Saab 18A (oz1225)

About this Plan

Saab 18A. A 40 inch wingspan twin engined C/L scale bomber model. Model Aircraft, February 1959.

Quote: "A scale twin control-line model of a Swedish Bomber, suitable for two 1-2 cc motors. SAAB 18A, by Hoh Fang-Chiun.

ALTHOUGH twin-engined control-line scale models have gained an ever increasing popularity in recent years, to consider building a model of this type may still give rise to misgivings for the average modeller. This may be due to a number of factors. The design of the model is perhaps unnecessarily intricate; the chosen subject may not be very suitable; or the designer endeavours to copy the full-size machine right down to the last rivet, with complete disregard for practicable construction.

With these points in mind, I have tried to make the construction of this scale model of Sweden's Saab 18A medium bomber, so simple that every modeller with a little experience should be able to build it. The construction is of balsa, which gives a good weight/ strength ratio. The sheet covering should not offer any difficulty, as the wing is planked entirely separately, with the fuselage and nacelles then built on to it. To further simplify the building, soft balsa blocks, carved to scale shape and finished in scale outlines, were used for canopies instead of moulded ones, though you may, of course, make these latter up if you prefer.

The model spans 40 in and my prototype Saab-18A, with two Taifun Hurrikan 1.5 cc motors for power, weighs about 48 oz, and has an air speed of around 55 mph. A pair of 1.5 cc engines are recommended, but any pair of motors up to 2.5 cc can be used. Even good 1.0 cc diesel engines would be suitable if the model is kept light during building.

Construction. Start with the wing. First, join the spars with their respective 1/16 in plywood dihedral braces, and cut all the ribs, except for the centre one, from 1/8 in sheet. Don't forget to cut the slots for the lead-out wires in the port ribs. Next, slide and cement the ribs onto the spars from the centre outward, and frequently check over the plan that they line up correctly. Note that the hardwood bellcrank mount has to be cemented in place before ribs WC, etc., are added. Cement the leading edge in place and install the complete bellcrank assembly.

Before sheet covering the wing - preferably with hard 1/16 in sheet - securely cement a piece of lead, weighing about 1-1/2 oz, in the starboard tip, between the mainspar and leading edge. Add block tips and sand entire wing.

Start the fuselage by cementing the 1/8 in sheet keel onto the centre of the wing. Be sure that the wing slot in the keel is just big enough so that it fits tightly onto the wing centre, and check carefully that the keel is absolutely straight in relation to the wing. Cut out all the formers and cement them in place..."

Supplementary file notes

Planfile includes article.

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