La Paloma (oz1532)

About this Plan

La Paloma. Free flight rubber semi-scale biplane model. October 1956 Aeromodeller.

Quote: "A 30-inch rubber driven biplane with many novel features, semi-scale in appearance and capable of long duration flights. La Paloma, by George Woolls.

La Paloma was designed in an attempt to combine realism with good flying ability. With due modesty, we think we have achieved our object. The wing struts and bracing wires fulfil their proper functions in retaining the wings to the fuselage and yet permit a high degree of 'knock-off-ability'.

The construction in general follows quite closely to that used in 'Estrellita' (AEROMODELLER, January, 1956), and we would recommend a novice to build that little low wing before tackling the biplane presented here. Incidentally, the propeller blades used on these two aeroplanes are identical.

Use the best quality straight grained balsa throughout (quarter grained for ribs if you can get it), of medium light weight unless otherwise stated on the plan.

Construction is quite straightforward and should be clear from the plan and the only possible source of trouble should be the centre section of the top wing. However, if particular attention is paid to the sequence of events in the assembly of this part of the aeroplane, and things are taken steadily, no bother should occur.

Build the centre section on the plan with Leading Edge, Trailing Edge, 3/32 in square spars, and Ribs. Cut and fit, but do not cement, the 1/8 in sheet strut attachment spars marked 'X'. Make these parts a really good fit and chamfer top and bottoms to suit rib contour.

Cut the fuselage formers A and B from two thicknesses of 1/16- in sheet cemented together with crossing grain as shown. Bend the 18 swg wire struts to the shapes shown ensuring that they lie dead flat on the table, to avoid distortion on assembly. Pin spars X and the fuselage formers down on to the plan, and cement the wire struts to join both pieces. Add the 22 swg wire bracing anchors to the Rear 'X' spar. When the cement has dried sew the wire to the balsa with a needle and strong cotton and again thoroughly cement.

Now the Fuselage can be assembled, starting by cementing Formers A and B to the sides, in the correct positions. Before finally cementing the centre-section to the struts, add the 1/8 in sheet slotted ribs, and cement the 1/8 in sq tongues to the wing panels and line these three items up on a flat surface. Now the centre section may be cemented to spars X and the whole assembly should be true and at the proper angle of incidence (V).

A careful study of the plan should make all the other constructional details quite clear. Cover the entire aeroplane with lightweight tissue, dope with well thinned clear dope to which has been added a little castor oil. Fuselage of the original aeroplane was dark blue (natural tissue) and the wings white, finally doped silver.

Rigging and Flying: The upper wings are retained by means of rubber bands across the centre section, and thread bracing (flying wires) adjusted in length to give the correct dihedral. The lower wings are held by means of an elastic band tensioned thread bracing (landing wires) and the interplane struts which are adjusted in length to give the correct dihedral.

Rubber bands connecting the upper and lower wings across the fuselage are not strictly required, but are used just to be on the safe side.

We claim that 75% of the trimming is done in the building, for it is our contention that if any conventional aeroplane is properly and accurately built to the plan, is free of warps, and balances where shown, it will fly safely on low power. So, assemble the aero-plane. Prewincl, pretension and insert the motor, and check that the aircraft balances level when supported where marked CG on the plan. Check by eye and measurement that the wings, tail and rudder are unwarped and agree with the rigging diagram. Rather than trying to hand glide, put on 50 to 60 hand turns and gently launch into any gentle wind there may be blowing.

If the ground sports a cricket pitch let the initial test be ROG, but don't use more than 70 turns for a start. The original prototype turned in a perfect flight ROG on 70 turns 'right off the board', but all too soon ended a flight some 60 feet up in a tree after hooking a light thermal. So don't be fooled into thinking that the struts, bracing, etc., set up so much drag that soaring is impossible. Remember that there is .c.me 200 sq. in. of mainplane surface, giving a very low wing loading (about 2k oz. per 100 sq in), so use that D/T!"

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