Fletcher FL-23 (oz15805)

About this Plan

Fletcher FL-23. Free flight scale model. McCoy Diesel engine shown. Wingspan 29 in.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 27/1/2025: Added article, thanks to RFJ.

Quote: "Model the Fletcher FL-23. By Carl G Ahremark.

The Fletcher FL-23 was designed and built to meet the requirements of a US Army Ground Forces specifications for a light liaison aircraft. The plane was completed in March 1950 and entered in the competition for the $5 million production contract. Other airplanes entered were merely modifications of standard commercial models and at this point the Fletcher FL-23 seemed a certain winner. However, during one of its early flight tests the stabilizer was carried away, the two test pilots bailed out, and the airplane was seriously damaged in the mishap. Despite great haste Fletcher was unable to repair the plane in time, and it was eliminated from the competition Cessna was declared winner and awarded the contract; Cessna's airplane designated L-19 Bird Dog (oz2516) was featured in AT for October as a 1/2A flying scale, by Aubrey Kochman.

The FL-23 was an all-metal airplane with fixed tricycle landing gear powered by a 235 hp Continental. It had a span of 33 ft, 4 in and a length of 28 ft, 4 in. With a crew of two, the plane had a maximum speed of 133 mph and a stalling speed with flaps of only 38 mph. The airplane had a special stabilizer-elevator combination developed to insure perfect control. The stabilizer was hinged at the rear spar and so linked that when the stabilizer moved down the elevator also moved down and vice versa.

The model is scaled 7/8 to the foot and the only deviation from scale lies in the dihedral and the 'greenhouse' which on the original is a one piece formed plastic enclosure. The airfoil, NACA 4412, is retained with a flat bottom. My FL-23 weighed in at 10 oz ready to fly.

Construction begins with the fuselage. The crutch is laid out directly over the plan top view. Add all crosspieces and while things are drying cut out the formers. Don't forget to drill former G for the LG mounting bolts. Crack the crutch at and place a 13/16 block under the tail end. Cut out 1/8 gussets and cement in place at the crack with plenty of cement to insure a strong joint.

Add top halves of formers B, F and G. Use templates as shown in detail drawing A to get proper angles for these formers. Cut out rib O, score and bend at H and cement in place. Add 1/8 sq pieces and celluloid formers at D, E, H, and I. Inset hardwood dowel at H and cement top halves of formers K, L and M.

The wing tongue is cut from 1/32 plywood and 1/16 sheet, the 1/16 sheet cemented between two plywood pieces. When dry, the wing tongue is inserted through the cut-outs in 0, and firmly cemented in place with scrap balsa gussets against F, G and 0.

With the top portion of the fuselage nearly completed, next tackle the bottom section and the landing gear. Cement all bottom halves of formers in place, checking that former B gets correct angle. Cement 1/8 gussets at former to strengthen the crutch joint. Bend landing gears from 3/32 dia wire as shown in the front view, then bolt them in place with 'J' bolts..."

Supplementary file notes

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