Boeing L-15 (oz15240)

About this Plan

Boeing L-15. Scale model for control line. Bantam engine shown. Scale is 1/12.

Quote: "Pub Air Trails 5-48. Scale 1 in = 1 ft. Span 40 in. CL for .19 - .35. Full size plan by Dick Gleason 2-14-81."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 19/4/2024: Added article, thanks to RFJ.

Quote: "HERE'S a scale job that will give the 'hot-rock' stunt pilots a run for their money (considering that it is a 100 percent scale job). Clean aerodynamic design, ample wing area, and a generous moment arm make the L-15 a good project for either beginner or expert. The simplicity will appeal to the novice builder, and the spectacular performance ( for a scale job) will satisfy most any expert.

The original job had a wing loading of only eight ounces per square foot using a Bantam with an Arden glow plug. With a 29 the results should be something to see. This design will not take all engines - it is meant for 19's up to 35's. There isn't too much room for a large C engine and the design doesn't lend itself to beefing up very well. We'll warn you right off that the pod-to-wing strength isn't perfect, so take that super-sixty and build a racer for it.

Due to the full-size layout of all the main parts, no fancy reworking of the plans is necessary.

The pod is the first item to tackle. The bottom piece is 1/2 x 1-7/8 x 9-1/2 medium hard balsa. To this are cemented two side pieces, 1/2 x 2-3/8 x 9-5/16 medium balsa. Note that the center piece over-hangs 1-1/8 at the rear. The engine bearers are cut out and cemented in place. An engine other than the Bantam will require a slight revision of the shape of the bearers. 1/4 in basswood will be best, though most any hardwood will do. Sheet balsa fillers (1/8 thick for the Bantam) will space the bearers at the proper distance. Note the built-in downthrust (there must be a few ex-modelers in the Boeing Engineering Department).

The 1/4 in hard balsa bulkhead is next fitted in place. It is necessary to fuel-proof the pod interior. Several coats of dope or preferably shellac are applied now, especially in the nose section. The top cowl block can be spot-cemented in place temporarily to allow rough shaping and sandpapering. Ditto for the nose former. The top cowl block will require some amount of hollowing out before the engine can be mounted. If desired, the portion of the cowl forward of the windshield can be made removable, held in place with dress snaps. The same can be done for the nose former. If an Arden, Ohlsson, or Torpedo is used (radial mount) merely substitute plywood for the balsa bulkhead and shift it forward according to the size of the engine used.

Note the manner in which the landing gear is attached. The main landing gear strut fits up into a slot cut into the bottom of the fuselage. It is reinforced by the upper brace which slides down into place via two slots cut into the pod sides. The horizontal part where the two struts overlap is bound with fine copper wire and soldered. If a 29 engine is to be used, bend the landing gear struts out of 3/32 diameter wire instead of 1/16 which will do only for the smaller engines. Lengthening the landing gear 1/2 in more than the scale size shown will help save many props on rough landings. Plenty of cement should be used to anchor the landing gear in place securely.

The control plate mount can now be cemented in place (don't forget to have the control plate on the mount before slipping it into place on the pod).

The superstructure is built next. Refer to the full-size layout for parts sizes. Take care to have the top parallel to the pod, as excessive incidence is not wanted. Rear pod formers P-1 and P-2 are now added, followed by celluloid covering on the sides and rear of the pod..."

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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