Building A 1 - 3 Scale Swift Flying Wing

9/8/2014 Building A 1/3 Scale Swift Flying Wing
Building A 1/3 Scale Swift Flying Wing by Vern Hunt

Poor unsuspecting Vern sent me a photo of his Swift. I thought that it was a fantastic model and persuaded
him to send enough details about it to make a page. I will add it to the long list of my projects...
This
flying
wing
came
about
after
admiring the Swift design and being

interested in ultralight and full size
soaring. I couldn’t afford one, so I
decided to build one myself.
After many months of research on the Swift airfoil, I finally drew up what I thought would work. This airfoil
is for a full scale wing, so I decided to build a 1/3 scale proof of concept model. Rather than cut foam cores
for this wing I wanted to use built up construction to further gain experience toward the full size glider. So,
this wing is all wood, spruce, balsa and fabric covered.
PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO BUILD A FULL SIZE FLYING WING USING THIS AIRFOIL!!
It is fairly easy to construct if you set up a building board accurately

and big enough. There is 8 degree of twist in this wing, therefore the
building board must reflect that washout. The spars are spruce and
had to be spliced to make up the required lengths. NOTE :- The
sweep dimension is 24.5 inches. (This is measured at the last straight
section of the leading edge) The CG is 15inches back from the
leading edge at the center. The top and bottom main spars are 1/4"
square. The rear spars are 1/4" x 1/8" laid flat. All the ribs are 1/8"
balsa. The spar cutouts are done as the ribs are placed in their
locations. After the bottom spars are pinned in their proper location, the ribs are placed and pinned. Then
the top spars and the leading edge. (1/4" balsa). After you’re satisfied with the line-up of everything, glue
the ribs to the spars (I used thick CA then zip kicker). The elevons are built in place, then cut out after final
http://www.glide.net.au/flyingwing/vern/ 1/6
sheeting and
sanding. The
cross-through spar
is 1/4" aircraft
plywood. A box is
built around this
spar for both
halves of the wing,
then laid out and
cut into each wing
half from the
bottom.
My root rib outer caps are 1/4" ply glued and glassed to each
center section. All external sheeting is 1/16" balsa. Front and rear spar webbing is also 1/16" balsa. The tip
rudders are foam core with lightening holes cut into them, of course fabric covered. You can use any hinges
you like, but for ease I used tape. The servo’s are standard size, outboard location. The wing is Sig
Coverall fabric covered and two coats of Nitrate dope.
Mine weighs 8 lbs ready to fly. I’ve only flown it on the slope, but I’m sure aero-tow would be just fine.
Flying is a joy, very docile and smooth. Almost flies itself. Very controllable right down to walking speed. It
doesn’t seem to stall at all. I’ve landed down wind into the hill without problems. Even on marginal days I
can bring it back

to my launch spot
and not worry.
When thermals
are present it’s
just a blast,
because it turns
on a dime and
you can work
even the weakest
of lift.
Vern has been

building wings for
a while. Here are
some of his
previous models!
#1. 120" Wingspan This wing is a development of the successful 100" electric motor glider. Utilizing the SD
7012 airfoil(modified), I molded a glass center section to house the radio equipment. The panels connect to
the center section, utilizing a flat carbon spar. This wing is both a slope and flat-land thermal soarer. It
launches straight and true every time on the winch. My wings are sheeted with 1/32 ply over blue foam
cores. I then cut lightening holes to save weight and covered with sig coverall. It's absolutely gorgeous in the
air.
#2 100" Wingspan This wing was part of the early days using Eppler airfoils. This wing worked well, but it
wasn't as soarable as I had hoped. It is steady on the winch and I must have launched it 500 times. Wings
are beautiful in the sky and I've stuck to them for that reason.
#3 100" Electric Motor Glider This model was an experiment I tried utilizing the SD 7012 Mod. airfoil. I
molded a center section to house the radio and motor/battery. I turned out very light so I winch launched it
to see if it would fly before I put the motor in it. Well, it not only flew, but became my most soarable wing
yet! I never put a motor in it.
#4 80" Wingspan This experimental wing was designed with the MH 32 airfoil. It is a slope glider only, built
for speed and aerobatics. Lots of fun to fly, very stable. It turned out heavy, but surprisingly it will thermal
quite well.
#5 72" Wingspan (UFORIA) This was one of my first successful wings. I followed all the rules of
sweep/twist, airfoil, etc. and it flew great. Winch/slope were fun and I built several different sizes and
variations which I still fly today.
#6 70" Wingspan Part of my UFORIA series, this wing was a try at making a very light small thermal
glider...it worked! Notice the Horten influence. I've always loved the Horten wing designs.
#7 45" HLG This is my newest wing. I always liked the RG14 1.4/7 airfoil, so I thought I'd try it on a flying
wing. Micro radio equiped, it came out at 9 oz. What fun! I take it across the street to a small park and it's
been a blast. Just a joy to fly. Indicates small thermals with a wag and up it goes in tight circles. I carry it to
work and fly on my lunch hour. Cheap and fast to build. I'm using the HITEC single stick radio with elevon
mix. 2 HS 50 Feather servo's in the wing.
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9/8/2014 Building A 1/3 Scale Swift Flying Wing

Building A 1/3 Scale Swift Flying Wing by Vern Hunt

admiring the Swift design and being

It is fairly easy to construct if you set up a building board accurately

can bring it back

Vern has been

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