Swinger (oz13909)

About this Plan

Swinger. Control lline sport model. Variable geometry (swing-wing) design, for .049 engines. Wingspan 11-1/2 to 19 in.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 26/6/2022: Added article, thanks to Pit.

Quote: "THE MOST distinguishing feature of any aircraft is its shape. The world of aircrult is a realm of shapes. Each airplare is contoured so as to achieve certain desired flying qualities. In this, however, compromises must be made, for unfortunately, a form giving good high-speed characteristics will usually be a poor performer at low speeds, and fine slow flying airplanes just won't go fast at all.

Slots, flaps, and various leading edge devices are commonly used to alleviate the problem, but the most spectacular solution to the dilemma of optimnum aerodynamic form is to actually change the airplanes shape while in fight. To pivot the wings on a hinge really achieves dramatic results. For example. extending the wings of a variable geornetry airplane enables it to take ofl and land on short runways, to fly slowly, and to remain airbornc for great distance. Sweeping the wings fully back, on the other hand, will permit the highest speeds to be attained. Of course, intermediate wing positions may be selected on these remarkable planes to aehieve whatever perforrnance qualities are desired to accomplish the mission.

The controversial F-111, successful in all areas except political, is the first US combat machine to utilize swing wings. The B-1 bomber is a swing-wing aircraft that was intended to replace the eldcrly B-52's now in service. Abroad, the French Dassault Mirage G8, Soviet MiG 23 Flogger, and the Multinational MRCA are all provided with variable geometry wings. Thus it is, at least until another aerodynamic breakthrough occurs, we will be seeing more and more of this swing-wing concept in aircraft.

The Swinger, presented here, is an enjoyable little Half-A control-line model intended to convey some of the impressions, both visual and flight, of these modern aircraft to its builder. The structure has been designed to be nearly as easily fabricated as the simplest sort of trainer, and the model is exceptionally stable in flight in any wing configuration.

Construction, save for the wing-box area, is entirely conventional and, as it is the wing that makes this model substantially different from others, we will begin construction with this assembly. The wing panels, cut from very hard balsa, are formed with gear-like teeth at the roots. This feature enables the two movable wing panels to maintain a correct relationship, regardless of the wing sweep angle selected. Note that these wingroots are not identical and thus it will not be possible to stack up the wing blanks and saw out both wing panels at the same time... "

Update 15/7/2022: Added vectorPDF and CAD (dxf and dwg) versions of this plan, thanks to Valeria367.

Quote: "Hi, Steve and Mary. Good afternoon. After some months of absence, I'm back with a new CAD redraw of one model from your plans collection. Now is the turn for the Swinger (oz13909)... when I saw you have added it to your collection, I started to work on the vectorization. As usual, I add the new draw in vectorial PDF format, as well as both CAD formats: DWG and DXF. Best wishes, from your friend. Valeria367"

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