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Recent comments

Hi Swav, thanks for the comment, you should so build it, it's a great looking model, I really enjoyed the construction, and it's a lovely flier and a real floater.
Mark Robinson : Ion Mk 20 : 18/01/2025

Here is the Pilot file: https://www.mediafire.com/view/nyd0wjk...
Maximilian : Schulgleiter SG-38 : 17/01/2025

Aha. Indeed. Have tidied up the OCR text now, thanks :)
SteveWMD : Hawker Hurricane : 17/01/2025

"This realistic model at the Hanker Merlin, when compirted, will be a reason for aatiotartiar both In appeorware sad in performance 11 is an exceptionally tine flyer." -I couldn't put it better myself.
pmw : Hawker Hurricane : 17/01/2025

Hello friends, One of my friends asked me about Jack-O-Diamond [pics 007-009] as I flew one just after the Millennium shift. Not very nice built with the linear servos just glued to the starbord side… It flew quite well and was very stable, and was powered with geared very light DC motor that had a rotor that had no iron core, it was more of a cup-like copper nest fixed in epoxy. Linear servos.
There should be more photos somewhere, probably on some back-up cd-roms. But those photos might inspire someone to build. You have my permission to use the photos for any purpose that might gain the hobby.
I am mainly control line flyer nowdays, but do some vintage/oldtimer freeflight and some modern classes freefligt (F1S, P30), Best regards,
Ingvar Nilsson : Jack O Diamonds : 17/01/2025

I was just seeing if my Uncle Vic is still out there on the internet. Stumbled onto your site. I cannot believe his work is in the UK. He used his custom designed planes in Stunt competitions. When he used to come passed the house to pic up my dad and me to go fly in some local school yard. It was a hoot. People would watch in awe as he did his stuff. No one that had his talent would 'just' be flying at a local ballfield. Early 1970's. I miss him for his humor and his antics.
TTHoffman : F-8 Crusader : 17/01/2025

I think that was what was fooling me. I was expecting to see a dxf or dwg file. There were no file extensions shown by my computer. I managed to open the file using Inkscape. Thanks for all the help.
Mark Winstanley : Mini Jazz : 17/01/2025

Definitely the Hurricane's prototype. These folks were really fast at designing a model of it.
Martin K : Hawker Hurricane : 17/01/2025

I use inkscape as editor for .svg files. Although I recommend to not use the windows standard setting of "Hide extensions for known file types" in the explorer. This setting has fooled my colleagues several times.
Thorsten : Mini Jazz : 16/01/2025

I too see 1x PDF and 1xSVG (Scalable Vector Graphics). No actual CAD formats, though. Could MS Edge consider SVG a native format, if you don't have another program set as default for SVG?
perttime : Mini Jazz : 16/01/2025

Curious. When I open that cad zipfile, I don't see that. I see 1 x PDF and 1 x SVG file.
SteveWMD : Mini Jazz : 15/01/2025

I dont seem to be able to find a CAD file in the zip file. There is a pdf and a MSEDGE file but no CAD. Am I missing something?
Mark Winstanley : Mini Jazz : 15/01/2025

"Ocean Fisher." That would be fun having a surname this is both a noun and a verb...
D A : Icthyornis : 15/01/2025

Isn't this high-shelf name simply some pun on Peter's surname? If it is, it worked quite well.
Miguel : Icthyornis : 15/01/2025

This was my first balsa built airplane in jr High. Not sure how you still have your dads playnes, every time we flew. Mine it headed for that one little fluffy cloud way over there and usually was never seen again!
What a flyer. Guess we should have used the father map part of the kit. Found one still in the box and wanted to cut my own kit with my laser. So glad ive found the plans to Down load.
Curtis Smith : Fubar 36 : 15/01/2025

Ichthyornis means Fish Bird and it was about the size of a pigeon, basically a prehistoric sea gull.
simon rogers : Icthyornis : 14/01/2025

Regarding the name, no, not flightless. "The wings and breastbone were very modern in appearance, suggesting strong flight ability and placing it with modern birds in the advanced group Carinatae" from wikipedia. It also had teeth.
SteveWMD : Icthyornis : 14/01/2025

Thank you Simon for sharing pictures of your Icthyornis, it looks great, and you have made an excellent job of the build, they are really good to see. Hope to see it at Buckminster flying sometime.
Mark Robinson : Icthyornis : 14/01/2025

I don't want to be pessimistic but wasn't Icthyornis a large flightless bird from pre history?
Mike Hollamby : Icthyornis : 14/01/2025

Great job Simon! Looks like it should fly well. Would be great to see it in the air at Buckminster some time.
David Hill : Icthyornis : 13/01/2025

Hi Steve & Mary, Please find attached photos of the Ichthyornis [main pic, 003, 004] built from your plan OZ15294, waiting for the wind to drop so I can get out and fly it. The motor is a Mills 75, the plan states 1.5cc--2.5cc which seems a bit excessive but if it is under powered I've got a Mills 1.3 that I can put in it. Regards,
Simon Rogers : Icthyornis : 13/01/2025

I would guess that the "helix cone" is the spinner (quite descriptive really!) and that the "lattice members" are the stringers which should be notched - "embedded" - into the formers - "false frames". The formers shown at the bottom of the plan only show the one notch at the top, even though the other positions are marked. Hope this helps.
Roger Clarke : Bristol M.1B : 13/01/2025

I'm not sure what you mean by lattice members... The box is constructed first then the formers go around it. The article is very good at explaining it.
Marc : Bristol M.1B : 13/01/2025

See the above link in the ScaleType section: Westland_Lysander - that's curently 12 plans here, to choose from.
SteveWMD : Westland Lysander : 13/01/2025

Hi I'm a matchstick modler, looking for a set of plans for a Lysander. Wing span approx 17 ins.
Roy Graves : Westland Lysander : 13/01/2025

Steve, I'm delighted to see the Prairie Dawg on Outerzone. I hope some of our fellow modellers will be motivated to build, fly and enjoy this fun little plane. It is ideal for flying indoors or your cul-de-sac. I enjoyed it so much that I built a 35" seven ounce version.
Here's the link to the flight video: https://vimeo.com/54938764
Here's another picture [main pic] and plans. Thanks for your work on Oz.
Tom Binkley : Prairie Dawg : 12/01/2025

Thank you so much for the wonderful resources you have on the site. Just 4 days ago I downloaded and printed up the LightninBug 30” plans. They were clear and easy to follow, and the resulting model is fantastic!
Thanks again
Don Bowers : Lightninbug V01.D : 11/01/2025

I can well remember one being listed on eBay. A possibly disingenuous message to the seller - hoping to get it cheap - suggested that it wasn't 'Frog' and they should relist it as 'Froc' and place it in a different category: tin toys. They also offered £10...
I wrote the seller a more accurate description, which she used, and I suggested posting better/more detailed photos and this also happened.
It sold for a decent amount. Around £100 from memory. This was late March 2013. My dad passed away on the same day the auction ended. It was the Friday when we had blizzard conditions and by coincidence, he owned a battered second-hand one as a kid. His dad was a marvellous engineer and restored it. And yes, the build quality and flight performance was apparently remarkable, even by modern standards.
Thank you for posting all of the information.
'FROG' Flies Right Off Ground! Everything from FROG was quality. I owned a 3.5cc diesel aero engine from them. Their plastic model kits were also decent too. Happy days.
Donald : Frog Interceptor Mk4X : 11/01/2025

