Pageboy-S (oz15705)

About this Plan

Pageboy-S. Radio control sport model. Wingspan 21-1/2 in, for electric power using brushless 2204-14T motor.

Quote: "Today in 2013, anyone with a credit card can buy a ready-to-fly micro sized WC model airplane that weighs only 3 grams and can be flown by a beginner in a living room! Pretty incredible.

In that context think back to 1963 when the world's smallest R/C model was Ken Willard's Pageboy (oz358) - an eleven and a half inch wingspan version of the Schoolboy (oz1030) - powered by a Cox .010 engine and guided by an escapement actuated rudder. In those days, if you wanted a model airplane, you had to build it yourself.

Since it flew either at full throttle or dead stick, and had only rudder control, the Pageboy, which was much too fast to be flown indoors, must have required keen eyesight, exceptional concentration and a good measure of skill to fly. It was a wonderful novelty and attention getter.

While the design in its original size is intriguing indeed, presented here is a 21-1/2 inch version, called the Pageboy-S. This size was chosen to provide the best combination of flight performance, economy of construction and ease of storing and transporting.

Construction is straight forward and simple. Power is from a 2204-14T outrunner motor, GWS EP7060 prop and a 300 mAh 2S LiPo battery. It also requires a micro ESC, micro receiver and 2 micro servos. Keep it light for best performance.

The wing ribs are cut slightly oversize and stack sanded to final shape, then notched with a razor saw and razor blade. The leading edge consists of a 1/4 sq balsa stick on a 1/16 x 1/2 in balsa strip. Frame one wing panel at a time, cant the center rib at the dihedral angle, add wing tips, then plane and sand the leading edge to a smooth shape. Join right and left wing panels with a 1/8 balsa wing joiner. Finish sand and cover with SoLite.

I made a two-piece wing with a removable wing joiner so Pageboy-S can be carried in a travel box. I covered the bottom of the wing with clear Doculam to show off the structure. The top of the wing is covered with Red Solite.

Glue balsa doublers to right and left fuselage sides. Glue bulkheads first to one side then join to the other side. Glue the 1/32 ply firewall in place. Add the 1/32 ply landing gear mounts, leaving a gap for the music wire to seat in. Glue the fuselage sides together at the rear and plank the fuselage top with 1/16 balsa. Plank the bottom, from the firewall to the rear bulkhead and then the rear three inches, leaving an opening on the fuselage bottom for push rod access..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

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