After going to major airshows like Oshkosh & Sun N Fun since the early 90’s the one ultralight that really stood out to me as a “solid aircraft” is the Aerolite 103. The design is extremely clean with only the bare basics needed for flight.

Brand new fully complete fly away cost are $20 – 25K (circa 2019)

Kits minus engine start at under $14K (circa 2019)

The web site for the 103 is:

https://www.uflyit.com/aerolite_103_specifications.htm

The main distributor is located in DeLand Florida @ KDED

Engine options range from 30 HP Kawasaki’s to 50 HP Hirth’s

at one point Hobby King produced an electric powered RC model of the aerolite 103 cleverly called the aerosport 103.

Model aviation magazine did a write up in 2015:

https://www.modelairplanenews.com/hobbyking-aerosport-103-gpep-scale-ultralight-balsa-2390mm-arf/

You may be able to find one on eBay. With the open frame structure this would be tricky to scratch build as an RC aircraft

 

Found a great Model Aircraft covering article in AMA’s model aviation magazine that may give the old school balsa builder some pointers.

http://www.modelaviationdigital.com/modelaviation/october_2019/MobilePagedArticle.action?articleId=1520545#articleId1520545

This should get you directly to the article. Content & photo from the AMA.

 

Looking for a new covering iron? Check out this model from Hangar 9 #ad

Film Covering is still my favorite way to finish an RC plane. learning the craft is the quickest, lightest and most durable method I have seen. Some of my handy work from back in the day:

 

Don’t forget a covering iron is only half of the effort, the other end is the heat gun work, check out this model also from Hangar 9 #ad

 

 

 

 

 

The J-1B was one of those home built planes growing up that seemed to be very realistic to build. I’ve always been a fan of this plane, I think more RC models exist of this plane then the real thing.

The design was from the early 70’s & Poland

The simple but classic lines of this airplane still look good to me today.

The Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janowski_Don_Kichot

& an interesting web pages full of pictures

https://www.gonzoaviation.com/clanok/prvy-aeroplan-mariana-barusa-j-1b-om-txb

http://www.angelfire.com/ks2/janowski/

In the mid 90’s I got a Plan for a RC 52″ span electric version from RCM, they went belly up years ago, Fortunately the Outerzone project in England has gathered RC plans that are no longer available where you can get a free pdf & building info.

1995 plan: https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=6971

1985 plan: https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=6811

X plane sim allows you to purchase individual aircraft, the J-1B is one of these options.

https://store.x-plane.org/Janowski-J-1B-Don-Quixote_p_1240.html

 

Steel

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/mepages/4130bargainbag.php

Aluminum

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/mepages/bbaltubing.php

Channel Sponsor JSP ARC welding supplies

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TIG welding book

https://www.amazon.com/TIG-Welding-GTAW-beginners-Workshop/dp/19731470

Evolution Rage B7-1/4” metal cutting saw

http://amzn.to/2jFqIxZ

Evolution Rage 2 Multi Purpose Cutting Chop Saw

http://amzn.to/2sVLCfl

 

The Double Ender bush plane looks like something I would have doodled up in a sketch book as a teenager.

Alec Wild brought this vision of a ground breaking aircraft into reality.

http://www.bushplanedesign.com/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_DoubleEnder

Video is from the Zane Jacobson at the Back Country Pilot YouTube Channel 

https://backcountrypilot.org/

If your into bush planes I would check out his channel.

Photo from the Bush Plane Design web site.

Quite the interesting web site for all kinds of unusual aircraft

http://nestofdragons.net/weird-airplanes/

 

You can click and drag on a PC or move your phone around to look around in the video.

Video is from the GWMotley1 YouTube Channel

Want to make your own 360º videos? Check out the Rylo 360º Action Camera

 

If your needing some rapid prototype part for your project one company to check out is Proto Labs.

https://www.protolabs.com/

I saw adds for their company a few years ago for getting a design cube for free. it comes flat and when assembled its around 2″ on each side. It has molded in all the good / bad features to include with their processing. So if you want to use the company and these methods it can help guide your design before its finalized.

https://www.protolabs.com/resources/design-tips/design-stronger-molded-parts/

 

Interesting concept, Looks like they used a Lancair  Fuselage.