Mini Chief - 36in Span
Posted: 12 Jun 2019, 20:08
Some may remember from the old forum that I'd built a 36in span version of Bill Dean's 'The Chief' - I've managed to find some images of it.
For various reasons I've not flown it (other than test glides), but I've recently dug it out as I would like to fly it now. Originally it was rudder only with DT, but I'm thinking it'll make a nice light lift sloper (on safe small slopes and not the cliffs ). So I've stripped the tissue off the tail surfaces to create a larger rudder (the original was puny) and instead of DT I will have elevator. This is what I've done so far:
I've added a new spar to hinge the elevator from - so on the left side I've shaped the spar and removed the original trailing edge ready for the elevator. The other side needs doing. Also I've removed some of the original tail fin ready to build in a new larger rudder.
I'm trying to do this conversion in such a way that it looks right. I also have a 1968 built original Chief for restoration. I will do exactly the same for the full size one also. It's the tail surfaces that need the work so that works out perfectly.
For various reasons I've not flown it (other than test glides), but I've recently dug it out as I would like to fly it now. Originally it was rudder only with DT, but I'm thinking it'll make a nice light lift sloper (on safe small slopes and not the cliffs ). So I've stripped the tissue off the tail surfaces to create a larger rudder (the original was puny) and instead of DT I will have elevator. This is what I've done so far:
I've added a new spar to hinge the elevator from - so on the left side I've shaped the spar and removed the original trailing edge ready for the elevator. The other side needs doing. Also I've removed some of the original tail fin ready to build in a new larger rudder.
I'm trying to do this conversion in such a way that it looks right. I also have a 1968 built original Chief for restoration. I will do exactly the same for the full size one also. It's the tail surfaces that need the work so that works out perfectly.