P-Shooter (oz14418)

About this Plan

P-Shooter. Control line midget racer. Profile scale model.

Quote: "BY JOHN PENHALLOW ... Control Line Goodyear racer is simplicity itself, with performance that can put one right on the top rung of Goodyear event. A .15 size engine has all the horses necessary to keep it out front.

Designed by Dave Long as a high performance airplane for a post WWII flying boom that never materialized, P-Shooter came close to fitting the PRPA's new 190 Cubic Inch Class. With only very minor tweeking, it fit the rules and was entered in the 1948 Goodyear sponsored race at Cleveland, qualifying 7th, marking the main event and then dropping out in the ninth lap.

The airplane and pilot-designer-builder Dave Long next appeared at the All American Air Maneuvers of 1949 in Miami, Florida, where they finished 4th behind Bonzo, Buster and the Pitts Pellet but ahead of Art Chester in Swee' Pea. This was not bad on the part of plane or pilot, as that was fast company to be in.

The original P-Shooter is alive and well and living in Texas with 'Pappy' Spinks.

Because P-Shooter never won the big one, it is very surprising to find so many good pictures and three-views in the old magazines. This availability of information let me do an accurate job of the required 1-1/2 scale and made my choice much easier.

For the weekend flyer (sport modeler), scale racers could make a good, change-of-pace airplane when powered by a 'Sport engine.' The choice of engine depends on your definition of sport however. Nothing on the plan need be changed to make it an easy flying airplane for the Sunday pilot. Just be sure everything is straight and the CG is in the position shown, as you would with any other model - wouldn't you?

My first model was designed for a Kosmic FAI 15. In order to use the Kosmic, I replaced the original needle-valve assembly with a K&B assembly for the right angle feature. The rear crankcase cover was turned 180°, and the
crankpin moved to the other hole in the rotor allowing the engine to continue to run counterclockwise. This change puts the venturi under the fuel tank and is why I needed the right angle needle-valve assembly. All of that could be avoided if you use a front intake engine such as the Taipan TBR .15 shown on the plans.

My first decision was to locate the bellcrank on the outboard side of the fuselage. The bellcrank load is directly against the fuselage and not through a bracket. Then there is the matter of aesthetics..."

P-Shooter plan/article from MAN, September 1975.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, thanks to RFJ.

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