Swick wing tip advise

[gmackay]

I'm attempting to make fiberglass swick style wing tips, but am new to fiberglass. Anyone have suggestions on they type of cloth/resin to use? AC Spruce lists several different types....e-glass, s-glass, kevlar, graphite, etc. I can get costs difference, but what about strength, ease of shaping, etc? Or does anyone know where I could buy similar style tips, since Mike doesn't make these any more?

[Acroeric]

Re: Swick wing tip advise

Greg- I made mine out of plywood formers and spruce stringers- they came out at about 1/4 the weight of fiberglass.
Eric

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Swick wing tip advise

Just curious, why the Swick tip? If you are using the balance weights I guess you have to use it..... maybe . Think about using the standrad tip . There is good reason for it. Rremember it is not rounded, more straight between the spars. THEN I like the spade assist on the aileron and eliminate the assist servos too!
Weight & spade are combined...less work involved.

[Acroeric]

Re: Swick wing tip advise

I agree with Forrest- you also save alot of weight using this style. The Swick wingtips that I have on loan weigh 11 pounds each. . . . not a good place for the extra weight either because it adds to your roll inertia- ie- takes more control to start and stop the roll.

[gmackay]

Re: Swick wing tip advise

Well, reason for Swick style is Mike said that it has a better roll rate than the standard tip. And Eric, I think you mentioned the same thing (about the swick vs cole you owned). Besides, I like the look of it.

Now since I posted this, I found a guy in Canada who is making a mold from original swick tips. He said he could make me a set , maybe out of kevlar so they are much lighter. Just takes $$$.

And I agree with you on the servo's. I'm definitely skipping them and going for the spades.

By the way, Eric, I like your idea. Do you have any pictures of your tip?

[Acroeric]

Re: Swick wing tip advise

I never said the tip made it roll faster. . . . .actually the Swick tip is not very efficient- the lightly rounded tip would do better. The Swick rolls faster due to the increased aileron span and counterbalance well- also the shorter (by 2 feet) span of the Swick helps.

Kevlar tips would be great- I am going to a composite class in Reno in September and hope to learn more about carbon fiber. I would love to have a cowling and boot cowl made of it. (Also doors, fairings, and trim tabs)