Hey you! Ringmaster's...

Hey guys,

I have acquired a "Ringmaster" kit that has a foam wing, and the wing sits in line with the engine centerline, as opposed to the S1 or S1A kits that have the wing below the engine centerline. I believe that it was made from someone (or company) from Arizona, (any fliers in Arizona these days?!?!) or possibly Texas. I have no clue as to how long ago. It came with light ply for the doublers and rudder. Anyone know the name of, and who or where this kit might have come from?

Also, if you were building a foamy RM would you sheet the cores with 1/32 balsa then paint/cover or would you use a low temp covering and simply cover the foam? I have changed the spars to spruce (1/8 x 1/4) but since I have no other experience with foam wings I am not sure if I will end up with wings that will flap while flying (OK, insert jokes here!) Would sheeting add stength or just weight?

To all you Masters of the Rings... Thank you!

Sheeting the wings would absolutely add strength and I would not leave the ground without it. 100 square inches of 4 pound 1/32 inch stock weighs 1/8 ounce. So even if you use 8 pound stock, and figuring covering top and bottom, you will add about 2 ounces of structure plus glue. Add a half ounce of brushed on, scraped off epoxy and you will have one tough wing. Skip the wood and you will have mush.

Sounds like it could be a "Thingmaster". If the wings aren't hollowed out I'd just cover 'em in low temp iron on plastic and have at it.

Well now I have at least a couple of options to consider...

The person I got this from said it was to sheeted before covering and I was not sure if the balsa frame (ie. LE, TE, wing tips) would be enough to create a stable wing. By sheeting it saves me from having to pick up yet another roll of covering, I can use some of the Monokote I picked up on sale a few weeks ago. Or paint...

I still would like to know if anyone has heard of a company that sold a foamy Ringmaster... I believe it was marketed as a combat plane.

I thought it might have a wing similar to a Ukey but I guess not.