Hi everyone, I have been reading this forum for a few days now, and it is very informative. I have been practicing on E-Sky simulator with ClearView software that I purchased online and am looking to get on the skies soon. For that I purchased an "Orange Box Glider" (Balsa Wood), made by Aurora Models, from a local India Hobby Centre.

Now, I am usually good at building stuff and am used to doing it reading a manual, however thick it is. However, the package that I bought only has the Glider's blueprint. I have uploaded them at: https://sites.google.com/site/orangeboxrc/home/OrangeBox.zip?attredirects=0&d=1

Can someone kindly help me build this by guiding me to some directions? I tried searching this forum using a few keywords and could not find any link related to build help. At least, you can clear a few questions for me...

1) In the picture, what is the distance between each of the R2s. I calculated using propotions and this seems to be about 106mm (The wing of the final output is 72")

2) What are trailing edges. Are they the front curves of the Wings?


I seriously wonder why there couldn't have been a simple set of instructions:
1) Take something, glue it to this
2) drill a hole
3) connect the wire
4) etc.

Trailing Edges are the rear edges of the wing - the ones that are towards the tail end of the plane. Leading Edges are the edges that are towards the front / nose of the plane.

The "R" stands for 'rib'...wing ribs are a part of the structure of the wing and give the wing its aerofoil shape. I do not remember the exact specs of this plane, but it should be mentioned on the plan.
The trailing edge is not in the front of the wing (curves of the wings) it is called the leading edge.....the trailing edge is the one which is at the rear of the wing..... Really love this kit, how much did you buy it for
I would suggest you look up some articles on model airplane construction before proceeding with the build, tihs would help you alot....

There you go..........

Hi VC, buzz. Thanks for your quick reply. For now I am keeping the below pic as my target build...



I am currently placing groups of glider sections - parts of wing, parts of glider rear, etc. seperately before begining to glue everything. I was thinking of begining with the wing, then the fueslage, and finally the rear.

For now, I am yet to figure out spacing between different components.


I'd appreciate it, if any of you have additional tips for me.

Why figure out spacing of the various parts, just assemble them according to the plan..... be very patient with the build, you might also need to re-size some parts as per the requirement....these kits are not laser cut, so you will have to work on some of the parts before putting the kit together.....also it would be great if you could get in touch with any of the local aeromodellers,

Put a transparent tissue/tracing paper on top of the plan (First iron out the plan to make it absolutely smooth) and fix both of them to a work bench using board pins / thumb tacks. Then start building the plane. The plan is 1:1 scale. You don't need to figure ANYTHING out. Just put the ribs exactly where the plans asks you to do it.

What are you planning to power it with??

buzz, VC... ah now things make better sense. I had a feeling this plan was 1:1, but was confused why some of the parts were not in perfect ratio or equal to the drawings.

buzz, going forward, I will do the placing according to the drawings. In addition, if I understand you right I should trim the parts?! For example one of the four balsa sheets for the longest section of the wings is slightly shorter. So I guess I should cut the other three to match the shortest, and also reflect this in strips that join the ribs.

VC I will also keep your tips in mind. I am planning to decide on the engine once I have the glider's body completed. I will definitely be going with an Electric setup though.

No, all the parts should match the drawings on the plan.. do not cut the other three pieces if one of them is short....please post a picture of the part that you have mentioned..generally the pieces in these kits are a little bit bigger and need to be cut to size, also tally all the parts with the list of contents that comes with the kit.....if you are planning to use an electric setup then some modifications will be required (model has to be built light for electric setups). for eg. the current plans provide details for mounting a diesel engine where as the mount for electric motors is slightly different, if this is your first build then please seek help from local experienced aeromodellers....

I have attached a screen shot of the plans in relation to the balsa sheet. As can be seen, the first sheet is slightly shorter, but all four are shorter than the wing size in the drawing.

I don't think these sheets are for the wings.........

Hmm, why would you say that? I have only three other sheets of varying lengths that are broader than the ones I have shown, but they have stamps on them denoting "Fuesalage Top/Bottom"

What about the fuselage sides and the fuselage doublers ?? the structure of the wings will be made of ribs and spars.........

The Fuselage sides have an almost perfect fit to the drawing. It at best is longer by a centimetre or two on the motor side.

Here are some pictures for reference: btw what is the thickness of those sheets?

Hi Shahid,
Its nicely done for a first Kit build. The ribs are straight at right angle.

This looks much similar to 'Apple Box'

Ask the member 'R C' (he has space in his handle). He has beautifully built the plane some time back.

Those sheets may be to sheet the top surface of the wing at the leading edge. The plans should indicate where sheeting is required for the wings.

ujjwaana, those pics are sample ones posted by buzz :-p!

There is also some metallic plastic like paper included. Should this be used at the edges of the wings or elsewhere?

Preferably, take the kit to a nearby builder or flyer at Chennai and get all issues resolved. Or take it to the shop where you purchased it and get the stuff explained. The LHS owners typically help a lot in building these kits.

The plastic silver paper is aluminum foil.....It will be used to cover the wings......seriously, take it to somebody who is experienced and understand how it is done or else you will end up with a plane that does not fly!!!

Guy's look at the plan and his post it is an Aurora orange box.
Also a word of caution, as suggested by VC to iron on the plans, please please do not use a warm/hot iron, this will shrink the paper and distort the proportions. If the plans are rolled,creased, use some weight like books etc to apply pressure and straighten it out.

I should have used a better word. We used to employ board / drawing pins to secure the plan to a work bench. 'Ironing' as such was not required.

Never mind VC, fbc, I took the word Iron as a figure of speech ("Iron out the wrinkles/defects/etc) as opposed to a hot iron. ;-)

I got one of these kits yesterday from Rishi at Hobby centre Kolkata.
It is designed for a 2.5cc diesel, so that is what i will use.
Shahidt: you could use an  electric set up, which you will definitely find simpler
You are absolutely right about the covering sheets being larger than required.
They are sheets of 2 and 1.5 mm balsa that need to be trimmed. But be sure you have the correct piece trimmed to the correct size.

Also balsa building with absolutely no experience is dificult- like learning to swimm with online instructions.
The kit is sold with only the plans because it is meant for a modeller with enough experience to know how to build the plane from there.
This is going to be a summer vacation build for my son and me.
Since we are both from chennai, and i am currently helping one ot Sai's (RC for ALL) staff kit build a SHARMA Kaiser, we could get together & make a glider out of the bits of wood in that box you bought at Rayala towers.
I can show you how one wing is built and you could do the other one and go on that way.
I see no posts after oct 2010- does that mean the project is complete/ shelved.
regards,
Avijit