Spook Swappable build and Maiden

by Bolvon72 | December 21, 2013 | (6) Posted in Projects

I was browsing through some balsa models, still debating on stepping up to the next level, when I came across the Spook. 

 

I loved the gullwing and simplicity so I set out immediately to try to pull off a swappable version. I am still debating the balsa. 

 

Starting wtih the wing I decided to use something I was comfortable with and trusted a lot. I based it off the Old Fogey undercambered wing. Really the whole thing is a mutated Old Fogey with a Speedster style tail. 

I went with a 48" wing when flat. Bent to shape it measures 45.5" tip to tip with a 7" chord. From here out it will be metric 122cm wing, 18cm chord. (I did the inches to give an better idea for those that build emperial) I looked up some plans and found what I was looking for. Spook PDF  A smart man would print them out and trace them but I just used them full sized on the screen for measurements and freehand drew the templates. It's hard to see the pencil marks but each wing is 61cm. I wanted 7cm across the fuse so I made the marks for the breaks at 3.5 cm then another at 15cm after. (18.5 from the end)

I also wanted the airfoil to resemble a folded foil so I made two breaks in the wing. it has a break 4cm from the leading edge and the second 3cm past that. I sanded them down and literally held the edge to the screen until I was satisfied with the shape against the PDF example. I used two sets of supports, smaller for the leading edge. I glued them one break at a time. I then glued the wings together and added packing tape for strength.

 

Now for the tricky part, folding them into gullwings. Not too tricky, just a bit messy and hit and miss until I cut out enough material. I cut gaps, leaving connections at the edges for strength (after the wings were done I realized they are completely secure and I could probably have cut them all the way. I used the ol' Josh Bixler method of fingernailing a groove to tell the foam where to bend on these secions.

Having a Swedish friend would help here, instead I glued the joint and used a container to hold the wing up while I held pressure on the center and measured the tip. 28cm off the table surface. More tape for security on each fold. I did one side at a time of course and am so far pleased with the results. Time to go for the gulls.

Now the wingtips are 15.5cm off the surface. I cut to the outside this time (much cleaner now that I know roughly the gaps) leaving the area between the airfoil breaks uncut. A cleaner look would be to make these cuts at an angle, but I hide them under tape anyways,and they are plenty strong.

Enough, I like the wing, I go to bed on a good note.

 

Next is the fuse, I freehand this as well and determine where I want the pod while wondering if I want the entire front open or am I going to posterboard it for looks. I mull that over while I make the template, make a little wing section so I get the mounting point the way I want and put it all on foam.

Borrowing from the wisdom of Ed experimental airlines, I make a rectangle of foam and start experimenting myself. I like how he will peel the paper off one side of the sections he wants to bend smoother and decide to do this to cover the nose. The half that doesn't take the pencil well is where I peeled the paper off. I would have been wiser to leave that section a little longer as I ended up a little short where it meets the wing. The first line from the left is where it will bend up hard to form the "windshield". The next is a small gap to bend smoother into the cavity. Then a Flitetest approved fold to mount the skewers and a plate long enough to reach the first set of tabs on the power pod.

I cut just a small angle out of the place where I want it to hard fold down to make the pod mounting point.

Whew, a little sanding and its pretty enough for me.

Now the tail feathers, I used the specific shape of the spook and joined it Flitetest style.

The rest just went together as you would the Fogey and Speedster. I did sand the body a little along the back because I cut sloppy and and it seemed too high going back to the tail. I used colored packing tape for decoration, duct tape for the windows.

That was it, just taped it up pretty and try it out, too bad it's windy... no wait, that's never stopped me before. 

COMMENTS

NoUsername on January 6, 2014
Good looking plane, nice work.
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K-factor on January 6, 2014
At the least, you know it performs on a windy day ! Nice job !!!
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Winging It R/C on January 6, 2014
Do you have plans? I built an ultra micro balsa version of the Spook and would really like to build this one. Nice article.

Thanks,
Garrett
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Bolvon72 on January 6, 2014
There is a link to balsa plans in the article. I found them in a forum but come to find out they are Outerzone plans. I just used the same dimensions for the foam.
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tomy2gunn on January 6, 2014
I have been looking for these plans for a long time Thanks a BUNCH....Tom
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ankit dhama on January 10, 2014
Hey its ankit here I have 1100 iv moter thrust with my prop is 1.3 kg and weight of moter 250 Gm and I have battery 2200 mah 11.1 v weight 250 gm and esc 20 amp I have coroplast seat I want to know the dimension of plane to make anyone know please by dimension I use not working please help include all dimension please help
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Bolvon72 on January 11, 2014
I would not recommend that setup for this plane, way too much power. 250g motor, that thing is huge. I've never messed with anything that big so I would not know where to tell you to start.
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ankit dhama on January 13, 2014
Hii I get the dimension but my plane weight is 750 gm so is that heavy plane which type take off is good for begginer hand launch or by landing tyres if o hand launch I have to throw it fast ?
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ankit dhama on January 11, 2014
Hey but is it impossible to make the plane from that ? Any dimension you please tell so I can make plane it must be trainer plane I can't have othere moter please help
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Bolvon72 on January 11, 2014
THe best thing I can tell you is to repost in the forums. There will be more people who would see your question there.
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dreamwalker on January 12, 2014
A really beautiful job there! I was really looking forward to this article to see how you made the dihedral joins. They look up to the task!
What is the A.U.W ready to fly?
On the forum you mentioned making some adjustments, any luck with those?
Thanks for sharing your scratch build. :)


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Bolvon72 on January 12, 2014
Thank you Dreamwalker, I was very excited about it myself through the build. I did forget the AUW, I thought it was in there. It is 329g as configured with no battery, I fly it with a 1000 mAh 2S which brings it to 410 or so.

As it was it was just a touch nose heavy which surprised me as it is a bit snubby. I left the back open to save on weight out of fear of it being tail heavy, I simply enclosed it and that worked it out. Looks better too.

I am still trying to figure out how to make PDF plans for my planes, I end up wanting to build or fly instead of trying to learn a program to help me do it.

Thanks for commenting,
Rob
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PeterGregory on May 25, 2015
Save that learning stuff for snowy, windy, rainy days - otherwise get out and fly(!) I love the Spook, any plane with gull wings, really - thanks for the share.
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Spook Swappable build and Maiden