Fifty Four (oz15944)

About this Plan

Fifty Four. Control line stunt model. For 2.5 to 3.5 cc engines.

Quote: "The Fifty Four. A vintage style stunt control liner, designed by Les Nicholson.

I have been building model aircraft of some sort since before the end of WWII and have never stopped. I enjoy most types but have a soft spot for control line aerobatics. I have flown R/C since the days of DIY radio, although the first R/C model I flew was in 1957, a BLACK MAGIC using TRIANG R/C gear and an ED246. The model and engine were fine, but the radio was, to say the least, temperamental!

In the late '50s, during my National Service at Hildesheim, Germany, I served with the Army Air Corps, flying Auster 6 & 7 - there were only about fifty of us in the squadron and modelling continued. My unit was stationed on an ex-Luftwaffe grass airfield and I had all that to myself, invariably good weather and a super local model shop and Manager!

Looking back, I realise just how lucky I was. Unlike the unsatisfactory situation in England, where modellers have to make their own arrangements for flying facilities, most towns, etc in Germany are assisted in their sport and model airfields can be found everywhere, complete with proper runways, parking areas, club house, etc.

My other main passion is full size flying, particularly aerobatics. I have been flying full size gliders for 34 years and have held a power pilot's license since 1973. I own a full size FOKA tailplane for which I have great affection and love its performance. It is fully acrobatic and a superb soarer. I often take a couple of models to the Yorkshire Gliding Club and fly them in the evening after full size flying is finished.

In the heyday of control line during the 50s/60s I flew in the gold trophy at RAF Hullavington with a Mercury Crusader and OS 35S. I do not usually fly competitively, but since taking early retirement from Royal Mail at the age of 56, I do feel it would be nice to resurrect old ambitions and enjoy modelling as in the days long gone.

I mention 'we' several times and this refers to a lifelong friend, mentor, and modeller Derek Applegarth, who actually sketched the shape of '54' and built the original model. It was a few years ago that I unearthed the original, and did a proper drawing and, as a tribute to my lifelong pal - sadly no longer with us - I built an identical model.

I wondered if it really was as good as memory recalled. The or original DC 350 was in use, but I had a PAW 3.5 available so fitted that. Well, memory was not playing tricks, 'Fifty-Four' certainly performs as well as the original; probably faster due to the modern engine. I fly my replica on 55 ft lines and it pulls hard, so longer lines would not be a problem.

Derek and I flew the original on 100 ft lines one day when there was no wind. The thread lines had a tremendous bow in them, but the model still flew. 100 ft was convenient, as the thread lines came on a card of 50 ft, so it seemed a shame not to use it all!

To the Model: Named '54' because that was the year it was designed and first flew. A simple, fast, aerobatic model from the early days of control line. Flying style then was fast and furious and the 54 fits this type. Originally, the prototype used a DC350 diesel and we flew it on thread lines (we had never heard of steel!) on the original 'Teesside Airport' at Greatham, Hartlepool. Grass was usually 2 foot high so damage was rare and undercarriages unrequired. That flying site became a Steel Works in 1958 and has been derelict for the last 30 years!! Happy days long gone, and a terrible waste of a flying site.

I must stress that the only deviation from original is the use of the modern adhesives, elevator horn and hinges, and covering. I prefer to make the fuel tank first and then the bellcrank, so that when required they are ready.

TANK: Make a block of wood as a 'plug' around which the tin plate is bent. Remember, the dimensions shown are external so the block needs to be smaller by the thickness of the tin plate. Bend the main body and solder, then make two end plates and fit the rear one. Fit the pipes and when happy they are secure fit the front cover. Ensure there are no leaks, the tank cannot be removed afterwards.

BELLCRANK - Use at least 1/16 thick aluminium, mark it out and drill the holes 1/16 for leadouts, 5/64 for 14 SWG pushrod and 5/32 for pivot. Bush the bellcrank with a piece of thin brass tube so that the crank is not bearing directly onto the 6BA steel bolt.

WING: Cut a 1/16 ply template of the ribs and make 16 ribs from a fairly stiff sheet, 8 of these have holes for the lead-outs. I find the sandwich method wasteful but the choice is yours. Cut 2 x 1/4 in spars from 1/8 sheet and one trailing edge from 3/16 sheet. I use two laminations of 3/16 x 5/8 for the leading edge. Slot the trailing edge for the ribs.

Assemble the ribs to the spars and LE and T.E, add tips, in line with centre lines of ribs, crack the spars to taper down to the tip and add the full depth web to the inboard tip. Webs at the outboard tip are lmm ply with the centre between the spars holding the lead tip weight. It is a ply web at each side of the spars to retain the tip weight in the event of a sudden stop!

Make up the bellcrank assembly, but leave the top nuts loose at this stage. Securely glue the platform into position with the top of the platform level with the top of the bottom main spar. Add the platform reinforcement of 3/16 balsa as shown. Drill through the inboard tip for the control leadouts. I use a piece of sharpened tube in a minidrill and the job is simple..."

Fifty Four from Aviation Modeller International, October 1998.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

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