56" Gentle Lady Evo - Major project creep

[Wayne]

I don't know what happened, but this started off as a really simple design. I was going to keep it quiet until the prototype flew, but it sort of spun out of control and I thought I'd share and see what you all think.

This started off as a 55" Gentle Lady Evo kit. That was the plan. To me the "EVO" name means I can improve the design the ways I think would be best. I'm not locked into the original other than basic style. So more and more I thought, what would the designers of the Gentle Lady have done if they were tasked with the kit using our current tooling methods. This started as I debated the double spars in the wing, and the oddball sheeting used in the Gentle Lady. I saw no need for those items in this smaller size, so away they went, away went the old airfoil, away with the dihedral angles, and you get the idea. Then I decided I really don't like the center rubber bands, why not make it a plugin wing.. Is it still a gentle Lady if I do that? In the end I said yes, this is an EVO after all. And evolution of the design. So in came half ribs to maintain the far better blended AG airfoils. I don't love the extra weight, so lets add some lightening holes, now lets add some arcs to the leading and trailing edges.

Before you know it it starts to look something like this:

We are about 56" wing span. The fuselage is pretty close in shape to the original, but with a bit of pressure recover on the tail moment and parallel sides at the wing with a subtle bubble out in the nose. When rounded out she will look very little like a Gentle Lady, but you can leave it squared off if you like for more of a GL look. The tail areas are smaller, but currently holding similar shape. They will be built up structures also.

The goal is to have a plane that flies great and looks great when covered in translucent film.

Is this what the designers of the original GL would have done today? Probably not. I did not focus on her being a trainer, but more of a plane everyone will want to fly. I have kept her easy to build even though the wing looks complex, it will go together very fast. Same with the fuselage.

What do you think?

 

[OldRCFlyer]

Looking good!! I could go for something like that. Should be a great flying glider.

 

[Hawaii Sloper]

Looks great! Loved my original GL.

 

[GardenGate]

Looking forward to seeing how this turns out!

Curious though - while I agree about losing the center rubber bands, but curious if there's a particular reason why you went for plug in wings to the side of the fuse v. a wing that bolts on top of the fuse?

 

[Wayne]

Oh that is simply because I like plugin wings. No screws to deal with, just plug in the wing and some magnets hold them in place. Clean and simple. I also wanted this to be a 2 piece wing. It is large enough to make transport a bit annoying as a single piece wing.

It is a good questions, and for sure the biggest departure on the model.

 

[Wayne]

been battling with some sickness lately, just didn't have much creativity or energy after work to progress the design. Finally getting better and got some more work in on the project. I have played with the design of the tail, and this is what I have come up with it after about 5 full designs. Original was rather true to the Gentle Lady, but didn't care for it. Since this is a smaller glider, we don't need much in the way of structure, so it may look wimpy, but will be plenty beefy. Will confirm once a sample is built.

Let me know if you hate it. I'm not totally in love with it. Doesn't tie in well with the wing.

 

[Tmcfarland]

been battling with some sickness lately, just didn't have much creativity or energy after work to progress the design. Finally getting better and got some more work in on the project. I have played with the design of the tail, and this is what I have come up with it after about 5 full designs. Original was rather true to the Gentle Lady, but didn't care for it. Since this is a smaller glider, we don't need much in the way of structure, so it may look wimpy, but will be plenty beefy. Will confirm once a sample is built.

Let me know if you hate it. I'm not totally in love with it. Doesn't tie in well with the wing.

View attachment 24401

Just curious, you have the AH-100, the Lele and now this in design. Are these your personal projects you are sharing or are they all headed for kit production and to be sold by Aloft?

 

[Wayne]

All are headed to production. But you left a few off the list.

Wooden Silly Stick (prototype wing has flown)
Old Timer (Prototype wing has flown)
De Light (3 prototypes have flown)
Bam Bam (in Alpha builds)
Apex - (Prototype has flown)
Arrow - Waiting for first flight currently stuck in Austria.
Skiiter 30 - (Prototypes have flown)
Mini 22 - In alpha

The last 3 models are outside designers we have teamed up with. There are a few other planes in the early processes that I have not listed.

We are pretty good at getting planes into prototype, but for us that is an early step, typically more prototypes will be produced to refine things, then further refinements for manufacturing, we then send out some kits for Alpha builds from community members, their feedback being taken very seriously before final manufacturing.

Some planes like the Trix have fallen off the "active" list, but will return once we clear these hurdles with the current models we are focusing on.

On a given day I may refine 3 or 4 different models as we push the designs forward. I usually have several new designs in my head I want to start. (Don't we all?)

Yes, lately we have had a number of classic style rudder elevator ships. I have used them to help refine my skills and am looking forward to making some sporty models later in the year. We are also developing a range of power systems to power these new models.

Basically we have been building models we like with the hopes that they will also be models others like.

 

[Tmcfarland]

All are headed to production. But you left a few off the list.

