Convair F-106 Delta Dart
Dan Savage
Wing Construction
This is the start of the wing construction. First the 1/16" balsa sheeting is laid down over the plans. Each sheet is glued to the last. 1/4" balsa strip stock is added next. These are the ribs and spars. At this point, the wing panel is ready to be popped off the building board and the sheeting is trimmed to the wing outline.
Both wing panels are complete. Everything forward of spar #2 is tapered from 1/4" down to 1/8" using a razor plane and sanding block. The elevons are tapered from the elevon spar to the trailing edge of the sheeting to add the reflex. The elevons are cut free of the wings, then the 1/16" balsa top sheeting is added next. The vortex flaps have been added. The upper surface of the vortex flaps have been rounded and faired into the top sheeting. The elevons are hinged and awaiting torque rod installation.
The underside of the trailing edge of the vortex flap is rounded and faired into the reflexed trailing edge to give the model the F-106's distintive wing shape.

Here's the underside of the wing showing the vortex flap with the 1/16" x 1/4" basswood leading edge. This was added to help prevent dings.
It took me three evenings to build and shape the wings. Being just 3/8" at the thickest point, they are quite thin, but are stiff and light. The wing's design was based upon the Apex. I really liked the simple wing construction. The biggest difference between the Apex and the F-106 wing above is the shape the vortex flap. The Apex's flap is flat on the top whereas the Six-shooter's is rounded.
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