Whirlaway (oz15055)

About this Plan

Whirlaway. Indoor free flight model for rubber power. Canard pusher layout.

Quote: "When you have the hots to fly but the weather is miserable, whip up a 'Living Room Rubber' job. Here's an intriguing canard that builds quickly and flies in small spaces. Try it! Whirlaway, by Rick Santovito.

The Whirlaway was born on a cold, rainy afternoon when I had the flying fever, but no intention of wading through our muddy field. I was frustrated! In my house, frustration leads to one of two things: yelling at everybody or chopping balsa. I chose the latter and came up with a pusher canard configuration that I had seen in an old magazine article, only much smaller.

Being somewhat lazy, I always build the model, then if it flies. I draw up the plans. This assures future builders that if the model is built according to the plans, it will fly.

Please note that all measurements are approximate, and as long as you start and stay with the materials listed on the plans, just about anything you cut will work.

ASSEMBLY: First, cut out four 1/32 strips and one 1/8 strip from 1/32 sheet for the wings, canard, and wing pylon, respectively. (A double edged razor works best for cutting wood on this model.) Then assemble the wings and canard over the plans in one piece; the dihedral cuts will be made after they are covered.

While these are drying, cut the fuselage to length from the 1/8 stock and sand it to a very slight taper. Glue a 1/2-inch length of the same stock to the rear end of the fuselage and let everything dry.

If you don't use Hot Stuff or the like, you can use this time to cut out the canard mounts and prop blades from 1/32 sheet. Hot Stuffers can do like I do and wait till the last minute.

Cover the wings, but don't water shrink. When dry, glue in the dihedral angles of 1-1/2 inches in the wing and 1-3/4 inches in the canard. Try not to cut through the tissue when making the dihedral cuts. Assemble the wing pylon over the plans, then glue to the fuselage as shown and cover. Glue the canard mounts to each side of the fuselage, making sure that the bottoms of the mounts are even with the bottom of the fuselage. Glue on the wing and canard, blocking or pinning in perfect alignment.

While the ship is drying, build the prop by cutting a 1/2-inch length of the 1/8 stock and mark it as shown on the plans. Then, with the markings up, draw a diagonal line from the lower left corner to the upper right on both ends of the block. This line will be the surface that the prop blades are glued to. Make a cut on the top lines down to and even with the lines on the end, then make a cut from the ends back to the first cut. Push a straight pin through the center of the block, or if you're picky, use a .015 drill bit. Sand the prop blades lightly and glue to the completed hub, lining every-thing up until dry.

While the prop is drying, cut a short length of tubing that fits the prop wire closely but freely and glue it to the rear fuselage block, wrap with thread, then coat with glue. When dry, shove the prop wire through the tube with the hook to the front, slip two or three small washers on, then the prop. Then take two pairs of needle nose pliers and make a 90-degree bend in the wire where it exits the prop, then glue it to the face of the hub, making sure that the prop tracks somewhat close to straight. Install a loop of 1/32 square rubber (if nothing else, you can cut open a golf ball and get some passable rubber), then balance upside down as shown.

FLYING: Whatever the size of your house, don't worry, I have managed to get around 20 seconds in my 9x12 living room. The model makes a tight six-foot circle with 1/4 inch of washout in the right wing panel; yours should also. My model took 1-1/2 hours to build using Ambroid glue, and the rest of the afternoon was spent chasing thermals that form around our heater vents at this time of the year.

Although the Whirlaway is a very delicate model. it will bounce off of any obstructions without damage and last a long time (unless you have kids). Contests can be a real blast if the right prizes are offered. Use any rules or no rules. anything goes. It can really liven up a dead day. Turn right and stay up a long time!"

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article.

Corrections?

Did we get something wrong with these details about this plan (especially the datafile)? That happens sometimes. You can help us fix it.
Add a correction