Kingfisher (oz14050)

About this Plan

Kingfisher. Control line FAI speed model.

Quote: "Kingfisher. Gordon Isles describes the construction of this most successful and popular assymetric speed model, designed by Emil Rumpel, which has a contest record too long to list!

Emil Rumpel's Kingfisher design has proved one of the most popular and widely used asymmetric speed models to appear to date: its most notable performance being at the 1972 World Championships, when Jurgen Lenzen was placed third. Since then it has appeared at all major international events, and with the right engine it is a really competitive model.

Over the years several variations of this basic model have been tried, culminating in Emil's very long wing version seen at last year's British Nationals. With an aluminium-covered wing of shortened chord, this model was supposed to have a less critical Reynold's number at over 160 mph, to which I can only say that I wish I had that problem!

I have also built the model with an aluminum-covered wing which does gain a little by virtue of the resulting stiffer structure, but I would not advise anyone (save an experienced builder) to attempt this, as the aluminium covering is extremely difficult to apply without warps being inadvertently produced. All speed models must be built to a high standard of accuracy in order to produce a stable model, the extra speed of this class of model emphasising any inaccuracies in the rigging of the air frame.

Both wing and tail plane are of symmetrical section and set at zero incidence. For this I use the flat jig shown in the accompanying photograph, set on a flat plate: the height of leading and trailing edges being measured by means of a height gauge. I check the incidence all the way along both the wing and tail to ensure absolute accuracy. The importance of correct rigging cannot be over emphasised as this, coupled with the position of the centre of gravity, dictates the flying characteristics.

The original fuselages built by Emil were constructed of Basswood, however this is often difficult to obtain and as a substitute lime wood can be used. This and several other specialist types of woods may be purchased from Punctilio Model Spot of Waterloo Road, Hinckley, Leics. Lime is a close-grained wood which is a delight to cut and enables the delicate nose-cowling to be carved with great accuracy.

It is advisable to leave approx. 1/16 in clearance between the middle of the pipe and the rear fuselage since any very hard 'bounce' tends to split the fuselage at this point, One should not bounce a model of course, but in FAI flying a strict flight-height limit is imposed, and on a windy day a premature landing is not unknown!

When constructing the fuselage I cut out all the laminations first, accurately carving out the interior to fit engine, pan, tank and pan-hold-down nuts, but leaving the exterior dimensions over-sized. The pan-hold-down nuts are then epoxied in place..."

Note supplement article file has been extracted from the Aeromodeller magazine post by ilgk48 at https://www.hippocketaeronautics.com/hpa_plans...

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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