Hobby Lobby "Skimmer 400"
Here's a Link to Hobby-Lobby's web site

A hot little sailplane which climbs like crazy and soars efficiently on a budget 400 motor and small battery pack.
Specs say 23 oz. but they usually build lighter. The kit was a little crude but the balsa was good quality and lightweight.
Can't go wrong for $20. Only a fraction of a roll of each color covering was required and these were bought from Hobby-Lobbies clearance bin for $4.99 each. This makes for a very low budget plane indeed!
 

A Speed 400 sailplane

Wingspan 59"
Length 30.75"
All-up Weight 15.4 - 18.1oz.
Wing Area 342 sq.in.
Wing loading 6.5 - 7.6 oz/sq.ft.
Airfoil Selig 3021 
Motor /Propeller 7.2V Speed 400 / Graupner "JU52" 6.5x4
Motor Battery 8 cell 500mAH SR MAX, 7 or 8 cell 720mAH AAA NiMH
Current at WOT 9.5 amps with 8x500mAH
Controls Rudder, Elevator, Motor
Servos 2 - Cirrus CS21BB
ESC Castle Creations Pixie 14
Receiver FMA "Extreme 5"


I finished it a little more aerodynamically by careful re-profiling of the flying surfaces and aggressive fuselage sanding. Rubber band wing hold-down was omitted and a screw down mount incorporated instead. Wing incidence was reduced from about 4.5 degrees to about 2 degrees relative to datum.

A folding prop will be used when I get it. Notice the cooling air inlets at sides of nose area There are a couple more smaller inlets in the motor mount behind the spinner. Oulets are aft of wing.

How did I get it so light? No, I didn't forget to cover the bottom of the wing. That's clear Oracover Lite on the bottom.

This plane flys so well that it even has a very good climb rate using the tiny 7 cell AAA pack shown here with long flights. With the 8 cell SR MAX battery shown in front it really honks!

 
Contact: geraldod@bellsouth.net