Sperry Messenger (oz13610)

About this Plan

Sperry Messenger. Scale rubber model biplane.

Update 14/4/2024: Added article, thanks to theshadow.

Quote: "Wanted: A nice looking, interesting scale model that can be flown in very restricted places. When the club meeting place has less than a twenty-five foot ceiling and maximum dimensions of about twenty-five to thirty feet, a model must be capable of turning in a small circle if it is to be flown consistently. There is nothing more frustrating than a model that will not quite fly in small enough circles to fit in the flying site. To obtain the small circles two things are required. First, the model must have a light wing loading. Second, the model must have a short wingspan.

The Sperry Messenger is a simply constructed little biplane and is capable of very fine flights in restricted areas. Several innovations were used to keep the model as light as possible while still making it look right. The wings and horizontal tail were covered on the top surface only. The tissue covering was marked with insignia and numbers prior to covering, using Dri-mark felt pens, to give a minimum weight color scheme. The cowl and turtledeck were made using a Mattel Vacu-form and thin plastic and the engine cylinders were made from plastic soda straws. The wheels in the model in the photograph are from a Revell Harley-Davidson motorcycle kit. The result, as shown in the photographs, is a very pretty little indoor scale model, that can be made to fly well, and has sufficient details to please most people without any excess weight.

The plans are presented full size so the model can be built directly from the magazine. If you want to save your Model Airplane News intact, either get some wax paper to put over the plans, or buy a second issue to cut up. Most of the construction is conventional for small rubber-powered models and except for the fuselage the major components will be complete except for covering as they are removed from the plan. Most of this article will therefore be confined to construction details that differ from conventional practice. It should be noted that the parts made from plastic can be carved from balsa and hollowed as required.

Let's start building the model. All the material is balsa unless otherwise stated. For a small model select light but strong wood. This is somewhat a contradiction in terms, but in any case, avoid pithy or extra crushable wood. Cut the wing ribs from 1/32 and 1/16 sheet balsa as required. Pin the leading and trailing edges of the wings to the plans and cement in the wing ribs at the locations shown on the plan. Avoid an excess of cement at the rib to edge connections. Pin the top and bottom longerons to the plan and cement in the upright as shown..."

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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