In the beginning", Skip modified from plans a Phil Kraft designed "Ugly Stick". Through the years the air foil,
wing shape and size have changed to increase the speed envelope of the design. Additionally, with the evolution of
engines available, the fuselage and rudder have changed dramatically. The intent of the mods were to create a model
that is easy and gentle to fly while having the ability to perform aggressive aerobatic maneuvers with a very broad
speed envelope. As you will see in some of the photos (to follow) the "Ugliness" has been removed by some of the
creative modelers.
With the evolution of engine design and the advent of 4 stroke cycle power plants capable of turning larger diameter
and higher pitch propellers, a significant increase in airframe noise became apparent. With the greater torque
impulses, the wing becomes a sounding board, especially with the mylar/film based covering material.
In an effort to comply with AMA noise level guide lines, we have experimented with using different types of material
for the wing ribs. Several wings were constructed using 3/8" thick polly-styrene (bead foam) capped with 3/8" wide
balsa strips. Two additional wings were constructed using Styrofoam (blue open cell) 1/4" thick ribs capped with 3/8" wide
balsa strips. The results were significant. While no high tech noise measurements were used, the "sounding board"
effect was noticeably reduced. With the rising cost of (high quality) balsa wood, construction cost were reduced
with little or no loss of strength. A miner reduction in weight was also appreciated.
1985 - The First G-Styk, Skip's wife Irene posing with the model
