Lightninbug DLG Bug Laser cut and Build

[Seank]

I was browsing around the Avcom the other day and another member said their Lightninbug kept launching inverted and I was like hey that looks like so over built Great planes glider I had. So I thought lets draw one up. So I did so that idea behind every kit I make it that one doesn't need a plan to build the kits I cut, because lets face it it takes too long to build using a plan.

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Anyway, I got cracking and drew up a plan to do some laser cutting, and this is what I came up with. I made it so one doesn't need to build over the plans but the trailing edge shows the rib spacing. I will CNC some carbon fibre parts for tip pegs rather then ply, it will look cooler. It also went for the optional tail and thinner wing rib profile

Probably one of the smallest kits I will laser cut parts wise, very cool, uses even less wood then my new larger Shark Glider
1 x1.5mm
1 x3.0mm
1 x 0.8mm
small piece light ply

really simple and really cheap

[mustang12ft]

Nice going Sean....following your progress!

[Seank]

I got busy and then made somw more changes to the plan, finally ready to have a cut...

[Seank]

After little tweaking I am happy with the balsa parts, they fit really well.

[Theuns v V]

very cool

[Seank]

Some carbon fibre parts cut, maybe overkill but cool nevertheless

[Seank]

Building the fuselage was a breeze, jut follow the lines for the formers and tail and CA the formers in place with thick CA. Seems the original plan has an error and the nose former is taller then required so I will make the smaller.

Once that was trimmed I add the sides and once again it was follow the lines.

The tail boom I chose to be 5mm for the kit because this is the DLG version of the kit. I do provide for the 3mm and 5mm boom in the kit.

The rudder will need to have a spacer fitting to reduce the vertical stab to the size of the boom.

[Seank]

Building the wing doesn't require a plan, but the was one modification I added to the wing to make life easier. That was to add a middle rib that contains the wing dowel adapter. It is specifically cut to fit a 3mm carbon rod as the pin.

Wing is built by starting with gluing the trailing edge to the wing tip. The end rib is added and then the carbon fibre rod is pushed in. I hen slide each rib down the rod in the correct sequence. Leaving the half ribs un-glued. The main ribs are place their respective notch on the trailing edge and are glued in place using an engineer square to straighten the ribs up. Once all the trailing edges are glued in place then, I glued on the leading edge, a 3mm dowel stick, this is glued across the front if the wing, from tip to center.

[Seank]

The same process was repeated for the second wing panel. I added piece if wire in-between the carbon tube, it helped line it up and keep it all together.

The build to this point took about an hour and is actually a very easy build.

At this point we almost have a completed wing and fuselage

[extra300s]

Wow looks great!

[Theuns v V]

Sean, how are you going to give some bearing strength to the wingtip where the little "handle" goes through. will the balsa sheet be able to handle the "pull loads" while it is being swung ?
Looks lekka sofar

T

[Seank]

Sean, how are you going to give some bearing strength to the wingtip where the little "handle" goes through. will the balsa sheet be able to handle the "pull loads" while it is being swung ?
Looks lekka sofar

T

The carbon fibre parts above are for the launch peg

[Theuns v V]

Ah cool

[Seank]

Okay, so the original LightningBug has a balsa joiner between the stab and the boom, I decided I should do some drawing and actually make holder for the stab. I haven't yet decided if it's over kill but, whatever. it's definately better then a piece of glued balsa wood. it has integrated guides for the 1mm teflon push-rod outers too

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[Theuns v V]

this new age computer stuff surely has made modling so much better than in the old days