Beaconeer (oz10699)

About this Plan

Beaconeer. Radio control slope saorer model.

Quote: "BEACONEER is a functional lightweight sailplane designed specifically for slope soaring and built to the minimum size that will accommodate the New Zealand 'Wright' system of radio control. It will of course accept all other radio equipment, especially the latest transistorised gear.

The design began as a dual purpose RIC towline sailplane, incorporating an ED Baby on a removable pylon to gain experience of single channel flying with minimum cost. This was very similar to the present design but used a Benedek wing section; the equipment consisting of an AM transistorised Rx, P 100 relay, with an ED standard escapement. After slowly improving the reliability, it was flown as a slope soarer and placed second at the Bletchley meeting on Boxing Day '58. The wings proved to be too weak and so were replaced by a flat section high aspect ratio pair which gave improved penetration and flatter turns. This model was lost from Long Mynd and was never recovered.

Construction of the present model was begun immediately after this mishap, incorporating all the modifications considered desirable. The next step will be to substitute a fast, high lift, undercambered section to the same fuselage and then possibly a tapered higher aspect ratio plan form. Swept wings have also been tried, with some success: but the average enthusiast will find Beaconeer as presented here, ideal for Radio Control soaring.

The main features are as follows:

1. Tongue and box wing fixing which has proved better than any other and entirely satisfactory for this type of flying.
2. Straight-dihedral wings for simplicity; I spar for strength, no LE sheeting for ease of repair and cheapness; the 1/8 in x 3/8 in stopping those broken leading edges.
3. The fuselage is extremely serviceable, being really tough at the nose, which is the most vulnerable part of any slope-soarer.
4. Fuselage design also allows the Rx to be tuned and the actuator motor to be wound with the model completely assembled.
5. All components are removable for testing.
6. An underslung fin is used to simplify torque rod and actuator motor installation.
7. The angled rudder hinge line provides a little down elevator effect should it be required (a mixed blessing).

Construction. Cut out fuselage sides from medium grade 3/32 in sheet and add internal 1/16 in ply doublers, balsa doublers; and verticals. When dry sand together to an accurate shape and make identical slots for tongue. Bend up dural tongue to correct dihedral, and with this through slots, join sides together with formers T, F2, and F3. Draw in at rear onto F4 and when set, top and bottom 1/16 in sheet from F3 back may be added, with grain running across fuselage.

Add F1, sockets and internal wiring and shape blocks accurately to clamp tongue in place. Tongue should be roughened and then blocks cemented. Draw in fuselage front to partly shaped noseblock and cement. Line Rx compartment with 3/8 in plastic foam and fill in bottom, fitting towhook if desired. Cement in slides for Relaytor and cover bottom from noseblock to F3 with 1/16 in ply. Chamfer edges of external 1/32 in ply facings, cut slots for tongue, cement to sides and when set sand to smooth outline. Complete top of battery box with 1/16 in sheet across tongue blocks and make up hatches from 1/16 in ply or hard balsa.

Remove T, and cut necessary holes for switches, socket and tuning. Cut away F4 to take winding hook block, insert torque rod and fit 1/32 in celluloid bearing..."

Beaconeer, Aeromodeller, October 1960.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, thanks to RFJ.

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