1946 Schweizer SGU 2-22 Towline Glider - Start to Finish

[@harryspeakup8452]

Dear Tom, It would be trite and obvious merely to praise your abundant technical skills as a designer and builder of these wonderful flying models. While I learn and re-learn technical things every time I watch one of your videos, what really keeps me coming back is your ability to connect this superficially dry technical subject to the realms of evocation and emotional response. For here are your credentials as a film-maker and storyteller; as a creator of models not just in your own physical reality, but also in the hearts of so many of us out here. We have all had a lot to deal with over the last few years. You more than most. But through our arts we all try to find ways to connect our pain and our hopes and our values to the physical world, to express them in ways other people can feel and experience. And with this film you show again that while your aeromodelling craft is of the highest level, what matters even more is your art as a film-maker. Your work here has meant more to me than I can easily express over the last couple of years, for reasons of loss and reasons to live. For here we find a facet of humanity that transcends time and distance. May you continue and develop all your skills long into the future.

[@maxfliart]

I'm speechless. Thx for your heartfelt words.

[@michaelwhinnery164]

You sir are an artist, not only are you a master model maker but you are also an exceptional videographer. I for one am so pleased with these build video's, I not only get to watch a master at work, I also get to learn how to build myself.

[@YouTubeCatEngineer]

The first music track transported me back to... the 80s I think? I feel like I've got a scene from "Moonlighting" in the background. Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd flirting and joking on the TV. I started out with stick and tissue in the 70s and 80s. I went on to RC and eventually full scale. I've never lost my affection for the simple beauty of FF models. Thank you for sharing your wonderful art.

[@maxfliart]

Thx for sharing ur experiences. I enjoy hearing when life goes full circle.

[@Skyprince27]

Did my first solo in a 2-22 in 1970. This video brought a smile to my heart.

[@maxfliart]

Thx. I'm hoping for the same reaction after my first pull.

[@kurtfrancis4621]

Same here in 2006. Great little trainer.

[@Tadrjbs]

I now have a new favorite of your models. Absolutely astonishing, I cried most of this video with joy. As a teenager I flew an intro glider flight lesson in this very aircraft at Harris Hill in 1962, it was a new aircraft from the factory then. What a reward to see it recreated so beautifully by a master craftsman...Moses

[@shop970]

It's stunning! The scalloped nose is real master work. The level of building here is exceptional master craftsmanship. Such a joy! Wow! . . . The best

[@maxfliart]

Thx. Felt that it was so much of the glider's character, it needed to be present. Cheers!

[@yassermasood3423]

Tom is a living Legend. Finally we have some legit instructions on all of the internet for flying model making.

[@W020-j9o]

Good eye and a steady hand. Just amazing craftsmanship. I learned to fly in one of these in 1967, in a glider club whose members built it from a kit. We had an old Buick straight eight winch (which the club also built) and 3500' of tow target cable. It would launch you with the instructor to 800', or up to 1200 feet if the wind was blowing down the dirt runway. The wire would pop and bang on the way up until the release, which felt like being liberated from the earth. Total cost per flight: $.60, (yes, 60 cents) but we worked all day for two or three flights. The 2-22 (N2447W) was later destroyed by wind. You don't forget the N-number of the one you first-soloed in. Thanks for sharing your love of flight with and old glider guider...

[@erikgilbert4797]

I appreciate everything you build. Thanks for sharing the genius behind everything you craft.

[@biodread10]

I’ve been model building for 50+ years and I learned a better way to make thread hinges, thank you. I am finishing a Super Condor that will be 2 channel R/C and I covered it in Silk and would have just used tape for the hinges had I not watched your video, thanks again. You are a master craftsman.

[@maxfliart]

Thx, Chris, I'm glad the film helped. However, I had just learned this technique from a close friend who has been flying FF gliders for 70 years (!!!) so I feel fortunate to have people in my life with this amount of experience and knowledge. In this case, my friend Vic Nippert is truly the Master!! Good luck with your Super Condor. I'm sure she's going to look fantastic in the blue!

