WingBAT Plus (oz15906)

About this Plan

WingBAT Plus. Radio control aerobatic slope soarer model. Wingspan 1450 mm.

Quote: "WingBAT+ Ref: SM0024: The WingBAT+ is the big brother of the WingBAT (oz15898). Whilst the small one is a gale gobbler and requires slightly better lift conditions to fly, the big one flies in much lighter conditions and is considerably more docile. It would make an ideal second aileron model. Both were very popular when we kitted them. An electronic control mixer / computerised transmitter is required to fly this model.

Specification:
Type: Sport Aerobatic
Span: 1450mm
Controls: Aileron/Elevator
Av Wt. 1000gms
Section: NACA 2R2"

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Note this plan appears here on Outerzone thanks to the kind courtesy of the designer himself, Stan Yeo of Phoenix Model Products in Devon, UK. For more info and background, see the PMP website: www.phoenixmp.com

Update 6/3/2026: Added kit review from RCM&E December 1998, thanks to RFJ.

Quote: "Kit Review: Wingbat Plus. Mark Scott takes advantage of a break during some wicked Wiltshire weather and enters the world of flying wings, Phoenix Model style.

If you like flying wings then the Phoenix Model Products Wingbat+ may be just what you're looking for. The 'Plus' is one of a family of flying wings developed by StanYeo, the range currently comprises two slope soarers and powered derivatives. The powered versions will accommodate engines up to .38 cu in depending on your nerve and strength of bicycle clips!

The design embodies features to overcome the inherent marginal stability normally associated with flying wings. The tapered, swept wing is a reflexed section with washout at the tips; the fin is mounted aft of the wing trailing edge which adds to the longitudinal stability and the fin reduces adverse yaw effects. The wing sweep of 15 degrees gives the equivalent of 1.5 degrees dihedral which provides lateral stability.

The plain brown box is crammed full - foam wing panels, ply fuselage sides, balsa block, an accessory pack containing torque rods, control rods, Mylar hinge strip, wing bolt etc. and a separate pack containing the glass fibre wing bandages, The selection of balsa and finish of machined components is very good. A full-size plan is included which also gives construction and rigging tips.

The fuselage is a simple box section with ply sides and formers, balsa top/bottom deckings and a sheet balsa fin. The wings are obechi veneered with white foam cores. Full span elevons, operated by torque rods, are driven by servos mounted on the wing centreline.

Construction: The fuselage is very easy to construct and has only 3 formers, though some care is needed to prevent it from ending up looking like a banana. Use any natural curvature of the ply sides to your advantage if possible. I used PVA adhesive throughout for all wood-to-wood joints and Aliphatic for wood-to-foam; cyano really isn't suited to the knocks associated with repeated hillside landings. I didn't see the need to use pins during the build and used masking tape instead. This may sound alien to some but the structure is simple and there aren't all those horrible pin holes to fill afterwards. The balsa deckings are easily carved/planed/sanded to shape ready for covering.

The wing panels are supplied with false trailing edges fitted under the veneer. The only work required is to fit the leading edges, join the two panels, build the servo box and install the torque rods. The leading edges require shaping with a razor plane before sanding to their final profile.

Once the panels were joined the servo box was cut out and then lined with sheet balsa. I broke with tradition slightly when it came to applying the wing bandages; firstly the wide bandage was prepositioned using a light coat of Spray Mount followed by brushing over with a thinned solution of PVA. The resulting bond is as strong as with resin but without the associated smell and messy brushes. The second bandage was applied in the same manner, the weave then levelled with a sanding sealer/micro balloons mix. Sanding was easy and the result is an acceptably smooth centre section.

The wing is located by two dowels at the leading edge and a nylon bolt at the rear. If you do have a bad landing accident these should all fail and help to preserve the wing centre section and fuselage interfaces. Some care is required when positioning the wing dowel tubes and also getting the corresponding recess in the fuselage former just right. I marked the position of the wing bolt nut plate as per the plan and tacked it in with super glue. To my surprise the bolt was too short to reach the nut so I had to lower the plate by trimming down the locating rails. Be careful not to position the nut plate too low or it'll foul the torque rods..."

Supplementary file notes

Review.

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