Schwing Corsa 108 as a trainer (F3F)

[Konrad]

Guys,
After the ISR (2018) I think I caught the bug! The high speed slope bug.
Also seeing how the parasailers have multiplied since I last flew slope in the late 90's, I need to find models that fly best when they are grounded. I think this means looking for models that fly in real light lift or very strong winds.

For the strong wind side of things I'm thinking of getting a Schwing Corsa 108. I flew one (Aloft's showroom model) at the IRS for a few minutes and found she flew well in the high winds but poor lift we had that day. I'm sorry to say I didn't look at the model with an eye towards purchasing one. But after getting my 60" racer set up I'm now looking to upgrade my fleet of 20 year old models.
https://alofthobbies.com/aeroic-swing-corsa-108.html

For a glider that comes in under $1k fully set up I don't see much that can touch the Schwing Corsa 108. I'd like to ask what you guys have seen in the same market segment as the Schwing Corsa 108. What are their strong points.

What I like about the Schwing Corsa 108 is that she has such a high aspect ratio wing. The designer Doc Hammond claims to have optimized the design in a wind tunnel. (Computer modeling is fantastic, but there always is some error when bringing these models to light.) I like that the ship allows for ballasting in the wings. I'm also confident in the sine wave web. (I've seen these used in the 787 transport). The wings are thick enough for 12mm servos (not that thinner servos are a problem with the great 10mm now available in the market place). The Schwing Corsa 108 uses a cruciform tail. (I like V tail for landing, but in the air I favor T & X tails).

My concerns are that I see a servo tray for front mounted servos. I like rear mounted servos. What are the space constraints for mounting servos in the tail/ tail boom? That long narrow fuselage gives me concern as there is little geometric strength. Being as there is concern for 2.4 gHz, I fear the nose may not have enough stiffness. And as I want to place the servos in the tail I'm concerned with boom whip during the landing. How has the fuselage with stood the test of time and landing? How easily does the fuselage crack in front and behind the wing? Also is that sexy nose FAI F3B/F3F compliant (7.5mm radius for 90°)?

I'm not looking for a DS ship in the Schwing Corsa 108. Rather I want a good, great, front side high wind model that will give the 3 meter F3F ships a run for my money. I know Im not a pilot (yet) to run F3F, but want to use the Schwing Corsa 108 as an F3F trainer.

Any guidance you can provide will be appreciated.

Konrad

 

[jvaliensi]

Hi there,
I bought one form Aloft. It sure looks nice. The wings feel very stiff.
The elevator servo mounts in the tail. There was an option to use a bell-crank and there is a space for the elevator in the front tray, but mine did not come with the bell-crank.
I'm not sure there is enough room to fit a rudder servo in the tail too.
I was kinda suprised how skinny the fueslage is.
I won't get started on mine until August.
Another good looking model is the Redshift.
Cheers!

 

[Konrad]

Thank you.
I too saw the Redshift. It pains me to admit it, but right now with my flying skills I couldn't do justice to the model.

Thanks for the heads up on the bell crank. I always fear double centering with long pushrods and bellcranks. If possible I like to make direct (straight and short push rods) servo connection with the elevator. I'll look into this with a detailed eye.

Wow, August! Please post a build thread when you get around to building yours.

All the best,
Konrad

 

[Doc James Hammond]

Schwing Corsa would make a good practice F3f plane. Or for that matter a good light air competition F3f.

Fast, maneuverable, easy to fly, easy to land, strong enough, loads of ballast space and not needing limb amputation or filing for divorce to buy?

Sounds good to me - but then I would say that wouldn't I?

Doc J.

 

[Konrad]

Thanks Doc.

Is the nose FAI F3B/F3F compliant (7.5mm radius for 90°)? Or will I have to build it up a bit? The only knocks I've heard against the Schwing is that the fuse cracks in front and behind the wing on abrupt landings*. Looks to me to be an easy fix ( well in front of the wing) with the addition of carbon hoops spanning the fuselage center line.

*At some point all fuselages fail!

All the best,
Konrad

 

[Doc James Hammond]

Hi Konrad - a few comments inserted below:

Thanks Doc.

Is the nose FAI F3B/F3F compliant (7.5mm radius for 90°)? Or will I have to build it up a bit?

No its not FAI legal. What I did the only time I used it in a competition (Old style Schwing, not Schwing Corsa) was to stick a small hollow rubber ball on the front. In that position, oddly enough, it makes little difference to the aerodynamics - a bit like the "Bulb" on the front of a large ship I guess.

The only knocks I've heard against the Schwing is that the fuse cracks in front and behind the wing on abrupt landings*.

I think the old ones made in China were a bit prone to that, but the new ones are pretty well carbon reinforced. As you say, given enough "persuasion" anything will fail. When LP crashed his at Davenport due to radio failure, it was a full on 200MPH crash. I was frankly surprised at how little damage there was overall.

Looks to me to be an easy fix ( well in front of the wing) with the addition of carbon hoops spanning the fuselage center line.

*At some point all fuselages fail!

All the best,
Konrad

 

[Konrad]

Doc, Thanks.

Yep, fluid dynamics is odd that way. For example many marine mammals have a bulbous head. Even the "Queen of the Sky", the Boeing 747 takes advantage of this. Heck, Boeing as maintained a patent for this bulb on aircraft.

My understanding for the FAI nose radius is out of concerns for safety not aerodynamic limitation. The ruling body did not want us flying pointed javelins.
As it looks like the Corsa is just shy of the requirements I think I'll build up the nose with an epoxy/cabosil mixture then flair the nose into the fuselage. And hope Boeing doesn't come after me.

I'm sorry I didn't look more closely to the ships at Davenport with an eye towards purchasing one. My concern with the fuselage, any fuselage, is that my landings tend to dance between wing tips, putting high side loads on the fuselage. This is why I often add fiber across the part line.

 

[Doc James Hammond]

Here are a few pics of the Corsa.

Note the new Ferrari red epoxy paint.

Some coming to Wayne SOON!

Cheers,

Doc.

 

[Doc James Hammond]

Hi there,
I bought one form Aloft. It sure looks nice. The wings feel very stiff.
The elevator servo mounts in the tail. There was an option to use a bell-crank and there is a space for the elevator in the front tray, but mine did not come with the bell-crank.
I'm not sure there is enough room to fit a rudder servo in the tail too.
I was kinda suprised how skinny the fueslage is.
I won't get started on mine until August.
Another good looking model is the Redshift.
Cheers!

I think Mo has a way to get the elevator and rudder servos in the tail.

Doc.

 

[Motowncali]

Check out the Gremlin build thread. Mounting the elevator servo in the tail should be similar on this.