Draw a line.
The trick is to use our razor-saw and we want to cut through this wing very carefully...
(without cutting all the way through!)
Keeping this level.
Once it’s mostly through but not all the way through
I like to use a little sand paper to open the groove a little wider…
making certain I sand both sides.
Get some wax paper here in play.
I will put some glue right there.
For the dihedral we want 2 1/2 inches.
So, I am going to crack this wood.
I have a jig here for 1”, 2”, 2 1/2”.
And some accelerant.
We’ll apply a few drops to that.
It will dry really quickly.
Give it a flat sand on the bottom.
And that’s the main wing.
For our tail, we’re going to find the
center line.
Draw that and use our saw, again being very gentle not to cut through all the way.
This takes practice.
I’m using the sandpaper to open the gap up a little bit.
It will get very thin.
Using our guide at 1 3/4”, that’s where I want to glue it…
and add some accelerant.
Sand the bottom level.
There we go.
I’m going to start off with some glue right here.
Generous amount.
I’m going to start off with the front edge wing tip.
Where it gets sticky and drop down back edge…
Keeping it very centered.
And we’ll also look from the back edge to keep it straight as possible.
Pushing down very firmly.
That’s it.
Nice.
For the tail, similar process.
A good amount of glue.
Now, the trick here is I want a tail tilt to the right with will allow the plane turn
to the left.
First I will put the front edge down and bring back to the back edge.
And we’ll look edge on and tilt it a little to the right as I hold it down firmly.
The more tilt you have the sharper the turn… something to experiment with.
But that is a Sandpiper 12” Balsa Glider.
All we have to do next is add some balast to the nose.
So, now we need to add some nose weight.
I like to use some modeling clay.
How much you use depends upon the weight of the plane, itself.
Grab a little amount right here.
We’ll give this a test fly and see how it goes.
This a Test Flight.
Needs a little more weight… put that on the nose.
Much better!
I like it!
Ok, simple hand toss did pretty well.
Center of gravity is about 60% behind the leading edge.
Launch this with a catapult outside I might add or remove weight depending on how well
it flies.
It’s weight is 5.24 grams, which is most excellent!
I’m very pleased with that.
It’s right in the range where I like it to be.
Well, guys, thanks for watching.
Enjoy life, enjoy flight, keep on building!
Be sure to like and subscribe and comment.
This is Nighthawk Gliders.
I’m Brad.
Take Care!