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Ghost Singer plans are available from: Airborne Plans Service for AU$22.00 plus P&H2 (AU$2.00 within
Australia).
Plan No. 644
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 FUSELAGE
Ghost Singer was originally designed in 1986 for the proposed
2 metre rules which were to include a speed task. The model was
influenced a great deal by Sean Bannister's Algebra which was
kitted by Ripmax in UK. It not only makes a fine competition
model but can simply be flown for sporting fun. It flies like an
arrow with an excellent glide angle and is great on the slope.
This model has 2 channel functions: - rudder and elevator.
CONSTRUCTION WINGS
The wings are fully sheeted and are made in two halves joined
onto wire rods through the fuselage. Cut out two sets of ribs. I
used the sandwich method to cut mine however individual ribs are
all drawn out on the plan. Pre-join the balsawing sheeting for
top and bottom. Accurately trace the spar, rib and false leading
edge positions onto the bottom sheets. Glue the bottom main spar
onto the bottom wing sheet and pin it down onto a flat building
board. Add ribs onto the spar and pack under the bottom sheeting
to mate with the entry curve of the ribs near the leading edge.
Glue the top mainspar, false leading edge and vertical grain
webbing. Glue in the hardwood blocks for wing retaining cup
hooks. Glue the brass wing rod tubes with epoxy. After the epoxy
is set crimp the ends of the tubes. Now is the time to decide
whether or not to include 3 degree wash out into the wing. Wash
out will give the model slightly improved stability but without
it the speed range will be greater. If wash out is to be built in
pack up the trailing edge towards the tip then glue on the top
sheeting. Otherwise keep the wing flat on the building board and
glue on the top sheeting. Note the trailing edge is formed by
mating the top and bottom wing sheets which is then sanded to a
fine edge. Fine fibreglass cloth between the sheeting would give
a really sharp edge if desired. Add the leading edge and wing tip
blocks, sand to shape. The wing tips curve from the underside to
meet the top surface which is kept flat to give an "anti
slip" airflow around the tip.
FUSELAGE
Cut out the fuselage sides from balsa sheet and reinforce the
inside faces with plywood doublers. Accurately drill the holes
for wing tubes with fuselage sides clamped together for exact
positioning on both sides. Add the triangular balsa longerons.
Cut out all formers in preparation for assembly. Glue the formers
onto the fuselage sides starting with F3, F4 and F5 then drawing
the front and rear ends together onto the rest of the formers. A
fuselage jig would be very useful for this stage of construction
to keep things straight. When set, sheet the bottom of the
fuselage cross grained for strength. Make up a ply canopy/hatch
cover with locking tags or tie down screws at both ends. Add
noseblock, sand to shape. Insert a lightweight nyrod for elevator
and closed loop system for rudder control. Sheet top of the
fuselage. Glue in the servo rails and hardwood block for the tow
hook.
TAIL SURFACES
These are cut from 5mm balsa sheet. Careful selection of the
lightest weight timber is essential here. Taper the rudder and
elevator and add hinges. Add the wire elevator joiner. Set the
fin onto the tailplane at right angles. Glue these onto the rear
fuselage and add the fillets at the fin/tailplane joint. Glue the
ply tail skid into place. Lightly sand the entire model with fine
grade sand paper in preparation for covering.
COVERING AND FINISHING
The Ghost Singer can either be covered in tissue and dope the
painted, or can be covered in iron on plastic films. I chose the
latter for mine using yellow film overall with dark blue trim
stripes. The canopy area was painted black. Screw in the tow
hook.
 FINAL ASSEMBLY
After installing the R/C gear and battery check the CG which
should be around midpoint of the wing (50%) at the fuselage. The
wing assembly is easy but first you must bend the wing joiner to
give a dihedral of approximately 30mm at each tip. This can be
done by trial and error before the wing is attached to the
fuselage, make sure both joiners fit properly in their respective
tubes. Screw some small cup hooks into the end ribs where shown,
making sure that they line up and fit into the holes in the
fuselage. Slip the wing joiners into the fuselage and slide on
the wing panels, hook a rubber band between the wing retaining
hooks, clip on the hatch cover and the Ghost Singer is ready to
fly.
FLYING
Ghost Singer has proved to be a great performer, both as a
thermal machine and as a slope soarer. It is stong, has great
penetrating ability and an excellent glide ratio. This model is
capable of high speed winch launches and is also suitable for
hand launching. It is highly manoeuvrable and has light wing
loading yet is capable of high speed especially with additonal
ballast. Ghost Singer is easily transported in a small sedan.
SPECIFICATIONS Ghost Singer
Type: 2m Class Glider
Wingspan: 2 metre
Length: 1.1 metre
Aerofoil: E205.
Radio: 2 function R/C required Rudder, elevator'dp
Ghost Singer plans are
available from:
Airborne
Plans Service
AU$22 plus
P&H1$2.00
Plan No. 644
Click here to order
this plan
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This page was last modified on the 21-May-02
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