Golden Era Model Service
High Quality Plan Sets for Radio Control Aircraft
The Tlush Mite

Published in the May 1938 Air Trails
Designed by Francis Tlush
Original span 50 inches

Starting the right wing panel, this time the shear webbing was installed before the leading edge.  It can be done either way.



Joining the wing panels.  This photo is of the wing in its first configuration, which is with too little dihedral.  The construction methods and sequence are the same with
the current plans and parts.  There are guidelines on the plan to set the dihedral and rib centerlines are marked on the lines to aid in centerline alignment.  I lightly tacked
 the ribs to the triangles which are extended with balsa strips to reach past the trailing edge.  The draftsman's triangle in the center is placed on the plan wing centerline.
 

The triangle is used to mark the trailing and leading edges for cutting.  Note how the upper and lower spars are just touching at the centerline.

 
Here the front spar doubler is being installed, care must be taken to insure that the spars are accurately located.  The spar splice plate may be used as a go-no go
gauge to establish the proper spacing, with the upper spar flush with the top of the doubler and the splice plate fitting snugly between the spars.  Once the
spars are clamped remove the splice plate and use 30 minute epoxy to glue the spar and doubler assembly.  The doublers are longer than they
really need to be for strength but the additional length fixes the dihedral angle more accurately.



The spruce spar center splices are installed.  The upper one was preshaped to fit, get it as close as you can.  
The lower one is longer than it needs to be and is sanded to fair once cured.  30 minute epoxy was used here.



Now the upper spar 1/4 X 1/8 spruce doublers and the center splice plate are installed.  Once again, 30 minute epoxy, for strength and also to allow time
to get everything in the proper position.  Use lots of clamps.  You may have to relieve some material from the upper corner of the spruce doublers to allow for
the glue in the ply doubler to spar join, or you can grind out the excess glue with a burr in a dremel tool.  Be sure that the doublers are flush with the back
edge of the spars so the rear ply spar doubler fits well for a tight glue joint.

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