E-Dawg (oz15949)

About this Plan

E-Dawg. Radio control sport model for electric power. Wingspan 39.4 in, wing area 342 sq in.

Quote: "IF you've been involved with the RC hobby since before the advent of ARFs, you might remember some of the designs and designers that led the way to today's large variety of models. Pioneers like Nick Ziroli, Hal DeBolt, Phil Kraft, Don McGovern, and Bill Effinger immediately come to mind. Among my earliest encounters with multi-channel RC was a Ken Willard design called the Top Dawg (oz901). Ken also designed a variety of successful RC models including several that went on to be produced as kits by Top Flite Models. They were all very successful and well received by budding RCers everywhere.

My personal favorite was the Top Dawg though; a shoulder-wing, pylon racer-looking sport model for anything from an .049 to .15 glow engine. The radio requirements ranged from a single channel, escapement-driven system right up through as large a number of 'multi' channels your wallet could afford. With Dad as my benefactor, I went with 'high end' three channel, proportional control (still no ailerons) provided by a Heathkit radio, which I built with Dad's help. I carefully covered the model with silk and dope, brushing on marry coats of clear followed by the most beautiful metallic blue and white paint scheme my adolescent eyes could imagine. Boy, was I proud! I bolted a Fox .09 in the nose and headed out to the field. To put things in perspective, ONE servo in that model weighed nearly as much as three of the servos AND the receiver in my E-Dawgl Times have changed - a bunch!

The results at the field were predictable. At full tilt, my beautiful Top Dawg would fast taxi with an occasional bounce as it struggled for flight. Clearly, this machine was not going to soar as my young mind had hoped. Out came the Fox .09, in went the Fox .15, and things improved enough to actually fly. I'm just guessing, but I expect that model weighed half again as much as my E-Dawg!

Initial flights on the E-Dawg prototypes were textbook successes. I was fortunate to have Chip Bullen join me with his E-Dawg. Chip's beautiful model came out a bit lighter (38 oz.) than mine since he used a direct drive AXI 2808 direct drive outrunner swinging the same 9x6 E-prop, juiced by the same 7-cell NiCd pack. My system drew 24 amps, 153 watts average, his 18.1 amps, 124 watts.

Flying the two models was similar, with mine having a speed advantage and his capable of landing slower. This confirmed my hopes that the model would lend itself to a variety of propulsion systems. I later tried a Li-Poly 3S2P, 4000mAh pack. It turned a whopping 10,500 rpm (42 amps, 416 watts!). This is probably the upper limit for the Endo and I expect frequent brush replacement.

My E-Dawg preserves the outlines of Ken's original design with some structural changes to take advantage of more modern building techniques. I incorporated ailerons but the plan shows ply wing joiners with different dihedral values for the three channel configuration of the original. It is an easy build, and easier still if you purchase the laser-cut parts package from Hobby Hangar. I've also got a plastic parts package available consisting of vac-formed cowl, canopy and wheel pants along with a formed aluminum landing gear. Please check my web site for availability.

If I've whet your appetite for some early adventures in RC, or you'd just like to build a nice flying classic design that offers a lot of fun with a modern power source, clear your workbench and follow along through the building.

WING: Protect the plan with clear Food wrap and pin down the 1/ inch lower LE,TE and center section sheeting and lower capstrips. Glue the lower spar in place. Assemble the centerline WC rib. Glue all ribs in position except the centreline WC. Add spar and sub LE.

Block up the tip to establish correct dihedral for your wing. Install the WC assembly at the centreline, making sure the rib is perpendicular to the building surface. Open slots in WC ribs and install the ply joiner..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

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