Bantam (oz11246)

About this Plan

Bantam. Radio control sport model.

Quote: "A 49 inch span sports/aileron trainer for four function radio and .40 four-strokes, was designed for small, noise-conscious fields. Bantam,by Phil Kent.

Bantam was designed and built due to a decision by our club (West Yorks MFC) to restrict flying on one of our sites to four-strokes only. The field was in a noise sensitive area and as our flying times had been increased it was felt that we would be tempting providence if we continued to use two strokes. The field was a school playing field - quite good in summer but a bit rough in winter when the rugger boys had made their marks. The model had to be capable of flying from this field and had to be fun to fly. I made the prototype with rubber banded on wings but have shown bolt and peg fixing on the drawing.

To me one of the most off putting points when building from a plan is a tip and root rib, if the model has a tapered wing, with instructions to make the ribs using the sandwich method. I think that it is much easier if there is a drawing of each rib, it is much more economical on balsa too. I also like models to use standard size sheets of balsa. Bantam uses 1/8 x 3 x 36 in pieces for the fuselage sides and four sheets of 1/16 x 4 x 36 in over the wings. The tailplane comes out of one 3/8 x 3 x 36 in sheet.

Construction. Wings: It should be possible to see the drawing of the wing from the reverse side of the plan (wipe the plan with a paraffin-moistened rag) but if this is not so, tape the plan onto a window and draw out the required details. By using these methods you know that each wing panel will be identical. Trace or photocopy the root rib from the drawing. I trace the rib and then pin prick through onto the balsa. Cut out the rib, check the shape and then cut out two more. Take the original rib template and sand it down to the shape of rib 2, then cut two ribs. Repeat this operation until a full set of ribs is obtained. Cut out the recesses for the spars and the holes for the push rods.

The full depth mainspar is from hard 1/8 sheet and notches are cut to accept the ribs. The 1/16 ply dihedral braces are fitted each side of the mainspar before assembling the wing. The main spar and rear lower spar should be pinned down over the plan (use Solartex backing or other polythene sheet over the plan) along with the 1/4 in square trailing edge. The ribs should be fitted and glued in place before the leading edge. After the rear top spar and leading edge are fitted the front and rear sheeting can be cut. By cutting the 4 in wide sheet diagonally it is possible to get a lead ing and trailing piece of sheet plus the centre section sheeting from each 36 in length.

The half wing can now be removed from the plan. Turn the plan over and repeat the sequence for the other wing. The sheeting and cap strips can now be added to the undersurface of the wing. Use soft 1 in block for the tips, carve and sand to shape. Using a plane, carve the leading edge to shape and sand to blend with the sheeting. The centre section trailing edge is fitted next and finally the 1/16 ply doubler underneath..."

Bantam, R/C Model World, May 1985.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, thanks to RFJ.

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