Littlest Vagabond Of All (oz1055)

About this Plan

The Littlest Vagabond of all. Free flight CO2 by Tony Brookes. Scaled down 23in span version of the 45in Little Vagabond 1945 model originally designed by GWW Harris.

Quote: "The Littlest Vagabond of all. Build Tony Brookes CO2 miniature for small-field fun!

MY INVOLVEMENT with GWW Harris' Little Vagabond (oz1051) began in 1979, when I came across it in an old Aeromodeller Plans Handbook. At the time, I was unimpressed, the illustration, I think, was responsible for that unjustified state of affairs. It was a ground-to-air shot which showed the model from an unflattering angle. Later, I had cause to consider it again, and decided it would be ideal for my Mills 1.3 which was uncommitted at the time. One look at the plan and I was hooked.

To begin with, the model I built was a disaster. With the Mills 1.3 it was severely overpowered and impossible to trim. Finally I had to build a new fuselage, and took the opportunity to fit an Indian Mills 0.75. With that motor (since replaced by a Frog 80) success was immediate and lasting.

The design happens to have all the attributes desirable in a CO2 miniature, and some time ago I turned my attention to such a project. The low aspect ratio makes it easy to scale down without running into problems of aerofoil efficiency. The structure is simple enough not to become unduly tricky when miniaturised. Only one or two features really need any modifiation. It makes sense to build the tail unit in one piece. The two-piece wing is to my mind unnecessary, even on the original, the battery box, of course, is left out, but the ignition coil bearer is retained for use as a tank mount. The engine cowling was included at first, but eventually I got rid of it in an effort to cure a nose-heavy condition Since I fly my 'full-size' example with the engine uncowled, I considered this to be justified.

In case the name mystifies, I couldn't call it 'Little Little Vagabond' since that name has been used already for a miniature (though not so small as this) version Little Little Vagabond (oz6611) in 1970, but who knows - maybe someone will make one smaller still.

Starting with the fuselage, the two sides are built by pinning them down one on top of the other in the traditional manner Allow them to dry well, then take them up and separate them. Take care not to break any cement joints. Re-cement the ones you do break and join the two sides with the main bulkhead and the three shaped cross pieces located at the wing position. Taper the two sides at the rear, draw them together and cement. Add the remaining cross pieces and those gussets which are joined to the bulkhead.

Now comes the only awkward bit. Attach the motor to the front bulkhead, using the thrust wedge to provide a little downthrust, and attach the tank to its bearer. Carefully bend the pipework to the indicated shape, so that the tank bearer and the front bulkhead are as close as possible to their correct relative positions when there is no stress on the pipe. Then install the entire assembly in one operation, using cement for the tank bearer and epoxy for the engine bulkhead Install the undercarriage tubes and the dowels for the wing and tail bands Glaze the cabin with thin acetate, leaving a gap for the pipe..."

Supplementary file notes

Planfile includs artucle.

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