Pay-Triot (oz13127)

About this Plan

Pay-Triot. Free flight Payload model.

Quote: "Free-Flight Payload has returned, and our good looking Nationals winner is ready to put you on the winning path. Easy to build and fly, it's a winner!

Payload returns - and how sweet it is! Since I had a real soft spot for the Payload events, prior to their loss of PAN-AM Sponsorship after 1961, I was quite elated when the National Free Flight Society (NFFS) officially announced it would sponsor .020 Payload at the Nationals. The ROG and dummy pilot requirements had always given the event a shot of realism and nostalgia not found in modern Free-Flight gas events, and also had offered the only direct competition for the very capable .020 size engines.

The re-birth of Payload popularity comes at a time when the AMA is promoting a build-up in the Jr - Sr age groups, and I should think an .020 gas powered ROG event should be just what the doctor ordered to help promote Jr- Sr and Novice interest. By the way, you can include a big batch of us 'Old Timers' who also get their jollies flying these mini-skirted jobs. A

Anyhow, with my old 1961 model long since victimized by my number two tricycle motor, a new model was in order. The Payload rules were simple and nearly identical to the old rules ie: minimum weight of dummy pilot (1 oz); minimum weight of model less dummy (4 oz); maximum wing span (36 inches); must ROG, etc. (See the AMA rule book for complete details.)

For my new model, my mind's eye visualized an airframe casting a minimum shadow in all views; that is, minimum frontal cross section, minimum profile to reduce drag, and no more lifting area than supposedly necessary. Conversely, the high weight-to-wing-area ratio would require a good lifting airfoil, and an extremely long tail moment would be incorporated to aid the lifting airfoil in the glide, as well as to add stability with the power on. With the foregoing visualization (or pipe dream, if you prefer) transferred to the drawing table, the Pay-Triot design emerged.

A short time later, the first flights were being made on the constructed model, culminating in a first place win at the Olathe Nationals. Admittedly, the Pay-Triot was primarily designed looking down the barrel aimed at the Nationals .020 Payload event, but its sleek lines and simplicity of construction should interest .020 Sport flyers as well. I would not recommend it for those small 'ball park' fields though, for without the one-ounce dummy, a four ounce Pay-Triot could give those 1/2A contest designs a good run for the gravy. Whatever your bag, should a Pay-Triot strike your fancy, the following includes a few hints on how to get there from here.

CONSTRUCTION: Wing: Thumb-tack the plans to your workbench and cover them with thin waxed paper to prevent the soon-to-be-cemented parts from sticking to your plans.

Select your leading and trailing edges, turbulators and spars from 36 in long medium weight balsa stock. Since the entire wing is exactly 36 in long, we have the added advantage of getting both wing halves from the same uniform balsa strip by cutting each strip into two equal 18 in long pieces. We won't be wasting any of that good balsa wood either.
Start construction of the left hand wing first..."

Pay-triot, MAN, September 1971.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, thanks to RFJ.

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