Magnificent covering & finish!
Jan Novick : Powavan : 11/01/2025

I have a question, the ribs that form the front box, the lattice members are embedded in the false frames?
Josep M : Bristol M.1B : 10/01/2025

Could that be THE Miguel in the photo?
K.K. "Kit" Butcher : Grosse Winkler : 10/01/2025

Hi Mary, Thought you might like to put this pictures up of a Frog Powavan [main pic, 009, 010], plan built and converted to 3 channel radio controlled, built by Roy Norris who sadly past away in 2024 . Would be a honour to see the model pictured on your website . Especially as we hardly get to see these kind of models these days. Kind regards,
Steve Payne : Powavan : 10/01/2025

Mercury Swan from your plans [pics 013-016], thank you so much for all your hard work, Happy New Year to you both, kind regards,
Mark Irwing : Swan : 10/01/2025

My very first HLG, so great to fly in many conditions even with moderate wind on the slope !
Lots of good & bad memories with this lovely glider, mine was maybe little heavy but with good balance it can fly really slowly in weak thermals
Would love to build a new one with modern, light equipment !
Matt : Mostiko : 10/01/2025

Hi Phillip, I love the tribute to your uncle Jack. Wonderful. He was "paying it forward", when he infected you with aero modelling - we should all continue doing the same...
Regards
Bernard (South Africa)
Bernard & Petro : Stinson Reliant : 10/01/2025

Hi Steve & Mary, All the best for 2025 - and once again thank you so much for what you are doing via the Outerzone Site.
Quick question re the Mercury Texan Team Racer. The box shows a monochrome image with a few strategic checkered bits as the Texan's finish.
My question: What was the original color-scheme of the Mercury Texan Class A Team Racer? Maybe someone has a color photo stashed away somewhere, or some info in this regard?
Bernard & Petro : Texan : 10/01/2025

What a great looking model and a build log to go with it. No excuse not to start building it! Thank you Mark!
Swav : Ion Mk 20 : 09/01/2025

The size of this plan when printed at 100% is 65.24 x 32.76 inches. You can check this kind of detail for yourself on any PDF file, just using the free Acrobat Reader. See help article at KB 105: Checking the page size of a PDF plan at: https://outerzone.co.uk/knowledgebase/entry.asp?ID=105
SteveWMD : Selestra : 09/01/2025

Can the pdf plan just be printed as is with no shrinkage to an A0 as size of wings on A4 is 16.5cm each side (excludes body width).
Ralph : Selestra : 09/01/2025

Thank you Jan!
Ram6 : Blohm und Voss BV 141 : 09/01/2025

Taught myself the basics with a Teeny Trainer and PAW100 (overpowered), later substituting the wings from a Micro Mold mini phase glider for kicks. Great fun. Great design.
Alistair Taylor : Teeny Aerobat : 08/01/2025

There used to be a Super Prima as well, looking very similar to the standard one ( of which I built 3!). Does anybody ever see the plans of this Super Prima? As far as i remember, it had a built-up wing with a fiberglass fuselage and was for .40 cu in power.
Kris Geldof : Prima : 08/01/2025

Hi Steve and Mary, Here is a photo of a Waco YMF-3 from the Pica kit [main pic] built by my late uncle Jack (Jacques Lebeau). He was the person who infected me with the virus of aeromodelling. I made a tribute to him on my website: http://avonds.com/Uncle%20Jack.htm
Best regards,
Philip Avonds : Waco YMF-3 : 08/01/2025

Hi Steve and Mary, Here is a photo of a Tadpole [main pic] built by my late uncle Jack (Jacques Lebeau). He was the person who infected me with the virus of aeromodelling. I made a tribute to him on my website: http://avonds.com/Uncle%20Jack.htm
Best regards,
Philip Avonds : Tadpole : 08/01/2025

Hi Steve and Mary, Here is a photo of a Stinson Reliant from the Top Flite kit [main pic, 006] built by my late uncle Jack (Jacques Lebeau). He was the person who infected me with the virus of aeromodelling. I made a tribute to him on my website: http://avonds.com/Uncle%20Jack.htm
Best regards,
Philip Avonds : Stinson Reliant : 08/01/2025

Have added plans for the new aerobatic version, thanks to John, see Teeny Aerobat (oz15771) also with notes and pics.
SteveWMD : Teeny Trainer : 08/01/2025

I used to gaze at this model in Ken's Model Shop window in the seventies. I spent 90% of my cash there as a kid. Located in Nelson Lancashire, it was only a small model shop, but was rarely without the stuff I wanted.
Magical times!
Like this amazing website, really.
Ian S. : Super 60 : 08/01/2025

Is there a list of materials needed to build this plane?
Howard : Pondhopper : 07/01/2025

Doh. Tagged as scale, now.
SteveWMD : Howard Racer Mr Mulligan : 07/01/2025

Super nice looking model! Hope the test flights go well.
Jan Novick : Blohm und Voss BV 141 : 07/01/2025

Hi Steve, A few snaps [main pic, 004-007] of my Josh Marshall tailless model (WTRH). Completed July 2024, for free flight and some flights have been pretty spectacular I think. The airborne shots were taken by my friend Leigh Richardson. Kind regards,
Charlie Jeffreys : World Tailless Record Holder : 07/01/2025

Here are some photos [main pics, 011-013]. Thanks a lot for a great site to find inspiration and so many model plans! Greetings from Switzerland,
Bela : Bienchen : 07/01/2025

Hello, I built my Bienchen with a 10g, 2000kV outrunner 1811 motor. 6A esc, 2x 4g servos. I use a 6X3 Propeller and get a thrust about 140g, that is more enough for a model with 152g. Flying Bienchen is pure fun!
Bela : Bienchen : 07/01/2025

I came to visit my grandmother who lives in a rural area, to distract myself and encourage my hobby I usually bring 3mm and 2mm balsa wood boards along with free flight airplane plans. I made this design because it was the simplest of what I had brought and boy did it fly, I took my mom with me, we went to a small hill near the house. The first launch was very good although short, it came back to me like a boomerang, I thought I would do the same for the second launch but it continued on, the plane advanced a lot and then turned left following the junction of the mountain in front of us and the mountain we were on.
The plane continued flying without losing much height, I couldn't believe that this was happening, then it made another turn to the left but from where I was it was no longer possible to see it, so I have an idea of ??where it could have fallen, but I couldn't find it.
Tomorrow I will try to find it because I want to take it home as a trophy.
This plane made me feel the need to buy a dethermalizer.
I used 3mm very soft balsa wood for the wings and fuselage, two parts joined together with CA glue (cyanoacrylate) give me a good rigidity, for the tail group 2mm of hard balsa.
I hope it helps, if you are reading this, try it, it will be fun. A tip, soft balsa wood for the wings will make it easier for you to design the wing profile. Measure the third part of the wing: on the cut wood, measure each end and divide in 3, that result you measure from the leading edge, so you have a good reference line so you don't go over the cuts. I say cuts because I use the scalpel to reduce a large part of the wing, once rounded I give it a lot of the hardest sandpaper and when I am satisfied a pass with medium grade sandpaper is not bad.
Mikel : Wasp : 07/01/2025