[@marcolyott]

Astonishingly beautiful! Season's greeting from Devon, UK.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

And sunny South Devon too 🙂👍

[@marcolyott]

@@CliffHarveyRCPlanes An early Happy Christmas also to you and family Cliff, Cheers Marc

[@ZUSMANELEN]

From your impressive "educational" building process to your backyard glide test, without mentioning your great video editing skills and perfect music choices ... again an astonishing video!🤗🤓 YOU ARE TRULY A MASTER OF YOUR (FLI)ART!!!😉

[@maxfliart]

Thx. I really enjoyed this build. The scallops simply had to happen to capture the character. Couldn't resist an early morning, frozen test glide.

[@Cytogreg]

I have loved your videos for a long time, however a week ago Wednesday I almost lost my adult quadriplegic son to respiratory arrest in the early morning hours. With the help of the medics we revived him. It was a traumatic experience even for me as a retired Fleet Marine Force Hospital Corpsman. Your videos are helping me diffuse and decompress my anxiety as I prepare to receive him back from the hospital. From my heart, most sincerely I thank you for your dedication to your art.

[@maxfliart]

Thank u for reaching out. I'm humbled by ur kind words. Indeed, on occasion, I've come to realize that there's a hidden bonus as we follow thru with and share our passions. All the very best to u and ur son. TH

[@citicolina]

Oh wow! She looks like a good floater, clearly an awesome pilot. Thank you for sharing the process, especially the canopy part. Can’t wait to see her in the air.

[@maxfliart]

Thx. me too. Looking forward to a calm weather forecast in the coming weeks.

[@darrellid]

The scallops were an especially rare and wonderful touch--an example of art imitating life! Thanks for sharing, Tom.

[@kevinbrennan6546]

There is so much packed into these "Master Classes" that more than one viewing are needed to pick up on all the little details that go into the build that get to these results. Thanks again for taking the time to make these videos.

[@jayolah6127]

I love these scheiwizer aircraft, I've been flying the 2 33 for flight training they are beautiful aircraft

[@bobasher2197]

Beautiful build,nice job!

[@mikemccaffrey3093]

The scallops in the nose are amazing. Interesting technique.

[@Glazed_Donut1776]

Very well done! New sub. Pondering this as a retirement hobby. I flew the Schweizer 2-33 model in the late 70's at Mt. Tobe in Plymouth CT. Rudi Opitz was my flight examiner ;-)

[@maxfliart]

I'd say go for it! I'm sure ur flying experience will bring a lot to the modeling side.

[@flavien9663]

calm, peaceful, thank you

[@taildragger7355]

I include your videos among my reasons for thanks this time of year. Thank you for another spectacular flying season of FLY.

[@walk4718]

Man, every step is masterful!! The precious pilot is such a heartfelt touch ❤️

[@jetflyer102]

Amazing work. You are truly a master. Thank you for sharing your art with the world.

[@guamflyer1]

Wow..wow...Sooooo Pretty...Totally Love how it came out...🤙🏽

[@walk4718]

Video and audio simply mesmerizing 👍

[@raybridges2738]

Wow! Once again I am mesmerized by your skill as a builder and quality of your videos. You have made me a better modeler. I will be watching again and again because there is so much to learn.

[@TAT660X]

That was a masterclass in covering 😮

[@abuljeon]

As always, your work is wonderful. Congratulations

[@pdel303]

Absolutely fabulous thx.

[@donlawrence1428]

Very nostalgic. It brings me back a long way!

[@maxfliart]

Thx. One of my first models was a Thermic Trooper, while dad flew a red & white 42" Sinbad. Full circle.

[@johnmajane3731]

Beautiful as always, lots of technique to copy. Thanks.

[@davidquerry8869]

Fantastic video.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Magnificent Tom, some great building tips in there, I had to smile at the 'fly' on tow 🙂👍

[@glennreach6930]

What a beauty! As always!!👍

[@cloudstreets1396]

After the hand toss I think it’s a good idea you have a dethermalizer on it. Flies and looks great!! Nicely done.

[@Brobolio]

Amazing job! Thanks for sharing all your techniques with all. It's inspiring and leads to sudden urges to imitate and build!! Best planes on youtube!!

