The Schempp-Hirth ARCUS is an two seater Super-Allrounder in the 20m class. Whether its training, distance, competition or record flight, the ARCUS has it all and has quickly become first choice of many serious glider pilots around the world. The ARCUS has a very unique wing geometry, which makes it immediately recognizable. In 2019 a few additional improvements in the winglet, fuselage and stab geometry have made it one of the most modern and extravagant high performance gliders of all times.
With the acrobatic glider 'Kobuz' the cooperation between CARF-Models and ceflix has already proven what it's capable of. CARF and Ceflix work together in some other areas as well, so it was no question that more statements in the model glider world were to become reality. The CARF-Models / ceflix ARCUS is such a project. The extensive experience of ceflix in the glider technology and aerodynamics design, combined with the long standing production and world wide marketing capabilities of CARF-Models are the unique ingredients to make this ARCUS an ever lasting success. (Various photos courtesy of CEFLIX...!)
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Of course we wanted to realize the same ground breaking flight performance just like the full size. It was no question that especially the complex wing geometry had to be copied exactly. The extenisve use of CAD has not only enabled our design team to create the replica as close to the original as possible, but also make the subtle changes in airfoil, winglets and fillets using the most modern airflow simulation tools available to them. As a first for a CARF-Models high performance glider, we employed the so called "hard shell" construction method, which does not need any compromising foam core in the wings. The wing skin of the CARF-Models / ceflix ARCUS is entirely made from the black gold: A combination of Carbon unidirectional and bi-axial fiber. It boasts a complex 8-trapezoid geometry, pointing forward at the root and then with every trapezoid sweeping further backwards and adding more dihedral to it. Finished off with a beautiful winglet for lowest drag in flight. |
The wing joiner(s) are made with ultra high tensile strength UD carbon in heated aluminum molds and are custom fitted to every wing.
Almost the entire fuselage is made from carbon, too, just the front part under the scale cockpit uses glass for unrestricted reception of our modern RC systems.
The horizontal stab in 'T' configuration has a split elevator, which is controlled with 2 servos mounted in the rudder post. The canopy glass is redily installed on the frame with dash board covers molded in. It's expertly painted and mounted to the fuselage. A retractable landing gear is also installed and fully functional, gear doors are mounted. Formers for the installation of an FES propulsion in the nose, or a retractable EDF unit over the wing are included as well, but not glued in yet. In case an FES is used, we can replace the landing gear cost neutral with a special FES gear with approx. 25mm more height, allowing the use of folding propellers up to 20" diameter. Formers and doors are suited for such replacement with no further modification needed.
The ARCUS is offered as a plain white airplane, with black bottom wings and stab and with variable color warning scheme on nose, wing tips and rudder. Of course it would be possible to order an individual color on the entire airplane or a 100% scale replica of a particular full size airplane.
By utilizing the carbon composite construction on the flying surfaces we were able to use very thin airfoils. These have become the standard in high performance gliders, since their drag is unbelievably low. In other construction methods these airfoils can't be used because the wings would simply not have enough strength and stiffness. Our Arcus does, so we can enjoy its fantastic slow, thermal and speed flight envelope. A scale glider manufactured with less efforts just can't compete with that. Impressive aerobatics capabilities for the Alpine Professionals, not usually seen in a glider that size, are complimented by the most docile behaviour for the less experienced pilot due to its light weight components. The Arcus lands like a dream, too.
The ARCUS can be towed with a suitable tow plane such as our SIAI Marchetti. A modern FES in the nose or a retractable EDF above the wings will get your ARCUS in the air just with as much grace and style. We offer both options as accessory. And finally, at the slope or in the mountains
the ARCUS can be ground launched with the help of a rubber flinge. The truly fearless within us can even attempt a hand launch into a good wind, which isn't impossible with the moderate 15 kg take off weight.
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- ultra strong hard shell carbon composite wing, fully de-seamed - 8 elastic flaps with sealing lips molded in and control horns glued - 45x20 mm high tensile carbon wing joiner - 25x8 mm high tensile carbon winglet joiners - carbon fuselage with glass front area, fully de-seamed - retract installed with wheel brake and functional gear doors - strong solid rubber tailwheel included - canopy / canopy frame / dash, completely built and painted - composite horizontal stab with elastic flap, lips and horns installed - composite rudder pin-hinged, control horns installed - all 2K painted, UV resistant, de-seamed and polished - all servo mounts and other high quality hardware included - optional black bottom wing/stab - optional colorful warning schemes on winglet, nose and rudder - optional FES retract (for high stand, suitable up to 20" nose prop) |
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Click the Accessory tab at top of page to see a nice set of scale instrument panels, beautiful glider pilots from the Best of the Best, 'Tailored Pilots', long FES retract, FES power sets, Ceflix retractable EDF sets, retractable turbine sets, tow release and equipment, high quality REVOC protection bag set, MacGregor Servo Set with wiring harness (Powerbox Cable, MPX connectors).
First flights of the No.1 prototype:
A fantastic video of tracking an ARCUS flight with an FPV drone:
FES versions of our ARCUS. Technical Details and a few flights...
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226" (5750 mm) |
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100" (2550 mm) |
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26 - 32 Lbs (12 - 15 kg) dry |
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(80-100 N turbine, 12S FES or EDF) |
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5 high torque 20mm servos, 2 high torque 15mm servos, 4 high torque 11mm wing servos, 2 high torque 8mm wing servos |
Even though we do not yet publish a manual here, there is of course a setting sheet with all the values needed to successfully build and fly our ARCUS. Down the road we will upgrade this setting sheet gradually into a full manual.