KhalidKhan : The LRB has the same wing planform as the long center section Bomber but the airfoils are different. All ribs can be found in OZ69
TomRyan : Lanzo Record Breaker : 07/01/2025

We are, of course, just quoting the text that appears in the article, as printed back in 1982. Written by the designer Hoby Clay, describing his model. It is not within our power to go back in time and encourage Mr Clay to write something different.
SteveWMD : Sorrell SNS-2 Guppy : 06/01/2025

Hi Steve & Mary, I have some photos for the Outerzone website from the Al Lidberg Blohm und Voss BV 141 [main pic, 003-007]. Attached are some photos of my model recently build from these plans. Build as per plans, the only alteration I have made is trimmable ailerons. I`ve made some test throws which looks quite promising. Video of the first test throws on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtawkAPVzh4
New test flights soon with a larger rubber motor and a three blade prop as per plans.
Best regards,
Ramses de Looff : Blohm und Voss BV 141 : 06/01/2025

"construction is ultra-simple" Umm... No. This is a Contest level Peanut, with split ribs of 1/32nd balsa, a tail also of 1/32nd balsa, with laminated outer edges. This is teeny-tiny stuff, and to get the weight that the builder in the video got, you need "contest grade" balsa. It's extremely fragile.
This project isn't for the faint of heart. If you haven't done a LOT of Peanuts, try some of Walt Mooney's great old designs, that use 1/16" wood to get started. Much, much easier, and they won't make you crazy.
Dave, aka Capt Fishbones : Sorrell SNS-2 Guppy : 06/01/2025

Robin Hood photos [main pic]. Here are a couple of photos of my two Robin Hood models built from world Engines kits. The photo with two models [004] shows the Robin Hood 10 with the Robin Hood 63 powered by an OS 40 FSR. Enjoy,
Chuck Johnson : Robin Hood 10 : 06/01/2025

Steve & Mary, Here is another photo [pic 007] of the collection of Robin Hood models the were produced by myself and two other members of our club. The three Robin Hoods with the walnut stain, white & yellow trim are my three, that being the Robin Hood 99, the 63 and the 10. The other three are another 99, a scratch built 25 size and another 10.
Chuck Johnson : Robin Hood 63 : 06/01/2025

Steve, Here are a couple of photos. The 3 Robin Hoods [pic 006] is a photo of three of the club members Robin Hood 63 models, built for the club Robin Hood challenge. Enjoy,
Chuck Johnson : Robin Hood 63 : 06/01/2025

Frog Diana, reduced to approx. 20“ span to fit my building board [main pic]. Greetings,
Juerg Mueller : Diana : 06/01/2025

Photo of the Frog Wren [pic 007]. Greetings,
Jürg Müller : Wren : 06/01/2025

Hi Steve and Mary, Here is a photo [pic 005] of an Aramis from the Airalma kit built by my late uncle Jack (Jacques Lebeau). There’s a special story to this particular Aramis that happened in 1968. I was ten years old at that time and my uncle Jack took me and my elder brother to show us what RC flying was all about. His car was a Mini (the original very small one) and he used to transport his RC models bound on the roof whenever he had passengers on board. We went to a flying field about half an hour driving away and uncle Jack made some flights. One of the flights ended dead stick in an adjacent corn field where harvesting was going on. As it happened, the combined harvester was heading exactly towards the model and it took some frantic gesturing from my uncle to avoid disaster. Later that day, it started to rain and the option of rooftop transport was abandoned, so my brother in the front passenger seat had the task to hold the Aramis wing in the Mini while driving home. I had to hold the Aramis fuselage in the back trying not to touch anything. I did my very best as I didn’t want to be responsible for any damage but soon my arms started hurting. These were very long 30 minutes…
My uncle Jack was the person who infected me with the virus of aeromodelling. I made a tribute to him on my website: http://avonds.com/Uncle%20Jack.htm
Best regards,
Philip Avonds : Aramis : 06/01/2025

Here's a couple more Hatchling photos [main pic, 004]. Thanks,
Mark Ferstl : Hatchling : 06/01/2025

Thomas, Thanks for trying the design! I hope you got as much joy out of flying it as I have.
I experimented with wing placement when building prototypes, and found that any appreciable gap between the back of the nose dowel and the leading edge of the wing could potentially produce a "failure point" there. This is why I recommend a 2 inch dowel and a 2 inch nose-to-wing leading edge measurement. Additionally, moving the wing aft shortens the aft fuselage length which can affect stability. All that said, one could certainly save some nose weight by moving the wing aft. I'm happy you found success with your method of CG location and am glad you've offered it as an alternative!
Mark Ferstl : Hatchling : 06/01/2025

Here's a lovely video of a recently completed (Jan 2025) Hangar Rat, posted on Youtube. Its amazingly satisfying to watch, and inspirational - after all, a Hangar rat is easy to make and trim, and quick to build for little money - though a tree did attempt to eat it at the end ! Do enjoy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-Q1oTvHITc
Martin La Grange : Hangar Rat : 05/01/2025

The KK Ace was the first balsa model I ever made. It flew like a brick. Test glides seemed okay, and when wound up it powered away quite spectacularly, to then nose into the ground once the power slackened off. My Dad knew exactly how to trim a model, but even he failed to get anything worthwhile out of it. It was horribly heavy, especially after many repairs, but most of the weight was the nasty KK hairy balsa, the solid rubber wheels, and a massive plastic propellor. All of this made for too much momentum when it continually barrelled into the ground, and it ended up in smithereens. Except for the tail, that is, which I use for a paper weight.
They were not a good starting point, those KK kits, despite the rosy glow of nostalgia. And they were not good value for money, considering what there was in the box.. I moved on to an Achilles soon after my Ace, but never finished it. It was the shocking awful balsa which did it for me on this one, which split and frayed, too weak where it needed to be strong, and vice-versa — warped wings and a banana fuselage.
Simon Hickmott : Ace : 04/01/2025

Ok. I have emailed Reed about this. This comment here is for everyone else. We respect his wishes, and so the Jart plan is no longer available here to download. See link to the original Jart build thread on RCGroups for more info, etc.
SteveWMD : Jart : 04/01/2025

While I’m thrilled that folks want to build this model, as the designer I would prefer that these plans not be shared publicly in this way. I have always given the plans to anyone who asked directly and I do keep track of the names of those to whom the plan is given. The reason is simple: the farther it gets from me, the more likely the design will be exploited for financial gain. JART encourages R&D, not commerce.
Reed : Jart : 04/01/2025

Robinhood concept was reissued by Old School Model Works kits, see: https://www.oldschoolmodels.com/rh25.htm also great colour scheme for the 80 version: https://www.oldschoolmodels.com/rh80.htm
pit : Robin Hood 63 : 04/01/2025

