Comments

Recent comments

I built one of these when it came out. I can see it now, flying over the garden hedge before alighting on the pond next door. Rather like a duck but without the waterproofing.
bill dennis : Flutter-By : 22/07/2026

Hi Steve and Mary, I recently finished building the 1939 Guillows Swallow from the plan on Outerzone. I noticed there weren’t any build photos for this model yet, so I thought you might like to add these to the plan page [main pic, 003, 004]. Please feel free to use them if you think they’re useful.
Thanks for all the work you do with Outerzone. It is by far my most favourite Website, I scroll it on brakes to ease my mind.
Best regards,
Jonas Baumhauer : Swallow : 21/07/2026

I imported the PDF drawing into QCAD.
It was immediately converted to DWG, and I was able to import it into Lightburn without any loss of data.
Stefano : Bird of Time HLG : 21/07/2026

Greetings Steve and Mary, as always, thank you for your tireless work! I have attached a couple photos of my RC Special [main pic, 012], built from the Davey Systems, Corp. kit. It is powered by an OS .40 engine.
Cheers,
David L Hammond : RC Special : 20/07/2026

Beautiful looking bird and terrific paint job. It looks like it was worth the extra effort.
Jan Novick : Hansa Brandenburg W29 : 20/07/2026

Dear Steve last Thursday Gero's P80 had its maiden flight. Enclosed some photos [014-021], see the video here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HPuVEQMtvUo&ra=m
Cheers,
Matzito : P-80 Shooting Star : 20/07/2026

Dear Mary, Finally, please find attached photographs of my Hansa Brandenburg W29 [main pic, 011-015]. Built as per plan with modifications done to the cowl and rear observers decking and also some embellishing and additions to the floats and accompanying struts. It can at best be described as “stand off” scale.
I did not enjoy the build very much but the final aircraft is not so bad if one is looking to model something a little different.
Kind regards, Gino
Gino Franchi : Hansa Brandenburg W29 : 20/07/2026

I seen a peanut stand, heard a rubber band
I seen a needle that winked its eye
But I be done seen 'bout ev'rything
When I see an elephant fly...
(from Dumbo) :)
Les Pingel : Austria Elefant : 19/07/2026

For those wishing to model this I was surprised to see that French aircraft used enamel for metal surfaces and lacquer based coatings for fabric. Powdered aluminum was added to the lacquer for better ultra violet protection. The two types of paint were similar but not matched exactly in color. The Nieu 28 in Udvar-Hazey shows this sheen quite well/
Thomas Solinski : Nieuport 28 : 18/07/2026

Hi Steve&Mary, thanks for this plan. I just finished the artwork of the Sierra Trainer [main pic, 005], the first flights already took place (Thanks to my flying-buddy Udo, who helped me quite a lot). It turned out a bit heavy (2,5kg), powered with a Pichler Boost 40, 4S and 11x7". Still flies great, slow and fast, always controllable and the motor is perfectly suited for this plane. My oldest son made the fuselage-design. The wings are acc. to plan. If I had to do it again the nose would be a lot longer and -all-in-all- I would try to save weight! What the author does not mention is that you have to balance it very well, a few mm make a lot of difference! And also the wings should be in balance perfectly - it is a lot more sensitive to deviations than I expected!
Again, Thanks for your fine site!
Tobias Kettner : Sierra Trainer : 18/07/2026

Mark: No the Mid-wing design does not have a one piece contiguous wing. It is secured by rubber bands in tension and supported by functional lift struts. Its my knock off wing design for FF but for RC with ailerons a one piece wing would be more practical. The wing has a shorter span with a more "Spitfire" plan form and greater depth of chord. I have my layouts and will post a picture.
Ray : Rascal : 18/07/2026

Hii Mary and Steve New model. Oryginal scale 12 inch span [main pic, 003-005].
Maciej : Pipit ROG : 18/07/2026

The Top Banana 200 is a legal Society of Antique Models airplane. It is before the design cut off date. It makes a nice little model for the 36 inch Electric Replica event. J&H Aerospace sells a nice laser cut kit for the Banana.
If you don't want to fly it at a SAM contest, it also is neat little park flyer.
Mike Myers : Top Banana 200 : 18/07/2026

I love the pictures Marcin! I built one for C/L over 40 years ago powered by a soviet 2.5 cc diesel. Lots of fond memories flying it in my primary school althletic field with my friend.
Swav : Wicherek 10 : 17/07/2026

Hi Mary, Attached is a photo of my Boomer [pic 003]. It flies surprising well! Thanks for making the plan available!
Brooke Linford : Boomer : 17/07/2026

Attached are some photos of my completed American Ace 30 [main pic, 007-011]. The most difficult part of building this model was covering the pylon. After several attempts wet-covering with silkspan, I couldn't get it wrinkle-free. A few coats of butyrate dope shrunk it perfectly.
Walter Kiernan : American Ace 30 : 17/07/2026

Hi i redraw and enlarged the Tinker [main pic, 003-005]. As I like the 45" so much.
David Tofton : Super Tinker : 17/07/2026

Hello Mary and Steve, this is my second model [pics 007-011] I built with the plans that you collect and provide to all interests worldwide. Thanks for that.
As I got only a heavier motor 0.7 oz I made some adaptations to improve the stability of the wing and the servo mounting.
The canopy layers has been increased to four cause by the motor.
See attached pictures. May be that I can fly this also on a calm day outside.
Bernd : MD-3 : 17/07/2026

Monfort in 1981 wrote a book "Styro-Flyers Model Airplanes from Hamburger Boxes and Fast Food Containers"
Pit : Spirit of Chernobyl : 17/07/2026

Hello again Outerzone, This is my BoxCar Chief that I built from plans [pic 004]. The picture was taken by Elwyn Aud at the Tulsa Gluedobbers contest, while I was flying in the Old Time Stunt category. Purple tissue trim under clear Ultracoat. Power is a Big Art OS 35. I bolted the wing on, rather than use dowels and rubber bands, but I did make allowances for attaching the wing with rubber bands if the contest judges said it was necessary for authenticity for OTS.
Doug Burright : Box Car Chief : 17/07/2026

Some photos of the Q-Tee [pics 048=050].
Luis Piana : Q-Tee : 17/07/2026

Hello, colleagues! I have assembled Miss Grandin's plane [pics 017-021] based on your drawings. The assembly took place in 2026. I am extremely pleased with the plane, and I would like to thank you for providing the drawings and detailed information about the model. It was a very exciting experience.
Igor Borisov : Miss Grandin : 17/07/2026

A guy named Platt Monfort was using kevlar bracing and fabric covering on boats starting in the early 1980's. You can still find the plans.
Lincoln : Spirit of Chernobyl : 17/07/2026

Sorry... should have specified. I meant the link to the kit put up by Sean Kriegler, not the link to the plan. Anyway, that is working now, so either he fixed it, or there was some kind of an issue from my end that resolved itself.
RC Yeager : De Havilland Tiger Moth : 16/07/2026

Ray: I love the mid wing variant- looks nice. I presume it is a one piece model?
I too am a retired aerospace engineer (graduated in 1976 and retired in 2013 - only 47 years though). I am currently working on a short kit for the Rascal and I might do a mid wing version too. Thanks for the inspiration.
Mark.
Mark Winstanley : Rascal : 16/07/2026

Which link? The Plan File link in the Download section is fine. The log shows 10,397 downloads so far. No issues.
SteveWMD : De Havilland Tiger Moth : 16/07/2026

Ok, sorry for the confusion. The previous plan here in this slot was a duplicate, see Sommer Monoplane (oz7627). Have now replaced it with this Nennig C3 plan.
SteveWMD : Nennig C.3 : 16/07/2026

