Vought-Sikorsky Kingfisher (oz1015)

About this Plan

Vought-Sikorsky Kingfisher. Scale 36 inch span, geared twin rubber motor crutch construction. Aeromodeller August 1945. Scale is 1/12.

Quote: "A 1in to 1ft Flying Scale Vought-Sikorsky Kingfisher, by HF Dare.

The Vought-Sikorsky OS 2U-1 was originally used by the US Navy as an observation scout monoplane. Adopted later by the Fleet Air Arm and designated the 'Kingfisher', it was utilised for similar purposes before being relegated for use as oa catapult trainer. There are two versions, the float version being the subject for C Rupert Moore's cover painting this month, and is shown being catapulted from the deck of a battleship. Those of us who visited The First National Exhibition of Model Aircraft this year will well remember Mr. Dare's prizewinning model of the landplane version. Here then is the model for the benefit of all those modellers who enjoy building a first-class flying scale model with a first class performance.

Although in no sense a difficult model to construct, the author would not advise beginners to attempt to build it. The reason this comparatively unknown type was built is obvious when the size of the tail and fin are examined on the drawing; they are both to scale.

Fuselage. This is constructed on the well-known laminated ring principle, designed and perfected by Mr CA Rippon. First cut out the egg-shaped formers in stiff card approximately 1/8 in to 3/16 in in thickness; these are best cut in half vertically and stuck together again with brown sticky paper. This can then be cut through when all the stringers are on and easily withdrawn.

Cut 3 ft strips of 1/32 in balsa 3/16 in wide, soak these first, then wind them round the formers till there are five thicknesses tin each former, with the exception of No.9a which has only four. When these strips are dry, remove from formers carefully, and cement them together again.

Make up the necessary jig as indicated in the perspective drawing, but before threading the formers on the 1/2 in square rod, add the wing fixing tubes and strengthening blocks to rings 4 and 5, also undercart brass tube to ring 4a, working here with great accuracy as the line-up of the wings and the centre section will depend a great deal on this.

When cementing these tubes on to the rings make them long to project approximately 1-1/2 in beyond the stub wings on both sides, as later on the wings are lined up on these before the tubes are cut through.

Space out the formers with the rings on as on the drawing, making sure that they are square with the rod, both vertically and horizontally..."

Supplementary file notes

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