Flipper (oz1314)

 

Flipper (oz1314) by Vic Smeed 1965 - plan thumbnail

About this Plan

Flipper. Single channel RC biplane sports model, for .020 power.

Quote: "For compact size the biplane is a natural - this little model is only 18 in span but packs in practically one square foot of wing area, slightly over if the tailplane is added, for a total weight of 9 oz, nearly 60 per cent of which is radio.

The prototype gets quite a hustle on with an .020, and an .010 would fly it reasonably, especially if the radio weight could be trimmed a fraction. The large tailplane is adequate for safe free flight, Flipper having been designed as a dual purpose model originally.

Construction. The construction offers no problem; first cut and laminate where necessary all formers, also fuselage sides, cementing doublers in place, and bend undercarriage to shape. Make up the centre-section struts and cement securely in place, taking care to align accurately, Sew the undercarriage to F2, then assemble fuselage sides to the front group of bulkheads, ie the parallel section.

When dry draw the tail ends together and insert remaining formers. Installation At this stage instal the radio. You may care to build the escapement in or arrange it so that it can be inserted and removed through the batch in the fuselage bottom. Cut, sand and fit the tailplane and rudder and complete linkage and all wiring. The fuselage bottom is now sheeted and the top planked..."

Update 02/05/2013: Replaced this plan with a clearer version, thanks to theshadow.

Quote: "...attached a cleaner scan of plan ID1314, Vic Smeed's Flipper, with the missing section now complete. This plan also appeared in Grid Leaks & Radio Control World magazine, issue Nov/Dec 1966."

Update 25/04/2016: RCM&E article pages, text & pics added, thanks to RFJ.

Update 06/05/2017: Added vectorPDF version of the plan, thanks to belli.

Update 24/6/2022: Added later article from RCM&E, March 1986, thanks to RFJ.

Supplementary file notes

Article.
Article (RCME).
Article (RCME 1986).
VectorPDF plan.

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Flipper (oz1314) by Vic Smeed 1965 - model pic

Datafile:

Flipper (oz1314) by Vic Smeed 1965 - pic 003.jpg
003.jpg
Flipper (oz1314) by Vic Smeed 1965 - pic 004.jpg
004.jpg
Flipper (oz1314) by Vic Smeed 1965 - pic 005.jpg
005.jpg

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User comments

Added pics of very nicely completed Flipper model thanks to Sundancer [main pic, 003] from his detailed build thread with many more pics, at http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2072448
SteveWMD - 19/07/2014
This is the only airplane I can ever remember being a total failure. Built from the magazine plans, mine was single channel with the lightest radio available, a Citizenship sugar cube receiver, Citizenship compound escapement and three small button cell nicads. It still felt heavy. I never really got it into the air with every hand launch into the ground. After several repairs and no success, I gave up and salvaged the radio for another more successful project. I still think I could get it to fly with modern radio and electric power, but it was a no-show back in the day.
DougSmith - 30/04/2015
I'm not surprised that Doug had trouble if his model was on the heavy side. However, modern radio and electrics have made the Flipper into a perfectly practical R/E/T performer. Mine [more pics 003] weighs 6 ounces and flies perfectly - however, it IS very small and quite speedy, so requires care to keep it in sight and attention to orientation. But it doesn't have any vices and is actually very easy to land.
Sundancer - 24/03/2016
Here's a photo [pic 004] of my electrified micro R/C Flipper in 2014. It was terribly tail heavy and I couldn't get it to balance without adding lead to the nose (yuck!) or a use very heavy battery. Next time, I would use Depron for the tail feathers and/or extend the nose a bit. Either that... or install a Pee Wee .020!
ChrisMoes - 18/11/2020
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Download File(s):
  • Flipper (oz1314)
  • Plan File Filesize: 80KB Filename: Flipper_oz1314.pdf
  • Supplement Filesize: 391KB Filename: Flipper_oz1314_article.pdf
  • Supplement Filesize: 881KB Filename: Flipper_oz1314_article_RCME.pdf
  • Supplement Filesize: 1835KB Filename: Flipper_oz1314_article_RCME_1986.pdf
  • Supplement Filesize: 37KB Filename: Flipper_oz1314_vector.pdf
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Notes

* Credit field

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Scaling

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