[Newbie flyer]

I just finished reading the S.P.A.D. forum on RC Groups. There was a posting about the Deb stating the following:

"I know it's designed for a .40, but if you leave the chord and fuse length the same and open the span to 72" and make the tail pieces about 25% bigger, you should have a REAL sweetheart!"

I was wondering if this is a better setup. I have a Magnum 40 engine. Is this enough power for the larger size? Or should I stick to the plan?

Thanks

[Muldoer]

I never used a Mag 40, but for a 72" span, I really doubt your engine will pull it. Your best bet is to build it per plans, albeit with a BUHOR dihedral wing. The BUHOR wing is MUCH easier to build I find, plus you get a much more decent looking (and performing) airfoil.

Go with the standard 60" span Debby, it'll be just perfect for your engine.

[britbrat]

What is a BUHOR wing? :

[bmwkadet]

I'd stick with the plan for the Deb. With a .40, it'll do anything that you want. For mine, I enlarged the control surfaces and it has REAL good performance. It'll even roll on the rudder.

Hey, have fun, it's a spad!

[britbrat]

No answer to the BUHOR mystery?

[Gary Maker]

I have built three Debonairs and they are all great flying planes.

As for the look of the wing, I used 4 mm coro on the bottom with the flutes running spanwise and 2 mm on the top with the flutes running cordwise. On the bottom piece leave an extra 2" of material for the ailerion and cut out the flute to make the hinge. Also I only used one long spar instead of the two shown on the plans and I did not have any diehedreal in the wing but made it perfectly flat. With the 2mm coro on the top it gives you a real beautiful airfoil shape and it flys as good as any 40 size plane, perhaps even better!!!

I use a 46 for power but a good 40 is pleanty of power. To go from 60" span to 72" would not be a good idea with only a 40. Everything else with the Debonair is exactly as per the plans, with the only change I made to the shape and style of the wing!

[Tattoo]

Originally Posted by britbrat

No answer to the BUHOR mystery?

http://www.spadtothebone.com/SPAD/Bu...dihedral1.html

[Newbie flyer]

Gary,

Thanks for the pointers. I may just try the 2 mil coro on the top wing surface. It sounds like it would make for a bit easier flying.

[Muldoer]

The 2mm/4mm wing combo would decrease your weight and wing loading, thus giving the plane some really nice and gentle flying characteristics. My Debby is stock, but with canuck pipe instead of american pipe and the wing loading comes in at 19 oz/sq.ft. This is as good as those Bal$a trainers, like the Hobbico Superstars, Tower Trainers, CG Eagle II, GP PT-40s....and the list goes on. Yours may come in the 17-18 oz/sq.ft range, which I'm sure Gary could confirm.

And dont ever let any instructor pilot tell you your plane is "heavy" because it isnt.