Initial Sailplane Project: The RP-1

Abstract

The annual static loading tests were made on the assembled wing/fuselage structure of the RP-1 sailplane. Simple wing bending and wing bending/torsion tests up to about four G's were made, using sand bag loading on the inverted aircraft. Bending a torsion deflections were measured and compared to those obtained in previous years' tests. It appears that the structure is retaining its original strength and stiffness very well. This aircraft has been disassembled and stored on the Jonsson Engineering Center under ambient, indoor conditions of temperature and humidity.