MiG-3 (oz1442)

About this Plan

MiG-3. Free flight rubber scale model Russian fighter, from Jan 1943 MAN.

Quote: "NEARLY two years of war has proved the Soviets have aircraft of modern design and outstanding performance. Probably the fastest and most formidable fighter of the Red Airforce is the 1-18 or MiG-3 single seater. In appearance it bears a marked resemblance to the early Curtis XP-37 from which the now famous Curtiss P-40 was developed.

Specific information about all warplanes is a closely guarded military secret, however a few details about this fighter are known. The sleek-lined 1-18 is powered by a 12 cylinder, liquid cooled Mikouline engine of 1,250 hp which is said to give a top speed of more than 360 mph at 13,000 ft. Wing span is 36 ft 6 in; length 32 ft and gross weight 6,200 pounds. Armament consists of four machine guns and two cannon. Construction is unusual in that the forward part of wing and fuselage are metal while remainder of the structure is plywood.

So much for details of the real fighter. The sleek, graceful lines of the 1-18 make it an attractive subject for a flying scale model. Because of its excellent proportions it is ideally suited for flying and the author must add that his 1-18 is without exception one of the best low-wing scale models he has built.

The model is constructed in the conventional manner. While the test ship was designed for and incorporated balsa wood in the structure, it is readily adaptable to construction using slightly heavier white pine and basswood now being sold in some model shops. All wood should be selected carefully to assure the strongest structure possible. In the process assembly all frames should be made with accuracy and each joint cemented firmly.

CONSTRUCTION: The manner of fuselage construction calls for use of four keels cut to shape from 1/16 sheet. To obtain their patterns, trace the top, bottom and side outlines of the body. Bulkheads, likewise 1/16 sheet, are cut in accordance with patterns given. Cut only the notches shown leaving the others to be cut as a later operation; their positions should be marked, however, for reference.

Pin the top and bottom keels to position over the side view and then cement half the bulkheads to place. Attach a side keel and then, when dry, remove structure from the plan and add remaining bulkheads and keel. Stringers are 1/16 sq stock. Attach the ones nearest the side keels first, cutting notches as required. Always attach stringers to corresponding positions of each side at the same time to prevent pulling the body out of line.

Between bulkheads C and E, where the wing fits in, curved pieces are cut from 1/16 sheet and fitted so as to make the fuselage sides fit to the wing curvature. Other items to be assembled to the fuselage are the curved pieces of 1/16 sheet which form the back of the cockpit enclosure and the small blocks of hard sheet stock in the rear which anchor the rubber motor.

The nose block, just forward of bulkhead A, is made from two pieces of 1/4 sheet balsa cemented cross-grain. Cut out the center for the nose plug, then roughly cut to shape before cementing to the nose for final finishing, by using rough and then fine sandpaper.

For those builders using white pine or bass it is suggested the same procedure of construction be followed but bulkheads of 1/32 or 1/20 thickness should be sufficiently strong. Stringers of 1/32 x 1/16 size placed with the narrowest side next to the covering will be of about the same strength and weight; if this size stringer is not available, 1/16 sq stock sanded smaller will be all right.

Few details are required to outline the method of constructing the tail surfaces. Study the plans and it will be noted that both stabilizer and rudder are made in a like manner from 1/16 thick stock of the indicated width. Make flat frames of both (the stabilizer is made in one piece) then when the cement has set, remove from the jigs and cement soft 1/16 sq strips to each side of each rib. These are later cut to the streamline shape indicated and edges are tapered to conform to the rib shape.

If it is necessary to use wood other than balsa for the stabilizer and rudder, it must be remembered that they must be of light but strong construction..."

Supplementary file notes

Article, thanks to GTHunter.

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