Super Decathlon Tug

One of my other glider 'related' projects is a Dynaflight Super Decathlon kit. It is still under construction but getting closer. I'm powering it with a 36cc gasser. One of its duties beyond just flying it and the fun in that, is I have built in a tug release. I've never successfully towed a glider up, but we did have some really comical events one day trying to do this!

First, the glider should be an aileron glider. RE just doesn't quite cut it. Also, the tow release on the glider should be on the nose not the typical hi-start location. At least that's what I've been told. It makes sense with what was happening to us when trying to do this earlier.

I plan to take some 'nude' shots of the Decathlon very soon. It's ready for that but it rained all weekend and I want to take them outside as my workbench is worse than a wreck!

What I lack doing on this model at present is adding the servo mount and servo for the tug release. The release itself is temporarily installed. I also added a bomb bay. I need to do the servo mount and the linkage hookup for that. Then I have some final sanding a few more bits to work out... paint the inside of the fuse and then I believe I'll finally be ready to begin disassembly and covering.

I also added flaps to this model, particularly due to the tug duties. That way if I'm towing a glider that likes to take off at low speeds, I can add some flap and take off at a lower speed as well.

The model has an 89" wingspan... quarter scale... and it looks like it will weigh in at about 18 pounds which is within specs. I did a good bit of reinforcement in various areas as I do plan to both wring it out when flying it alone and to make sure the extra stress of pulling up a 10 or 12 pound glider won't cause any failures.

I'll post some pics when I have some more. At the moment, all I have is from during the wing build... pretty boring.