Yup, that's the one I downloaded. Looks like a simple, straightforward build. It's on my build list, would be great to have a D engine glider.
That's the frustrating part. I've talked to the guy (Rick Needham) that made those videos and compared notes, and I still can't figure out why his performs so great and mine doesn't.
I think it's genius how they used square styrene tubing for a slide box. Strange how I can't find any from suppliers like Evergreen or Plastruct that can fit over a 1/8" spruce or carbon fiber fuselage anymore. That square tubing is a much better solution for a slide box than having to build one from thin ply.
Maybe ask the designer @Doug Holverson about it?That's the frustrating part. I've talked to the guy (Rick Needham) that made those videos and compared notes, and I still can't figure out why his performs so great and mine doesn't.
If I find anything I’ll let you know.
Tried that. He couldn't figure it out either. Like trying to unravel the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle.
These are real ones.. ...... Grab the blue one every time. Chinese copy below in red.
Here’s some and looks like a decent price,
Highly recommend it — Josh designs some good stuff. It's the only D glider I've built and flown...and it flies VERY well for such a large glider and being a canard design. It put in a 4 minute 9-second flight before I lost sight of it behind some low bushes. It was probably caught in a thermal for part of the flight, but it still surprised me. Luckily I was able to find it since it was launched in a farm field that had already been harvested.
Do you have a video of the launch and glide recovery? WOW, 4 minutes and 9-second flight, amazing!
3.3 ID will be clearance fit for 3.2(1/8") So 0.27 clear on your 3.03 tube might be loose. You'll probably want to order some thin strips as thin as you can get to shim it.
Tried that. He couldn't figure it out either. Like trying to unravel the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle.
Fortunately someone gave me an original bagged Swinger kit, so I'm going to build that out and see how it performs. If it glides like it should, then maybe I can figure out what the difference is between the two.
Wish I did. I've managed to get footage of rocket launches (especially the larger HPR ones) but gliders move too fast and are too small for me to track with my camera, unlike a slowly descending rocket on a 'chute or streamer.
Appreciate the advice!
Could you move the whole tail forward or back incrementally until it balanced/ flew well? No extra weight.
Thanks, that's a really great idea, and definitely a tip I'll use with the next iteration. I usually build a mock up out of cardboard and other scraps just to confirm the CG location and flyability, something I can modify quickly and endlessly, so yours would be a terrific idea to use to finalize things. Kind of jumped the gun on this one though and went straight to building the prototype.
I think I have a possible clue for the erratic launch: there’s nothing keeping the folded back wingtips from moving. Air rushing past during launch causes them to move up and down (relative to the fuselage and stab) and the change in angle plays havoc with the glider’s upward trajectory. I need to devise a way to keep the wingtips locked down, but still be free to swing out when the burn thread is severed. At the moment I’m coming up empty.
+1
On a side note, the 3/16" square tubing from Evergreen arrived, and it's a perfect fit! The extra 0.27mm difference between the tube's I.D. and my carbon rod's O.D. provides just enough clearance to allow the styrene tube to slide easily without binding, and there's no looseness or wobble from the extra "air space". Just in case, I also bought some thin 0.133mm polystyrene sheet stock in the event it ever needs shimming due to heat expansion (the summers here can get notoriously hot).
