Bug HLG

Bob A few points I would like to pick up on. 1. I think built up ribs will or could end up being heavier than contest grade 1/4 grain balsa. 2. Laminated tips will save a few grams but you will then be restricted to javlin launch only. I doubt you will have the strength for SAL. 3. A built up tail would I feel be weaker and heavier than the 1/16th balsa. and will not take any hard landings if you use the + tail. as a lighter V tail what about trying 2mm Depron? 4. The spar Idea will not work unless it was bent to follow the high point of each rib. For a lighter spar you could go for a carbon free flight wing/tail spar of say 5mm these are real light. Check out Free Flight Supplies website http://www.freeflightsupplies.co.uk/ 5. I feel that only by making a Kevlar pod would you be able to get a fuz that is not expendable. I can not see the point of using lighter wood then making it heavy again with glass cloth etc. Why not use light thicker wood in the fist place that does not need the cloth? Sorry to sound so negative IT'S only my opinion. Go ahead and try your mod's and let us all know how you get on. The best way to reduce the wing loadong would be to 1. increase the wing area 2. try to get one of the new rx's that use 2 nicad cells for power 3. go over to 1 lion cell. But bear in mind if you use lighter radio gear and batteries you will have to lengthen the nose to get the CG correct. No point in making all these savings then adding lead to the nose. Good luck Steve Wheeler --- In BugHLG@y..., "bob_chiang2" <rhc3@c...> wrote: > Hi all, > > I've finally ordered a bunch of carbon tubes and have begun > construction of a Bug. I decided to go light: substituted 1/20" balsa > for the fuse sides, laminated my own ply using balsa, and I'm making > built-up wing ribs. Considering the material that goes into the stock > sheet ribs, it probably isn't worth the effort, and I hope they are > strong enough, but I'm far enough along that I don't want to chicken > out now. For ease of construction I made a template for the top > surface of the wing, and have cut all of the rib top members using > this same shape. > > I'm considering using laminated wing tips, and built up tail surfaces > if people think they'd be strong enough. I intend to use the > cruciform tail that is posted in the photos section. Does anyone have > suggestions to modify the tail surface areas based on further flying > experience? > > What do people think of substituting a pair of 1/8" square balsa spars > with 1/32" shear webbing instead of the carbon spar? > > I also ordered some .53 ounce glass cloth, and light carbon mat. I've > read about using water based polyurethane instead of epoxy resin or CA > glue. Does anyone have comments about this process? > > Thanks in advance for any comments or suggestions.