I do find it surprising there's no Wikipedia page for this. But then I guess, that has to happen at some point, with some planes. There is a page for the designer, Robert Hall at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Hall_(aircraft_designer)
SteveWMD : Hall Racer : 03/01/2025

Hall Bulldog Racer aka Hall-Springfield Bulldog. A wealth of info at https://hallbulldog.com ; and drawings: https://hallbulldog.com/archives/images/#drawings
KvdB : Hall Racer : 03/01/2025

Hi Mary, Attached is a photo of my B-52 [main pic] built from the plan on your site. Thanks and Happy New Year!
Brooke Linford : B-52G : 03/01/2025

Men and their toys, right? :-D All's well in that corner of the world, thankfully. The reason for the D-21 Mr Dickenson designation is perfectly valid. The entire project should belong in the Why Not category, as a consequence it is a Good Thing!
A great 2025 to all!
Miguel : Howard GH-1 : 02/01/2025

Well done Jim
Julie : Hatchet : 02/01/2025

Hi Mary, Back in 1975 I built Nelson's Pitts Special [pics 006, 007] redrawing the plan directly from magazine. Ciao,
Beppe Ghisleri : Pitts Special : 02/01/2025

Some photos for the Henry (oz 13191) attached [pics 007-011]. Tricontinental trainer, this made in Italy (still waiting for its maiden, due to weather...).
Best regards. From Vercelli, Italy,
Joseph C Tona : Henry : 02/01/2025

Hi Mary and Steve, I hope you both had a really great Christmas! Also, I do hope you had time to rest and enjoy the holidays. I want to wish both of you a very HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Attached, are the build photos of Bob Aberle's Boeing L-15. I had built two of these and they fly great. Bob was a brilliant aeronautical engineer and colleague. He passed away in 2023, and I greatly miss him. He was a mainstay of the famous NEAT Fair, held each year in New York. The NEAT Fair is an electric only meet. Again, have a very Happy New Year and keep up the great work,
rocketpilot : Boeing L-15 Scout : 02/01/2025

Where is the CG on this plane?
Greg Knipp : FTB Flying Test Bed : 02/01/2025

I was converting from RC to CL, learned to fly the basic pattern. Built one of these and beat it to death learning the full pattern for contests. I learned how on a 1/2A Nobler. I took the original plan, converted that to a full body, full built up wing, copied the Nobler larger plan and flew that for fun. I'm thinking of building another profile with electric power. I have a park be hind new house that's begging for a small CL ship.
Jim Berwick : 1/2A Nobler : 01/01/2025

Found it! [See supplement files, article] Happy New Year, Mary and Steve! Greetz, Hans.
Hans : XP-3 : 01/01/2025

Oooooo. I like the paint scheme and colors he did on it. Nice, very nice. I might have to build a model of a DGA-6 and use the livery of this aircraft just to be different from the usual DGA-6 Mr Mulligan livery.
RogerB : Howard GH-1 : 01/01/2025

There is an interesting full scale, one-off hybrid built by Bruce Dickenson that he designated as DGA-21 which combines 6 +15=21. He built up a custom airframe based on a DGA-15 that uses a vertical tail shaped like Mr.Mulligan's (DGA-6). The bottom of the fuselage is reshaped as well. Fittingly, he named his creation "Mr. Dickenson." At the bottom of this linked page, you can view 200+ photos of this project: https://airport-data.com/aircraft/photo/000525858.html
D A : Howard GH-1 : 01/01/2025

Miguel, yes the DGA-15 is a "Darn Good Airplane", but I personally like the DGA-6 better. To me the vertical stab and rudder on the DGA-15 looks a bit too tall and out of place, where the DGA-6 vertical stab and rudder look to be just about perfect.
RogerB : Howard GH-1 : 01/01/2025

There is a small piece of conflicting information in the instructions. Under Part I Constructing the Flying Surfaces, Step 6. ‘Make a mark 3/8” from the wing trailing edge on the bottom surface of each wing. This is the desired Center of Gravity.’ Then the author does nothing with this bit of information. However, if you revise Part III Final assembly to read:
--
19. Make a mark ¾” from the rear of the straw: this sets the location for the trailing edge of the V-tail (the ¾” at the tail is where you’ll grip the fuselage while stretching the catapult for release).
20. Load your glue gun, and plug it in. Pinch a clothespin onto the fuselage nose, and another one at the tail, such that the fuselage stands on the legs of the clothespins, and the catapult hook is pointing downward. Add a clothespin to each standing clothespin to steady the setup (see photo). (The clothespins aren’t really necessary; you can get the same alignment by carefully holding it.)
21. Holding the V-tail in place, and checking proper fore/aft placement, centerline placement and V-tail alignment, tack glue the leading and trailing edges of the V-tail to the straw and hold in place while the glue cools. If it looks good, move on to the next step. If it doesn’t, re-melt the glue spots with the hot metal nose of the glue gun, and try again.
22. Steadily and slowly apply a bead of hot glue the entire length of the chord on one side, let dry and harden, then repeat on the other side. These beads of glue don’t have to be perfect, but you’ll find your technique improves with repetition. Try not to push the V-tail out of alignment with the glue gun.
23. Now remove the clothespins (if you’ve used them,) and find and mark the balance point on the fuselage of this assembly so far. Next place the wing over the straw and locate the wing CG mark made in Step I, No.6 above over this balance point then mark the location of the leading edge of the wing.
24. Being mindful of alignment to the fuselage and V-tail, tack glue the wing to the marked location on the fuselage. Once satisfied with placement, squeeze a bead of hot glue on either side of the chord of wing.
--
If the model is built following the instructions as written with the wing just two inches aft of the front of the straw, at least on my first build it took a rather large amount of tape to get a reasonable glide. Models built putting the wing CG over the CG of the fuselage came out needing no CG adjusting tape at all!
Thomas Solinski : Hatchling : 01/01/2025

Not sure. I do know that 549 is how it appears on the site. We just copy the text from there. So I guess it could be a typo. But it is not our typo.
SteveWMD : Jezebel : 31/12/2024

A Darned Good Airplane (what DGA means!) from Richard Say, whose plans are always a pleasure.
Miguel : Howard GH-1 : 31/12/2024

Nice 'printed yesterday' clean-up quality!
Miguel : Waco Custom : 31/12/2024

Mite Action:
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?4632...
I have a profile version in EPP on the building board as we speak.
Frank Weaver : Guided Mite : 31/12/2024

Hi Steve and Mary, it seems that there was a mix-up in the airfoil specification. Perhaps the correct designation should be Go459 instead of Go549.
Greetings Martin Huebner
Martin Huebner : Jezebel : 31/12/2024

Tom Lesage takes off @ apollo flyers summer 2024:
https://youtube.com/shorts/5PVqJeO1EY4
yannick verheust : Dalotel : 30/12/2024

Sheet 1 of the CAD file also has the same problem, this seems to be undersized too.
pmw : Spitfire Mk IX : 30/12/2024