Doh. My mistake. Just realised the Sommer Monoplane is a duplicate entry (see oz16879). Bear with me, will change this listing around.
SteveWMD : Nennig C.3 : 16/07/2026

it works to me
pit : De Havilland Tiger Moth : 16/07/2026

Link not working... can someone confirm yes or no.
RC Yeager : De Havilland Tiger Moth : 16/07/2026

EDUARDO, Thank you for the apology, we move forward as fellow members of this get hobby in the sprit of cooperation. I will get what information I have to fill in the "blanks" so that you and all modeler's have the necessary patterns to finish this fine airplane. I would be remiss if I didn't suggest that we all thank Steve and Mary for this devotion and OUTSTANDING contribution to this great hobby of ours. Thank you both !!!!!!!!!
Ray : Rascal : 16/07/2026

As Requested:
https://www.varlocity.com/ok-model-pilot-de-havilland-tiger-moth-88-laser-cut-short-kit
The short kit includes the cowling, Tank,oil Cooler and Hub Caps.
Sean Kriegler : De Havilland Tiger Moth : 15/07/2026

I had the original kit back in the day. Wish I still had it now.
terry blackman : Ballerina : 15/07/2026

Hi Steve/Mary, Lovely to see Vic Smeed's Ballerina make it to the archive. Back in 2014, I had the privilege of doing a build and review of an electric Ballerina for Quiet & Electric Flight International (thank you Kevin), supplied as a part kit from The Old School Model Aeroplane Factory. Power was a 1400kv brushless on a 2S LiPo.
I've enclosed a few pictures of the build [main pic, 004-007] for the exclusive use of Outerzone and its true followers to use (not for any pirated clone websites...) and there is a copy of the article, if anyone is interested.
Keep up your excellent work.
Roger T : Ballerina : 15/07/2026

Many thanks Ray Jacobelli for providing this T/F instruction set and Steve and Mary for publishing. Even though it lacks the flying surface parts and outlines, one can go to:
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?1008310-%2A%2AFoamie-Rascal-27-36-40-with-plans-and-Video%2A%2A
and download the plan and pattern PDFs there. It is a foam version I believe of this same 27-in. R/C Rascal. Use the outlines as a basis for this balsa version.
Some may wonder why earlier plans did not include all patterns or full size plans. The late Joe Wagner, model aircraft designer and engine guru explained a time ago it was because then, kits were extremely competitive in cost. Thus due to printing costs being based on the size of paper. They provided what would allow the modeller to successfully complete the model but keep costs down so they could make money on increased sales over their competitors.
This is why also kit boxes were compact and fully packed to the brim leaving little air space inside. Kit engineering sometimes required splicing fuselage sides, longerons, wing spars, leading edges and trailing edges, and etc. This reduced warehousing space, used as much of the balsa sheets as possible reducing waste and made shipping easier and cheaper. It also allowed hobby shops to keep more kits in stock.
The splicing was still done in a manner to leave a model that was strong enough and could successfully fly. Many children and adults participated. Thus, most were sport modellers, building and flying for the fun of it. (This was before TV watching, Internet, computer and computer devices like cellular phones overtook us.)
Serious competitors may have use a kit for basis, but substituted better quality and lighter weight wood, use solid versus spliced pieces, and etc. It was a different mind set then.
George Hostler : Rascal : 14/07/2026

Hello my friends, My intention was not to be rude or not respectful. To those who were offended, my most sincere apologies. Sometimes I'm just bothered to see situations that might frustrate a would-be builder. But naturally, there is always a solution for everything.
Have a wonderful rest of day, my friends.
EDUARDO
Eduardo : Rascal : 14/07/2026

Some more photos of the Rascal [main pic, 007-010].
Ray : Rascal : 14/07/2026

Steve: I meant to include my mid-wing Rascal adaptation I called the "Red Head" in honor of my Mom [pics 005, 006]. The Cox .020 on it was brand new and still in the sealed packing when I bought it in 1972 at Polk's Hobby shop. I have the layout somewhere, having started in the industry when drafting sets were still required.
Best,
Ray : Rascal : 14/07/2026

Hello Mary, Here are a few photos of my Doubler II [main pic, 005-012]. However, I didn’t build the model myself. I bought it as it was. Unfortunately, the builder was unable to finish this beautiful model. I simply took over the remaining work (remote control, linkages, engine, etc.). In any case, the unknown builder constructed the model with absolute precision and did a particularly fine job on the engine cowling and the rear section of the canopy, which are made from balsa wood.
Regards,
Dieter : Doubler II : 14/07/2026

I agree with Ray. Calling submissions "useless" is rude. Rude and unhelpful. Likely to cause frustration. Likely to cause argument. I think a simple apology would be appropriate.
SteveWMD : Rascal : 14/07/2026

I built my first Sunny in the seventies. It flew a few years and I had to stop for almost 50 years. Now retired, I decided to renew with my passion, and I modified it to add a motor. Here are two photos of the two states, 50 years apart [020, 021].
Didier S. MARCHAND : Sunny : 14/07/2026

Has anyone converted to electric? Pictures?, Specs? Pointers?
Thanks
Bob Dzimbowski : Corky II : 14/07/2026

Eduardo: I don't agree with most everything you said. I shared the box and plans as I received them which were in outstanding shape for their age. The kit was incomplete but it wasn't too difficult to layout and fabricate missing components, IMO any scratch building modelers could do it. Had you asked me for some assistance, instead of being rude I would have been happy to accommodate you. Well that ship as left the port, so to speak and that is all behind us now. BTW I am a retired Aerospace Engineer, 2 years shy of 50 years in the industry
Ray : Rascal : 14/07/2026

Hello Pit, Of course I want to collaborate, especially with a very hard to find plan. That's no problem. The issue is TIME. I am involved in kit production, short kit production and several other tasks that I have to do every day, apart from sleeping, eating, watching Netflix, go out to fly, spend time with Paloma, my daughter and also film photography in my dark room and camera collection which is another of my activities. But I will solve the problem, jusr be a little patient. EDUARDO
Eduardo : Rascal : 13/07/2026

Thanks Eduardo, in the past I had the same problem. Solved. You can scan in parts with your scanner with a sufficient overlap at 300dpi, quick and rapid. Then post it to OZ, then someone else (me or Steve) can stitch and restore the plan. Please give us this opportunity to save this plan. Vern Clements is one of my preferred designer and when I was a boy I dreamed to build this rubber model that only appeared in a American Modeler 1973 cover. Thanks in advance for your effort Pit.
pit : Rascal : 12/07/2026

Hello Pit, are you some sort of a magician or fortune teller? How did you guess I was thinking on how to publish this plan? LOL. I DO HAVE THE VERN CLEMENS' GEEBEE GIANT RUBBER POWERED AIRPLANE. The problem is that he sent it to me way back in 1974 and it consists of EIGHT sheets all different sizes and after 52 years, it has faded a lot because it is an OZALID print and despite the fact that I have kept it very carefully. It can be restored but unfortunately, my scanner is a small letter size home unit. It would take me a lot of time to scan, stitch and restore each sheet of the plan to a high quality copy.
There is a printing store in the town I live and he has a professional big scanner but he charges a lot for scanning the sheets with no restoring. Perhaps there is another solution. I hear suggestions. Regards, EDUARDO
Eduardo : Rascal : 12/07/2026

Hi Eduardo,
from your great collection, have you for OZ the wonderful Vern Clements' Gee Bee Jumbo rubber powered plan? Could be a great addition, thanks for your assistance.
Pit : Rascal : 12/07/2026