Wooden Silly Stick (prototype wing has flown)
Old Timer (Prototype wing has flown)
De Light (3 prototypes have flown)
Bam Bam (in Alpha builds)
Apex - (Prototype has flown)
Arrow - Waiting for first flight currently stuck in Austria.
Skiiter 30 - (Prototypes have flown)
Mini 22 - In alpha

The last 3 models are outside designers we have teamed up with. There are a few other planes in the early processes that I have not listed.

We are pretty good at getting planes into prototype, but for us that is an early step, typically more prototypes will be produced to refine things, then further refinements for manufacturing, we then send out some kits for Alpha builds from community members, their feedback being taken very seriously before final manufacturing.

Some planes like the Trix have fallen off the "active" list, but will return once we clear these hurdles with the current models we are focusing on.

On a given day I may refine 3 or 4 different models as we push the designs forward. I usually have several new designs in my head I want to start. (Don't we all?)

Yes, lately we have had a number of classic style rudder elevator ships. I have used them to help refine my skills and am looking forward to making some sporty models later in the year. We are also developing a range of power systems to power these new models.

Basically we have been building models we like with the hopes that they will also be models others like.

Wow, thats a lot on your plate. Well, I am looking forward to the day the AH-100 appears on the website and I can click “Buy”. All designs are a compromise but for a thermal flyer I believe that span and the interesting use of 3D printed components are about as good as it gets. Thanks for the info.

 

[Wayne]

Will do! And thank you.

 

[Wayne]

Got some more work in tonight.

I'm rather pleased with it now.

 

[Hawaii Sloper]

T

Got some more work in tonight.
View attachment 24407
I'm rather pleased with it now.
View attachment 24409

That is gorgeous! Nice redesign so far. I really like the mid fuse wing location. The original was a pain with the rubber bands and was always hard to keep aligned.

 

[G-man]

> Wayne said:
> Got some more work in tonight.

I think you nailed it with the vertical and horizontal stabs shown in frame #11.
Very pretty and fits with wing shapes.

 

[G-man]

> Wayne said:
> Got some more work in tonight.

I think you nailed it with the vertical and horizontal stab shapes shown in frame #11.
Very pretty and they fit with the wing shape.

 

[gnichola]

Got some more work in tonight.
View attachment 24407
I'm rather pleased with it now.
View attachment 24409

That is the clearest covering I have ever seen!

 

[Wayne]

Thanks guys - I tossed out many designs before this one. I tend to spend a lot of time on tails trying to get something I like. Would be a lot faster if I just sketched them out first, LOL

 

[zeo0nie1]

Wooden Silly Stick (prototype wing has flown)
Old Timer (Prototype wing has flown)
De Light (3 prototypes have flown)
Bam Bam (in Alpha builds)
Apex - (Prototype has flown)
Arrow - Waiting for first flight currently stuck in Austria.
Skiiter 30 - (Prototypes have flown)
Mini 22 - In alpha

As someone drowning in unfinished projects, I'm very impressed that you're managing to move so many of these through the pipeline at once.

RE G.L. EVO:

+1 split wing
+1 trailing edge gussets

How much weight is actually saved by the rib holes? At my experience level (only a few planes in), the holes would give me pause - I prefer strength over weight right now.

I can't speak to the historical accuracy, but it looks rad and I want one.

 

[Wayne]

The nice thing about rib holes is you do not need to use them if you don't want them. Drop a little thin CA on them and keep the holes solid. Total weight savings? Very little. But it should offset the weight of the half ribs.

Thank you! It means a lot to hear that folks like the design.

(Not all designs move forward at the sametime. Typically we are working on 2 or 3 designs in a given day if time allots. Sometimes we have to set them aside for a week or even several months, especially as they approach manufacturing as we wait for materials, finalize drawings, manuals etc.

 

[u2builder]

It is really nice to see these EVO versions of classic vintage gliders. I like the way you work on the tail design work with the wing design and also to get a nice shape on the fuselage. I think it is also important to make the nose of an electric conversion like the original nose with the shaped canopy and carved nose block so that the fuselage flows perfectly into the spinner. I always use the Aloft pointed spinners instead of the turbo type for that reason. I actually like the rubber banded wing design on the GL and prefer to have to have a large canopy opening for ease of access .

 

[Wayne]

Currently the fuselage is just a rough shape. I'm actually starting to refine the fuselage earlier today. I have been installing the gear in CAD to make sure everything has space and easy access. I like to use triangle stock in the corners of my fuselages, and the GL Evo will be getting the same. This allows the plane to be fully sanded into a rounded sections if you like. This is why I place the motor and spinner before I start on the fuselage, it is critical for a good spinner fit.

Here are a couple of images to give an idea.

Side:

Top:

We have our favorite little servos and a 2S 450 battery shown with the 1404 motor and spinner. You can see how I have profiled the fuselage to match the spinner shape. I need to draw up a more detailed servo arm, but think I'll make the fuselage a little wider at the servo. Don't think i will use a full 1/64" plywood doubler in this one. Just a strip around the canopy opening. With all of the triangle stock, the plywood really is not needed, especially at this low weight.