Gobbleswantz (oz14204)

About this Plan

Gobbleswantz. Control line stunt model. Twin-boom layout.

Quote: "Junkers Gobbleswantz. Designed and described by Charles A Mackey.

It began through a conversation with a good friend, Dalton Bell. We were trying to decide on a new semi-scale U-control stunt subject. We couldn't agree on one design, so we made a list of the features we liked on each of the fighters we were discussing. The list included a P-40, P-51, P-38, F-86 and Me-109. Can you spot them? Dalton then dropped out of modeling, but Bob Randall became interested in the 'thing.' An 'XP' model was built to test the strength of the booms; it proved stronger than conventional construction so the Junkers Gobbleswantz was built.

Why the name? Gable Schwan (pronounced Gobbleswantz) was one of the names used by the Germans to refer to our P-38 during World War II. It means fork tail. Junker is the word we use to refer to stunt ships with dress-up details that contributes nothing to performance. With the Nazi markings, Junkers Gobbleswantz became a natural.

We found that the Gobbleswantz flies different from the usual stunt ship. When you take off it puts one in mind of a scale model of a B-29. You think it won't ever complete a loop. When you attempt to maneuver it, it tends to acquire a grooving ability along with the feeling of having unlimited maneuverability.

Test flying on 62 foot lines in approximately 30 mph wind, I thought I would begin with a horizontal eight. Started with the intention of doing one, but before I could level off, I had completed two eights, been pulled out of the circle and at the same time, started wondering which was going to give first - my arm or the lines. Bob suggested 70 foot lines. We tried them and they were great. Gobbleswantz does justice to the pattern on 70 foot lines, with the engine set on 4-cycle in dead-calm air."

Gobbleswantz plan/article from American Modeler, June 1959.

Supplementary file notes

Article, thanks to RFJ.

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