• Wing Span: 84 in. (213 cm)
• Wing Area: 1,596 sq. in. (10,297 cm²)
• Length: 52.5 in. (133 cm)
• Weight: 20.0 lbs. (9.1 kg)
• Engine: 1.8 - 4.2 2 - cycle
  (29.5 - 68.8 cc 2 - cycle)
• 6 Servos required

The Lanier Giant Scale Stinger is, in my opinion, the best plane available to introduce someone to giant scale modeling. It is quick and easy to build and even easier to fly. The kit comes with very high quality balsa and plywood parts that are all laser cut. However, recognizing that most builders have their own preference for hardware, Lanier provides none with the kit. Its huge 84" wingspan has a constant chord, a symmetrical airfoil, full length strip ailerons and a foam core. The fuselage is made up of two (2) "no joint" plywood sides. The turtledeck, tank cover, wing cover, cowling and wheel pants are all ABS plastic. The tail feathers are built up from 3/8" square balsa sticks and the control surfaces are very large.

The construction of the Stinger is simple enough that I don’t feel it necessary to describe the process in detail. However, I will point out interesting points and tips.

The two (2) huge wing halves are pre-cut foam. A full length balsa spar was recessed in the top and bottom of the wing and secured with aliphatic glue. The halves were joined with a sturdy plywood joiner and the center section was fiberglassed. The leading and trailing portions of the wing were sheeted using 3M-77 adhesive spray. The cap strips were laid using foam safe CA glue. The leading edge and trailing edges were also glued with white aliphatic glue. All hinge points on the wings were drilled and then a strip of 3/8" triangle stock was glued to the trailing edge. The triangle stock was then cut out around the hinge point holes. The remaining triangle stock made a perfectly tapered trailing edge and the cutouts made great looking recessed hinges. This triangle stock process was used at the trailing edge of all flying surfaces.

The tailfeathers were built over the plans. The 3/8" square sticks were cut to length with a scroll saw and proper angles were made with a disc sander. Using a little foresight, I placed two pieces of square stock together and drilled hinge points through both at the same time. I used these two pieces as the leading edge of the rudder and the trailing edge of the fin. When finished, I had perfectly aligned hinge points. I did the same with the elevators and the stabilizer. After completing each component, I covered them and glued the fin to the stab.

The fuselage was constructed by gluing three formers to a plywood side and then gluing the opposite plywood side to the formers. Triangle stock was used to augment the junction between the sides and the formers. I deviated from the instructions here as I glued the triangle stock to the fuselage first. I used the formers as guides for placement. Once all the triangle stock was down, the formers and floor went in and were aligned with ease. I pinned the firewall to the fuselage with finishing nails dipped in epoxy. The nails slipped right into holes that I predrilled and help to securely hold the firewall in place. The fuselage sides were bent inboard aft of the third former and joined at the tail. I put four servos in the tail as per the plans. Two servos were for the elevator halves and two servos were in a "push-pull" configuration for the rudder. I covered the fuselage and fiberglassed all the plastic parts next. The tank cover was not glued down as per the plans. Instead it was secured with screws so as to offer future access. After the tailfeather assembly was epoxied in place, the turtledeck was glued down. I selected a Zenoah G-62 to mount to the firewall. This plane and a G-62 seem to be a match made in heaven. I also installed a device that I engineered for remotely shutting down the engine. It was just a micro switch mechanically linked to a servo and wired in parallel with the kill switch. The servo was connected to a channel controlled by a knob on my radio instead of a switch. This was to avoid the possibility of an accidental shut down.

Although building the Stinger was easy and fun, flying it is really the good part. While not quite as aerobatic as most pattern planes, the Stinger is a very competent performer. However, its ease of flying is the real treat. People think that I am a better pilot than I really am while watching me fly this bird. Control is smooth and predictable with no bad habits. Knife edge flight is possible and really pretty easy with the Stinger, but knife edge loops seem to be out of the question. I never find myself reacting to something unexpected. The plane only does what I ask it to do and it does it well. The big G-62 pulled the plane vertical on its first flight out of the box and it is only getting stronger as it breaks in. Hovering is not too difficult and inverted flight is like second nature. The best part is the landings. The Stinger comes barreling in and when the throttle is chopped, the 22" prop is like a big speed brake. Energy bleeds off quickly and the big plane touches down like a butterfly with sore feet. Control is authoritative throughout the entire flying speed range and "tip stall" is not in this plane’s vocabulary.

Overall, I cannot recommend this plane highly enough. From its simple construction to its easy handling and great performance, this has been my favorite project to date. The only problem is that my other planes are getting very dusty since the Stinger came into my hangar.