Jodel D120 (oz15064)

About this Plan

Jodel D120. Radio control scale model for electric power. Wingspan 1200 mm.

Quote (google-translated from the Italian): "We can't say that the Jodel is the best from an aesthetic point of view (that 'aeromodelling' wing dihedral was a bit surprising) but seeing it fly and above all being on board is a real emotion: slow, light, stable and manoeuvrable. It became quite famous and widespread also because it proved to be an excellent tug for the small gliders of the time.

After having fished out the slides taken at the flying field, I looked for technical material relating to my subject and I thought of contacting the CAP (Club Aviazione Popolare) which is based at Bresso airport, the surviving small tourist airport from Milan. I received an instant email reply with the Internet address of the current owner of the Jodel seen on our flying field: yes, that's it!

The availability existing among the enthusiasts of our hobby is already well known, but in this case it was exceptional and particular because my interest in being able to access material to build the model overlapped with the fact that the owner of the full-size, after years that the plane had been grounded due to age restrictions, he had been overcome by nostalgia for flights with that plane and had decided to carry out the 'historical reconstruction', that is, to put the plane new in flying condition with the original coloring and finishes when it left the manufacturer's factory (the German Wassmer under Jodel license, if I understand correctly).

When I contacted the owner the state of the work was already very advanced and so it happened that he finished his reconstruction work before me. Later he also sent me a video of the test takeoff. A leap of 35 years back in time: perfect take-off, a few laps over the surrounding countryside and a very delicate landing as I had seen done at that time.

As said at the beginning, I recently finished the construction of the model aircraft and so now I can offer it to those who, like me, were struck by its originality and the type of performance it can offer. The features are:

• Wingspan 1200 mm
• Length 900 mm
• Wing surface 28 dm2
• Wing chord 230/135 mm
• BL engine die 35x42 1200 kV
• Batt. LiPo 3200mAh
• Weight in odv 1300 g

Since I went at great length in the presentation, I will be brief in the following also because there will be no problems with the construction for those who already have some experience.

The design should be sufficiently clear (criticism and advice are always welcome...) and therefore I think that many other explanations are not necessary which would, for most, be boring.

The fuselage is quickly assembled using the joints provided in the basic components i.e. horizontal central plate, sides and frame. Carefully check the alignment of the rear part of the structure by assembling the pieces on the work surface with reference lines. The front part includes the usual aluminum sheet reinforcement and balsa corner fillings to then be able to shape the rounded parts of the engine fairing.

The slightly complicated part is the upper fairing and above all the nacelle which, if you want to reproduce with a certain fidelity to life, requires a good dose of patience.

The construction of the wing is classic, helped by the fact the central part is flat and has constant chord. Attention and care is required only to connect the raised tips in order to have the dihedral perfectly symmetrical.

Carefully fit the wing into its seat on the belly of the fuselage and make the fixing points, ie the two front pins and the two screws rear nylon. The stabilizer and the rudder, both made from balsa wood and therefore very simple to build, complete the model in its essential parts.

The motorization I used consists of a 35x42 brushless motor with a 10x5 propeller which provides abundant power for realistic flight and enough to perform simple aerobatics that you can expect from such a model aircraft.

With a 3200 LiPo 3s battery pack mAh you get more than 10 minutes flight time.

Regarding installation of the control electronics there are no problems because the space available in the fuselage is abundant and so it turns out to be very easy. Also the two wing servos for the ailerons can easily find space in the thickness of the airfoil..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

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