Heath Parasol (oz12706)

About this Plan

Heath Parasol. Free flight scale model.

Quote: "Heath: Fine scale free flight for .02 power.

Ed Heath's Parasol was once one of America's most popular planes. There were several versions of this light plane including the midwing and low wing. The Parasol shown here offers the model builder a fine stable configuration for free-flight scale. A high wing position, long nose and good wheel location combine to make this a fine flyer.

Our first job was far too light for the surprising power output of Cox's Pee Wee engine, so a second model was made heavier, stronger and well doped. Heavy wheels were added and hard balsa used throughout bringing the total weight to seven ounces. This gives the model fine scale like flight performance. A nice touch is to make the elevators and rudder movable; this is a great aid in trimming the model for flight.

Start the fuselage by cutting the sides and bulkheads from 1/16 sheet. Cement the rear fuselage sides together; add the bulkheads starting from the rear and working forward; done this way the fuselage is made with little difficulty.

Wing mounts are bent from 1/16 - wire, thread-bound and cemented to 1/4 in square balsa, then cemented in position. The landing gear is also bent, bound and cemented in place after which the remaining bulkheads and stringers are cemented in place. Sheet the nose section checking that the grain runs as prescribed on the plans. Cowl blocks are carved and hollowed enough to accommodate your engine. (Fiber glassing the interior of the nose and cowl with cloth and resin will aid fuel proofing). Dress snaps and a dowel hold the cowl in place. (You remove cowl when starting engine.)

Wing is made in the usual manner; the four center ribs are bass or other hardwood; a brass tube is bound to them as shown on the plan. Note 'A' indicates the ribs are bound with thread and cemented together. Two small brass tubes are soldered to the wing mount. A balsa dowel is used to join the wing to the mount. In a rough landing this dowel will break and save the model from damage. Add center panels of celluloid to wing before covering.

The tail assembly is flat and can be made directly over the plan. If adjustment hinges are to be used these should be cemented in place before covering.

Cover the entire model with Silkspan. The wing struts are made from bass or very hard balsa cemented together and then sanded. All hooks are cemented and thread-bound. We used Ambroid to get a strong job.

Before flying check to see that the CG is as indicated on the plan. Adjust elevators until a good glide is achieved. Fly with little power until the model is performing as desired. A little rudder adjustment goes a long way."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, thanks to RFJ.

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