Radio Controlled Glider

thingiverse

<b>Intro:</b> This is a radio-controlled glider I designed to pair with a build-up balsa wing that I already owned. The wing was originally built up from a Gentle Lady glider, which I hadn't flown in years. With a wingspan of about 2 meters and tail feathers also made from built-up balsa (from the same Gentle Lady), it flies extremely well and can stay aloft for an extended period. The primary goal of designing a new fuselage for the Gentle Lady wing was to transition from the NiCd and brushed power system of that glider to a LiPo brushless system. It was impossible to get the CG right with the lighter components, so I started a ground-up design using the middle Balsa cutout from the wing as a template for the glider. I also wanted a sleeker and lighter fuselage, which is why I built it around a carbon fiber boom and pod design with a V tail. The canopy is held on by a lip in the front and a magnet in the back for quick access. Additionally, I added a folding propeller and designed the airframe to transition smoothly from that spinner. <b>Update:</b> Unfortunately, I accidentally knocked over my prototype while walking by, causing it to smash its nose against the wall. It's time to reprint! As I was reprinting, I decided to make some improvements. This is version 2 of the glider. In this updated design, the middle section now has an interior lip that makes attaching the front section easier. No longer do you need to glue in tabs and then attach them to the next piece; instead, simply add glue and slide-fit the pieces together. I also modified the center section to include a third hole for a carbon fiber rod. The rear section was modified to accommodate this third rod, creating a strong and light joint between the middle and rear sections. The whole project took about 4 hours per section to print, although I've forgotten how long it took to print the canopy. <b>Printing:</b> The frame is printed as a vase with a 2-layer thickness, making it extremely light and strong. I printed the body in white PLA and the canopy in black PLA. <b>Parts needed:</b> To build this glider, you'll need: * 2 micro/feather servos (HiTec HS-55 or equivalent) * A carbon boom that's 788mm long with an outer diameter of 14mm and an inner diameter of 12mm * A folding propeller (available at hobbyking.com) * An E-flite Park 400 Outrunner motor * A Turnigy Nano Tech 950mAh 2S 25C Lipo Pack battery * A canopy magnet (available on Amazon)