Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/02
Page Numbers: 138

138 MODEL AVIATION
AMA PLANS SERVICE SHOWCASE
STEVE MOSKAL’S Schweizer 1-26 ¼-
scale Sailplane was based on the compact,
rugged, simple principles that Schweizer
Aircraft used when its full-scale kit concept
was unveiled in 1954.
Made from medium- and contest-grade
balsa, a “kit” of parts was precut and labeled
before construction. Steve emphasized that
building light was the secret to this model’s
success. By following the techniques
described in the article, the builder would
create a correctly aligned set of wings first,
allowing the fuselage to be properly fitted to
them.
The fuselage permitted ample room for
radio installation, with a large opening in
the floor to allow easy access to the
receiver and antenna tube. The tail surfaces
were scale in outline and the stabilizer was
12% of the total wing area.
Other details included a 3-inch ultralight
wheel from JoZ Products, DGA 1/4-scale
bust, and Super MonoKote as covering. Sig
Manufacturing stick-on decals, vinyl rubons,
and K&B Superpoxy paint were used
for the Air Force trainer’s paint scheme.
Steve installed a steel shoulder hook in
each root ½ to ¾ inches from the fuselage
sides, hardening the hole with CA so the
hooks could be removed for display or
judging, and used a bridle of at least 100-
pound-test braided nylon for launch.
Keeping with the parameters of the fullscale
Schweizer I-26 that is small enough to
fit in a garage, Steve’s model also offered
portability, unlike other ¼-scale Sailplanes.
He noted, “I have to make all my models fit
in the back of my Plymouth TC-3 custom
convertible.”
The Schweizer 1-26 was one of three
featured construction articles published in
the February 1988 MA. Members can
access the magazine digital archives on
the Academy’s website to read more
about it.
This two-sheet plan is AMA Plans
Service listing 578, available for $24 plus
shipping and handling. See page 175 or go
to www.modelaircraft.org/plans.aspx for
ordering information. MA
Schweizer
1-26B
Full-scale
characteristics
and performance
designed in
1/4-scale form
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