Gliders at LIDL

[Stew]

Hi all.
Popped into LIDL this morning and walked out with a couple of gliders. I've not converted one of these yet, is there a simple tutorial? Both for power and slope?

Stew.

[Spike S]

Hi Stew
There are loads of Lidl conversion vids on utube. The only limit is your imagination !
I just hope my local store gets some more soon as any spares are soon gobbled up by members keen to join the fun.

This is my latest "Fracter Bunt"

In between 'serious' flying, we often put out a marker then have an informal spot landing (motor off) challenge with up to 8 assorted Lidls. It makes grown men giggle !

[Phil_G]

The current crop are Mk 2's with the slightly wider canopy area, rounded wingtips, and a sharper trailing edge.

[bluejets]

Seems to be one of those "freak" times a manufactured item goes in a way the manufacturer never originally expected.
Good stuff, like it.
Still remember those 1" thick thongs (flip flops, not t'other) cut up to make light soft tyres for old timers long before lite foam ones appeared.

[Rafael]

Hi
Have had one "kit" for ages waiting to be converted.

Dilemma is "Pitcherons" , elev+rud+increased dihedral or elev+ail ?

Intend to use in low wind slope and thermaling.
( For windier slope I would already converted to flying wing , but I have a Weasel already that does that role flawlessly).

Any advice is wellcome.

PD. Seen somewhere a BOT like one ( balsa ovaled "wingtip-aileron-ish" and tail feathers ) that looked lovely , but what cares me is the best performance/suitability for this intended role.

[Martin]

For low wind, I prefer rudder and elevator. You have to increase the dihedral to get a nice turn.
Pitcheron wings are good for high wind aerobatics, but not worth the extra work for normal soaring, in my opinion. You need a lot of throw: +/- 5 degrees or so for good response, and it's tricky to engineer a good mechanism that gives that throw, doesn't load the servos up too much, and makes sure the wings can't slide off, while minimizing any air gaps through the wing (which create a lot of 'airbrake' effect if present).

I just visited Lidl this morning and bought a couple of the 'Mark 2' versions, despite having some 'Mark 1' still in their boxes. I like the look of the new wings with the thinner trailing edges: they look more streamlined and efficient, but I won't know till I've tried flying one. I might build one up this afternoon as a powered model, maybe with ailerons - a configuration I've not tried before.

[Phil_G]

I have one of each variation and I agree with Martin, in light lift the R/E one out-soars the others easily.
The powered one pictured above is also R/E.

[Spike S]

Thanks for the heads up Stew. I found a couple in my local store today, now in my hangar.

One assembly problem I found with this current version was the raised portion at wing centre was over-size and would not enter the fuselage without risk to both components. Resolved using a long sanding block faced with sharp new sandpaper to remove that bump to within about 0.5mm of the wing surface. It now goes together and seats nicely. I must now decide how I will modify it for RC.

btw, my canard is R/E only and now it is properly trimmed, flies quite happily on the button. 2S 900maH LiPo gives over 10 minutes powered flight. There is no brake on my ESC so when the motor is shut off the prop still windmills and it comes down like a brick dunny. Will install a folding prop when I get round to it.

[Rafael]

Thanks to all !!

[Stew]

Yes the wing is a poor (tight) fit. The flying surfaces seem much nicer than the mk1. The aerofoil section seems semi symmetrical and a better shape.
I will have to have a play.