Mini Lone Ranger (oz15869)

About this Plan

Mini Lone Ranger. Radio control trainer model. Wingspan 61 in, for Cox Black Widow.

Quote: "Free Plan: Mini Lone Ranger. Following the success of the Lone Ranger (oz15852), a free plan in October 1999 RCMW, Alasdair now presents this smaller version, built some years ago to suit an old Cox 049 lying unused in a box.

I bet there are many of these old Cox engines lying around, but if you don't already have one they are the cheapest of engines anyway. An old Cox, or a small diesel, and two servos will give you plenty of flying fun.

Like the original, the Mini Lone Ranger is very easy to build and fly, and as a further extension of its versatility I have designed an aileron wing of reduced span, which is the subject of a separate article. I suggest 'white glue' (any PVA wood glue) or better still the slightly yellow aliphatic glue. I also recommend the thin 'super aliphatic' glue and a medium cyano like Zap-a-Gap.

Tail: Cut the fin and rudder from light 1/8 sheet, noting that the bottom edge of the fin sits on the tailplane. Pin the tailplane's lower centre sheet, and the 1/2 by 1/16 strips, over the plan. Then glue on the 1/4 in wide by 1/8 strips, noting that the joins do not coincide with the joins in the 1/16 sheet. Then add the ribs made from 1/4 by 1/8 strip on edge. Add the top 1/16 strips and centre sheet.

When the glue is dry remove from the board and round off the LE. The elevator is made from 1 by 1/4 in TE stock with 1/8 trimmed from the aft edge and its leading edge V-shaped as shown in the side view.

Wing: Cut 28 ribs from 1/16 medium density balsa, four spars from medium to hard 1/8 balsa and the rest from light balsa sheet. Only one wing panel is drawn. Build all four in turn over the plan, noting that only the inner bay of each inner panel is sheeted, top and bottom, aft of the spar. All other end ribs get 1/2 wide cap strips, flush with the end. Intermediate ribs get 1/4 wide cap strips placed centrally.

For each panel in turn, pin over the plan the lower LE sheet (2/8 wide), then the 1/2 by 1/16 doubler on top, along its forward edge. Add the 1/2 by 1/4 in leading edge, packed up on scraps of 1/16 sheet, and snugly against the edge of the LE doubler. Pin in place the 3/4 by 1/16 TE strip with the 1/8 by 1/2 in piece on top.

Between the front and rear sheets fit balsa sheet (grain spanwise) over the first bay on the inner panels only, 1/2 wide cap strips (grain chordwise) for the other end ribs, and 1/4 cap strips for the remaining ribs.

Now glue the lower main spar to the sheet and cap strips with white glue, checking its position accurately by dry fitting the ribs. Then glue the ribs in place. All end ribs should be angled in at the top by 5 degrees. Check the top main spar fit, and when satisfied glue it in.

Bevel the front edge of the top LE sheeting to 60 degrees and glue in place. My method is to apply white glue to each rib, then a thin line of medium cyano along the front half of the main spar and then the bevelled front edge of the sheet. Then tuck this front edge of the sheet in snugly against the LE strip, firmly down on the ribs. When the glue has grabbed roll the sheet down over the ribs and stick its aft edge evenly down onto the spar (I use a steel rule).

Web all the bays which will not have plywood dihedral braces with 1/16 balsa, grain vertical. When all the glue is completely dry lift that panel from the board and move on to the next..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Note for the plan sheet showing aileron wing, see Lone Ranger Aileron Wings (oz15871).

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