We’re four passionate RC glider pilots (Andi, Georg, Richie and Jürgen) and love to build our own gliders from scratch.
In Summer 2017 we decided on our project for the coming winter (2017-2018): a Jonker Sailplanes JS3 Rapture, in scale 1:3.5. We decided to build both the 15m (4.28m) and the 18m (5.14m) version, with exchangeable outer wings. Expected weight is around 6kgs, including electronics.
We will be building four JS3 in parallel. Three of us will install an electric motor (without it, it’s impossible to fly on our club’s airfield). Richie, who is with another club, will build his without.
Basis of the project is a small drawing of the glider obtained from Jonker Sailplanes. Some of us have already done a 1:3.5 and a 1:2.5 scale version of the JS1. It’s an amazing plane (see some videos on my Vimeo channel!), and we hope that the JS3 will be even better. Looking forward to this build, and even more to flying it!
Hello,
I am Jeff and I live in Haute-Savoie (France), near Annecy, With 3 of my friends, we build JS3 at scale 1 / 2.5; 2 make them in 15m version, me and another, do it in 18m; I am making winglets, in 18m apparently they are bigger, the small plan of Jonkers is not easy to exploit, do you have dimensions for 2 sorts of winglets? thank you, Jeff
Dear Jeff, great to hear that others are building the JS3 as well! We use the same size for both the 15 and 18m winglets. I don’t know the size by heart and the plans and winglets are with a friend who is building them. I will get back to you sometime next week with an answer.
Sorry for getting back to you only now. The winglets we built are approximately 14cm. See my latest JS3 post for pictures.
Very interested in the winglets in 1:2.50 scale too! Ps. Thanks for the drawing!!!
Thank you for the drawing! I’m confused about the placement of wing control surfaces. I went to the JS3 Tapture homepage but couldn’t find any good photos. I’m making a 1:8 foam! My first glider!
Hi Tim, the placement of the wing control surfaces depends on the size of the plane, the placement of the dihedrals, the number of control surfaces you want, and whether you want to install airbrakes or not. Ours has 3 control surfaces each side for the short version and 4 for the long version. Usually it makes sense to cut off the control surfaces at the points where the wing has a dihedral in it, otherwise you have trouble getting the correct amount of throw.
Good luck with your build!