Bristol 170 Freighter (oz1217)

About this Plan

Bristol Model 170 Freighter. Scale twin model for control line, with 2x .049s for power.

Update 03/05/2021: Added article, thanks to RFJ.

Quote: "Absolutely Irresistible! Bristol 170 Freighter. Designed by Capt Keith Laumer, USAF.

Britain's Bristol 170, a freight-and-passenger version of the Bristol Bombay bomber-transport, made its first flight in 1945. The 1954 version shown here, little altered from the earliest type, has seen service all over the world, building up a record for reliability and economy. No glamour girl, the 170 is a flying machine par excellence, and our 40 inch version handles just like the big one.

The straightforward engineering of the prototype is reflected in the easy construction of the model. The fixed gear offers an opportunity to build true scale without the necessity to fudge details of a retracting gear, and the constant-section elevator, low-slung circular nacelles and small window area are simpler to construct than most scale jobs. Powered by two .049's, the 170 performs smoothly on 40 foot lines; with a couple of .09's up front, you'll have to keep your head or you'll find yourself looping the dignified old lady.

Construction of the 170 is all balsa, with the exception of a little wire and plywood; no difficult techniques are employed. The secret of turning out a beautiful job is to work slowly and carefully - and don't spare the sandpaper!

Start by cutting out bulkheads 4 through 10 from 3/32 balsa, split them down the center. Lay out 1/8 by 1/4 keels and part # 14 on side view of fuselage. Add part 19 (1/8 balsa), and place one-half of each bulkhead in proper position. While cement sets up, cut two of part 20 and make up the two side stringers. Remove half-shell from plan and add other set of half bulkheads, place side stringers in notches. Be sure to align fuselage carefully at this point.

Cut part 11 from 1/8 plywood and bind 1/16 piano wire tail wheel strut in place with #30 linen thread, and install. Part #13 fits between 10 and 11 and the gussets at the front against bulkhead 1 complete the basic frame.

Start planking by cutting two side patterns from medium 3/32 balsa. Cement them first against bulkheads 1 through 7; when set, bend both in at same time and cement against bulkheads 8 through 11. Be sure to place these panels against flat portion of bulkhead sides.

Cut top rear panel as shown on top view, cement in place. Bottom panel is identical except that it extends forward an additional 6-1/2 in. Complete planking using 3/32 square strips. Cut two of #12 from soft 1/4 balsa and cement in position to form cabin sides. Note that a left and right hand version of # 12 is needed. Shape 1/4 balsa 7/8 by 3 to cross section shown on side view to form lower part of cabin and instrument panel. Cut rear section of cabin roof from 1/4 balsa and cement in place; bevel top as shown on side view, add front roof section.

Cut part 22 from 1/8 balsa or plywood, add 1/2 soft balsa or white pine slabs to build up nose section. Cut tail fairing from soft balsa block and cement in position; then use a sharp knife or razor to trim all rough areas down. Finish shaping with a piece of #2 garnet paper wrapped around a small sanding block. Sand lightly so as not to cut too much; when shape is right, switch to successively finer grades of paper to work out a smooth finish. Seal surface with clear fuelproof dope of the kind you intend to use for the final paint job, give fuselage a last going-over with 3/0 paper, and we'll move on to the wing.

Use spar patterns to cut two of each spar from hard 1/16 balsa - don't cut the notches yet. Carefully score and bend the blank spars to angles shown..."

Update 27/06/2021: Replaced this plan with a clearer copy, thanks to Pilgrim. This fixes the sections on the extreme left and right hand edges of the plan, previously either missing or unreadable.

Supplementary file notes

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