[@fps079]

Beautiful work.

[@jimsilvey5432]

I flew with my dad in one of these back in the 1960s. A pretty rough ride and a lot of wind whisting through the cracks as he came in for a landing. A good time.

[@silversurfer96790]

Well done sir 😎, you have to be the best free flight modeler in world 🙌

[@sebastianduk9584]

Beautiful

[@motoflyte]

That looks great. Can't wait to see it fly

[@Mona8519]

So wonderful! thx for sharing :)

[@bradalgra8088]

Beautiful sir. Another video to add to my "Maxliart Techniques" vault. Perfect choice for a pilot btw. :)

[@maxfliart]

Thx, Brad. ZJ was excited to pose for this one...since she's almost 8...while in the previous pilot shots, she was five. Age is important to kids! Ha.

[@williamrobinson7435]

And WHAT a fantastic glider this Schweizer has turned out to be! A recent late Summer outing with this 2024 showed it looking greedy for air even late in the flight, climbing onto small plateaux of thermal activity, wicked. If you haven't, check it out IMMEDIATELY! The music is SO cool, reminds me a bit of the l8 gr8 Walter Becker at points. Nice one once again Tom! 🎶🌟👍

[@javiersanti4705]

Fabuloso trabajo, cada día más convencido de pasarme a ésta excelente categoría. Gracias por compartir geniooo

[@maxfliart]

Gracias. Darle una oportunidad.

[@williamrobinson7435]

Looking forward to seeing this baby in the air! This bears all the hallmarks (or, perhaps, Hallmanmarks) of a typically brilliant Tom creation.. I do like red/yellow as a scheme, what with the flying environment being predominantly blue or grey /green.. I'm quite sure Zinnia Jane will enjoy the piloting experience! 🌟🌟👍

[@maxfliart]

Thx. I always like to imagine what she sees from high above.

[@bearshield7138]

very nice

[@aryacreative]

Sempurna sekali,,,👍👍👍👍

[@maxfliart]

Thx.

[@michaelshimshak1173]

inspiring

[@cleareddirect7013]

Beautiful job. I have never used a glue stick and have always used byterate. Do you shrink the tissue at all or just pull it tight when you glue it down?

[@maxfliart]

Both. I pull it as tight or as cleanly as I can, then spray with water for the final shrink. After it's tight, I spray it with a dusting of Krylon matte, which lightly seals the tissue, but more importantly, stops the continual shrinking of the tissue, which can happen over time. This allows you to build a lighter frame that is less likely to warp. Here's a tutorial that I made on covering with tissue and the glue stick. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5CrkqNmnLlshsk

[@cleareddirect7013]

@@maxfliart thank you for the reply and keep up the good work !

[@nickbrown9469]

Your videos are quite inspiring. For me they fill some of the void left by the demise of Flying Models and Model Builder ( and Model Airplane News before it became a buyer's guide). Can you expand a little on how you decorated the 2-22? What orange paint did you use and How did you make the masks for the numbers? In the past I've hand-cut stenciles and attached them with 3M Spray Mount. I'm afraid that might tear un-doped tissue.

[@maxfliart]

Thanks. I didn’t show the process this time, but it shows up in a number of other start to finish films on my channel. I use Americana *Gloss* Enamels, which are inexpensive acrylic enamel paints, water based. I thin the paint to a milky consistency, then blow it gently thru an airbrush. For masking, I use Scotch #811 low tack tape by 3M, in the blue box. I layer the tape to make a sheet then either spray thru it, or around it, as I did for the Schweizer. I simply cut out the letters / numbers with the tape, place them over a stretched & taped down piece of yellow tissue, then sprayed the sheet with orange Americana, allowing the yellow markings to show thru after I peeled off the masks. After attached to the balsa frame and shrunk with water, I dust the tissue with Krylon clear or matte. That’s all it needs. No dope is used. The Krylon has a plasticizer in it that magically prevents the continual shrinking of the tissue, unlike most dopes, when on a light balsa frame. The model surfaces become far less prone to warping.