Parmodels.org is gone, but it's saved on the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20251216081626/http://www.parmodels.com/jigtime-reproductions.html
Lincoln : Rascal : 12/07/2026

Hello Steve. I agree on your comments, some, not all. I still think that plans available free to download should be as complete as possible in order to be able for any person to build the model. A plan with no wings, designed for kit production is good for those who purchase the kit because the box includes a wing that can be built with no plans. . But if any guy wants to build the model from a plan legally downloaded from the web and not designed for building from the plan, can cause frustration to the would be builder. And if the model is no longer available as a kit and not just discontinued by the manufacturer who is still in business, I agree that the would be modeller should buy the kit, not make from the plans. But Top Flite, our of business for so many years means the kit would be only available from sites like Ebay and others as a collector’s item usually paying very high sums of money. All this said, I think it is perfectly feasible and legal to design the wing or any other part of the model not present on the kit plan in order to build the model, and naturally NOT FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES.
Interestingly, the oldest kit manufacturer still in business: Guillows, include on their beautifully drawn plans every part of the airplane AND all formers and parts. They state that they do this in order to make a broken or damaged parts. And 100 years in busines and going strong. The second oldest kit manufcturer in the world, our own Aeromodelos Britannia, 74 years, also include full size plans in every kit. Plans that include all the components of the aircraft.
Best wishes Steve from Colombia.
EDUARDO
Eduardo : Rascal : 12/07/2026

The outline shape of both the wing and stab is here: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?1008310-%2A%2AFoamie-Rascal-27-36-40-with-plans-and-Video%2A%2A as Pit pointed out. That's a vector format plan drawn up by dz1sfb (for a foamie version) so it could be scaled up or down pretty easily. Have added a thumbnail of that plan here [pic 004].
SteveWMD : Rascal : 12/07/2026

Eduardo: All plans are the intellectual Property of the kit manufacturer and many MFR wisely decided not to include details and views that would allow for duplication. The Non-recurring cost associated with printing the plan sheets, box covers, tooling dies, raw materials would easily run tens of thousands of dollars. Think about how many kits Top Flite would have to sell at $5.99 just to recoup the initial investment. Other manufacturers used the same approach; VECO, Sterling, and Berkeley to name a few and none are in business today. So, in closing I doubt if any of the people at Top Flite cared (50 years later) that you found this inconvenient and neither do I. Best Wishes !
Ray : Rascal : 12/07/2026

Steve:
Here is the Model Aviation article on the Feather Merchant, published around the time of its approval. I have the original eighty inch plan and will submit it as soon as I figure out how!
RB
https://plans.modelaircraft.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/MA00731MA1.pdf
Rene Belloc : Feather Merchant : 12/07/2026

Eduardo, the word "useless" is not appropriate. It is a bad choice. A better choice would be "incomplete". You have looked over the plan and then asked other people to complete it for you. Not to labour the point too much, but a plan that can be completed is by definition not useless.
SteveWMD : Rascal : 11/07/2026

more on plans in pdf:
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?1008310-%2A%2AFoamie-Rascal-27-36-40-with-plans-and-Video%2A%2A
pit : Rascal : 11/07/2026

SIG made Rascal in different sizes, from their site you can download instruction with printed parts an layout for every size. The most similar for 049 cox.
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2281/6393/files/sigrc80rascal.pdf?1161818709039042179
don't forget Bradley plan for top flite rubber version http://www.parmodels.com/
Pit : Rascal : 11/07/2026

In my humble opinion, this plan is useless due to an absent wing plan of any type. Not even a three view. I understand why this was done though, since it was drawn to be used with the kit which included the die cut wing sheet and kit manufacturers usually did not encourage would be builders to make the model from the plan and also to reduce printing costs. Who will tackle the job of designing a wing plan? I would like to do it but lack of time prevents me from doing so. Cheers. Eduardo (Colombia)
Eduardo : Rascal : 11/07/2026

It is made for a much bigger puls jet than a Dynajet.
Tomas Leijon : Fieseler Fi 103 Reichenberg IV : 11/07/2026

Would be nice to have plan for wing and stabilizer. They probably weren't included with the kit, but an outline tracing would be very nice to have.
DPlumpe : Rascal : 11/07/2026

Had one of these back about 1964! Cox .010, F&M Pioneer rcvr, Babcock escapement. Two aborted flights to get it trimmed out, launched for the third excellent flight that turned into a untimed FF! Forgot to rewind the escapement rubber.
50+airyears : Rascal : 11/07/2026

As an afterthought I include these two pictures [014, 015] showing my plane with wing gussets coming from the wing all the way almost to the decal.
fonzwolf : P-63 King Cobra : 09/07/2026

Found your page with the Electro Streak. I built one of these around 1989, originally as an electric, but the power systems back then were barely up to the task. After a bad crash I rebuilt it with a glow .15 motor. Photo attached [pic 011]. It had jet like performance.
I appreciate you posting the plans. I may someday build one from scratch, powered by modern electrics.
Cheers!
Bob Osorio : Electro Streak : 09/07/2026

I wasn’t a subscriber to FM, but my dentist was and this issue was in the waiting room.
The model became my first foray into the world of electrics. Three decades ago, equipment wasn’t what it is today and it was probably heavy. I swapped in a PeeWee .020 and it was a hot little model albeit a little rudder sensitive.
Rene Belloc : Skipper : 08/07/2026

I recently built one, but I made it a profile model. Still, it flies beautifully and elegantly—just like a Redskin!
Paulo Conedera de Lucena : Redskin : 08/07/2026

To Paul Richardson: Empty tank to set the CG only when it is forward of the CG. But the tank must be full when it is mounted aft of the CG as it is in this design.
DB : Canard Stick : 07/07/2026

Doh. Electric, yes. Ok got it, have fixed the tags now :)
SteveWMD : Skipper : 07/07/2026

Tagged as IC but clearly an electric model, though you could install a combustion poweplant I guess.
Gary : Skipper : 07/07/2026

Comment to Dave P you need to balance all ic planes with an empty tank otherwise your most critical maneuver landing will be with a tail heavy plane ready to stall at any moment this is the reason all ic aircraft need a touch of down inverted where electric planes can be balanced right on the sweet spot c of g and will fly neutral generally, great plane Dave beautiful build job
Paul Richardson : Canard Stick : 07/07/2026

Jim, I am very interested to learn more about your model. 15.5 oz is just an amazing weight for a model of this size, and I would love to build another copy. I think I would add some ailerons and maybe omit the gear for some nice flying up high, but would still aim for a similar AUW. Have you posted a more detailed build log anywhere? What covering, electronics, thickness of that very nicely made canopy, etc. I’d hate to start guessing and wind up with a heavy plane or a very underpowered one!
Ben Alexander : Fournier RF4 : 07/07/2026

thanks for the Plans Database, this model was an excersise to built using locally processed Balsa wood here in Panama, fun build, the only mod is the removable firewall to easily swap engines
Ernesto Ramirez : Q-Tee : 06/07/2026

Opens for me just fine
RC Yeager : Magic 60 : 06/07/2026

Tom, this is terrific. My intrest in this plane came through my neighbor John who was a P5m crew member in the Navy. He worked for Grumman after his military service. He came to MN from NY where HIS neighbor was Nick Ziroli, who designed many RC airplanes that are posted here on OZ. Both Nick and John have passed on. The only other published design of this plane that I am aware of is a small rubber power by Tony Peters in Flying Models.
https://store.flying-models.com/
Dave : Martin P5M-2 : 06/07/2026

What do you mean by corrupt? Do you mean that it fails to open? If so, that's a problem at your end.
SteveWMD : Magic 60 : 06/07/2026

Hi: the plan of Magic 60 when I download con open please check, I think its corrupt pdf
Fernando : Magic 60 : 06/07/2026

