Ryan STA (oz12304)

About this Plan

Ryan STA. Radio control scale model. For OS .25 FP engine.

Quote: "To many of our present-day RC fliers, their ARF is nothing more than a means to an end, something that will get them into the air with a minimum of effort, the fact that it isn't a model of any particular real world airplane is unimportant, in most cases it isn't even considered. This concept of RC flying is fine and it introduces many newcomers to our sport, who, were it not made easy, would quickly lose interest. They are not modelers, in the true sense of the word, but are participants in a sport that often, through association with other fliers, leads the fledgling to develop an interest in and appreciation of 'real airplanes.' Once interested, the many variations of RC modeling become apparent; actual building, sport scale, scale, scratch building, etc. Possibly, some day, an antique or classic will captivate his or her imagination. Now, at last, you have the makings of a real modeler!

Many of us from the world of real aircraft, retired pilots and flight service operators from the '30s and '40s, developed attachments to certain of the aircraft we flew day after day. Some were work horses carrying cargo and passengers, and others were sport aircraft, fun machines that were a pure joy to fly; aircraft that blended with your personality and became an extension of your own thoughts, happy to roll about a point until sky and clouds and earth were but a blur.

These were happy airplanes, and such a friend was Ryan STA NC18902, an old companion whose memory is steeped in nostalgia and who, with some patient effort can still be with us today, small, but as beautiful and lively as ever!

BUILDING THE RYAN STA The plans-built STA is a sizable project, however, not a difficult one. The plans are well-detailed and the building instructions cover individual steps of the program in sufficient detail to make them easily understood. The STA is not recommended for the first-time builder, but is not dif-ficult for those of you who have a fair amount of balsa dust under the work bench. The finished aircraft, for builders affected by a nostalgic time warp, is truly representative of Sport Aviation during the Golden Era. As it flies by it is easy, with a little imagination, to see Clark Gable in the pilot's seat with Myrna Loy as his pretty passenger.

GENERAL COMMENTS: The prototype has been flying for several years and has been a most satisfying project. Appearance of the model is outstanding and the flight performance on an OS .25FP with a 9 x 6 MasterAirscrew is quite scale. Ground handling, despite the somewhat narrow landing gear, is good. The aircraft tracks well and directional control with the rudder is positive. Aerobatic flight is pleasing, particularly in rolls, which are absolutely axial.

You will find the STA a pleasing effort and one that will give something to take to the flying field that is a real attention getter. Familiarize yourself with the plans and the building instructions and cut out all parts so that once you start construction you can keep going - just like a kit, except you won't have the box in which to put the pieces.

FUSELAGE: Mark both FS1 structural side pieces with bulkhead locations. Attach doublers FD1 3/16-inch back from the forward edge of FS1. Install FD2 1/4-inch behind FD1 and FD3 1/8-inch behind FD2. Use scrap pieces to establish the required spacings. When you have completed the two sides (ONE LEFT AND ONE RIGHT, please!), lay one side flat on the work area with the doublers up. Cement B1 and B1 A together. Starting with Bl/B1A, cement it into the slot between FD1 and FD2, follow with B3 in the slot between FD2 and FD3.

Bulkhead B4 is installed against the rear face of FD3 and 85 on your mark on FS1. The opposite side may now be installed. Place it flat on the work surface and insert the bulkheads from the first side in the appropriate slots. Use a square to assure a straight assembly. The firewall may now be installed in the slot provided forward of the FD1 doublers. Use epoxy and install the triangular vertical braces behind the fire-wall.

Bulkhead B2 may now be installed and the flat sheet between it and the back side of B1. Use epoxy on this installation as it supports the wing locating pin. Install W1 and W2 on the forward face of B4 and against the inside of FS1. Locate the position for B6 and B7, carefully pull the aft end of the fuselage together and install them. The FS1 sides may be scored behind B5 to accomplish the bend. On the actual STA, the fuselage skin angles at 135 and the sides are straight to the tail cone, no compound curves. Join the fuselage at the rear, being careful to keep it straight. The side pieces of all bulkheads may now be attached. Install the servo support rail on the forward face of B4 and the forward servo support at the correct distance to accommodate the servos to be used.

Using a straight edge, check the fuselage sides from the B1 bulkhead back to B5, sand as required to be sure the 1/16-inch skin will lay flat against all frames. Accomplish the same from B5 back to the tail. Study the skin application sketch and cut 1/16-inch medium balsa to fit from B1 back to B5. Edge join the top and side sections, wet on the outside and wrap around the fuselage. Use tape or rubber bands to hold in place, re-wet if required and let dry, the skin should retain its curve. Trim the bottom sides of skins 2 and 4 even with the bottom of the FS1 sides. Accomplish the same skin application (fitting) from B5 aft to the tail. A little more care is required in this section due to the taper. Paper templates are a good way to obtain an initial fit prior to cutting the balsa. Following fitting of these sections, install them using a good amount of cement on all frames and along the bottom edge of FS1. A six-minute epoxy works well, as it gives you a bit of 'fitting' time. After drying, cut, fit and bend the sections (No.1 on the sketch) that fit on the bottom. Again, wet, form, allow to dry and trim for a good final fit and epoxy into place.

Up to this point we have not been concerned with cut-outs for the cockpits. This may now be accomplished, use a pattern and start with a small hole to locate the bulkheads, once you know where you are, cut away. Leave the wing cut out for the present time, as that will be accomplished after half the wing is built. Cut the openings for the elevator and rudder pushrods and the slots for the stabilizer and vertical fin. Put the fuselage flat on the work surface resting on the bottom from B1 to B5. Assure the tail is perpendicular to the work surface and measure up the sides and mark the stabi-lizer. Cut out area. Be sure to keep it level fore and aft as the stabilizer should be at 0 degrees. The vertical positioning may also be checked using the sides of the firewall. The fin slot should be straight fore and aft and in the center of the fuselage top. Later on at assembly, the vertical fin is attached to the stabilizer, and the assembly is slid into the back of the fuselage..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article.

Corrections?

Did we get something wrong with these details about this plan (especially the datafile)? That happens sometimes. You can help us fix it.
Add a correction