I am just finishing up the SGS 1-23 quarter scale kit and took a break to post on the soon-to-be-released 1-26E. It's been a long time coming and bound to be even more popular than the successful 1:5 version. The E model 1-26 incorporated all of the improvements made to the one-design Schweizer over the years: all skinned wings of the C model; the square raked vertical fin sheeted in aluminum and drooped nose and opened canopy angles for visibility of the D, and was finished with an all-aluminum monocoque fuselage construction unique to the E. Though heavier than its predecessors, performance remained the same.
Our quarter scale kit is built in them same fashion with an all balsa sheeted wings, vertical fin and fuselage, and fabric-covered moveable control surfaces. Very lightweight and strong by nature, monocoque construction creates a tubular structure that resists twisting, bending and buckling with lightweight materials. It wasn't a new idea when incorporated on the Schweizer 1-21 and 1-23 in the 1940s - it was the method of choice for high-performance sailplanes since the mid 1930's. But instead of sheet aluminum, the material was 1/16" and 1/32" aircraft plywood and used on ships like the Ross-Stephens Zanonia, the Bowlus Albatross Senior and countless European gull wings like the Minimoa. Some things change but in engineering, many things remain the same.
We've been running a request for beta builders and Dave Gardner responded back with interest in the 1-26E. He's well positioned to do a beta build for us after his great job on the Slingsby Tutor over a year ago, proximity to the hollowed ground of U.S. Soaring and some great experience and stories flying the 1-26 at Harris Hill. Go Dave!
Comments