The plan states that the scale is 1/12. The wingspan has been increased but the scale outline of the wings is also shown. 1/12 scale-ish
pmw : Albatros III : 06/07/2026

Looks like it would be 1/10 scale if it has a 34" wingspan?
Cheers
James : Albatros III : 06/07/2026

Does anyone have plans to put in an electric motor like Steve did?
Scott67 : Aeromite : 06/07/2026

I am glad that Duane, an informative poster and gifted builder on the Cox Engine Forum has resurrected these Walt Musciano designed Scientific half-A control line aircraft has submitted this plan and Steve and Mary have made it available through Outerzone.
Back in the late 1960's as a high school student, I made my own F4F Wildcat profile from 3 views in books I borrowed from the public library. In Scientific's repoitare but not available in the hobby stores of the time (Pete's Model Hobbycraft in Ala Moana Shopping Center, Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii and the island's military base hobby sales stores), I have always loved the look of the Wildcat.
This plan will help me to re-live what I did 57 years ago.
George Hostler : Grumman Wildcat : 05/07/2026

Doh. Wingspan is 59 in. Thanks, got it now :)
SteveWMD : HLG-2 TIM : 04/07/2026

39" span????????
Circlip : HLG-2 TIM : 04/07/2026

I have this book. It was conceived as a four issues a year with a subscription coupon for 3.00 USD for the first year. But never reached the second issue. It's a recollection of plans probably published on magazines where Winter was the editor at the time. No article on Australian soaring scene.
Pit : Boomer : 04/07/2026

Way back in Jurassic times, for me the late 50's, Americas Hobby Center published full page ads in the available magazines, featuring most of the hobby items for sale at the time. I expected AHC to be a reputable operation, but I was mistaken. One of their books offered was Bill Winters Model Aircraft Plan Book, on sale for 50 cents, a pretty hefty expense for a kid. I bit, knowing Bill was a known designer and his book would feature some of his plans. Sucker. When it arrived weeks layer, I discovered it was the first issue of a magazine from 1947, hopelessly out of date for the times. Bill was just the Editor, and the magazine was long since defunct. But it was interesting, with a nice article about soaring from Australia, can't remember much more. It certainly was disappointing to a kid from 1958 who just lost 50 cents. This might have been the issue I had, or they may have survived a few more issues. I don't remember the airplane, a long time ago.
Doug Smith : Boomer : 03/07/2026

Perfetto !
Con tolleranze minime
saluti, Fidia.
Fidia alias Matzito : Piattellissimo : 02/07/2026

After a long and judicious perusal of the Oz site, I finally decided on the Mini Viper as my first foray into speedsters [pics 005-007].
The plane is so small that most builders can make it from scraps. That said, this plan is not for beginners. The original Mini Viper was a kit, so not all parts are drawn, further, building the wings requires some skill, and accurately aligning the flying surfaces is critical - as the maiden flights will attest. On the plus side, it doesn't require an expensive powertrain to get it humming, and this bird can hum! I fitted an Emax rs2205/2300kv motor (£10), shod with a 5045 prop, married to a 30amp esc and either a 3s or 4s 1000mah battery. Performance with the 3s is fast, with the 4s... you may require a change of underwear!
The maiden flight was a disaster, I had no control whatsoever. The Viper is very twitchy, and I had far too much throw on my ailerons, which made it all but impossible to control. Worse, my CG was slightly behind the recommendation. Don't go there! The flight lasted 48 seconds, and the only reason it didn't end sooner was the colour scheme, which did its job of helping me orientate the plane. The more top/bottom contrast you can design into your colour scheme the better. You will thank me: this wee beast disappears very quickly!
Having substantially dialled down the throws and sorted the CG, the second flight could be described as better... but also as the most intense five minutes of my aeromodelling life!
Remember my warning about the building and alignment of the wings? I am a competent and conscientious builder, and I used a jig to align the wings, but somewhere there was a gremlin hiding... The result was twofold: the plane wanted to dive and roll hard to the left. These inclinations were so severe that in my struggle to control the plane it became almost impossible to retrim it. Eventually, I succeeded using my left hand, but only just. Trust me when I say this plane is fast and twitchy, and takes barely seconds to cover your flying landscape before it disappears from view. If you have a trusted friend who can operate the trims while you're flying, that would be a good idea. This is not a docile park flyer!
Having established some vague semblance of stability - a rather relative term in this case - I ran a couple of high passes, then brought her in to land before it gave me a heart attack!
I walked away from that flight alive, but only just, and needed a stiff dram just to stop my teeth from chattering. I probably aged a month in that five minutes. I dialled down the controls even further, and adjusted the linkages to the new trim. The next flight was... magical!
The Viper leapt out of my hand, and shot straight into sky like an arrow. It's a sleek ship and flies almost silently, she cuts through the air effortlessly and responds with alacrity to every input from the controls. Surprisingly, you can slow her right down and turn her on a sixpence, the stall is surprisingly benign and easy to catch. (I did sand in some washout to the tips.) Full throttle resulted in a steep climb - a tendency that was eliminated with a washer of downthrust.
If the performance with a 3s is respectable, on a 4s it is terrifying! It will eat up your landscape like a screaming cruise missile, and look fabulous doing it. As for vertical jollies, let's just that the Viper has yet to acknowledge the existence of gravity. The Space Station is well within reach of this wee beast!
In conclusion, the Viper is a fabulous plane for the intermediate builder and flyer. It's as cheap as chips to make, flies on rails when trimmed and, for one YouTuber, hit 174mph! Mine is probably close to 100mph. You can also fly it in the wind, which will help to slow it down for docile landings.
If ever a model deserved the monika of 'pocket rocket' this would be it. I'm 64 years old, but I come away after every flight giggling like a naughty schoolboy! However, never forget, it's not called the Viper for nothing: treat it with unwavering respect and it will reward you, anything less, and it will bite you.
I love it!
Justin Baldwin : Mini Viper : 02/07/2026

Ok, got it now. Apologies for the confusion. The previous plan here in this slot turned out to be a duplicate of the Bean Machine (oz10445). Have now replaced it with this here plan, the Stinson Voyager 125.
SteveWMD : Stinson Voyager 125 : 02/07/2026

Doh. My mistake. Turns out this plan is a duplicate listing. Bear with me, will replace this plan with a new one.
SteveWMD : Stinson Voyager 125 : 02/07/2026

Wow, what a great performer on 8g of rubber [pics 013-017]. Tomy timer and 3D printed wing pivot and DT line guide. Plug in landing gear to comply with club’s V20 contest rules.
Thanks,
Peter Brown : High Performance Sportster : 02/07/2026

Hello, Pics of my Senator [022-027]. Tissue over Mylar, hand carved balsa prop, Tomy based timer with tip up rear fuselage. Is a terrific performer,not dared to wind to max turns, only 600 makes it a dot in the sky!
Thanks,
Peter Brown : Senator : 02/07/2026

Thank you for this.
John Green : Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat : 02/07/2026

An observation: the photos show the tail surfaces having a central core of 1/32" sheet with 1/16" framing on each side. This is at odds with the exploded view showing 1/32" balsa sheet each side of a central frame. (I'd rather believe the photos)
Gerry de Groot : Hi Hawk : 02/07/2026

Are they a compatible couple or will it require marriage counseling?
Jan Novick : Piattellissimo : 01/07/2026

Took the wings off the Helling and made first 'try out marriage' [pics 008-012].
Cheers, Matze
Matthias Moeller : Piattellissimo : 01/07/2026

Photos from Panama of the Q-Tee [pics 044-047].
Ernesto Ramirez : Q-Tee : 01/07/2026

