Tadpole (oz15208)

About this Plan

Tadpole. Radio control funfly model. Wingspan 46-1/2 in, wing area 732 sq in. For OS .32 engine.

Quote: "Tadpole, by Joe Geiger. Would you like to win a radio set or a brand-new engine? Would you like to decorate your shop with ribbons and trophies? How about good old cash; could you use a little extra? There are more chances to win these prizes at fun flys than at any other type of powered-model contest; and with the Tadpole and practice, you can clean up.

Almost every club has at least one fun fly a year and some have several. By flying a Tadpole in the competition at your own club and traveling to a few neighboring clubs, you can have a lot of fun, make some new modeling friends and win a surprising amount of loot in the bargain.

At its most recent competition, the Tadpole not only won 1st place overall, but it also had best times in every single event, and this was at a contest in which competition planes and pilots were separated into their own class. Now, you may be thinking: Sure, but this guy is probably some hotshot youngster with eagle eyes and lightning-fast reflexes." Well, the gray in my hair (what little is left of it) and the Coke-bottle-thick glasses I wear should convince you otherwise. My advantages are the Tadpole and practice; that's it.

Maybe you aren't really interested in prizes and competition, but you'd like to fly a plane that's inexpensive, easy to build, and incredibly nimble and quick. The plane presented here is the culmination of three years of development, and it could be the most outrageous performer you've ever flown.

The Tadpole's most noticeable characteristic is its airfoil, and herein lies its biggest asset. The double reflex of this shape gives it a tremendous advantage in slow flight, whether upright or inverted, and allows instantaneous acceleration; it floats along like a butterfly, or leaps forward like a scalded cat. Takeoffs require about 3 feet of runway, and spot landings can be done on a car mat.

When you're familiar with your Tadpole, you'll be able to take off, do five loops and five rolls, interspersed, and land in less than half a minute, with the plane never more than 80 feet away from you. No, I'm not exaggerating. This kind of performance is normal for the Tadpole when it's set up with full throws and a programmable radio. If this appeals to you, let's get busy and build one. It isn't hard and it won't take long.

Construction: Preparation: To perform properly, the Tadpole must be built as light as possible and perfectly straight. Spend a little extra time checking for straightness as you proceed from step to step, so that you don't accidentally build in any twists or warps as you go along.

Almost all parts are made of sheet and sticks, so there's almost no advantage in buying a kit of this model; simply make a set of ribs, and the hard part is done.

I prefer to stack the necessary number of sheets for a set of ribs, then put a rib template on top and band saw the whole stack at once. Put another template on the opposite end of the stack and sand them, then cut the spar slots. A short piece of broom handle with some sandpaper wrapped arouind it makes a handy tool for sanding the reflex sections of the airfoil..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 3/4/2024: Added complete article, thanks to Pit.

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