Hello again! This is my John Barker GiGi free flight model [main pic, 006, 007]. Its my third GiGi, last two flew away :-) After 10 years I decided to build another one. It is not easy model to trim but when you deal with it, GiGi flys quite good. This one is powered with Frog 80 diesel - more than enough! Greetings from Poland and see you all on model fields!
Marcin : Gigi : 30/12/2024

Hi Steve and Mary, Here is a photo [pic 007] of a Kaos built by my late uncle Jack (Jacques Lebeau). He was the person who infected me with the virus of aeromodelling. I made a tribute to him on my website: http://avonds.com/Uncle%20Jack.htm
Best regards,
Philip Avonds : Kaos : 30/12/2024

Hi Steve and Mary, Here is a photo [pic 013] of a Kwik Fly MK3 from the Graupner kit built by my late uncle Jack (Jacques Lebeau). He was the person who infected me with the virus of aeromodelling. I made a tribute to him on my website: http://avonds.com/Uncle%20Jack.htm
Best regards,
Philip Avonds : Kwik Fly Mk3 : 30/12/2024

Hi Steve and Mary, Here is a photo [pic 008] of a built Flattop Stormer by my late uncle Jack (Jacques Lebeau). He was the person who infected me with the virus of aeromodelling. I made a tribute to him on my website: http://avonds.com/Uncle%20Jack.htm
Best regards,
Philip Avonds : Flattop Stormer : 30/12/2024

Hi Steve and Mary, Here is a photo [pic 012] of a Skylane 62 from the Carl Goldberg kit built by my late uncle Jack (Jacques Lebeau). He was the person who infected me with the virus of aeromodelling. I made a tribute to him on my website: http://avonds.com/Uncle%20Jack.htm
Best regards,
Philip Avonds : Cessna Skylane 62 : 30/12/2024

Hi Steve and Mary, Here is a photo [pic 019] of a Svenson BN Islander in a civilian SABENA livery built by my late uncle Jack (Jacques Lebeau). He was the person who infected me with the virus of aeromodelling. I made a tribute to him on my website: http://avonds.com/Uncle%20Jack.htm
Best regards,
Philip Avonds : Britten-Norman Islander : 30/12/2024

Hi Steve and Mary, Here is a photo [pic 006] of a Taurus from the Top Flite kit built by my late uncle Jack (Jacques Lebeau). He can be seen here in his flying suit as he was a Belgian Air Force pilot just like me. He was the person who infected me with the virus of aeromodelling. I made a tribute to him on my website: http://avonds.com/Uncle%20Jack.htm
Best regards,
Philip Avonds : Taurus : 30/12/2024

Hi Steve and Mary, Here is a photo [pic 005] of a Bar-Fli built by my late uncle Jack (Jacques Lebeau). He was the person who infected me with the virus of aeromodelling. I made a tribute to him on my website: http://avonds.com/Uncle%20Jack.htm
Best regards,
Philip Avonds : Bar-Fli : 30/12/2024

Hi Steve and Mary, Here is a photo [pic 007] of a Stampe SV.4B from the Svenson kit built by my late uncle Jack (Jacques Lebeau). He was the person who infected me with the virus of aeromodelling. I made a tribute to him on my website: http://avonds.com/Uncle%20Jack.htm
Best regards,
Philip Avonds : Stampe SV.4B : 30/12/2024

Hi Steve and Mary, Here is a photo [main pic] of a Spitfire IX from the Pica kit built by my late uncle Jack (Jacques Lebeau). He was the person who infected me with the virus of aeromodelling. I made a tribute to him on my website: http://avonds.com/Uncle%20Jack.htm
Best regards,
Philip Avonds : Spitfire IX : 30/12/2024

Hi Steve and Mary, Here are photos [pics 007, 008] of two Aeromasters built by my late uncle Jack (Jacques Lebeau). He was the person who infected me with the virus of aeromodelling. I made a tribute to him on my website: http://avonds.com/Uncle%20Jack.htm
Best regards,
Philip Avonds : Aeromaster : 30/12/2024

Greetings, I used your plans to have Laser Design Services at https://store.laser-design-services.com/ laser cut me a kit (they have it in their list of laser cut kits if anyone is interested) and built it as a 4 channel model, powered by a Magnum XL15. It is a bit overpowered but better than too little! I have attached a few photos [pics 006-009] showing how I fit everything into the fuselage and the aileron servo setup.
Thanks for the great website and all of your hard work!
David L Hammond : QB 10L : 30/12/2024

Hello, Found this picture [main pic, 003] from the catalogue of "La Source des Inventions" which gives an idea of the finished model. I'll try to find which year edition the catalogue was.
Thanks again for the Outerzone and best wishes for the coming Year.
Jean-Marie Piednoir : HV 365 : 30/12/2024

video on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8iom7_7RPU
pit : Sikorsky R-6 Helicopter : 30/12/2024

video on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPHKjU71Qt0
pit : Waco Custom : 30/12/2024

Watch out: Sheet 1 of the PDF is scaled incorrectly. It is a 1/10 scale plan, rather than 1/9 (used for sheets 2-5). If you build the fus and tail from this plan sheet it will be too small for the wing!
Rob Buddle : Spitfire Mk IX : 29/12/2024

Still have it as of December 2024... It flies great ... It has twin engines on 2 - 4s 2600 50c packs
Chris H : Sea Cruiser : 28/12/2024

Very nice. 900 square inches is just perfect for a glow .40 such as a K&B or a G40 Super Tigre. It would also make a splendid ship for several .60 size ignition motors. A nice change of pace from the ubiquitous Playboy Seniors.
James L. : Playboy Jr 85 : 27/12/2024

Here's a photo of the General Aristocrat [main pic] for oz15748.
Leigh Richardson : General Aristocrat : 27/12/2024

Florian, it looks like the standard steel rod inside a brass tube arrangement. The tubes are epoxied between the upper and lower spars. All sandwiched with some good birch ply joiners. The steel joiner is left straight so the tubes are glued in at the proper angle for the dihedral. The dowel in front is just to insure the panels stay aligned. Strapping the wing onto the fuse will be plenty to keep the wing halves together.
The stabilizer just slides onto the steel rods, however I have seen plans call for some sort of set screws to retain them. I have a Sagitta 900 and the friction is enough to keep them on. A little bit of careful bending may be all it takes. You could fasten the rods on one side and just use a single set screw on the other, should be plenty.
Dave : Ultra-Fly : 27/12/2024

A nicely designed and drawn plan, I like the "Austerish" nose too!
JimP : Aramis : 26/12/2024

I’ve seen this version fly around the time the article was published. It seemed to have a good transition.
Argentina’s Alfredo Herbón chose it for the larger stabiliser when he scaled it to 900 square inches.
Wm. Southworth : So Long 54 : 26/12/2024

Seems the difference between 50" and 54" is an extra 2" rib space in each wing panel. I would think 54" would work better with a .29 whether Forster, O&R or Torpedo.
Douglas Babb : So-Long : 26/12/2024

Dear Steve and Mary, hallo the very best to you from distant Colombia. I hope you can keep up the excellent work collecting plans.
Warmest regards,
EDUARDO : Howard GH-1 : 25/12/2024

