Swappable AT-6 Texan

Introducing the second request by Jose Valentin.

The AT-6 Texan

Last month when I released the T-28 Trojan I stated that Jose had requested not one but two designs from me, and due to a medical emergency it had taken me some time to complete the first of the two. Having experienced the challenge of the Trojan I was eager to get started on the Texan. I was now familiar with the build techniques I developed and this design went smoothly. I did however have to challenge myself though and that will be evident when you see the wing design. I really enjoy the task of creating new designs and new methods of building them. An interesting little event that happened while developing the Trojan was that I had agreed to develop both these aircraft for Jose, and when I ordered the canopy from Grayson Hobby. They sent me the canopy that you now see on the Texan. I had to re order the canopy for the Trojan. but it just goes to show that sometimes little mistakes happen for a reason! Also the canopy's come with a cowling insert. The one with the Texan canopy was too small to accommodate a swappable design, but the one from the Trojan just so happened to fit perfectly in the nose of the Texan, so I'm using it for display purposes.

Anyway the real challenge I found with the Texan design was the double taper in the wing plan-form, and the two dihedral points, or Polyhedral. Keeping the the spar constant with the plan-form and intersecting with one structural member to give the center of the wing the strength it needed was interesting to say the least. I was determined to have only two wing sections for simplicity rather than three though. Let's take a look at the build and I'll show you what I mean!

First of all the fuselage!

The fuselage was designed much in the same manor as the Trojan. A standard box frame with formers stationed along it to incorporate the swappable power pod was used, and the battery box configuration was used due to lack of really being able to provide adequate cooling to the components. This limits the ability to use the battery as a CG modifier, but a little math brought it within acceptable range, and very little weight if any will be needed.

 This version of the power pod accomodates the 1300 mAh battery pack. The other version accomodates the 2200 mAh battery pack. both versions are available with the plans.

The canopy was mounted on it's own assembly and is removable for access to the rudder and elevator servos.

The canopy, skin, and cowling was all done much in the same fashion as the Trojan using tab and slot configuration to improve alignment and make it easier to build.

Makes for a nice looking fuselage.

For a better look at the build process see the build module on my Face book page

Visit the AT-6 Texan Build module here

The wing was the real challenge. Though it is actually in two parts, but is built as a single unit. After the sheets are prepped by cutting all the slots, bevels, and curling the leading edge for the camber. The two halves are taped together then glued and the center section is then held down with a weight while adding the spars and dihedral braces.

The spar runs at an angle so there can be no support here from a single dihedral brace.

This is resolved with a center plate that ties the main spar to the dihedral braces and also provides strength to the center where the wing halves are glued together.

The dihedral braces are in three sections that are tied together using the center plate for added strength.

The dihedral braces are firmly glued to each other, the center plate, and at the ends where they meet the spar. This provides plenty of strength where it's needed.

the upper wing sheeting is then glued in the same process as most DTF designs starting at the center and working outwards.

The aileron servos are then connected, and landing gear placed.

The nose ring is made from 1” fomular as usual.

After sanding, painting, and adding the canopy, pilot, and decals it really makes a nice scale looking DTF aircraft.

The Texan is already availabe on my website in both Tiled PDF and Full size PDF format

Go to Flyin Foam RC Here

I'd like to take this oportunity to thank Jose Valentin for the inspiration, ideas and support durring the development of these last two designs!  I would also like to thank Flitetest, and the Flitetest community for providing me with the opportunity to bring my designs to you, and thanks to your continued patronage I am able to continue to do so! 

Timothy Brush 

 Flyin Foam RC