Cicogna (oz146)

About this Plan

Cicogna. Radio control flying wing motor glider. For electric power, with speed 400 motor and 7 nicads shown. Wingspan 1560 mm. Legend: "Drawn by Roger Bellingham".

Update 11/9/2023: Added article, thanks to RFJ.

Quote: "Cicogna. Alberto Dotti's 62 inch span replica of a remarkable design by Luigi Teidifuss.

Before discussing the model I feel it only right to begin with an introduction about the original aeroplane, which belongs to an age filled with pioneering protagonists who did not receive the appreciation for their exploits that they so deeply deserved.

The subject of my plan is one of a series of gliders designed and built by Luigi Frederico Teichfuss during the period between the two wars. Luigi was born in Luzern, of Swiss parents, on 15th December 1884 but spent much of his life in Italy In 1927 he took Italian nationality, formed a gliding school and took over the technical leadership of the Pavullo school for the design and construction of gliders.

I was able to find out about Teichfuss by reading a book entitled 'Ali Misteriose' (Mysterious Wings) published by the Aero Club at Pavullo to mark the occasion of the 'Luigi Teichfuss International Vintage Glider Meeting' which was held in 1994. The book gives a marvellous insight into this mans life and I was impressed no end by his enthusiasm, ability and especially humility If you get a chance to read it I would heartily suggest that you do and am sure you will not be disappointed. Within its pages you will find photographic reference and three views of almost all the gliders designed and built by Teichfuss, some 24 in all!

Whilst browsing through the published drawings I found one particular aeroplane which attracted my attention. The glider was described as a basic trainer and was in the classic 'flying wing' configuration, although this one had an auxiliary motor which, I thought, would make it a very original model.

Every modeller has their craze and for me it is currently the 'flying wing' which is somehow symbolic by its sheer simplicity. Of course the simplicity of the design is only skin deep, indeed the transformation from full-size to model can, in certain areas, be quite complicated. Anyone that has already studied the subject will know how difficult it is to achieve a positive result in the absence of a knowledge of suitable profiles, sweep and tapering values, and above all, of warping or profile evolution from root to tip. In addition to this the winglets are a contributing factor to the amount of dihedral that might, or might not, be required.

As I have built both pure gliders and motor gliders in the past I was convinced that the Cicogna (originally fitted with a 25 horse power engine) could be built, and further, would perform satisfactorily as a practical electric powered glider. After completing certain calculations and sketches I decided that a speed 400 (or equivalent) would give suitable power with a 6 or 7 cell NiCad pack of 500 to 700mAh. Around this would be a conventional airframe built wholly of balsa which would be both lightweight and conform to the original construction style, ie a wing built with ribs and spars and a fuselage with sheet covered formers.

For the wing section I decided to use the EH 2/12 at the root which evolves into the NACA 009 at the tip.

WING CONSTRUCTION: The wing construction is easy enough but requires some attention in order to achieve the washout at the tip. It is therefore necessary to utilise a building jig in order to set the ribs and the leading / trailing edge to the right angles. Where the ribs lay flat, two packing strips placed under the tip and tail will be sufficient to support the semi symmetrical section. however for the area that requires washout it will be necessary to set tapered packing strips. Build the spars in as you go.

When dry, glue the top cover of the 'D box' using 1 mm balsa sheet, The underside cover is attached after having unhooked the wing from the building jig. Tips and winglets are very simple and do not really require any explanation.

In order for the model to remain sufficiently light, the original was covered using Fibafilrn attached with Balsaloc glue, When plugged together the wing halves can be held with adhesive tape or if you require, with hooks and bands.

FUSELAGE CONSTRUCTION: The fuselage is small and quick to build but care should be taken when mounting the motor especially with regard to the alignment of the prop shaft. With the said shaft assembled, the engine is inserted through a hole in F3 and secured with two screws which are fed through the two rear cowling apertures. The minimal power produced means that the shaft and motor can be joined with two overlapping pieces of silicone tube, a system which not only provides a simple means of connecting the two but also allows for minor misalignments... "

Supplementary file notes

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