I bought a Sleek Streek in the UK in 1964 or 5 and it had been in the newsagent's window for a year before that. Cost 2/11d (15p) and didn't look worth the money. (Three bob would buy an Airfix Mosquito or a Me110) Red plastic prop assembly and extruded dihedral brace which clipped onto fuselage stick.
john bridle : New Millenium Sleek Streak : 29/06/2026

Hello Mary and Steve - the designer named John O'Sullivan has numerous designs on your site. I have known him for years. Recently I stopped by to visit him. There he was with his building table in his living room with a balsa plane in progress. His apartment has planes everywhere. I just want to publicly thank him for his contributions to model aviation and your site.
Jim Haliburton : Blizzard : 29/06/2026

First main difference to start with is that one is published in Czech and the other in English. I guess that alone makes it worthwhile to leave them both, but that would be up to you.
RC Yeager : Delfin II : 29/06/2026

I saw one of these fly, built by club member Irl Whitten, don't think his had any landing gear, but Irl could make anything fly. Think he used some kind of plastic bag for a wing, was very light and thin. Sleek Streek prop like Irl used no longer available, but I'm sure you can find a substitute.
Doug Smith : Insect : 29/06/2026

Renamed this plan from "Vulcan P17" to "Vulcan P17 Mk2". We have a couple of other different versions of this one coming along.
SteveWMD : Vulcan P17 Mk2 : 29/06/2026

Hi, As there don't appear to be any photos of this model, apart from those in the original article, I wondered if you might like a couple of pictures of my Cook 45 Riser, which I've recently built from the plan you published [main pic, 005].
As you can see, I've used a couple of small outrunner electric motors instead of the Cox glow motors of the original. This did mean that I had to add a bit of extra structure to attach the flight battery, and there were a lot of wires to try and tuck away neatly. Other than that I built it pretty much as designed.
The ready to fly weight, including the flight battery, is about 1oz (30g) lighter than the original.
Thank you for your amazing site.
John : Cook Riser : 29/06/2026

I recently built this plan [main pic, 005, 006] and I highly recommend it. It is a load of fun! Simple to build and surprisingly easy to fly. Passersby love it, too. It gets a lot of comments.
I used 1/8" basswood instead of spruce and for better visibility substituted the cheapest plastic trash bag I could find for the clear plastic dry-cleaning bag. I tried several adhesives for the plastic to wood and the contact cement specified on the plan is the only one that worked. Adding a gusset along the wing leading point and at the top of the pylon helped stiffen it up.
Included are a few pictures and a full size wing layout [see supplement files].
Here is a link to some flight videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9iB2RRMp8Y
This model has a smaller prop than the plans call for and a single loop of 1/8" FAI rubber. I think it might benefit from a larger prop and motor, but it is great for flying at the local park.
Build one, you'll have fun!
Mark Neal : Insect : 29/06/2026

Doh. Have just realised this is almost identical to the plan at Dolphin II (oz10867) I will leave this up here for now, there may be some interesting points of detail that differ.
SteveWMD : Delfin II : 29/06/2026

model bouwtekening
Ton : Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 : 28/06/2026

What a magnificent plan,what a treat!
Madhukar : Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat : 28/06/2026

I've built this model and fitted a 52 for stroke motor. It flys very well. I really like the way Gordon designs and presents the plans. All of his models appear to be well thought out. I think I will build the 40" Bucker next but make it electric.
Chris Hard : Great Lakes Special : 27/06/2026

If you like to follow the buildinprocess look into:
https://www.flugzeugforum.de/threads/piattellissimo.108165/
Another issue is a mistake I made in construction. Due to the high dihedral the wing joiner has problems to go in so the goal is to make a reduction in hight of 5mm. I will change / correct the CAD data asap, means the cutout of the ribs and the joiner itself.
Matthias : Piattellissimo : 27/06/2026

OK, Tom, at this point I’m just going to straight up ask you to do a plan for The Martin P5M Marlin. I scratch built one from my own plans for twin electric RC many years back, and I’ve always meant to send in some plans that were a little more polished here to outerzone. (And if you do both of the tail versions that would be even more awesome. Mine was the early version.) There are a few fun color schemes for the later one. The Pres Bruning plans for the Martin PBM Mariner is a good kickstart for the Marlin, same wing and nacelles, recycled right into the P5m. And much of the fuselage is similar. I used some foam wings from a big toy glider for mine, the old Ultra Flyer from Lifoam Industries, which spans about 54”.
dave : Boeing XPBB-1 Sea Ranger : 27/06/2026

So I gather it is aptly named then
RC Yeager : Fun 51 : 26/06/2026

This model is one of the most attractive free flight models designed by Vic Smeed. Your comments concerning engine size are right but you forgot to mention an important issue: The altitude at which you are flying. For example, in Bogotá, Colombia, we fly at 2.650 meters above sea level, meaning that all IC engines lose about 1/3rd of the original power. Also, models at this elevation fly faster due to thinner air with less oxygen. A golden rule at this altitude is to build as light as possible and, in general, use a bigger engine. Best wishes, EDUARDO
Eduardo : Debutante : 25/06/2026

This thing is fun! My first build back 25+ yrs ago. Went though 3-4 sets of main wheels flying off of the taxi way at the county airport I was working at the time... Pretty much every lunch and after work weather permitting.
Michael Peck : Fun 51 : 25/06/2026

Everything has changed in the last 65 years. My first "successful" rubber powered model was a Comet Sparky in 1958. Not easy to build but I got it done and it actually flew. Today's beginner is someone who has flown foamies but nothing he's actually built. Bored with foam, he wants to join the ranks of builders. He has a long way to go, tools to buy, a good place to build, it never ends. This is where Outerzone steps in, the number one depository of untold thousands of subjects to build. Come and join us, it's easy.
Doug Smith : Snipe : 24/06/2026

Well, there are a dozen plans on OZ that predate 1925, so it has hit a solid century of model designs. I just submitted 5 that were published in a 1932 Philadelphia newspaper. Where else you going to find something like that but here?
dave : Snipe : 24/06/2026

I love this type of aircraft, similar to my Guppy but a little bigger. Art Cauble calls it an "old man's airplane". Guilty. So relaxing to fly on a day when when your fire breather is a little too much. Toss it in the air and go.
Doug Smith : Publius Aelius Hadrianus : 24/06/2026

I can't off the top of my head remember many airmodels named after a Roman emperor. Or Chinese either.
Miguel : Publius Aelius Hadrianus : 24/06/2026

Wow! Where did you find this bird? really neat.
"Simply install your favorite control system..."
normb : Paul Mantz Junior : 24/06/2026

I guess what 'beginner' means has changed, over the last 65 years.
SteveWMD : Snipe : 24/06/2026

Original Keil Kraft ad:
"This nice looking model is especially suitable for beginners as it is so easy to build and fly."
Current Vintage Model Company ad:
"This kit is part of our Heritage Replica Kit range and is NOT SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS!"
Ian Salmon : Snipe : 24/06/2026

This is yet another airplane using a commercial foam wing, this one using the one by Midwest. It’s replicated by your posting number 16454 .
Dave : Seafoam : 23/06/2026

Hi Steve and Mary, Fantasy 2 has been a favourite of mine for many years [pic 008]. Mine has a foam wing with L.E. sheeting and cap strips. It has had a variety of engines, OS 26 Surpass, Merco 35, OS 25 FSR, Magnum 25 XL and finally a Saito 40a. This last one is the best, actually being the lightest engine and best vertical performance.
I've had a Saito 170 radial hiding in my cupboard for many years and I decided I had to fly it or sell it. I had grandiose scale ideas, but finally decided I needed something simpler - a scaled up Fantasy! It is 84" span and weighs around 5.5 kg [pics 009-012].
Covered in my "standard" tissue over docalum with clear 2 pack floor finish for durability.
It flies just as well as my Fantasy 2, lots of power and just as aerobatic.
Keep up the good work.
Regards,
Warren Brown : Fantasy 2 : 23/06/2026

