[grosbeak]

I thought I'd try a hand at designing a ski / wheel combination for my Hobbistar 60. Thanks to the guys at my LHS and to the information at http://www.modelairplanenews.com/blo...eady-for-snow/. If I have time after my other winter projects for this plane I'll give it a shot.

Clicking the image will enlarge it.

[Max]

Nice! I might need something like that this winter. I swapped from skis to wheels about 4 times last year as the weather kept changing. Snow, clear, snow, clear....

[Dale Hunter]

Do they come in any other colors?

(Poor joke)

Why not, it's your hobby. That looks completely do-able.

-Dale-



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[Ron Marwood]

Hi John,
I have a pretty big plane on skis (80 inch span) and my skis are only 16 in. long by 4 in wide. This seems to be OK. I have about 10 snow takeoffs and touch and goes with them. I have read here that some winter flyers are having good luck with the axle position rear of center. 60 % of the length in front. That is what I did to mine and am very satisfied with it. I have not tried to put wheels in them. Let us know how it works please.
Ron.

[aspeed]

I like the idea of wheels inside as well as skis. I am not a fan of the rubber bands. I think some guys are using weights on the back of the ski for the nose up attitude. A thin spring attached to the wheel hold down collar is another method. I can't say I have tried it, but did make set of skis a long time ago, and then realized it is cold in the winter.

[grosbeak]

Originally Posted by Max

Nice! I might need something like that this winter. I swapped from skis to wheels about 4 times last year as the weather kept changing. Snow, clear, snow, clear....

I figured it would be especially useful here in Ottawa where if you don't like the weather you just have to wait half an hour.

Originally Posted by Dale Hunter

Do they come in any other colors?

(Poor joke)

Why not, it's your hobby. That looks completely do-able.

-Dale-

I'll probably paint them blue and/or white to match the plane. And yes, I think it's doable!

Originally Posted by Ron Marwood

Hi John,
I have a pretty big plane on skis (80 inch span) and my skis are only 16 in. long by 4 in wide. This seems to be OK. I have about 10 snow takeoffs and touch and goes with them. I have read here that some winter flyers are having good luck with the axle position rear of center. 60 % of the length in front. That is what I did to mine and am very satisfied with it. I have not tried to put wheels in them. Let us know how it works please.
Ron.

Thanks for the tips, Ron. With the huge wheels I figured longer would be better, but nothing is set in stone (or cut from wood) yet.

I looked at a lot of pictures online and most full scale ski planes do seem to have the wheel behind the centre of the ski. I have revised my plan - see below.

Originally Posted by aspeed

I like the idea of wheels inside as well as skis. I am not a fan of the rubber bands. I think some guys are using weights on the back of the ski for the nose up attitude. A thin spring attached to the wheel hold down collar is another method. I can't say I have tried it, but did make set of skis a long time ago, and then realized it is cold in the winter.

I don't know that I'd use rubber bands - I'd probably look for something more durable (and more attractive!). But the previous two sets of skis I've had used springs and they're too fussy for my liking.

[grosbeak]

Version 2:

[Trumpetman]

Looking Good John! I really like the idea. Are you going to put any kind of spine on the bottom of the skii to help with tracking? On the wooden skiis that I made for my planes I routed a slot 1/8" wide down the full length of the ski (under the spine on the top side) and glued a piece of 1/8" by 1/4" hardwood into the slot.

Looking forward to seeing how the wheels work out!

[grosbeak]

Originally Posted by Trumpetman

Looking Good John! I really like the idea. Are you going to put any kind of spine on the bottom of the skii to help with tracking? On the wooden skiis that I made for my planes I routed a slot 1/8" wide down the full length of the ski (under the spine on the top side) and glued a piece of 1/8" by 1/4" hardwood into the slot.

Looking forward to seeing how the wheels work out!

Thanks Gordon. Yes, the spine idea has been mentioned to me and I think it's a good one. I was thinking of triangle stock, but I imagine it would have to be more durable that the balsa stuff. And I would think it should go all the way up the tip (or "shovel" as skiers call it) so I'd have to come up with a way to bend it.

[wymbly1971]

Looking good. I like the wheel idea a lot!

The reason to have the axle more aft is to distribute more of the load to the back of the ski, which causes the tip to want to rise.

As far as a runner is concerned, I build my ski bases from Crazy Carpet. I glue and fasten the skins to the bottom of the spine with small brass countersunk screws. I then use copper house wiring (12ga) and solder it to the heads of the screws. Easy to bend and prevents the screws from turning themselves out, I suppose.