Clown (oz10301)

About this Plan

Clown. Radio control sport biplane model.

Quote: "A 49 in span multi bipe for sport R/C. Clown by Don Stothers.

I'm terrified of beautiful scale models (all that time involved, all the calm summer evenings spent at the building board, instead of glo-fuel fumes out at the flying field!). Yet, being a biplane lover, I wanted a robust BARON BASHER and so the Clown Mk 1 was born.

I drew plans out after my Fokker D7 bit the concrete at TERN HILL and splattered my beloved Fox 59 into it's basic molecules. There was the plan, and that's how it stayed until a week before our annual New Forest jaunt last July. Then suddenly I got the urge, and spent a week's spare time cutting ribs, bending wire and generally making myself a prefab kit. Away we went on our holidays, caravan in tow, loaded with cement, dope, portable drill and everything else we owned.

Once settled in the New Forest (conveniently near Beaulieu Airfield of course) out came all the bits, and I got badly sunburnt putting it all together in four days, which included chasing away inquisitive ponies and swimming, etc. I had everything I needed except a 12v iron for Mono-Kote! So I did it the hard way, all clear dope and sticky enamel, which the flies loved!

Up to the Airfield on the Friday evening (not-a breath of wind) and the ancient Super Tigre 56 had it in the air after only 25 ft take-off run. I only dared two flights that night but flew it every evening the next week (I had to waste the days on silly things like shopping, fishing and sunbathing, etc). Altogether the best holiday I've ever had!

Incidentally this first model used Orbit 3+1 with coupled aileron/rudder. Anyhow, if you too like a boisterous biplane and have a lot of nerve, grab a bundle of balsa and let's go. If you're a carpenter by trade, this will suit you, lots of woodscrews and ply!

Cut a 1/8 in ply rib template first, to use when cutting the fuselage sides and as a pattern to bend the birdcage to. Do all the wire bending in one go. Note that there are two of everything in the cabane detail. Use 48 in sheets for the sides and employ a rib template to cut the bottom wing location.

Use PVA to fix 1/16 in ply doublers and leave overnight to dry. Next, build on 3/16 in square framework, cement in D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5. Drill dowel holes, slide fit for in dowels. Now prepare F1, drilling for motor mount, and install nuts at rear, soldered to tinplate... "

Note this is a low resolution plan.

Clown, RCM&E, June 1968.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, thanks to RFJ.

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