A dream and a drawing Many parts are cut to templates Fuselage Main Wheel/Belly Sheeting Vertical fin Fuselage/empennage Hatch Wing ribs I love this part Ribs in place Two wings Dihedral brace Wing top sheeting/cap strips Servo Wing servos Nose release Nose block Rough carved Shaped and fiberglassed Nose contour filler Canopy framing Canopy frame complete Sanded to shape Canopy sheeting Sheeted Epoxy/micro balloons for filler Split flaps Installing control systems ratchets up the excitement The completed structure is ready for covering Covering Monokote on a compound curve Hand cut graphics You now have a unique model to fly Hooking up the towline Up and away On the line Release Final approach

Scratch building is one of my favorite topics. This is the type of project where you can watch a dream become a reality. It is an exciting process! The model depicted in the slide show above is a glider that I built in the spring of 2013. I started the CAD design on this project 26 March. I was a little nuts trying to design and build it in 1 month. I did not quite make it as I finished it 4 May. It was designed to be a somewhat retro looking glider for aerotow. It is 4 channel control, (ail.,ele.,rud.,split flaps). It also has a servo actuated release in the nose. All servos are Hitec HS-85BB. Airfoil is SD6060. Span is 72″, area is 567 sq.”. Completed weight is 51 oz. It has been an interesting project both from the building and flying aspects. I hope you decide to get in on the excitement of building your own model from scratch. And if you are interested in aerotowing read my blog here;   On the Line… Aerotowing RC Gliders!