Rudder Bug (oz12217)

About this Plan

Rudder Bug. Radio control sport/trainer model.

Quote: "Famous RC Aircraft No1: Walt Good's Rudder Bug. The expression going DOWN in history just doesn't seem appropriate for famous R/C model aircraft. We intend to keep them UP in the air by bringing them back to you, one at a time, in this interesting series. Photos furnished by Walt Good.

In the months to follow, Model Builder intends to present a series of famous pioneer R/C aircraft. This presentation will include background history on the model and its designer, and also a complete set of construction plans, which may be purchased through Model Builder's plan service. When possible, we will publish photos of the original model, and will also give brief building instructions, particularly in areas that may need additional clarification.

Many of the very early R/C models, which were designed in days when the rudder was the only moving control surface, were so inherently stable that, if left alone, they would keep on flying until they disappeared - which was very often the case, as a result of the crude, tempermental, relay-operated, rubber band powered, control mechanisms! Because of their stable flight characteristics, most of these famous historic R/C aircraft would still make excellent trainers, and with the matter-of-fact reliability of today's radio equipment, could give even more pleasure to modern day builders than they did 15 to 25 years ago.

There were a few famous R/C model aircraft prior to the Rudder Bug, but the 'Bug' represented the first departure from the 8 to 12 foot, load-carrying behemoths that came before it. Perhaps it is time to let its designer, Dr Walter A Good, pick up the story:

The Rudder Bug was designed especially for radio control rudder flying, in 1949. This six foot giant was considered small at that time, but large enough to carry the one pound (yes, 16 ounces!) of single-channel equipment. The radio was the Good Brother’s single-tube receiver and escapement, put out by Beacon Electronics, in Pittsburgh. The ground based transmitter gave 2 watts at 54 MC, and was push-buttoned on and off to give right, left and neutral rudder. lncidently, in those days, we tuned the transmitter to the receiver!

The engine was a deLong 30, which was later replaced with a Forster 29. Both engines were about as powerful as today's 19's, but the ignition system gave good long fights on a few ounces of gas/oil mix.

Basically, the plane design came strongly from free flight - note the large dihedral and small fin for good spiral stability. However, several features were especially for R/C. The very small rudder was remarkably effective - one-eighth inch deflection was plenty for a tight turn - and resulted in a tiny torque load on the weak escapement actuator. By placing the center of the fin area on the level with the thrust line, good power-on to power-off characteristics were obtained.

Spacious cabin doors on both sides gave easy access to the temperamental R/C gear which usually required attention before every flight and sometimes during flight!

Overall, the Rudder Bug turned out to be a very stable and docile model, thus providing a ood platform for newcomers and the then not-so-reliable radio gear.

The Rudder Bug was first designed, built and flown during 1947 and '48. By 1949, when the Rudder Bug (oz7009) plans were published in Model Airplane News (May-June 1949), the original had made almost 100 flights.

It was surprising to see 11 Rudder Bugs at the 1949 Nationals (considering the plans came out only a few months before the meet), out of a total of 31 entries! A Rudder bug took first place.

Within a few months, the British published the Rudder Bug (oz6998) in Aeromodeller Jan/Feb of 1950, which started an overseas interest in the model.

By strapping extra tanks on the Bug, still using the ignition Forster 29, an FAl World's Record for R/C duration was set in June 1952, with a flight time of 40 min., 28 secs. The previous record was held by the Russians with 23 mins., 8 secs. The escapement rubber band was still only half wound down after the 40 minute flight. It started with over a thousand turns.

ln order to obtain a smaller Rudder Bug, the original was scaled from 6 feet span to 5 feet in 1954, and powered with a 19 engine. This version was dubbed the 'Royal Rudder Bug'. Don Clark, of the DCRC, did the reduced version, and the Royal Rudder Bug (oz1730) plans were published in Flying Models in Feb, 1954. Later that year, Berkeley Models kitted the Royal Rudder Bug (oz10551) and sold thousands throughout the world.

One evidence of its international popularity was the winning of the Swiss Nats in 1962 by Armin Roethlisberger - with a Rudder Bug!

Even in 1977, a Rudder Bug is occasionally seen at the model field. Billy White, of Washington DC, recently finished a six-foot Bug, complete with rudder, elevator, and engine controls. The engine is an OS 40 Schneurle, with more than enough power. Less than 1/2 throttle simulates the flight of the original. (I flew this one just recently - very nostalgic, but I must admit I liked the addition of the elevator and engine controls!) No plane changes were made, other than the addition of a two-inch wide elevator to the existing stab. Bill says he liked his earlier, 1952 Rudder Bug so much he just had to build another one, just 25 years later..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

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