Percy (oz15216)

About this Plan

Percy (Percy the Pulsing Parrot). Radio control glider model. Uses a Jedelsky-style wing.

Quote: "Percy the Pulsing Parrot, by Jack Headley.

This is a single-channel model which can be built in a few evenings, requires no complicated construction, and uses very little in the way of materials. In fact, you may have all that's needed already on the workbench. If not, and you're looking for something to fly this week-end, rush out and collect the following items:

Two sheets 3 x 1/16 x 36 medium hard balsa.
One sheet 3 x 3/32 x 36 medium hard balsa.
Two lengths 1-1/4 x 5/16 trailing edge strip.
Two lengths 1/2 x 3/8 hard balsa strip.
One arrow shaft (1/4-inch diameter).
One L'egg Egg (you may have to buy some pantyhose to get this plastic container, but who knows, this may earn you a Gold Star!).

After a few basic knife cuts, a glob or two of glue and epoxy here and there, the above items will instantly turn into Percy, the Pulsing Parrot, which may well turn out to be the single-channel equivalent to the 'Obie 'Awk. The following sketchy notes suggest which bits to stab the balsa knife into first.

WINGS The all-sheet wing uses the Jedelsky airfoil, which consists of a small chord main wing section followed by a large chord flap. In our model the main wing section is made from the 1/2 x 3/8 strip plus the 1-1/4 inch trailing edge piece. The flap portion is simply 1/16 sheet, cemented on top of the trailing edge strip, then stiffened at intervals with small triangular ribs. Four panels made in this way are used to construct the complete wing.

Each of these four panels is made in a similar manner, and construction begins by cutting an appropriate length of trailing edge stock, plus a similar length of 1/16 sheet. These two are then ce-mented together, and the ribs attached next. (The wing panels are built upside down, as shown on the plans.) When all four panels are completed they are epoxied together, with the aid of the plywood wing joiners, and at the correct dihedral angles. Add the 1/2 x 3/8 lead-ing edge after this assembly has dried, then sand to the final airfoil section, as shown on the plans. The final item is a triangular gusset at the center section, which gives the wings a little more rigidity.

WING MOUNTING BLOCK Select a small block of balsa, slightly oversize to the dimensions shown on the plans, and drill a longitudinal hole through this (1/4-inch diameter) for the arrow shaft. Now trim down the block to its final size. Make the wing platform from 3/32 ply, score down the middle, then gently crack to the center section dihedral angle. Apply epoxy over this crack. Trim the wing block to accept the platform, then epoxy it into place. A couple of small triangular pieces, used to give additional support to the wing platform, can now be glued into place..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Quote: "Hi Mary & Steve, Please find attached plan and article for Percy by Jack Headley. Bird-like single channel sailplane... Utilises an egg-shaped "L'egg" pantyhose container for the forward fuselage (head?). I don't know if these are still available but a suitable substitute could be 3D printed or vac-formed. Kind regards, Ian Salmon."

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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