Incorrect information in the article: the fuselage structure of the full-scale Howard is not constructed of "square steel tubing." There are reference photos on the 'net that clearly show conventional round tubing is used.
D A : Howard GH-1 : 25/12/2024

Hello sir. I am restoring a Graupner ULTRAFLY glider with my son. I don't understand how the wings are attached to each other. I also don't know how the elevator fins are connected to each other. Should they be glued to the connecting rods? Is there a solution to keep them removable? This makes transportation easier. Thank you if you can help us. Florian Apologies for the quality of the French/German translation
Florian CARPENTIER : Ultra-Fly : 25/12/2024

Hi, found some additional pics here: http://aviadejavu.ru/Site/Crafts/Craft32509.htm
It could be an interesting subject for modeling a tow-plane.
Hubert : DL5 : 24/12/2024

Hi Steve and Mary, Greetings from the colonies, southeast Louisiana swamp land.
Just wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a better new year. Your site is still the first one l go to every day when l wake up. Keep up the great work.
Thank you for all you do.
Gary Nelson : DL5 : 23/12/2024

68 inch span in datafile is correct, based on using one inch wheel in plan to measure.
Aaron Vose : Slingsby T-53 : 23/12/2024

Thanks Martin, Hanno is a childhood hero of mine from the best days of RC flying.
John : Magic 60 : 23/12/2024

See also this 16-page build log of the Me 363 (in Dutch) by Davy Carmans complete with pics here: https://davycarmans.be/publicaties.html for free download.
SteveWMD : Me 323 Gigant : 23/12/2024

more on: www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread...
Pit : Me 323 Gigant : 23/12/2024

Shades of the Jim Walker American Junior Ceiling Hopper!
They could get FAR MORE than 5 or 10 second outdoor flights!
Anthony Oravec : Feathercopter : 23/12/2024

Hanno is still alive, but not too well. I just saw a picture of him in a wheelchair. He was born in 1951, so he is already in his seventies.
Martin K. : Magic 60 : 22/12/2024

I wonder what ever happened to Hanno Prettner, and what he'd think of modern 3D flying? Happy Christmas everyone.
John : Magic 60 : 22/12/2024

See page here: https://bernardino.over-blog.net/2024/12/alpha-planeur-muliplex.html
Bernard Munoz : Alpha H : 22/12/2024

Here is a lovely film of the the flight of a completed Karasu, on 22/12/2024 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5jfleqAp7s
Martin La Grange : Karasu : 22/12/2024

Shades of Caproni!
Anthony Oravec : Starstream : 22/12/2024

Thanks to Paul D for checking through this re scaling issue, have switched these files around. Should be all correct now.
SteveWMD : QB 10L : 21/12/2024

There is a brief one paragraph comment on the Hot Canary plan in the article “RCM Racing Report” by Dick Tichenor on page 45 in this May 1972 issue. The article begins on page 42. The Hot Canary plan is on page 47. Here is the one paragraph comment:
For those of you who would like to try something a little different, we’re presenting a set of plans from the Northrop Model Airplane Club Newsletter for the Hot Canary, designed by Gus Morfus and Jack Headley to conform to Northrop M.A.C. Quarter Midget racer rules. A scale is presented on the plans for easy enlargement for those who would care to try this interesting low wing aircraft. –Dick Tichenor
Note that Dick Tichenor’s last words of comment on the Hot Canary are “low wing aircraft.” This Hot Canary plan is presenting an option to build it as a biplane or low wing monoplane. The Northrop MAC Quarter Midget Racer Rules specify a minimum wing area of 300 square inches for both biplanes and monoplanes. The plan is showing a wing cord of 7 inches. 300 divided by 7 is a 43 inch minimum wingspan for the monoplane option. By the rules, the biplane option could be built with a minimum wingspan of 21.5 inches. This Hot Canary plan is showing a biplane option with a wingspan of 25 inches. If one chooses to build the monoplane option of the Hot Canary, it’s up to the builder to decide what the wingspan length is going to be. By the rules, the minimum wingspan length allowed for the monoplane option on this Hot Canary plan is 43 inches.
Aaron Vose : Hot Canary : 21/12/2024

Ah yes, fair point. I did not notice that. Does anyone out there have more pics/details on this two plans?
SteveWMD : Percival Proctor : 21/12/2024

Seems to be a bit of confusion with this one, write up and aeromodeller ad is for the 43" diesel powered model but the plans is for the 39-1/2" span rubber powered model which is a totally different model.
Regards, Simon
simon rogers : Percival Proctor : 21/12/2024

Shouldn't the comment above be in the KK Comet page?
RC Yeager : Wisp : 21/12/2024

Built the comet in the 1960s I found that it was a nice steady flyer, my over enthusiasm for seeing it take to the air allowed me to launch it off the top of the South Downs never to be seen again. I'm now going to build myself a second one finished in the same orange finish as my original, I hope that my 14 year olds recollection is sound and it performs equally as well as the original.
Simon : Wisp : 20/12/2024

Have a look at Das Ugly Stik (oz1253) for (an initial) center of gravity location.
D A : Classic Ugly Stik : 20/12/2024

Hi great cad reproduction of the plan, however the C.G. (center of gravity) is not showing on the plan. Please advise accordingly
Best regards,
Frederick : Classic Ugly Stik : 20/12/2024

Nice find and an interesting addition to the archive. There are other planes pictured on the box - keep them coming please ;)
Hubert : Aramis : 19/12/2024

Dear Mary/Steve, Attached please find my build of H J Towner's Peanut Beaufighter [main pic, 003, 004]. Mainly done as an exercise to see how Towner's concepts correlates with modern aerodynamic thinking. Canted drives not withstanding.
Building notes; each half wing built as a single unit pinned to the datum line. Hole punch and scalpel to remove excess wood from inner ribs. All up weight 14.4g . One braided 6 inch loop of 3/32 rubber for each motor. Regards,
D L L Reid : Bristol Beaufighter : 19/12/2024

Steve, Here is a photo of my Lanzo Airborn [pic 004] 116-inch wingspan from Jim O'Reilly plans. Same model from O'Reilly plans as in OZ13815 photo by Tom Ryan taken at Eloy, AZ in 2019.
Model has a Laser .80 four stroke diesel from UK. Purchased in 2016.
Jack Hiner : Airborne : 19/12/2024

Hi Mary and Steve, here is a picture of my Flying Funtique, just finished [main pic]. Flies nice circles to the right without any additional trimming. Short video of the maiden flight: https://youtu.be/hL8g6rqyF3g?si=KzoEX4uoMuSs20Ee
Cheers and thanks for all your work,
Alex Weber : Flying Funtique : 19/12/2024

