I used an RDS set-up on my Zagi400 a few years back, and it worked very well. To make the pockets for the rod ends, I inlaid formica into the top and bottom of the 1/8" balsa elevons, using a dremel router to cut the recesses. The layers of formica ended up flush with the elevon surfaces, leaving a slot which was perfectly sized for the 1/16" music wire torque rods. The formica pieces are about 1.75" X 3/4", and are glued to a 1/4" wide lip routered into the surface around the notch cut in the leading edge of the elevons. To install the rods, I tunnelled through the foam core with a sharpened aluminium tube after covering the wing with the usual mix of strapping and packing tape. This prevented the foam from crumbling near the thin trailing edge. A 1" length of yellow nyrod was glued into the tunnel, slightly ahead of the hinge line to act as a support for the torque rod. I used a pair of FMA S100 micro servos. A 30° bend in the torque rod gave the right amount of throw. Bear in mind that this is the electric version, and isn't subject to the type of abuse that a combat sloper would get. I'm not sure how the system would hold up to getting whacked a lot. If I was to try it on a combat plane, I would think about glassing the elevons, to reinforce the formica pockets. The 1/16" rods should be fine, as they would have enough spring to absorb blows and spring back to shape.
Mike Stoneman Ottawa, Canada RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.
