Fairchild 24 (oz15704)

About this Plan

Fairchild 24. Free flight scale model. Wingspan 69-1/4 in, for Bunch Mighty Midget engine.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 6/12/2024: Added article, thanks to JeffGreen.

Quote: "A Fairchild 24 Gas Ship. Only occasionally do you see a standard ship that will reproduce easily as a gas-powered flying scale job, for there's usually some feature about big ship design that gums up the works when you try to reduce it in exact proportion. The Fairchild 24, however, is a ship that 'comes down' admirably for the gas modeler's purpose. And Frank Roberts, whose article appears below, has done a swell job for you in preparing the Fairchild plans. By Frank Roberts.

FEW AIRPLANES lend themselves to exact scale reproduction for gas model makers, since even a proportional reduction in size doesn't necessarily guarantee that the flying qualities will reproduce in the same ratio. The Fairchild 24, however, is one of the exceptions, for its simple construction and stable qualities as a full-sized ship 'come down' quite creditably for the construction of a six-foot wingspan gas power model.

The original ship is equipped with the Ranger six-cylinder inline engine, and our model is designed to fly with a Bunch 'Mighty Midget' model motor. Any other motor of similar size and similar power may of course be used.

Except for some slight enlargement in the tail surfaces and the omission of the Fairchild 24's wheel pants, the model is strictly to scale in every respect. Even the rib and stringer spacing follows the proportioning of the big ship.

You'll find the drawings accompanying this article quite complete, and a modeler of fair experience should have no difficulty whatsoever in using them to perfection. Except where otherwise indicated, the scale is 1/4 in to the inch, the model being 69-1/4 in span. When enlarging the drawings, it is only necessary to enlarge those outline portions which are actually used for shaping or building.

Some slight differences may be noticed between the photographs and drawings. This is because the photographs are of the original model which was especially built for FLYING ACES, and the drawings incorporate such changes as were indicated when that model was tested. So while the photographs are reliable for general reference, follow the drawings for absolute accuracy.

CONSTRUCTION: Begin the model by first making a full-size drawing of the fuselage sides. It is only necessary, however, to enlarge the portion of the frame shown by heavy lines on the side view of the fuselage on Plate 2. The fuselage sides are made from 1/4 in square spruce longerons with 1/4 square hard balsa uprights and diagonals. Build two fuselage sides as indicated by the shaded portions on the drawing, exactly alike.

Cement plywood Formers Nos. 1 and 2 (Plate 3) in place. Small brads may also be used to help hold these joints tightly. The fuselage frame is completed by cementing the top and bottom cross-pieces in place, starting at Station 3 and working toward the rear. The respective lengths of these cross-members are obtained from the top view of fuselage (Plate 1) and are also indicated in full-size on the top and bottom former patterns (Plate 4).

Rubber bands may be used to hold the front and rear of the fuselage securely while cementing the cross-pieces in place.

Now check the fuselage frame for squareness and for true curve on each side, and place the X-braces at former Stations 3, 5, and 7. Be generous with cement at these and all other joints.

Former patterns may be traced directly on the 3/32 balsa by means of carbon paper, or the patterns may be cemented to light cardboard, cut out and used as templates. Do not cut the notches at this time..."

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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