Another beautiful free flight model by Vic Smeed . I had the outerzone plan enlarged 1.3 times for a 39 inch span as suggested in other comments to prevent its being overpowered . I would be installing an MP JET 040 diesel engine for power . I always spend a lot of time poring over the plans before starting building to avoid making errors that have to be redressed .
There are many on this plan whether done at 30 inches or enlarged . Some of my comments apply specifically to the 1.3 size , but most fit the original size as well . The engine bearers spacing on the larger size span is 7/8 " which exactly fits the MP JET engine crankcase . 1. On the far right of the plan B2 is shown head on , but bearer spacing is greater than on B1 though the vertical positioning of the bearers is correct . 2. Bulkheads 6 , 7 , 8 show marks on each side meant to assist with aligning each for fastening to the sheet fuselage sides . These are inaccurate and require precise remeasurement from the plan before fastening . Their proper alignment will prevent the rear fuselage looking like a three humped camel ! 3. The wing spars and ribs are not shown correctly . The rear spar is on the bottom so wing ribs should be shown as covering this spar . Draw the ribs as covering this spar . 4. Wing rib W1 is somewhat too long and needs to be trimmed . Measure carefully . 5. The B5 former is not marked to show where it fits between the two fuselage sides . From the side view , measure from top stringer to top of fuselage side sheet and mark value to former . Do the same from the bottom stringer to bottom of sheet side and mark on former . 6. Wing rib W3 is not shown on the wing spar frontal view . W2 is shown full length (that should be full height) . W3 is set at full standard wing rib spacing to the left of W2 closer to the wing tip. It could be marked in and perhaps help with the tapering of the top wing spar to meet the wing tip bits. These are minor adjustments . Do not be put off building this model by having to take a half hour to have everything in order before starting . It may prevent running into glitches that require much more time to do over .
Allen Wale : Soubrette : 17/12/2024

I flew many Prontos back in the day, a popular kit in the 70's. They flew very well if built according to the plan. Some builders decreased the ample dihedral to make it look better. Bad move. It needs every bit of the recommended dihedral or it won't turn with rudder only. If you add ailerons, you can do what you want.
Doug Smith : Pronto : 17/12/2024

Nice to see Chet Lanzo’s Racer again. He was a little tight and used Ecokote on it. Not even Monokote.
Look at the top of the wing in the first photo. Everyone who flies it gets to sign it!
Miguel Sanchéz : Lanzo Racer : 17/12/2024

Built a 60 size many years ago. Was thinking of doing it again. Didn’t the rcm plans include a bill of materials needed. If so can someone post the list for both the 40 and 60.
Thanks
Dan Macmillan : F/A-18 Hornet : 17/12/2024

Lanzo Airborn, 141-inch wingspan [pic 004]. This was built from the Jim O'Reilly plans (oz8858).
Jack Hiner : Airborn : 17/12/2024

Ah, good point. Quite a few of the plans Gene sent in (as rchopper56) were drawn in CAD and at first look like vector drawings, but on close inspection you can see they have been exported out as bitmaps. Which is a long-winded way of saying yes, you're right. Ok have removed the vector tag from this one now, and renamed that file as '_redrawn'. Many thanks :)
SteveWMD : Rivets : 17/12/2024

There have been many ghastly renditions of the SE5/5a but given its age, this one is remarkably accurate.
bill dennis : SE5 : 17/12/2024

Sad news: Oskar Czepa, the very first World Champion in A2 (F1A), passed away recently.
https://www.prop.at/information/zum-gedenken/oskar-czepa.html
Uli Huber : Toothpick : 17/12/2024

This page does not have any vector PDF file. They are both bitmaps in pdf format.
Mike Palumbo : Rivets : 17/12/2024

I built a "guizzo" in October and I am very happy with this tiny glider.....the whole structure is strong and well made and the building was very fast. I flew it many times and I never experienced any critical moments. Well done.
Francesco : Guizzo 130 : 16/12/2024

Note there's a build thread for this on RCGroups, see https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?939785 where Pete1978 sets out to lighten and electrify this design.
SteveWMD : Stampe SV4 : 16/12/2024

Dear sir, I've build the Sagitta XC last summer [main pic, 007, 008], I hope to fly it next season. Thanks for the plans! Regards,
Nico Sjerps : Sagitta XC : 16/12/2024

Please find attached images [pic 009, 010] of a complete Apex kit, box and instructions, which was sold through Peter Fisher's company Performance Kits. The Apex, along with the Ion, were the very first two kits produced at the formation of Performance Kits in 1957.
Mark Robinson : Apex Mk14 : 16/12/2024

Here is a Quickie Bipe I picked up someplace. I sanded it down a bit and gave her a fresh coat of paint [main pic]. It was scratch built back when a 6x12 piece of 1/16” birch aircraft plywood could be had for 80 cents. I don't think it was ever flown as there were no pushrods installed. A 400w 3530 outrunner should do it. Dave
dfritzke : Quickie Bipe : 16/12/2024

Dear Administrator; Here is a photo of my Comet Models Vought F4U Corsair that I recently completed [main pic]. This was the first stick and tissue model I ever built, when I was about 11. It gave me such a thrill and really hooked me on building these types of models. At 74, completing this one still gave me the same thrill. Best Wishes, from Hamtramck, Michigan U.S.A.
Tom Cervenak : Vought Corsair F4U-1 : 16/12/2024

Hi Mary, Attached are a few photos [main pic, 004, 005] of my 1939 Korda Wakefield that I recently completed. Thanks, Brooke
Brooke Linford : Wakefield Winner : 16/12/2024

Last year I built two enlarged models of the Twin Wing [main pic, 004-007]. One with detachable wings. An able flyer in both versions.
Robert Schlickewitz : Twin Wing : 16/12/2024

I some time ago I ended up with a wing for a QB10H but will build the low wing 10L version for it. I took a USB drive to FedEx and printed off the plans. Then printed a few pages at home for templates. Found the plans to be about 4% oversize. So I just reprinted the templates at 96%… good to go. It only mattered because I had the wing already, otherwise it would not have made a bit of difference.
The span of the wing I have is 39.5”. Dave
dave : QB 10L : 16/12/2024

detailed drawings of plastic fuselage parts are on the plan
pit : Der Kleine UHU : 15/12/2024

Sorry i did not see it. It is inside. Thank you so much. Does anyone have drawings or stl of the plastic parts? Could model them if anybody has the dimensions …
Andre : Der Kleine UHU : 15/12/2024

Not sure what you mean. The CAD dxf file, yes it shows the thickness in mm (and material type) for each sheet. So eg the ribs are balsa 2mm, etc.
SteveWMD : Der Kleine UHU : 15/12/2024

Awesome! Are there any informations on the thickness of the balsa?
Andre : Der Kleine UHU : 15/12/2024

Brilliant! A funny and captivating way to introduce youngsters to control line flying
ArmandoArgano : Whipper Snappers : 14/12/2024

Genial
Ramos : Avro 641 Commodore : 13/12/2024

The Mercury is a great flyer at any size. I see the full size ones in SAM contests on the West Coast. I've built a couple of them as. O20 replica ships. My first OT model was an .020 Mercury 40 years ago. Later there was a FF electric .020 Mercury with a Peck Polymers brushed motor in the nose. Somewhere along the way I had a 1/2 A Texaco sized Mercury. All were good flyers--and good looking airplanes.
Mike Myers : Mercury : 13/12/2024

Have added that earlier article now, thanks to Pit.
SteveWMD : Time Flies : 13/12/2024

