Adding a Tow Release to the Hangar 9 Super Decathlon 100cc ARF

[JimD]

We are using this aircraft as a tug for towing giant scale sailplanes. As for adding a tow release, we have had good service from the release that TopModel makes and which is available from Esprit Model

http://www.espritmodel.com/tow-hook-release-heavy-duty.aspx

The location of the top window latch on the Decathlon is a good spot for the tow release. The top window latch system is a bit of a problem anyway on this model so this is a chance to fix that also. First, we removed the covering from the top of the fuselage and removed the latch mechanism. Then we positioned the tow release to exit the fuselage through the top of this area.

Two latches were installed in either side of the top window hatch. Again, these are available from Esprit Model

http://www.espritmodel.com/hatch-latch-small.aspx

With the covering removed, we inserted a tube for the servo wires from the tail to travel forward through. These tubes are available from T-n-T Landing Gear Products www.tntlandinggear.com

Plywood triangles and balsa strips were added to strengthen the fuselage and give more surface for the covering to stick to.

A plywood servo mount was added down inside the fuselage and positioned so that the solid pushrod for the tow release can move freely and not bind.

Last step is to recover and now you are ready to tow!

 

[SleepyC]

Man, dude you are the king of this plane!
Nice work.

 

[JimD]

Thanks Sleepy,

A couple other things we did...since the covering on the top aft section of the fuselage on our first plane never stayed tight, we stripped off the covering on the top and added 1/8" balsa supports between the dowel rods to keep them from flexing. This has worked great and the covering now stays nice and tight.

We drilled the circumference of the plywood firewall in the motor mount and installed 1/8" dowel pins. Then the front of the mount box was wrapped with 1" wide nylon tape and epoxied. 3/4" basswood triangle was added to the joint between the motor mount box and main firewall.

A piece of music wire was epoxied to the back side of the plywood windscreen support to make it more sturdy and all of the black was repainted.