Hello again Outerzone, These are pictures of my All American Senior that I built from plans [pics 011-014]. Actually, I built the purple one, and rescued the red, white, and blue one [pic 015] from the ceiling of the hobby shop. It has a Big Art 35 in it for power.
The All American Senior is easy to build, and flies really nice! Keep up the good work Outerzone!
Thanks,
Doug Burright : All American Senior : 23/06/2026

One more series. With this very model, I won my first aerobatic trophy at a provincial championship in 1971. This is the fourth Thunderbird I've built [main pic, 007-011]; this time, its parts were vectorized and laser-cut from your plans. I'm planning to restore the Shark, which will be my next shipment.
Warm greetings from Toledo, Spain, Castile-La Mancha, land of Don Quixote.
AntonioRG : Thunderbird II : 22/06/2026

Built it but converted it to Supercub [pics 008-012].
Saquib Naeem : J-3 Cub : 22/06/2026

More photos of the Super Master [pics 008, 009]. All these models are finished and ready for their first flight. When that happens, I'll definitely send you more photos.
Regards,
AntonioRG : Super Master : 22/06/2026

Two more pictures of my Stiletto 660 [pics 011, 012].
AntonioRG : Stiletto 660 : 22/06/2026

Hello! Summer is here, and the free flight competition season is beginning. I've also finished building my control line, and I'll be sending you several photos grouped by model and ID. Here are photos of the BF109 [pics 017-020].
I hope you like them!
AntonioRG : Messerschmitt Bf 109E : 22/06/2026

Here is the pics of my recently build Aeromite [pics 007-009]. I have used the plans from outerzone and followed James’ youtube channel for great build series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL62sqaTwC05fWTAOFVET9149GHJH_4bko
Thanks for sharing plans. Great source for the hobby!
Murat Ozkan : Aeromite : 22/06/2026

Added a couple of colour pics from the article [004, 005], thanks to Matthew.
SteveWMD : Showboat : 22/06/2026

I built this from the original RCM plans [pic 009]. AUW 7.5lbs. Changed the design slightly and used a balsa sheeted foam core wing. Much stronger, lighter and faster to build. Added flaps and moved the gear forward. I fly from a grass field, retracts are not an option. Power is a Badass brushless outrunner 3530-570kv running a 6S 5000ma with a 13x8 prop. Unlimited vertical performance and top speed clocked at 100 mph. Flight time 10-12 minutes with careful throttle management. Great flying plane, it's my third one.
bennetbr : Ultra Sport 60 : 22/06/2026

Hi, Mary & Steve, Just had to comment that when I popped by your site, I saw the plan displayed next to mine is Del Gatto's Stuka, which he did for Scientific. Well, I built that Stuka, when I was about 9. The Stuka had a profile balsa bomb, hung by two bent, headless straight pins, so that when the rubber motor ran down, the model would nose down and drop the bomb.
I took it out in my Grandparents' gravelled back yard, didn't wind it up all that much, and let it fly (bombed up). The model climbed and dipped, the bomb dropped in a fairly small pile of leaves, and the model then made a safe landing on the gravel. Problem is, I saw the bomb land in the leaves...but could never find it. I'd left it unpainted, so it blended in with the leaves. Looked for it several times, but never found that darned bomb!
Once again, thank you for the service you provide to the hobby!
Sincerely,
Bill Bowne : Stuka : 22/06/2026

I can echo the idea of scratch building this simple model, it's all I have done for the past several years. The last kit model I built was a Midwest Sweet Stick sometime in the 80's. Scratch building offers so many advantages over a kit. One, you can pick your balsa, avoiding the problem of too soft or too hard kit balsa. If you don't like the way it's done, just change it however you want. Many of these small models make excellent conversions to lightweight RC, no more chasing. Hobby shops are not handling much balsa these days, but thru the miracle of mail order, you can get whatever you need. Outerzone is a great repository of plans from decades of designs, Whatever you want is available for download. Go for it, you'd be surprised how easy it is.
Doug Smith : Snipe : 21/06/2026

Steve / Mary - A few years ago I provided Keith Sparks of www.parkflyerplastics.com one of my Direct Connection canopies so he could make a mold for replacements. He retired recently, but you can still purchase from www.planecrazystuff.com. I thought I gave him a set of tailcones for the DC F-18 but I do not see on the site.
Brian Sodt : F/A 18 Hornet : 21/06/2026

VMC, see: https://www.vintagemodelcompany.com/40-kk-snipe
bill dennis : Snipe : 21/06/2026

Hi Bruce... have you considered scratch building it? After all, that's what this site is kind of all about (making plans accessible to modelers to scratch build). In essence, scratch building is the same as building a kit, except you have to cut the formed parts yourself using the plan (essentially making the kit yourself). It certainly not that much extra work, especially for a model of this size, and ultimately is quite rewarding.
If you still feel you don't want to do that, I'm sure any of the many short-kit cutters that exist today would gladly laser cut the formed parts for you (for a fee of course), It would probably be cheaper than buying an original kit (if you could find one).
RC Yeager : Snipe : 20/06/2026

The first I ever built and would love to find a kit to build another.
Bruce Campbell : Snipe : 20/06/2026

The Copland Wakefield that looks similar to this design has a taper in the wing Leading Edge and Trailing Edge. Otherwise, it looks similar to this designer's effort.
J. LeBlanc : 1939 English Wakefield : 19/06/2026

Such a lovely model Marco. What covering material did you use?
Paul B. : Pete n Poke : 19/06/2026

Got it, added this info now. Thanks :)
SteveWMD : Typical Taube : 19/06/2026

It was published in the "Sig Air-Modeler" magazine, dated Aug-Sept 1966.
D A : Typical Taube : 19/06/2026

I thought I was familiar with all of Bill Hannan’s designs but I’ve never seen this one before. Thank you for uploading it!
gpjhard : Typical Taube : 18/06/2026

I am sorry to disagree with you Doug, but centar spar wing structures as used by Carl Gioldberg and a very good way of designing a model aircraft wing, simple, fewer parts and extremely strong. I have build more than 15 Falcons and Skylarks since they were introduced in 1962 and 1964.. I have never had any structural failures and they are always very strong and lightweight. Perhaps the only difficulty in making center spar wings from plans is that if you are not using die-cut or laser cutting parts, It will be more difficult to obtain the accuracy needed for precise spar fitting. Greetings from Colombia. EDUARDO
Eduardo : Easy Sport 60 : 18/06/2026

This appears to be pretty much a clone of the Carl Goldberg Senior Falcon, one of the greatest models ever built. I never liked the Falcon's center spar ribs, a little weak even using spruce instead of balsa. This model cures that problem, also an easy to build stabilizer. Neither kit is available anymore, so you have your choice. I like this one better.
Doug Smith : Easy Sport 60 : 18/06/2026

I built the Sig Uncle Sam kit when I was a kid and it flew indoors like it was on rails. It’s amazing how much stability Hannah built into such a simple airframe.
TimE : Boxy Bipe : 18/06/2026

I'm ready to dye some polyspan with Rit dye .
are you using the liquid or powder?
Benjamin : Super Sniffer : 17/06/2026