[@guamflyer1]

So very Pretty...

[@hanfordcreek5309]

Beauty! I’d sure like to know what the music was, that was some sweet guitar work.

[@maxfliart]

The music is by John Eric Copeland via Motion Array. Tracks are "Almost But Not Quite", "Palmetto", & "Our Own Devices".

[@MrKumazaburo]

とても素晴らしい、見惚れてしまった👍

[@maxfliart]

親切な言葉をありがとう。

[@phgi3593]

制作过程赏心悦目

[@maxfliart]

Thanks.

[@iansalmon6327]

Thank you for another wonderful masterclass, as always there is a lot to take in. I am curious though as to why you chose to build up the wingtip and tail outlines with spliced straight sections rather than laminated strips of balsa or basswood.

[@maxfliart]

Thx, Ian. I took the sheet wood approach only because this model is slated to become a short kit for an FAC one-design event. This will allow Volare Products to use the laser cutter for various parts. Otherwise I would've chosen laminated tips throughout.

[@stephenkastory2322]

I am a diabetic and have gone in to insulin shock several times going after my models. I gave up the hobby years ago. I have a lot of kits and engines for sale.

[@critter9044]

Could I ask please where you get your pilot cutouts. I'm in process of building this glider now, and would like to include one. Always enjoy your videos. Thank you.

[@maxfliart]

Thx. The photos are either found on the web, or just profile images I shot of family.

[@critter9044]

@@maxfliart thank you so very much.

[@StefHa]

Hi Tom, Thanks for the great video! May i ask you, what timer you use in this plane? I assume it's a viscous damper? Is it self made? kind regards, Stefan

[@StefHa]

Shame on me - should have read the video description 🤦

[@maxfliart]

@@StefHa Ha. Yes, I usually include product links in the description.

[@johnthemainguy9059]

Beautiful as usual! I'd love to see how you glue the canopy in place. Most of the ones I see on here look terrible, with blobs of glue all over them. I'm kind of stalled at this point on my Super Cub model.

[@maxfliart]

Thx, John. Yeah...gluing canopies. I didn't include the process here, but I've found a simple solution that is clean and holds it in place as the glue is added...at least for canopies like this one. I simply hold it in place on one side of the fuselage with low tack tape, which actually keeps both sides securely in position. Then, on the side that I first want to glue, I slide in a skinny, narrow wedge of 1/16" balsa, which lifts that edge of the canopy enough to place a very small pin drop of CA. When u remove the balsa wedge and tamp down the canopy, it's secure. It doesn't take much. If excess appears, I use another bent pin to wick it away. Then I simply repeat the process at various points on the canopy. I don't find it necessary to glue every inch of the canopy outline, on a free-flight model, at least. Just 2-3 spots on each side will do the job. And, if I ever need to get inside the cockpit for repairs, etc, it's much easier to remove, with only 2-3 tack points.

[@richard1472]

0:54 "Airplane on the half-shell."

[@killer1963daddy]

🇨🇦 RCAC 🇨🇦, the first aircraft I flew in! Was disappointed with powered airplanes after gliding 😊

[@Tammy-un3ql]

🙂🙂🙂

[@johnmajane3731]

I flew the real thing. Instructed in it.

[@maxfliart]

That's so cool. I hope in ur eyes I've selected a good flyer.

[@johnmajane3731]

@@maxfliart It was a fun plane to fly, very flight. Glide ratio was not very good. 18:1. But the only thing that climbed faster in a thermal was the 1-26. Your rendition is beautiful and at least the glide looked great. I am sure it is going to fly great.

[@daviddavids2884]

1:00 the tow hook is where.? this type of model Needs to ascend 'like a kite', at launch.! consequently, the tow hook Must be correctly located. it is suggested that you look at the tow hook location, on other tow line models. evaluate the location of the tow hook, relative to the locations of the model's center of mass (c-m) and/or the cg. (center of mass is not the same as cg.) 5:21 whoever designed this model used a Less-than ideal way to notch ribs for a main spar.! specifically, this method seriously reduces the integrity of each rib. d