Airborn (oz14098)

About this Plan

Airborn (aka No Name Glider, Pioneer One). Radio control glider model. As flown in the 1939 Nationals. Wingspan 9 ft 6 in.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Quote: "Lanzo No Name R/C glider (1938). Here is the oldest known plan for Chet Lanzo's glider from 1938. It originally had no name. Then, it was named Pioneer One. Finally, it was called The Airborn (no E). It differs from the commonly approved Airborn plans in several ways, notably:

1) Grant X airfoil
2) Symmetrical airfoil in the stabilizer
3) No side windows
4) Permanently attached landing gear.
5) 114 inch wingspan versus 108 inches
6) there are also numerous, minor construction differences."

Note the planfile includes a scan of a letter, dated Sept 1988, from Chet Lanzo.

Quote: "Dear Bob, Enclosed find a sketch of the 1938 R/C glider that Stu now has the plans for. I thought up a name for it but Peggy did not like it. (Airborn)! You might mention in your next epistle that the 1938 glider needs a name. Big hearted Lanzo will give a set of plans of the 1938 glider free with no charge as a prize for the best name! How is that for a generous gift?
The landing gear is removeable. The gear was put on for a one man launch system. I placed 10th at the 1939 Nationals with the glider. It was flown against gas engine-powered planes. This model was the first ever R/C glider flown at the R/C contests held at the Nats.
Don't know when Stu will finish up the plans.
Yours Truly
Chet Lanzo (signed)
[over: Back side of letter]:
There were only 11 entries in the 1939 Nationals R/C event. So don't tell anybody! (CDL). I had a bad launch at the Nats, the model towed into a stall turn and bruised the radio on landing, that accounts for the bad showing."

Supplementary file notes

Letter scan, greyscale.

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