@RC Yaeger, @ Danny MZ, The Slip-Slida is not my first three-lifting-surface-aircraft model. A more conventional but nevertheless interesting test vehicle was my albessard-type-triavion-glider. It's gliding path was even flatter than that of the Slip-Slida: https://beginner.zone/1012-albessard-type-triavion-glider/
Robert Schlickewitz : Slip-Slida : 16/06/2026

Thank you Robert.
Your workmanship makes it well worth the effort required to scan and upload such unusual but interesting designs.
Danny MZ : Slip-Slida : 16/06/2026

The equal or different wings length design depend on clock or anticlockwise flight. And the efficiency depends on engine rotation direction too. see the article an count the ribs on the pictured model. Could be of interesting adding this article on the plan page. https://library.modelaviation.com/article/super-duper-zilch
pit : Super Duper Zilch : 15/06/2026

That's great Robert... a video would be nice.
RC Yeager : Slip-Slida : 15/06/2026

We have a mystery here. I measured the PDF plan and it measures 26.4" from center line to tip, only half of the wing shown. This comes pretty close to 52". Berkeley didn't list the wingspan, but did show wing area of 625". That works out to 12x52 = 624. But the PDF measures wing chord at 12.3", which means the scan might be a little large, not really enough to matter. More confusion, the directions say you're looking at the BOTTOM of the LEFT wing, why I don't know. We don't know what the right wing is supposed to be, since it's already furnished in the kit and notched for the ribs. Maybe it was shorter than the left wing, not unusual to balance out the lines. There are several other Zilch plans, all different, just build it like you want, it'll still be a Zilch.
Doug Smith : Super Duper Zilch : 15/06/2026

I used RIT Dye, following the instructions on the label. The Polyspan was applied using butyrate dope, and heat to shrink it. The model finished nicely, and is a great flyer.
Doug Burright : Super Sniffer : 15/06/2026

I just had another look over and measured the Super Duper Zilch and is actually 80% of full size at 42” span, making it a bit less super and duper.
zotoz : Super Duper Zilch : 15/06/2026

This Super Duper Zilch [main pic, 006, 007] came to me via the Oily Hand network. It is nicely built exactly as per the plan except the canopy is from balsa and painted. The cowl is as per and from !/8” ply as specified. Powered by a Fox 29 running a 9.5 x 6 prop, it is sprightly. In spite of the huge elevators it flies very smoothly on 60 foot lines. It does all the stunts I can manage no worries. The balance point is well forward of that shown on the plan. I shall gradually move it back to see how the model responds.
If you have wondered about building this classic - do so. You will not be disappointed.
zotoz : Super Duper Zilch : 15/06/2026

This model [pics 016, 017] was built from a Sterling kit using an OS .15 engine. Silkspan and dope finish with black trim tape striping. Never got a chance to fly it as it was destroyed during a move.
Lorne : Ringmaster Junior : 15/06/2026

This was the first model I’d built after getting back into the hobby during the early 70’s [main pic, 006, 007]. All of Fred’s models were easy building and excellent flyers. The Grasshopper was built on the top of a coffee table at the time. Two different engines were used. A Fox .15 initially then an OS .15. The finish used on the model was silkspan and dope with fabric covering on the wing. I didn’t know any better at the time and used the same numbering on mine that Fred had on his. Still have this same model today.
Lorne : Grasshopper : 15/06/2026

Was always a fan of these small 1/2A RC models. When I first saw it in RCM I immediately sent for the plans and started building one [main pic, 010, 011]. Constructed as per the plan it flew great right off the building board and would fly inverted for as long as you wanted it to. No problems with it turning either. Ended up building three of these with the last one having ailerons and a conversion to electric. Model finished using silkspan and dope. Wing was coved with a polyester fabric. After a while the dope shrinkage over the wing covering slightly scalloped the leading edges, lol. It was a fun model to fly with a TD .049 until it met with Terra Firma!
Lorne : Joy Stick : 15/06/2026

Hello Mary, You're welcome... also found this picture of the companion wheel pant [pic 010] for the Quickie Bipe if it helps? Sure miss those days!
Lorne : Quickie Bipe : 15/06/2026

My model is ready [main pic, 004-006]. Wingspan is a bit under 43 cm, weight is 10 g or 0.35 oz, CG lies 1/3" in front of the main wing's leading edge. Ballast is less than 2 g / 0.07 oz.
I built it as light as I could and intended it as a hand launch glider - not for catapult launch. It floats gently and is capable of nice calm and slow glides. Best suited for indoor flying or outdoor when the wind is on holiday.
Next step will be a smaller more solid version for catapult launch.
Robert Schlickewitz : Slip-Slida : 15/06/2026

When I was a child I got a fuselage in a shop and build the rest in Balsa ribs. This was after the Amigo II my most flown glider and I had so much fun with it. This is Nostalgie for me :-) wounderful!
Matzito : Hurrikan : 15/06/2026

Beautifully realized model of a Ju-87G. Detail and craftsmanship are noteworthy.
Jan Novick : Ju-87 Stuka : 14/06/2026

Close call!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0xfHVKmuCU
Lance : DH82A Tiger Moth : 14/06/2026

"Fiction Flyer" is a timed event in FAC contests. You can read the specifics in the current Flying Aces Club rule book, available as a pdf download here:
https://flyingacesclub.com/wp/rules-forms/
D A : Black Bullet : 13/06/2026

Yes indeed. We use the wording 'fantasy scale' in the text.
SteveWMD : Black Bullet : 13/06/2026

This is a made up plane, that additional sheet is just the specs on the fantasy plane. You'd be hard pressed to find a V18 engine for it.
Marc : Black Bullet : 13/06/2026

Hello everyone,
so let's have a try [pic 003]. I choose 1/32 " (0.8 mm) for all flying surfaces and 2 mm (5/64") for the fuselage. Span will be a bit less than 43 cm (17 in) instead of the original's 12 in.
I will keep you informed about possible success.
Many thanks to Mary and Steve for their wonderful and unique website. Keep on providing us with highly appreciated inspirations.
Best wishes
Robert Schlickewitz : Slip-Slida : 13/06/2026

The rest of the article ("continued on pg.63") is missing. Unfortunately, I no longer have this back issue, or I would be happy to scan/send along.
D A : RWD-6 : 13/06/2026

Has anyone ventured to put retracts on this?
Bob : Force One : 13/06/2026

Some interesting history on William Bushnell Stout as well as pictures of the Stout Bat Wings. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stout_Batwing, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stout_Batwing_Limousine
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stout_Metal_Airplane
Jan Novick : Stout Single-Wing : 12/06/2026

Doh. Have uploaded the missing article now :)
SteveWMD : Schweizer 1-26-C : 12/06/2026

To Bill Dennis.
Month corrected: it is July.
Paolo : Slip-Slida : 12/06/2026

Got it. Done. Thanks :)
SteveWMD : North American A3J-1 Vigilante : 11/06/2026

Excellent scale plan of a rather unique racer
Madhukar : Pushy Cat : 11/06/2026

I think the origin was when full scale sailplanes had a narrow speed range and would add washout all at once at the poly joint. The fat part would reduce the discontinuity due to the sudden change of incidence. I really don't like it when it appears on a model with a wide speed range, divorced from its original purpose.
LR : Royal Flush : 10/06/2026

This needs a scale tag,it looks like a pretty decent rendition of a rather interesting US Navy aircraft
Madhukar : North American A3J-1 Vigilante : 10/06/2026

Doh. Have changed the spelling here to the (ahem) correct American version 'neighborhood' as used in the original printing. My mistake. Thanks to Bob Wetherell for help on this :)
SteveWMD : Neighborhood Nieuport : 10/06/2026

