Vixen Aerobatic (oz1340)

About this Plan

The Vixen Aerobatic. Radio control biplane model, for 4 channel propo and .25 power.

Quote: "The midgets are here! Full house proportional aircraft with a 40 inch wingspan. All the flying potentials of the now tired stunt monster, is a practical reality at last!

After a mini-plane design series starting with the Bantam Kobra and the Urchin (oz2607) the Vixen aerobatic took form. Similar 'think smaller' ideas have been going on in other areas of the country. The idea was sparked by the new super compact receivers and servos. Why not take advantage of their small size and light weight?

Having mentioned the many advantages of the small plane in the past, nothing further will be said here. Instead, let's look at probably their biggest disadvantage. They can be hard to see at a distance; especially when the visibility is poor; as in haze or smog. If the pilot isn't careful, he can become disorientated rather easily. In flying a biplane, there is more airplane to see from any angle. This became very apparent to me, when I first flew my 'Urchin' (a small low winger) and this design in succession. Both planes fly at about the same speed, with flying characteristics being very similar, so a comparison could be made.

The overall weight of the Vixen Aerobatic is a scant 2 lb 15 oz, which incidentally, includes a couple of ounces of lead in the nose! Building a plane this light is not difficult, when one considers the weight of the Controlaire radio system with the 5-4 servos and the 250 MaH battery pack, adds up to a grand total of 12.5 ounces!

The test flights of the Vixen Aerobatic were conducted under typical Long Island winter weather conditions; cold, cold, with the ever present, and always seasonable wind. The only thing that drove the other-wise hibernated editor and myself out of our warm basements, was our eager-ness; his being, 'capturing a photographic great' and mine, for seeing how the thing would fly.

As we 'played' around the local airport taking pictures and running the engine with frozen fingers, I couldn't help thinking that. it would have made more sense, to be taking off in one of the Cessna's, relaxing in its warm and comfortable cabin, while viewing the frozen earth from aloft. Maybe we're doing things backwards, by flying the models in the wind and waiting for the rare calm weather to fly the Cessnas?

The first flight went off in a controlable manner; but it was found that too much corrective action was needed with the controls, to maintain a straight heading.

After a successful landing, 2 ozs. of nose weight was added. This addition added greatly to the ships roll and yaw stability; but it was still over-sensitive to pitch control. The flight did, however, give our frozen photographer a chance to get a couple of air shots, which I hope will appear with this article. After having been encouraged by the planes performance; but not being completely satisfied, it was decided to go home for a while, thaw out, and make a few minor adjustments.

First, the positive incttence was taken out of the lower wing; leaving both wings at a zero degree setting. Since the plane had no down thrust, two degrees were added.

Later that day, with the wind still blowing, a third flight was made. This flight proved a complete success in all respects. The ship bored through the turbulence in a clean and precise manner, even allowing a couple of touch and goes off the frozen lumpy, turf flying field.

Another flight was made to check out the tiny ships' aerobatic ability. Immel-mans, inside and outside loops, cuban eights, spins, were all done with ease. Now for a split 'S' with the idea of making a grand high speed down-wind pass! Roll over inverted - a touch of up elevator; to make a large half loop for plenty of speed..."

Update 20/12/2017: added article, thanks to RFJ.

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