Martin MO-1 (oz10666)

About this Plan

Martin MO-1. Scale model for micro-RC using a PZ brick or similar setup.

Note photos of completed Martin MO-1 model [main pic, 003] are from Lnagel's build thread at https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?2486756-Micro-Martin-MO-1

Update 31/10/2025: Added article, thanks to rocketpilot.

Quote: "Since I'm on something of a small model crusade myself, it seemed a good idea to offer some fresh designs for prototyping by other builders - offer all, I can't draw models and build them at the same time, so other poor souls offen get press-ganged into doing the actual building. In this instance it was Larry Nagel who stepped up to the mark to build the 20 inch (or thereabouts) span Martin MO-1 that I'm presenting here as a construction feature. So, my thanks go out to Larry for all the hard work he put into this model, and the excellent end result, indeed, a really great result because poor old Larry had been enduring some problems with the previous one of my small models he'd built, the 18 inch span DH6 (oz10660).

It's not that there was anything wrong with the design, which has been built and flown very successfully by another builder. No, the problems Larry was having were that his particular example is actually slightly lighter than the successful one, and showed a distinct lack of urge.

The probable cause is either a duff prop, or excessive drag from the extra detail he added. It doesn't, if the results of the Martin are anything to go by, appear to be that his flying site is around 5,000 feet above sea level. Undaunted, he pressed on with the little Martin, made a really nice job of the model AND ended up with a fine flying addition to his fleet.

EQUIPMENT: As you can see from the plan, the bulk of the equipment used in the model is of Parkzone origin. The motor and prop used are available as spare parts for their P-51 Mustang RTF and the receiver 'brick' is the three-channel version as used in the Vapor or Ember.

That said, there are Vapor bricks and Vapor bricks. The one I used to draw up the plans is the older, 'green spot' brick which is slightly shorter than the bricks currently available as spares. The only issue this caused Larry is that he had to cut away some of F2 to allow the brick to fit.

Similarly, there are props and props. Whilst the P-51 works fine and provides ample power for Larry's sub-50 gram model, it doesn't seem to be working as well on his almost 70 gram DH6. Tom, the other DH6 builder, used an adapter and GWS 5x3 prop on his model and has no problems at all as regards to power with his 72 gram model.

As regards batteries, this is another area where there are choices. Part of the reason Tom's model is more successful may, and I do stress may, be down to the battery he's using. Instead of the usual 1S type supplied with the Parkzone models, he uses a battery from one of the small quadcopters that proliferate. Of higher capacity and consequently heavier, it is able to cope more easily with the current draw imposed by the more effective prop. Although wider, it is quite a bit shorter than the 'standard' batteries, making it ideally suited where space is a bit in short supply.

If you must go with the standard style of battery, opt for the after-market high C rated cells such as those offered by Turnigy. You may not be pulling 45C, but it means that you are highly unlikely to find your battery 'strangling' your motor by being unable to supply the current it requires.

THE MODEL: Having already designed two other sizes of this particular prototype, both of which flew extremely well, it seemed a logical choice for scaling down to 'micro' size. Like my original 30" version (I did actually build that one myself), it uses rudder, elevator and throttle control and has been deliberately kept simple in construction. 'Simple' usually equates with light, and I do a very good line in simple! You may have noticed that if you are a regular reader of this column.

Very much 'sport' scale, or what I like to think of as 'character' scale, it is a simplified version of the original, but still retains all the essential character of the full size aircraff. Although some consider the Martin MO-1 to be something of an ugly duckling, I think it is just quirky enough to be interesting as a subject for modelling. Don't tell me, having drawn up three different sizes of the type you'd already worked that out for yourself.

Think of it in terms of a 'Dime Scale' rubber power model on steroids. Bearing that in mind, the obvious choice of covering material is lightweight tissue, in this case, printed Esaki, so all the markings go on at the same time as the covering. You could, of course, use very light film covering but you'd have to exercise extreme caution not to warp the 1/16 thick tail surfaces. So, with the preamble out of the way, let's start attacking balsa..."

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