Ebenezer Tripe (oz15865)

About this Plan

Ebenezer Tripe. Free flight profile scale model.

Quote: "A 19 inch wingspan all-sheet balsa free flight sportster to suit any of the small engines up to .5 cc. Designed by the creator of that worldwide favourite 'Ebenezer', Bert Striegler/

IT WAS EARLY DAWN. The cough of a rotary engine signalled the attack! The dreaded sauerkraut ace, Baron Manfred Von Ebenezer, was about to... Now really, this story should not fool you World War I fans!

This little model will turn in some fine flights, and looks like the real thing in the air. Even if you are a beginner, its construction should present few problems. If you are an expert - have some fun for a change!

Begin construction by cutting out the wings from light in. sheet. Glue together the top wing panels with 1 in. dihedral under each tip. When it has dried, place a piece of waxed paper over the centre section and glue together the centre wing panels directly over the top wing. Use the same procedure for the lower wing. This method ensures the same dihedral angle for all three wings.

The tailplane is cut from light 1/16 sheet. Note that the elevators are hinged with soft wire to allow flight adjustments. The rudder is also cut from light 1/16 sheet with the grain running vertical. Two doublers of 1/16 sheet are added to the lower edge to stiffen the fin. A small trim tab is fitted with soft wire hinges, and should not be omitted.

Make the fuselage from a straight piece of 3/16 sheet. Glue the plywood firewall in place with PVA cement. Add the triangular braces, and then the 1/32 plywood landing gear mount. Glue the tail in place. Insert the ply tail skid into a slit and glue firmly. Bend two landing gear struts from 18 swg wire and force them through the holes shown in the ply mount. Fit the axle and bind with wire to thestruts. Solder firmly. Bind the gear in place with strong thread and glue. Fit wheels of 1/8 ply. Hold them on the axle with a large washer soldered in place. This will prevent the wheels from wobbling excessively. Cut out the axle wing from soft 1/8 sheet, and press a groove into the bottom of it that will match the shape of the axle. Glue firmly in place. Glue the wing mount plates in place. It is best to crack them at an angle to match the wing dihedral.

The centre section strut is made of 1/8 ply as shown in the perspective drawing. When completed, glue it to the top of the centre wing. Be sure it is straight.

Ebenezer Tripe original was finished bright red with black tissue crosses. No one knows exactly what colours the feared Von Ebenezer used on his personal fighter, so use any of your choice.

Flight adjustments are very simple. Balance the model as shown on the plans, and hand glide to check. If it stalls, bend the elevators down slightly. If it dives, bend them up. A small amount of left thrust is called for, and the model should circle to the left under power. Use the rudder trim tab to prevent excessive turn. The originals have all used slight right rudder. "

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Quote: "G'day Steve. Another find, my scan cleaned up pretty well. I have seen these fly, almost indestructible once trimmed as per the instructions. Enjoy,"

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