Andy-H Posted November 24, 2022 Share Posted November 24, 2022 I have seen mention of making new, stronger sides for a MF kit fuselage (or other similar models) from laminated balsa & ply. The new sides were single piece panels, rather than using the two-piece sides supplied in the kit. I think this followed a previous recommendation. I assume 1/16 ply would have been used, possibly with 3/32 balsa. Does anyone recall the thread and am I the right track in terms of wood sizing ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy-H Posted November 24, 2022 Author Share Posted November 24, 2022 Sorry, meant to say any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Binnie Posted November 24, 2022 Share Posted November 24, 2022 It could have been my thread on RC Groups? The ply was 1/32" and so was the balsa. I think the main idea was just to save weight, my original Middle Phase was crashed many times but the ply sides never broke. I ran into slight trouble when sanding where there were areas of poor glue coverage in the lamination, I was just a bit stingy with the glue! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Houghton Posted November 24, 2022 Share Posted November 24, 2022 I can back-up Gary's recommendation for 1/32 ply. I built Sean Bannister's original Algebra from the RCM&E plan, which had the entire fuselage made from 1/32" ply with 1/8" square spruce longerons and cross-pieces. It suffered many hard arrivals and nose-first impacts without a scratch - the ground always came off worst! I still have it, some 40 years later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Binnie Posted November 24, 2022 Share Posted November 24, 2022 The Flair Sunrise fuselage is just 1/32 ply and a few match sticks, amazing how it holds together. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt Kremen Posted November 24, 2022 Share Posted November 24, 2022 +1 for a Sean Bannister 'Algebra' - Mine was from a commercial kit. (Was it Ripmax?). Conventional tail, not the 'V-tail' version. Veneer covered foam wings, ply fuz as stated. Also, I had fitted a nicely moulded Radio Sailplanes releasable tow hook to mine, remember them(?) Shared Uxbridge Common Sports field with Sean back in the 70s when he was (test?) flying it. I was flying a free-flight Keil-Kraft 'Caprice' with D/T and fairing pretty well against the 'heavier' R/C model launched off a bungee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy-H Posted November 24, 2022 Author Share Posted November 24, 2022 Ah ! Thank you - really helpful. I’ve built a couple of Chris Foss powered planes, one of which is based around 1/16 ply sides, which is where my assumption came from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joss Posted August 3, 2023 Share Posted August 3, 2023 Hi, I have been trying to remember the glider I had as a teenager - around 1980. I think it was an Algebra (2m or 2.5m) with veneered foam wings, box section ply fuselage, 2 channel rc with servos side-by-side under a ply cover. It was bought as a kit and the fuselage seemed wider, ~80mm from memory, than any pictures on the internet. Conventional tail. Would just like to know if this makes sense: unfortunately plane is long gone now! Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Gates Posted August 3, 2023 Share Posted August 3, 2023 Sounds very familiar to me Joss. I am sure that plans exist if you wanted to build another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOHN MOSLEY 2 Posted August 3, 2023 Share Posted August 3, 2023 Dick Edmonds sold some of the Algebra glider kits, the fuselages were made of 1/32" good quality ply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatMc Posted August 3, 2023 Share Posted August 3, 2023 (edited) Dick Edmonds Algebra kits were available with optional moulded glass fibre or with ply fuselages for construction by the purchaser in a variety of sizes over several years. IIRC the first kits were the 2m span as published by RCM&E with option of FG or ply fus. However there previously were a number of earlier version Algebra kits & semi kits. I have a semi kit of the Algebra VIII with FG fuselage & veneered foam wings (112" I think). Not sure what you mean by "conventional tail" but there were "V", "X" & "T" tail versions. IIRC "V" tail had separate elevators whilst the others were AMT. The 2m as published had a very slim fus with 2 servos mounted in line. Here's a link to plans available via OZ to a couple of early RCM&E plan versions plus a later electric version that I'm not familiar with. Edited August 3, 2023 by PatMc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joss Posted August 4, 2023 Share Posted August 4, 2023 Hi, thanks so much for the replies. I think I will 'rest easy' on the assumption it was some form of Algebra. Perhaps I will re-build one day - may be when I have retired from the day job! Thanks again. Joss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.