Curtiss Wright Coupe (oz10926)

About this Plan

Curtiss Wright Coupe. Rubber scale model.

Quote: "Building the Curtiss-Wright Coupe, by Paul W Lindberg.

Our low Wing monoplane for this month is an excellent flyer and a real beauty. It is authentic in every respect with movable controls and all necessary details. After you have completed this attractive model, we know you will set it in a special place for others to admire; for its clean, lines and color combination make it an outstanding ship.

COLOR SCHEME: Entire model - silver with red stripe on each side of fuselage.

CONSTRUCTION OF FUSELAGE: It is necessary to place a sheet of ordinary was paper over the plan to prevent cement from sticking to the plan. In building the fuselage, construct one side at a time. The longerons, vertical and diagonal bracts, etc are held in place until securely cemented, by inserting straight pins on either side of strips, After the two fuselage sides are completed, they are pinned in top view of the plan in such a manner that the top longerons face down and the sides are at right angles with the table. The cross-members are now cemented in place, forming a rectangular fuselage. Cut formers from 1/32-inch sheet balsa and cement in their respective positions as shown on plan. Balsa nose plate is built up from 1/8 sheet balsa.

CONSTRUCTION OF MOTOR: The cylinders are carved and sanded from balsa blocks. When 7 cylinders have been formed, wind heavy thread around them lo represent fins. Make crankcase from 1 piece of balsa. Rocker arm housings, push rods and other small details of motor arc made of balsa.

CONSTRUCTION OF WING: Cut all ribs from 1/16-inch balsa. Pin the spar in position on the plan. Now, cement ribs in their proper locations. The leading and trailing edges are cut and sanded to shape and cemented to the ribs. The panels carry movable ailerons which are a great help in controlling the flights. Make wing tip a from 1/16-inch thick balsa. We highly approve of this type of wing tip because it is much easier to construct and neater in appearance.

CONSTRUCTION OF ELEVATOR AND RUDDER: These are built from 1/16-inch square and flat balsa, and are constructed on the plan. Their construction is very simple; therefore no difficulty should be encountered here.

CONSTRUCTION OF LANDING GEAR: The construction of landing gear is clearly shown on plan.

COVERING THE MODEL: Apply tissue to the various framework members, using a light grade model airplane dope to fasten it to the outer edges. Stretch tissue as tightly as possible to remove all wrinkles. When edges have dried, apply coat of water to tissue. When all water has dried, apply coat of water to tissue. When all water has dried completely, tissue will become taut. May we suggest that you pin wings, elevator and such to flat surface. This method prevents warping.

ASSEMBLY: After the wing panels have been cemented to fuselage, make fillets from paper and fill in open spaces between fuselage and wing panels at trailing edges. Other small details are clearly shown on plan.

TESTING AND FLYING: Two types of propellers are used on this model. One, which has a wide blade that causes the motor to turn at less rpm, and greater flights result. The balsa scale propeller is used for exhibition purposes only. Six strands of 1/8 flat rubber are sufficient to fly the model. With the rubber motor and flying propeller in place, gently launch your model over tall grass.

By this method you can see if your model is properly balanced. If model glides a short distance, and nose rises abruptly, it will be necessary to add weight to bottom of nose black. If model dives, add weight to tail. After the model is balanced to glide on an even angle, you are ready to test your model under power. In making test flight, the principal thing to avoid is damage to your model.

Gliding and flying it over tall weeds is the safest, because the weeds or all grass break the fall gently in case the model should stall or dive. A few trial flights will acquaint you with the ship, and all other adjustments can be made through the adjustable control surface.

This is an exact replica of the Curtiss-Wright Coup originally developed for the Bureau of Air Commerce development program. It was this airplane that was built in an attempt to find an economical, strong all metal construction for private aircraft.

The Curtiss-Wright Coupe is entirely of metal construction similar to that applied to Lockheed, Douglas and Boeing airliners. This type of construction, Bureau of Air Commerce engineers believe, will be the answer to one-phase of initial economy and ease of maintenance in the private airplane of the future. In the original ship, controls were dual and of the wheel type. Comfortable seating arrangements were made for two persons and all-around visibility was brought out to a maximum.

This original airplane is now being used by federal aviation officials to test certain new control and control sur-faces. However, the ship is basically a conventional airplane powered by a Lambert engine. This ship is a sister of the other Bureau of Air Commerce project described elsewhere in this issue - the new road able auto gyro. Both are part of the government airplane development program.

This model should appeal to the lover of the most modern in aircraft design and construction because of its trim, well laid out lines."

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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