Semilena (oz10462)

About this Plan

Semilena. Free flight sport model.

Quote: "An attractive semi-scale flying boat for the Mills 1.3 - Semilena, by RA Payne.

The name Semilina came to mind after building this semi-scale flying boat based on the the PBY-5 Catalina. The original 'Cat' was, of course, twin-engined, but a single-engined variation was decided upon for simplicity of building and flying.

Construction. Start by pinning down the dorsal stringer over the plan view. Note that it runs rearwards from former 4. Build up the formers and cement them in place on the backbone, inverted, of course. Formers 2 and 3 must be pinned in position over the plan. Cement in the 1/4 in sq side and 1/8 in sq top stringers and then the keel. Note that this is in two overlapped sections and ends at former 9. When the cement has really set, remove the hull from the board and add former No.1. Cabin walls and floor are from 1/16 in sheet while the front turret was made from a table-tennis ball, and is used to contain lead shot for trimming.

Pylon Cut out the pylon formers and cement them over the appropriate fuselage formers, adding the carved balsa end pieces. The wing platform is made from 1/8 in sheet and the whole unit is tissue-covered.

Tail. The fin is built up on to the fuselage and the 1/8 in sheet platform cemented on top. The tailplane is quite straightforward and its centre-section is sheeted with 1/8 in balsa. The fin top is a separate unit held on with wire hoof and rubber bands. The tailplane itself is secured by bands around dowels cemented through the lower.

The top of the hull is now covered in small sections with 1/32 in sheet, down to the side stringers, except forward of the cabin where1/16 in is used. Glaze the cabin with sheet celluloid. The underside of the hull is tissue-covered and the section from the nose to the first step is also covered with silk or bandage doped on, for additional strength. 12 in of half-round dural is screwed to the keel from the nose-block to the front step, as a skid.

Wing. The centre-section is built flat on the plan, and then cut and dihedralled before fitting the engine bearers and sheeting. Pin down the trailing edge and add ribs, spars and leading edge. Cut for dihedral and fit the bracers. Cement 3/8 in sq engine bearers very firmly in place, noting that they protrude ahead of the engine lugs in order that the cowling can be screwed to them...."

Semilena, Model Aircraft, July 1953.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, thanks to RFJ.

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