Gremlin (oz14060)

About this Plan

Gremlin. Control line stunt model, for Fox 35 engine.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 9/9/2022: Added article, thanks to RFJ.

Quote: "Stunting is a sporting event and you who want the go-round part with nice stunts, try this bird. Gremlin, by Larry Scarinzi.

The Gremlin is the result of many test models. Sounds good doesn't it? Too bad as there isn't a word of truth in it.

Actually the story began one cool spring evening when Georgie De Mestro, age 9 and all of 4 ft tall, honored me with a request to help him with a simple model that would be used for the Air Youth events. (Don't mock his size, fella's, Georgie won junior A/2 speed at the Mirror Meet last year with a creditable speed of just under 90 mph! - model was a Junior Streak, (MAN, October, 1957). So, together we worked like a well oiled machine.

Requirement #1 was simplicity. My first thought was a profile. No! Lay it like this, Georgie exclaimed. Dad gum it, that's the trouble with these young kids nowadays. Hey, it does look good, well sort of - OK, so I'll give in to him and lay the fuselage down sideways. Flat profiles, silly kids, oh well, let's get on with it. Into a box of old rib patterns we went and found this set. Yes, by golly it is the set I used on my old Drone diesel stunt job back in 1948. Should do fine for this. Collecting a stack of rib blanks I sandwiched them between the two plywood rib patterns and give them to Georgie to cut out AARGH - Georgie, you're sanding through the patterns! That's all right, it'll go faster if the wing is thinner, won't it? His explanation stopped me for a minute. My poor patterns are ruined! Well, they're 14 years old. Guess the little squirt has got an argument. Oh darn, all that scientific layout gone down the drain.

So that's the way it went. After only a few short hours of work and scientific reasoning the basic structure was completed. Hey, that's cute, let's call it the Gremlin, I exclaimed. Yes, glad I thought of that, says Georgie. Oh groan this kid's wearing my nerves to a frazzle.

Didn't think so at the time, but I guess the situation was somewhat comical. Have to give Georgie credit for some of the engineering refinements found in this model.

Getting a little more serious, the model does well enough to perform smooth vertical eights when flying on 52-1/2 in .015 diameter lines and powered by a mild running Fox .35. Any good .15 to .35 engine will do. Good square maneuvers are a little rough on the model but it handles well through all round maneuvers.

Oh yes, must mention that the original was decorated with miniature cows and chickens. The center section of the wing between the spar and trailing edge was decorated with a miniature farm scene and then covered with celluloid. The design is intended to appeal to those wanting a simple sport stunter or trainer.

Build the model of selected lightweight balsa and, of course, pay special attention to proper CG location. This is important in this or any control line model. Oh yes, another important feature is the ease of repairing this model. Hope you never get to find this out by experience. Now let's get down to pins and glue.

Begin construction by cutting out all of the required parts. Construct the fuselage by assembling the 1/2 in sheet balsa frame, hardwood motor mounts and 1/16 plywood over the top and bottom of the front edge of the fuselage. Note that the 1/16 plywood top stops at the front edge of the 1/2 in square wing spar. Make up a spar and doubler assembly of 1/2 in square balsa. Glue and screw this to the top of the fuselage using two #4-40 screws and blind mounting nuts. Note the piece of 1/16 plywood used to keep the screw heads from pulling through the spar. Also note that the inside wing is 1 inch longer than the outside wing..."

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