Metro Gnome (oz10216)
About this Plan
Metro Gnome. Single channel radio control sport model.
Quote: "Build this perky 17in span single channel model from our full size plan. Metro Gnome, by DR Mann.
METRO-GNOME is a small-field, lightweight single channel model. It has a span of 17 in with an effective wing area of 70 sq ins. Overall length is 16 in and at such a size, is just right for the Cox .010 or .020 cu in Tee Dee motors.
The bounceability of these lightweights is quite amazing, and even if you do damage Metro-Gnome, it takes little effort to repair. Construction is, of course, simplicity itself, the main ingredient is medium 1/16 in balsa sheet.
Wing. Start building the wing in one piece, cutting the the 1/16 in sheet skin to shape. Cut out the 1/8 in ribs and lay down with 3/16 in x 1/8 in spruce leading edge ready shaped. Pre-cement, and then add the 1/16 in balsa skin. When set, separate at the centre line. Take one half and block up the wing tip 1 in. Place the root flush to the edge of the building board. Using the board edge as a guide to keep the sanding block vertical, sand away the overhanging balsa skin. Repeat for the other half and then join, blocking up each wing tip 1 in to provide the correct dihedral, and reinforce the centre section with silk strip. There is no centre rib.
Tail Surface. Select light 1/16 in balsa sheet for the tailplane, to avoid tail heaviness. Add 1/32 in ply plate for the relay before installing in the fuselage. Fin and rudder are made from two laminations of 1/32 in balsa. Place one lamination on the building board, lay in three strands of cotton for hinges, and add the other lamination. Contact cement might be a good idea here to avoid the warping effect possible with balsa cement shrinkage.
Fuselage. The fuselage is a simple balsa box and provides no constructional problems. The relay type Tick-Tock system is detailed on the plan, but if you intend to use an escapement instead, then you should work out the installation before commencing construction.
Cut all formers, F1 from 1/8 ply, F2 from 1/16 ply, F3 from 1/8 balsa, F4 and F5 from 1/16 balsa. Cut two sides from 1/16 balsa. Cement ply dowel re-inforcements in place and join with F3 and F4. When set, draw the fuselage sides together at the rear and cement tailplane and F5 in position, being careful to ensure that..."
Hi Mary, I hope you and Steve are well and enjoying the current nice summer weather... current project is a little s/c model which you do not have on OZ, the Metro Gnome from RCM&E, April 1966. Here are PDFs of the plan and feature (these were originally posted by Mike_K on the mode-zero.uk forum to who credit is due) and I will send you some photos and comments on flying of my electric version in a few days. Best regards, Sundancer
NOTE this plan scan was very slightly cropped at the edges, so some detail remains unclear (see raw scan file). I have restored (ahem, that translates to 'made up') as much detail as I can on the bottom and LH edges, but the top and RH edges are unfinished. This means the wing leading edge and the wing centre-line are both missing. If anyone can help with this, that would be great. Thanks. Steve.
Direct submission to Outerzone.
Supplementary file notes
Article.
Raw scan, greyscale at 200 dpi.
Corrections?
Did we get something wrong with these details about this plan (especially the datafile)?
That happens sometimes. You can help us fix it.
Add a correction
Do you have a photo you'd like to submit for this page? Then email admin@outerzone.co.uk
User comments
Here are a couple of photos of my electric version of the Metro Gnome [more pics 004, 005]. I built this little model in a couple of days for a 50 watt electric motor and rudder only R/C, to be flown with my 2.4 gig converted MacGregor transmitter. Observations: 1. It came out VERY nose heavy to the extent that I had to shorten the nose by 1 inch. 2. 50 watts is WAY too much power, half that is plenty. 3. Built as drawn there is either too much downthrust or not enough wing incidence. Mine flies very nicely now with +3/16" packing under the wing leading edge. First flights were conducted with the proportional transmitter in order to establish the correct level to set the throttle mid point on the single button Tx and the correct rudder throws. Rudder moves 30 degrees either way at full deflection and this is fine, throttle mid point is set at 50%, this is used for all normal flying, it is still controllable at full throttle, but climbs like a rocket! Now it is sorted it is a very pleasant little rudder only model to fly and ample reward for a couple of days building and a pound or two's worth of balsa.Sundancer - 13/07/2018
Add a comment
- Metro Gnome (oz10216)
- Plan File Filesize: 259KB Filename: Metro_Gnome_17in_oz10216.pdf
- Supplement Filesize: 782KB Filename: Metro_Gnome_17in_oz10216_article.pdf
- Supplement Filesize: 690KB Filename: Metro_Gnome_17in_oz10216_raw_scan.pdf
- help with downloads
Notes
* Credit field
The Credit field in the Outerzone database is designed to recognise and credit the hard work done in scanning and digitally cleaning these vintage and old timer model aircraft plans to get them into a usable format. Currently, it is also used to credit people simply for uploading the plan to a forum on the internet. Which is not quite the same thing. This will change soon. Probably.
Scaling
This model plan (like all plans on Outerzone) is supposedly scaled correctly and supposedly will print out nicely at the right size. But that doesn't always happen. If you are about to start building a model plane using this free plan, you are strongly advised to check the scaling very, very carefully before cutting any balsa wood.
Terms of Use
© Outerzone, 2011-2025.
All content is free to download for personal use.
For non-personal use and/or publication: plans, photos, excerpts, links etc may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Outerzone with appropriate and specific direction to the original content i.e. a direct hyperlink back to the Outerzone source page.
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site's owner is strictly prohibited. If we discover that content is being stolen, we will consider filing a formal DMCA notice.