Wright Stuff B

[dudeincolorado]

agreed. just make sure at least one of you wings or stabilizers are colored

[carneyf1d]

plastic film like mylar would make the plane light...which is very important.
for the colored part you could use grocery bag plastic, just make sure its a fairly light bag.
-carney

[gh]

I would recommend mylar film—but not anything lighter than that—because it's much easier to work with than condenser paper or Japanese tissue. It glues easily, it's light, and it doesn't shrink when humidity varies (meaning you don't have to "pre-shrink" the paper before use).

[smartkid222]

I recomend plastic film for the follwing reasons
1. weight. Plastic film is soo much lighter than condenser or tissue paper. For example i calculated that on a 2008 BLG glider superultrafilm would contribute 0.08g to the entire plane. Some tissues (the one from aeroracers) could contribute up to 0.91g or more. That is not including the water/elmer's glue solution usually used to glue the tissue onto the wood. That could also add up to a gram of weight (estimate).
2. It's fairly easy to apply. From what i remember glueing the tissue on isn't hard, but once you get the hand of using film, it's not that bad either. I use Super M 77 for spray glue. I use a covering cradel to help me put the film on.
Ray Harlan's Article
This article may help. I don't agree with everything. I didn't do dihedral that way, and for WS i don't think you even do dihedrals. I used a sodering iron, not a razor blade. I also have filled in a few ? on the chart and took notes on it.
3. Plastic film is also easily available i guess. I use PPP btw. Very cheap too.

Chris D

[eyeball138]

I recomend plastic film for the follwing reasons
1. weight. Plastic film is soo much lighter than condenser or tissue paper.

What should be used for the opaque surface on the back of the plane?

[gh]

What should be used for the opaque surface on the back of the plane?

I recommend using a black Sharpie on plastic film, if your regionals and states event sups consider that to be "opaque enough." If you have the bucks, you can buy aluminized mylar, which is shiny/opaque and reasonably light. Finally, if you're hahdcoah like I am, use a sheet 1/32 inch balsa. That kind of relies on your plane being really light though.

[dudeincolorado]

wait how is balsa lighter then tissue paper?

[gh]

It's not. That's why your plane has to be light—the solid balsa sheet will add additional mass. But, it's a lot easier to build than a frame with tissue or mylar, and could be lower in drag (though that would be insignificant).

[eyeball138]

It's not. That's why your plane has to be light—the solid balsa sheet will add additional mass. But, it's a lot easier to build than a frame with tissue or mylar, and could be lower in drag (though that would be insignificant).

What about construction paper? (that's what I used last year in BLG)

[Pleiades]

i've never heard of anyone using construction paper. i would think that would weigh a lot.