I wondered as well, what was in "part one". I just purchased the July 1985 issue of MAN, with the proviso that the seller check to see if there is in fact a "Time Flies" article or not. I got a look at the June issue table of contents, and there wasn't anything there (sometimes magazines skipped a month with two-part articles). I can't quite get this model out of my mind and strongly considering a build with many updates -- E-power, flaps, electric retracts, sheeted wings, etc.
nick decarlis : Time Flies : 13/12/2024

The Agwagon shown in the picture was flown into a power pole in June of 1975 destroying the plane and killing the pilot. (Wheatland Wyoming.)
Dave : Cessna Agwagon : 12/12/2024

Another clip of the Commodore, this time completed and in nil wind conditions:
https://youtu.be/GQLS3iw1hPU?si=jxOLmjktTCfuxRPo
Pete Theobald : Avro 641 Commodore : 12/12/2024

Mercury photo [main pic].
Tom Ryan : Mercury : 12/12/2024

Airborne photo [main pic].
Tom Ryan : Airborne : 12/12/2024

The Flamingo is a great flier. The late Dick Fischer had an RC version that he flew for years at Taft. And a fellow from Paso Robles had a free flight version that was an excellent performer at Taft and later at Lost Hills.
Mike Myers : Flamingo : 12/12/2024

Photo of the Flamingo [main pic, 005].
Tom Ryan : Flamingo : 12/12/2024

As a child of the 70's the heading photo is very reminiscent of the best of times, when just having a successful flight with a model plane would bring joy for the whole week.
John : JAM Trainer : 11/12/2024

Thank you all for your kind words. Barry’s flown the model again, this time in slightly calmer conditions and with windows fitted. He confirms that it’s still a sweet handling little model, that it loops and spins nicely and that it can descend ‘like a parachute’ with the throttle reduced.
Here’s a clip of the model during its first flight session, in an 18mph gusting wind and without its windows or windscreen!
https://youtu.be/DZcEMb8UJfM?si=1vzzpA_2EvkIAVhZ
Pete Theobald : Avro 641 Commodore : 11/12/2024

Photo of my MPX Alpha in flight [pic 006].
Bernard Munoz : Alpha H : 11/12/2024

A few years back I came across this stick model of a Corsair [main pic, 003, 004] at an estate sale. Had to have it. I was able to find plans for it, and then you have since posted a somewhat better version. Anyway, I replaced the missing elevator half, ailerons and flaps, made a scale-ish prop and cowl, added the canopy framing.....just monkeying around. Being 70 year old balsa it's very fragile. Someone had cut the wings off at the bend to store it. Thought you might like some pix for the listing. It was very definitely originally built from the Miniature Aircraft kit. Dave
dfritzke : Vought Corsair F4U-1 : 11/12/2024

In complete concurrence with Miguel - an absolutely lovely model.
Jan Novick : Avro 641 Commodore : 10/12/2024

Fun, simple and playful. So you can also transform yourself into a "real" circular flight. By chance I found a video of a whip power that is worth a look. It's a shame that its quality is average. The Wright Brothers' device treated as Whip power ;-)
https://youtu.be/m3RO2p-7vVA
Olivier : Whipper Snappers : 10/12/2024

@Henry If you open the SVG file (Inkscape) you will see the Fusalage parts, there is also a Lightburn File for use with laser if you have light burn.
Email me on ahill at mad 4x4 dot net if you need any further help
Andy Hill : Extra 300 : 10/12/2024

Hi Steve, Hi Mary, These are huge fun for little effort [main pic, 005-008]. To fly aerobatics it is necessary to 'lead' the model when whipping. I have built them in various sizes and also added a bellcrank.
A couple of tips : use solder wrapped around to get the best centre of gravity. It can be slid back and forth and easily shortened if needed. Secondly, round off the front outside wing corner as this will reduce digging in when it lands.
Best Regards!
Chris Pinn : Whipper Snappers : 10/12/2024

What a lovely, lovely model. "Two wings and a round engine", the beauty criteria established by Queen Nefertiti. This is not a 'British Waco', there's nothing of the brute menace of a Waco, here :)
Scale info is not what it was those decades ago, and there was a war on, so please give the old plan some slack.
The description text is very helpful too. Thank you very much, and Merry Christmas!
Miguel : Avro 641 Commodore : 10/12/2024

Nice work!
Jeremy : Avro 641 Commodore : 10/12/2024

Very good job. Do you have dxf files?
Haydar : Grumman Albatross SA-16B : 09/12/2024

I always knew it as Gonsoulin’s Rebel
TomRyan : Ryans Rebel : 09/12/2024

Please find attached images of a complete Puma kit, box and instructions [pics 006, 007], which was sold through Peter Fisher's company Performance Kits. Best wishes,
Mark Robinson : Puma : 09/12/2024

Is Doculam nitro fuel or even diesel fuel proof without adding any additional finish?
David Lentz : Viewpoint 27 : 09/12/2024

I've not come across Beacon Hobby before. Can anyone put a date to this one?
SteveWMD : Fokker DVII : 09/12/2024

Another Fokker D.VII??? Do we really need another Fokker D.VII? Yes we do 8-D
Thanks Fritz, may your scanner never go dusty :-]
Miguel : Fokker DVII : 09/12/2024

Got it. Tagged as vector now, thanks.
SteveWMD : Ryans Rebel : 09/12/2024

This file is vector PDF, so can be imported as vector file to CAD program.
lovefool : Ryans Rebel : 09/12/2024

Another fine design from a first-class rubber twister! I have to question a note: "red hinomaru". This isn't enough, there are a lot of reds out there, say Post Office Red, Fire Fighter, Insignia, etc. Red. It would have been better to be more specific and state "red hinomaru in Hinomaru Red", see?
Miguel : Tachikawa Ki-94-I : 08/12/2024

The Miles M35 comes to mind, as well, see: Miles M35 Libellula (oz13432)
D A : Duo Monoplane : 08/12/2024

Just looking through the text here, Bill Dean says he was reading a recent American article on Duo-Monoplanes. I'd take a wild guess that it was this one from Air Trails, Oct 1950: https://www.airplanesandrockets.com/magazines/air-trails/delanne-duo-monoplanes-air-trails-october-1950.htm ...that article includes a nice artist's impression of a modern (modern for 1950, that is) jet fighter with the Delanne layout, and twin fins.
SteveWMD : Duo Monoplane : 08/12/2024

This really isn't a scale model, it's just a simple profile shape to fix a Jetex 50 onto. But if we really do have to imagine/choose some real-world inspiration for it, I'd say the Pou is a bad choice as it only had one central tail fin. A better choice would be the Arsenal Delanne 10 surely. Or even the Lysander P12?
SteveWMD : Duo Monoplane : 08/12/2024

I have the complete CAD files traced in LightBurn with some mods. I can cut kits if anyone wants one.
Mark Tescari : Das Mini Stik : 07/12/2024

as i remember this was a design only on paper by Peyret inspired by Mignet‘s flying flea. i stumbled over some info at secret projects forum.
Selina : Duo Monoplane : 07/12/2024

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