Fournier RF-4 (oz15032)

About this Plan

Fournier RF-4. Radio control scale model powered glider. Wingspan 56 in, for Cox .049 engine.

Quote: "Fournier RF-4. Robin Charles introduces his charming 55 in wingspan motor glider for a Cox 049 or similar and standard radio.

This model was inspired by the Dart Kitten II (oz2682) pull-out plan in the December 1993 issue of Radio Control Scale Aircraft. My son Nicholas wanted to build a similar size scale model for his Cox Dragonfly, and we began to look for other suitable prototypes. We chose the Fournier RF4, which we had seen perform nice slow aeros at airshows, and which we had also inspected first hand at the Cranfeld PFA Rally.

I used to fly Free flight power in the sixties and felt I could follow up the design of Nicholas' first radio model, an own design motor glider, with the Fournier plans. A check on the outline of Nexus plan CL1379 Fournier RF-4 (oz1735) showed a very similar layout to the Dart Kitten. The structural design and aerodynamics would, of course, need to be entirely different. The long wings would give good performance, both when under power and when gliding; full size Fourniers are known for their efficiency.

The aim was to produce a model able to withstand a few knocks but as an ex free-flighter, I believe in adding performance by adding lightness. The original came out at 20 oz, with a 270 mAh battery and standard Futaba 27 MHz buggy radio.

Anybody with a spare Cox and some two channel radio can build one.

Fuselage: This is basically a 1/16 box with 1/64 ply doublers to give strength at the front. Glue the ply doublers and longerons to the medium 1/16 sides. Glue and pin F1, F2, F3 and F4 to each side. When dry, join at the back and insert F5 and F6. The turtle deck is from soft 1/16 sheet, bent over dry. Cut roughly to size and mark through with pins to get the exact outline.

Install the elevator push rod and add the rear bottom sheeting. The 1/16 cockpit floor supports the elevator servo mounts, Bind and epoxy the undercarriage wire to F2 and epoxy blind nuts for the motor onto Fl (if using a radial mount Cox). Glue on the 3/8 lower nose.

Glue the cowl top, bottom and sides together and add the ply nose ring. Lightly glue to F1 and glue the cheeks to the cowl sides. Carve top shape. Cut down the centre line and remove from F1. Carve out the inside to clear the engine cylinder..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

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