460 g of lead to the first former as per instruction from Oldglider because it will be very difficult to do complete task after fuselage is covered.
I really enjoy seeing the shape of very unusual fuselage.

[Ziggy]

Good evening

Next task- wings.
I had to build it at home, my old timber shed was too small.It was very important to set up all support for wing construction. Oldgliders provided photos with correct thickness of timber and end of the wingtip washout angle.Very time consuming exercise but finally I got it done.
Then I have started building.Very exciting time to see wing taking shape.
I will break wing construction into several steps.

[Ziggy]

Good afternoon,
Few more pictures of my wings.It was bit tricky to ensemble all ribs in the site of spar tubes.
At that time I got message from Germany that first built model developed wing flatter during flight and crushed.
Very hot discussion started with many people having different view what is the reason for it and to fix the problem.
I am very lucky to have contact with aeronautical engineers in my work so I was told to have more stronger webbing in main spar.I used 3mm ply in the first 100 cm of the wing and 1.5 mm up to the end.
The last photo - I used Sig koverall. Very easy fabric to work with it.

[JamesH]

Nice

[Ziggy]

Good morning,
Here is the link to the flatter video I have mentioned before.

[Cliff Evans]

Far too fast. Typical flying wing rection to too much speed.

[Ziggy]

Good afternoon,

Fuselage was covered with glass cloth and I used Eze Kote instead of epoxy.
Wings sealed with aircraft dope - 4 coats.
Finally I was ready for painting.Got very lucky, my friend Ray got permission to use spray facility at his workplace.Also he is very good with spray gun. It took some time to pain everything then to put on stickers and again to have last spray with clear coat.
Mounting servos and working on connections was rather long process. Last step was CG check. Bit complicated effort due to the fact it is a flying wing and CG tolerance is very limited.