Elder 40 (oz11039)

About this Plan

Top Flite Elder 40. Radio control sport model.

Discontinued kit from Top Flite.

Quote: "Elder 40, based on the original Elder 40 designed by Charles Bauer. Re-engineered and drawn by Ernest Leclair, instructions by Jim Sandquist.

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the Top Flite Elder. The Top Flite Elder is a classic design from the early years of modeling, brought back by requests from modelers just like you! This easy flying model will provide you with many hours of relaxing flight. Though it is simple to build and fly, it also has its own unique character that seems to appeal to modelers of all ages and is guaranteed to get the attention of everyone at the field.

We hope you enjoy building the Top Flite Elder as much as we have enjoyed bringing it back to the modeling world and introducing it to a whole new generation of modelers."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 05/04/2019: Added sheet 3 showing parts, thanks to AlanSinclair.

Update 31/03/2020: Added kit review from Model Builder August 1985, thanks to RFJ.

Update 19/05/2020: Added kit review from MAN August 1984, thanks to RFJ.

Quote: "Field & Bench Review: Top Flite Elder. A classic design with a velvet touch. By George Woods.

Top Flite Models felt that it might be a refreshing break from the 'norm' to come up with an airplane that was specifically designed for fun. The above is the introductory paragraph of the instruction manual that comes with the Elder, and it's exactly what I found this kit to be. Building, detailing, and flying were all fun.

The Elder is a realistic, scale-like, vintage-style model intended for both the novice and more advanced builder and flier, one who is looking for a leisurely, fun model that's capable of gentle maneuvers.

Although the design has a scale-like appearance, if you analyze the configuration it turns out to have the traditional elements of a typical trainer. You'll see long nose and tail moments for pitch stability, generous wing area for its designed weight, and a 12% flat
bottom airfoil to provide plenty of lift and good slow-speed characteristics for gentle landings.

THE KIT: The Elder comes packaged in a corrugated carton with two large color photos of the aircraft in one of the suggested World War I color schemes.

Opening the box you find the usual Top Flite quality packing and material selection. All sheet balsa is paper-banded together in a package and all strip wood is rubber-banded together to prevent shipping damage. Full-size plans are rolled. A nice feature is that the entire wing structure is shown, allowing construction of the complete wing at one time. All the necessary hardware is included, even a .19-size engine mount. The uniquely designed landing gear is wrapped in tissue to prevent damage to other parts.

Finally, there is a 12-page construction manual that covers all aspects of building, finishing, equipment installation, and flying. The quality of this manual and its diagrams is such that a first-time builder should be able to complete the model without getting into trouble.

My experiences have taught me that light airplanes fly better than heavy ones, and I've found cyanoacrylate glues allow light construction without sacrificing strength. For this project I used Zap-A-Gap CA+ from Pacer, along with Zip-Kicker to speed construction time. The entire airplane was completed with a 1-ounce bottle of adhesive and a partial bottle of the accelerator.

CONSTRUCTION: I started with the wing assembly, which consists of three separate parts, a left and a right wing panel, and a center section.

The wing is built directly over the plans, which should be covered with MonoKote backing or plastic wrap. Build the center section first, using 3/32-inch sheet balsa for the bottom of the center section, then gluing the leading and trailing edges to the sheet, along with the center dihedral brace, and finally the forward and rear half-ribs. Next install a shaped hardwood wing bolt insert. This completes the center section for the time being.

Construct the two wing panels using the die-cut ribs, upper and lower 1/4 x 3/8-inch spars, 3/8 x 1/2-inch leading edges, and 3/32 x 1-inch trailing edges. Add the die-cut wing tips and shape the leading edge with a razor plane and sanding block.

If you intend to add the decorative flying wires shown on the plans, install small pieces of 1/4-inch square spruce where shown to provide anchor points for the wires. This completes the wing construction. Joining the panels will be done later in the construction sequence.

The tail group is next and is straightforward frame construction using strip wood and die-cut curved parts. When the framing is completed, round all edges with sandpaper. There are a few options open to the builder regarding the shape of these surfaces. I chose to use the scalloped trailing edges as shown in the photos.

Construction of the fuselage is somewhat unconventional by today's standards. The basic structure is comprised of a 1/4-inch square strip wood framework, balsa at the forward end and spruce aft of the wing trailing edge to provide strength in the open bays.

Start construction by building two framework sides directly over the plans, the second side directly on top of the first..."

Supplementary file notes

Kit manual, 42 pages complete.
Parts (sheet 3).
Reviews.

CAD file

This plan is available for download in CAD format.

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