Dazzler (oz12649)

About this Plan

Dazzler. Radio control sport model. Wingspan 48 in, wing area 578 sq in, for .32 - .40 engines.

Discontinued kit from Great Planes, see http://www.greatplanes.com/discontinued/gpma0480.php

Quote: "Dazzler delivers unlimited fun on a limited budget. As a Sunday sport plane for practicing aerobatics, or for use in club 'fun-fly' events, the Great Planes Dazzler can't be beat! This nimble model cuts costs - for example, it performs very well with an economical 'bushing' .40 engine - but doesn't cut corners when it comes to flying excitement. For the impatient pilot, the Dazzler features a low number of lightweight, all-wood parts and straightforward construction that speeds assembly. Hatches in the fuselage provide convenient, easy access to the fuel tank and radio gear. And with its compact size, the Dazzler can easily be transported to the field in a small car in one piece.

Control surfaces are twice the normal size, for added maneuverability. Nearly symmetrical airfoil and oversized control surfaces provide amazing 'snap' for rocketing rolls and other wild aerobatics. Dual aileron servos speed up response while also reducing flutter. Includes pre-bent, taildragger landing gear, photo-illustrated instructions and a 'Dazzler' name decal for the wing.

All of these great features, along with its low price, make the Dazzler the perfect choice for pilots wanting an all-wood plane for 'low-risk' aerobatics."

Note also see 1999 E-zone article re electric conversion by Ron Farkas at https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?184665-The-Dazzler-from-Great-Planes

Update 29/12/2023: Added kit review from RCM April 1999, thanks to RFJ.

Quote: "RCM Product Review. Dazzler from Great Planes, by Bob Wallace.

Great Planes Dazzler is a sport aerobatic design that is intended to be powered by a .28-.40 (2-stroke) or a .40-.52 (4-stroke) engine. A 4-channel radio system, with five servos. is required, and standard-size airborne components maybe utilized.

The Dazzler is an all-wood, built-up type aircraft that employs conventional type construction methods. With its thick, almost symmetrical wing, oversized control surfaces, and relatively tight weight; it is designed for highly responsive 'hot dagger' type aerobatics.

Appearance-wise, it has the look of a 1950's era U-control stunt model, which may render it all the more attractive to 'vintage' RC modelers. Great Planes Dazzler is packaged in a sturdy 3-1/4 x 6 x 37 in corrugated carton that is covered on all four sides and top with attractive, full-color labeling that shows numerous views of the model, specifications, suggested finishing color schemes, and other related information.

All of the kit's component parts are carefully packaged in banded sub assemblies or vinyl bags, The kit includes a formed music wire main landing gear and tail wheel leg; a clear butyrate molded canopy. die-cut and machine-cut wood parts, and an 8-1/2 x 14 in pressure sensitive decal sheet. An excellent hardware package is enclosed that includes almost everything that is needed to complete the model. Rather than listing every item included, it is easier to list the additional accessories required. Other than an engine, radio system. and film covering material, the following items are required: 6 ounce fuel tank w/tubing, 2-1/2 in main gear wheels, and 1 in tail wheel w/collars, engine mount w/mounting screws and blind nuts, throttle control cable assembly, and radio cushioning foam.

An inventory sheet is included that lists all kit items by sub assembly or packet. The rolled 36 x 46 in plan sheet, which is computer-generated, is very nicely done and is accompanied by a very complete 20-page (8-1/2 x 11 ni) instruction manual that includes numerous construction photographs. Also included in the Dazzler kit is a copy of Great Planes' airplane and accessories catalog.

Construction: The tail surfaces and ailerons are constructed, directly over the plan sheet, from balsa strip stock.

The wing is a constant chord type that is almost symmetrical and has no
dihedral. The wing panels are of conventional 'open rib bay' construction with basswood main spars, and are assembled directly over the plan sheet also. The wing ribs are die-cut and the portion from the bottom main spar aft to the trailing edge (on all ribs) has been cut flat, presumably to simplify the building board assembly process. The wing surfaces are finished with 1/16 sheet balsa and capstrips. The two wing panels are joined via plywood reinforcing braces. A separate aileron servo is employed in each wing panel. We found the die-cutting to be excellent. All parts were crisply cut and easily removed from the sheet stock..."

Supplementary file notes

Instructions. 20 pages, complete.
Review.

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