Great job on dyeing the Polyspan. How did you get it so even, and did it still shrink with heat afterwards?
I have never built a Super Sniffer, but have built and flown the original sized version - electric power / throttle, rudder and elevator. Flew wonderfully well on a 300mAh 2S battery.
David Hill : Super Sniffer : 10/06/2026

New user? Hi. See FAQ for how this all works.
SteveWMD : Scram : 10/06/2026

Thank You for sharing this, i have been looking for this plane almost 4 years ago, i am really happy right now
Mukhdi Sulaeman : QB 60 Monster : 10/06/2026

Hello OZ, these are a few pictures of the Midwest Super Sniffer Free Flight airplane that I built from plans I downloaded from your site [main pic, 006-010]. My Super Sniffer is covered with Polyspan that I dyed purple prior to covering the model. The pilot figure is a Dalmatian puppy. The plane is powered by a great Cox .049 Babe Bee engine.
The pictures show the Super Sniffer coming in for a landing at the end of a 2-1/2 minute flight. The dethermalizer was not used on that day, as the flying area was very, very large!
Thanks for having such a great site!
Sincerely,
Gus_the_IA : Super Sniffer : 10/06/2026

can i buy a full size plan of the scram 83 inch wing span
if so, please state price with postage. thank you,
peter mortimer.
peter mortimer : Scram : 10/06/2026

Hi Steve, I've built the Percy during the last weeks, maiden flight was on saturday [main pic, 005-009]. Instead of an arrowshaft i used a carbon pipe, 6mm was almost the same size. The wing on my percy is a two-part wing, so its pluggable in the middle to make the storage and transportation more easy. Added an elevator to get a little more control. I found the egg in an online shop for gift ideas.
For a little bit more versatility i made two different noses - one with the beak, one with a Pichler nano 9g and 5x3 folding prop. Used a small receiver and two Emax 9051. Powered with a 2S 240mah batt - nice to tow it slowly into the air and soaring.
Have a nice day,
Rene Ka : Percy : 10/06/2026

Hi Steve and Mary, Here are some pics of my king kombat e [pics 005, 006]. The plan is in good order to cut , only 2 changes I made was to deepen the nose section by 10 mm to allow esc To go under battery and used smaller metal gear servos further back to help with cg . Altogether a lovely build.
Regards Dave
Dave Taylor : King Kombat E : 10/06/2026

Right. Sorry for the confusion. Have removed the previous plan here in this slot, which turned out to be a duplicate - see Messerschmitt Bf109E-3 (oz11452) - and replaced it with this CL Team Racer plan, the Dude.
SteveWMD : Dude : 10/06/2026

Doh, my mistake. This is indeed a duplicate. Ok bear with me, will shuffle things around.
SteveWMD : Dude : 10/06/2026

I think this is the same plan as oz11452
Madhukar : Dude : 10/06/2026

If building, I'd consider using 1/8th balsa with the grain running from nose to tail, with 1/32" side plates with grain vertical. Better chance of the fuzz surviving it's first catapulting or landing!
Roger T : Slip-Slida : 10/06/2026

Sorry - Mr Mallet
bill dennis : Slip-Slida : 10/06/2026

I can't see it in that Aeromodeller but there is another design by My Mallet therein. As for this one, I would respectfully suggest that it leaves much to be desired structurally!
bill dennis : Slip-Slida : 10/06/2026

The Sky Rover is a similar layout by the same designer. As far as I can see no CG is shown on that plan either but the little sketches of the figure launching the model illustrate the standard procedure for trimming it. Carrying out this trial and error method over a soft surface (e.g. long grass) should be all that's required for a small solid balsa model such as this.
Skippy : Slip-Slida : 09/06/2026

My Super Sixty [pics 015, 016].
Mark Pedwell : Super 60 : 09/06/2026

The centre of gravity will be determined by test flights.
pmw : Slip-Slida : 09/06/2026

I wonder where the CG is supposed to go?
Dave : Slip-Slida : 09/06/2026

Hi OuterZone. I thank you (this website) for the info (review) and Plan for the Top Flite P-40 Red Box 60". I downloaded the plan, and upscaled it to 1:1 in PowerPoint, and printed it onto 22x A3 pages with Canon Inkjet.
I successfully built the P-40 :)
Some photos here [pics 010-015].
The kit was manufactured in about 1975, so the wood is very brittle, and the vinyl decals very old. I decided to build it for show, not for flying.
I wanted to add all the Radio Control servo’s in, with a small electric motor for the prop, for effect.
I wanted to show as much of the original wood as possible, so the camo green is on part of the outside, the rest is the wood to view. The USA roundels and the Shark-mouth are air-brushed.
This YT video is the complete build, in photo-essay style: https://youtu.be/oinQLON_bjo There is also the detailed build, in 4 parts, for more detail.
Thank you,
from Melbourne, Australia
Allen Peterson : P-40 Warhawk : 09/06/2026

Ok done. Have changed the title here to XF15C, also.
SteveWMD : Curtiss XF15C : 09/06/2026

Got it, thanks, have added tag now and ScaleType (Heinkel HE8).
SteveWMD : Danish HM-II : 09/06/2026

This needs a scale tag!
Madhukar : Danish HM-II : 09/06/2026

Sent Steve the corrected plan. Thanks for the correction, DB.
Tom Akery : Curtiss XF15C : 09/06/2026

Thanks for posting it. It's one of the most buoyant models I've ever owned, and it earned me a podium finish in the last National Tournament in my country, Argentina, in the Texaco 1/2 A category. Regards, Leandro.
Leandro : Cloudster : 09/06/2026

Fabian, go over to Stinson SR5-E Reliant N (oz7942) for all of the details and configuration for the fuselage and any other information you may need. The SR-5 and SR-6 are basically the same airframe. I had built Ron Peterka’s model and the model is master scale and is the same scale and wingspan as the GS Scale Products SR-6. It flies beautifully and in my opinion, a much better model than the GS Scale.
rocketpilot : Stinson Reliant SR-6 : 08/06/2026

Considerable added complexity with retractable floats provides a great source of increase failure potential.
Also, with amphibious floats the wheels must be retractable. Otherwise, water landing with wheels exposed will result in immediate catastrophic crash with aircraft flipping nose over tail.
m stikeman : Black Bullet : 08/06/2026

I am preparing to build the Stinson Reliant SR-6, oz11765. The plan metadata says “all formers complete”, but I cannot identify complete full-size templates for fuselage formers 5,6, 5a,... on either sheet. They appear in the side/top views, but not as separate former drawings.
Am I overlooking them, or were these formers supplied as die-cut kit parts and omitted from the plan? Does anyone have the original instructions, printwood sheets, or photos/scans of these formers?
Fabian : Stinson Reliant SR-6 : 07/06/2026

Another version of one of the world's all time great airplanes. Just about everybody has either built one or flown one. It don't get no better'n this. Most were built from the Bridi kit, with the holes in the ribs for alignment. You'll have to find your own way. I flew Bill Norman's RCM in Pat Hollock's back yard. Next flight, Bill did a few outside loops, last one a bit low. Too low. He drug off one aileron in the grass, continued on for the rest of the loop and landed with one aileron. It's that kind of airplane. Would make an ideal electric, with the long nose, plenty of room for a battery. You'll need about 800 watts.
Doug Smith : Advanced Trainer II : 07/06/2026

Glad to be able to contribute to the site occasionally. The kit was bought from Marionville Models in Edinburgh, there was no price on it so we agreed £45!
Shame it got broken.
Gary Binnie : Tiger Moth : 07/06/2026

Hi I built a slightly larger version of the free plan [main pic, 003, 004], which flew well, although slightly underpowered for hand launching, but off the slope was fine. I'm now building a 1/3 scale version [pic 005].
Andy Westgate : Cicogna 3000 : 07/06/2026

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