Volksplane (oz1297)

About this Plan

Volksplane. Radio control scale model, for Enya .45 power.

Update 4/3/2024: Added article, thanks to theshadow.

Quote: "Micro Avionics rig and an Enya .45 find a home in this simplest of scales. The 24 foot prototype is being built across the nation in garages. A 57 in span that loves to fly. Volksplane, by Gene Rogers.

Simplicity should be the objective for all good designs and Mr WS Evans' efforts reached the pinnacle of this goal with his extraordinary Volksplane homebuilt. The elimination of difficult aircraft construction techniques and much expensive hardware was obviously his objective. Simplicity and low cost again show their evidence in Mr Evans' selection of a powerplant for the plane. Since the Volkswagen engine's design and materials more. closely follow aircraft concepts rather than a standard automobile powerplant, it is a natural choice for low powered inexpensive aircraft use.

Aside from stripping the accessories from a standard VW engine, the only real modification is the addition of a magneto to replace the distributor. The engine is bolted directly to the aircraft's firewall, using four bolts, without need for a special aircraft type engine mount.

The Volkswagen engine is Mounted in the airplane in the same manner in which it is mounted in the car; that is, with the rear of the car being the front of the airplane. A propeller hub replaces the pulley normally used to drive the engine's generator and cooling blower. This all sounds fine, but this leaves it with a clockwise propeller rotation. This deviation is corrected by using a left handed propeller, as on many European aircraft.

If you're a real scale purist, and you want to duplicate the left handed prop, get yourself a clockwise rotating model engine. Just don't forget to hold LEFT rudder on takeoff!

Mr. Evans' thought in mind was the 'easiest-to-build' basic aircraft possible, and my objective with this RIC replica was the same. He wanted more people to give home-building a try, and I also am hopeful more modelers will enter into scale R/C flying through this extremely easy to build and flightworthy aircraft.

The plans to the model Volksplane are true to scale, with two exceptions. The stabilator has a longer span to give more stability and the wing's airfoil is semi-symmetrical, rather than having a flat bottom. I am certain the ship would fly without changing either of these, but the beginner in scale flying would have some difficulties. The size of the full scale ship's stabilator is about average, however, when scaled down to model size it is not quite large enough, when considering Reynold's numbers. A small stab makes for very tricky turns, resulting in a stall if rapid flying speed is not maintained. The flat bottomed airfoil when applied to a model does not allow a small change in angle of attack without increasing the lift drastically, making pitch control difficult to trim.

A complete packet of information concerning the full-sized Volksplane can be obtained by sending $2.50 to: Volksplane, Box 744, La Jolla, California 92037.

This information will give the builder further scale details and will serve as documentation for 'proof of scale' as required for AMA scale contest participation.

In selecting a proper size for the mode!, a scale of 1/5 the actual size was used. The more common 1/6 size 12 inches to the foot) would result in a model having a 4 foot wingspan, which is a little on the diminutive side for an WC scale model. As can be seen in the photos, my model has all the scale trim details and leaves only a dummy engine to complete the picture. Before the model enters scale competition however, dummy VW cylinder heads will be attached to the fibreglass, cowl. These heads will be fastened on from the inside of the cowl and will be removable for knockabout sport type flying. The information packet as mentioned above contains some good illustrations of the VW engine.

Since the construction is relatively simple, it should be just about ideal as your first scale project. Even if you're not an all-out scale enthusiast, a truly scale model can be created with hardly much more effort than is required to build the typical R/C trainer.

In building the Volksplane, the results of your efforts will be rewarded with a good flying aircraft, without having the usual scale flying limitations as with most other scale WC designs. With a .45 sized powerplant installed, the ship will perform stunt maneuvers with the best of the hot jobs. When the wind blows at the scale contest, the way it usually does, grounding half of the entries, you will be flying your Volksplane with ease and confidence! In reality you will be entering scale competition with a ship having all the capabilities of a pattern ship.

The Volksplane was test flown on a very windy and blustery day. From the first moment when the ship tracked straight and true on a near-perfect take-off, I could tell I had command of a real performer. The entire flight gave absolutely no evidence of the turbulence the ship was boring through. The only indication of the wind's velocity was the rapid downwind passes. With the wind blowing at 20 knots and gusting as well, I flew the model in on a landing approach at about one-half power. Once over the runway threshold, the power was cut, with enough speed left to make a smooth and safe wheel type landing.

As mentioned, the construction of the Volksplane is about as uncomplicated and as straight forward as can be had with a scale type ft/C plane. So let's clear the workbench and get started, Even if you aren't planning on building one now, read on, (Gems of wisdom buried here and there

Wing Construction: The wing should be constructed in one piece on a building board which allows the dihedral to be built-in. The model has a scale dihedral of 6 degrees. This amount of dihedral gives no problem incidentally, when the model is in an inverted attitude, a maneuver which it handles well.

Select hard balsa for the wing spars and leading edges. Use medium balsa for the ribs and capping. The leading and trailing edges are propped up with blocks as shown on the sectional view of the wing as indicated on the plans. Make certain the leading and trailing edges are warp-free when blocking them up, so that they may be positioned directly over the plans.

The landing gear platform in the center-section of the wing can be best installed after the wing is removed from the building board or wing jig. When installing these two pieces of laminated plywood..."

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