BE2E (oz1041)

About this Plan

BE2E. Free flight scale model WWI biplane from Aeromodeller 1959. Mills 75 power. Scale is 1/12.

Quote: "Stability was a main feature of the full-size B.E.2E so is it with this 40-3/4 inch super-detailed flying famous biplane by cover artist Kenneth McDonough.

OF ALL THE B.E.'s, the B.E.2E was the most prolific, yet strangely enough it is one of the least well known. Virtually defenceless in combat, it was the cause of many casualties but numbers were still in service until the close of hostilities. Drawings on pages 72/73 give extensive information on the full-size aircraft and provide supplementary detail for the 1/12th flying scale model presented here, and should be sufficient to fully satisfy the most rabid of WWI scale fans.

With its generous wing area, simple box-like fuselage and square cut tips, it becomes an ideal flying scale subject - remember, a B.E.2C won the Nationals scale event last year! Building Kenneth McDonough's design should be within the capabilities of any modeller with experience of at least one power model, and the extensively detailed A.P.S. drawing covers all possible queries. The following notes summarise the sequence of assembly.

Construct fuselage side frames over the plan, using medium hard balsa for the longerons, incorporating side keels of hard balsa. Join the side frames with two main bulkheads F3, F4 then add the 3/16 ply engine mounting. Fit all cross members and fill in triangular nose bays with 1/8 sheet. Bind and cement centre section struts and solder spreaders and runners in place, it is essential that these struts are cross-braced with 20 s.w.g. wire since the completed cabane takes all load of the upper mainplanes when at rest. Make the turtle-deck of 1/16 sheet, add formers, stringers and remaining components, U/C tubes, 1/8 sheet stern pieces and fin tube, skid pylon, etc.

The tailplane fin and rudder are made over the plan. Add cap strips, 20 s.w.g. wire prong and 1/16 dia. bamboo fin dowel. Ensure that key piece is true so that the tailplane is square with fuselage. Tyres are made from 2 in diameter air wheels and sandwiched between 1/16 ply discs..."

Update 4/07/2012 : thanks to Brian, have changed the filename of this PDF file from BE2C to BE2E, to avoid confusion.

Update 26/06/2016: article page, text & pics added, thanks to RFJ.

Supplementary file notes

Article page, text & pics.

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