I've built a half dozen of these, but only 2 had the original landing gear setup. 1 because I didn't know better, the other because it was required by the contest rules. Both quickly broke as yours did. I now use a setup similar to the one on Endless Lift. Something that helps with the glide, but isn't allowed by your contest rules is thinning the airfoil about 30%. Gets rid of that very blunt leading edge. Good luck in the contest. :-)
The landing gear wire is best inserted into a slot/box in the underside of the fuselage. The balsa strut may be glued to the wire leg and bound in place with a cloth strip. The balsa sheet is not glued rigidly to the fuselage, but attached with a cloth hinge strip. See an example here: www.endlesslift.com/the-mystery-phantom/ You are right, that prop is way too small. The prop diameter should be at least 1.5 times the square root of the wing area.
Nice job. I don't like the stock nose assembly ,and should have done what you did. There is still time to modify it. What are you using for power if you don't mind me asking?
That's a pretty ship! I just finished mine(scratch built). What rubber did you use? I am on the fence between 2 loops of 1/8" or a loop of 1/8"+ 1 loop of 1/16"(total 3/16").
@@billkuhl442 hmm. I'm yet to weigh mine. But you're right. 2 loops of 1/8" is probably better. But will a 6" prop be able to cope with that much power?
I simply fly it without landing gear. It's just for fun anyway and not a world class performer no matter what you do. It flies much better without the gear. Why bother with competition, fly for fun.
