Rag Tag (oz16079)

 

Rag Tag (oz16079) by Gordon Rae 1995 - plan thumbnail

About this Plan

Rag Tag. Radio control sport aerobatic model. Wingspan 60 in, for .20 engine.

Quote: "Rag Tag is not one of the usual run of the mill 20 powered aerobatic jobs. To start with, it is the size of model that most builders would fit a 40 into. So what is it all about? Well, in short, it is a model for performing smooth, follow on, rhythmic aerobatics using the wing and flight generated momentum, rather than sheer engine power. With Rag Tag the manoeuvres should be planned to follow on from one to another in an energy preserving sequence. This is similar to that required from an aerobatic slope soarer, but this one does not rely on slope lift! In other words, with this model, I can practice my slope aerobatics from the flat.

This model will perform all the usual manoeuvres, has good slow speed control and is docile enough to use as an aileron trainer.

The wing section has a low chamber with its zero lift line, a two degrees positive rigging angle imparting good upright and inverted performance. The flat lower under surface to the rear of the main spars permits easy construction of the simple D box, parallel chord wing. The centre section of the wing under surface is free from protrusions, permitting it to slew clear freely in the event of a wing tip arrival, secured as it is with simple and effective rubber bands, just two each side and run parallel to the chord, not crossed over.

The nose piece canopy comes away to expose the tank and wing servo. The detachable undercarriage can be discarded when flying over long grass areas and while sloping, giving a useful reduction in weight and drag. With the engine removed and replaced with a suitable nose block and weight secured to the engine bearers, it is converted into an aerobatic glider and is good fun on the slopes in a reasonable blow.

The overall structure is strong and simple, being stressed to take the knocks of sports flying. A variety of engines can also be provided for by suitable spacing the bearers to suit.

Rag Tag will take off with just an initial touch of right rudder and can be hand launched and flown with care by one person. If you're in for a little relaxed flying, have fun by flying up to altitude, throttle back the engine and just indulge in some thermal hunting. When you've decided that you have had enough lazily circling around, you can burn off the altitude by stringing together a series of 'follow on' aerobatic manoeuvres. When you are down to the lower realms, just open up the engine and commence a powered sequence. Gliding flight can be further enhanced by cowling in the engine. And if you really want to go all the way to improving the glide performance, you can increase the wing span up to 2 metres.

So that's Rag Tag - simple to build and great fun to fly.

Right let's go onto the building and start with the fuselage.

Construction: Construction starts by cutting out the fuselage sides. If this is done as shown on the plan, using 4 in wide sheets, it is possible to cut the pair from one sheet. Complete left and right hand sides by gluing on the wing saddles and ply doublers with contact adhesive. Shape the longerons and wing mounting strips, then glue in place. Set aside to dry.

The fuz can be easily adapted to suit your engine, so the bearers are your next job. Decide whether you need to reposition the fuselage sides to accommodate the width of your chosen power plant. If so proceed as follows:

Drill the bearers and bolt to the engine, ensuring that the bearers are parallel. Now cut out and tailor the bearers and former widths A, B and C to suit whilst using the engine/bearer assembly as a spacing jig. The bearers should now be a snug fit against the insides of the ply doublers. When satisfied with the fit, glue the assembly together with the formers A, B and C using PVA glue. Check all is square and while it's curing, cut out the fin and tail, and sand to shape.

With the fuz assembly glued up, pull together the tail ends, gluing the fin "sandwich wise" in between. Clamp and allow to cure. Into this basic structure you can now add the undercarriage ply mounting plate and tailplane, together with the two control operating snakes. Make up and connect in place the elevator operating torque rod. The fuselage is finished off by fitting the top and bottom sheeting, sanded to shape. The canopy can be conveniently left until the wings are completed and fitted in place, at which time the canopy under surface can be snug fitted to the wing.

Wings: With the wings having a flat rear under surface, construction is a simple matter of positioning the lower spar in place over the "cling film protected plan, together with the trailing edge and its spar.

Follow this by gluing on the ribs and sub front leading edge spar. Finish this stage off by adding the top spar and webbing, then add the sheeting and rib cap strips.

When thoroughly dry, remove from plan, then glue in place the under sheeting and lower rib cap strips. The sheeting should be held in place with tape so that the wing may now be turned, flat and under surface down, onto a level surface. Pile on a stack of magazines (you knew there would be a good use for them someday, didn't you!), which will weigh it down and leave to dry..."

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Rag Tag (oz16079) by Gordon Rae 1995 - model pic

Datafile:
  • (oz16079)
    Rag Tag
    by Gordon Rae
    from RCME (ref:10370)
    December 1995 
    60in span
    IC R/C
    clean :)
    all formers complete :)
  • Submitted: 12/05/2025
    Filesize: 916KB
    Format: • PDFbitmap
    Credit*: Circlip, RFJ
    Downloads: 235

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Scaling

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