James Humphreys 1 Posted September 6, 2021 Share Posted September 6, 2021 OK posting this for a friend who is after a large 100+ inch wingspan plane to be used as a glider tug any recommendations suggestions links many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry W Posted September 6, 2021 Share Posted September 6, 2021 When I lived in France we used to used a glider tug called a Bison I believe Topmodel sells a kit here is a link https://www.topmodel.fr/en/remorqueurs-C66 Hope this helps 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted September 6, 2021 Share Posted September 6, 2021 Big Wot 4s are a common choice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted September 6, 2021 Share Posted September 6, 2021 The Ghost Squadron uses these having been towed up by them numerous times, I can vouch that they do the job reliably time after time. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Davis Posted September 7, 2021 Share Posted September 7, 2021 9 hours ago, Barry W said: When I lived in France we used to used a glider tug called a Bison I believe Topmodel sells a kit here is a link https://www.topmodel.fr/en/remorqueurs-C66 Hope this helps We have a Bidule in our club. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lee Posted September 7, 2021 Share Posted September 7, 2021 ScaleSoaringUK tug page: Link 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Humphreys 1 Posted September 7, 2021 Author Share Posted September 7, 2021 14 hours ago, john stones 1 - Moderator said: Big Wot 4s are a common choice. He's already using one needing something bigger 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Minchell Posted October 18, 2021 Share Posted October 18, 2021 Well whatever he builds make it robust and well engineered, ARTF's especially scale tend to be fragile in comparison to twice size Wot 4's and Greenleys. So ensure high tensile wheel axles, glass or ally u/c not carbon, which is too stiff as it needs to soak up the landings. On a typical aero tow day the tug will do up to a hundred take offs circuits and landings and each glider pilot will do 4 or 6 or so and then sociallize drink coffee and chat. The tugs regularly go unservicable - having just organised the last aero tow of the year here in Shropshire - Saturdays list of issues was 4 tugs - one with u/c mounting breaking out of the fuselage bottom and formers. One with water and epoxy like crud in the tank and carb from the fuel can. One with a not yet diagnosed cut under power so he switched to his back up model. The last one was a tow line caught in the hedge on landing which stopped the model dead in mid air and did damage on the ground/model interface seconds later. The previous event had a fuel tank bung dissolve, another u/c wiped off, and two tug no shows. Tug pilots spend more on fuel, replacement props, spare servos and maintenance of their models so that others can have a good day gliding - be nice to your tug pilots. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted October 18, 2021 Share Posted October 18, 2021 One with water and epoxy like crud in the tank and carb from the fuel can. petrol engine, running on ethanol fuels, E5 or E10, old fuel, and or without an efficient stabilizer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Humphreys 1 Posted October 18, 2021 Author Share Posted October 18, 2021 3 hours ago, John Minchell said: Well whatever he builds make it robust and well engineered, ARTF's especially scale tend to be fragile in comparison to twice size Wot 4's and Greenleys. So ensure high tensile wheel axles, glass or ally u/c not carbon, which is too stiff as it needs to soak up the landings. On a typical aero tow day the tug will do up to a hundred take offs circuits and landings and each glider pilot will do 4 or 6 or so and then sociallize drink coffee and chat. The tugs regularly go unservicable - having just organised the last aero tow of the year here in Shropshire - Saturdays list of issues was 4 tugs - one with u/c mounting breaking out of the fuselage bottom and formers. One with water and epoxy like crud in the tank and carb from the fuel can. One with a not yet diagnosed cut under power so he switched to his back up model. The last one was a tow line caught in the hedge on landing which stopped the model dead in mid air and did damage on the ground/model interface seconds later. The previous event had a fuel tank bung dissolve, another u/c wiped off, and two tug no shows. Tug pilots spend more on fuel, replacement props, spare servos and maintenance of their models so that others can have a good day gliding - be nice to your tug pilots. Cheers John the tuggee is now sorted and in the process of setting the new tug up, I won't say his name but you know who it is (fuel problems)? anyway cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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