LTV A-7 Corsair II (oz16100)

About this Plan

LTV A-7 Corsair II. Free flight scale model for rubber power. Wingspan 18 in.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Quote: "LTV A7D Corsair II 18” span drawn 22 FEB 2015.

This is one of my earliest plans. I used the cracked rib wing construction for this model.

Wing Construction: Layout the leading edge and trailing edge on the covered plan first. I never pin through the balsa but use pins on each side or use scraps of balsa and stick the pin through the scraps and stick the parts down. Once the Leading Edge (L.E.) and Trailing Edge (T.E.) are in place I use 1/16” sq balsa for the bottom of the rib, gluing them in place between the L.E. and T.E.

Once these have dried, add the spars. I measure the high point between the high point of the airfoil and then taper the spar from this to the wingtip size (1/16”).

Once the spars are glued and pinned in place to dry. Add the upper rib by using 1/16” sq strips for the upper part of the rib. Lay the strip against the L.E. as it rests on the main spar. Pin the rib L.E. to the wing L.E. with glue and gently bend the strip over the spar and bring it down to the wing T.E. and trim to fit tightly to the T.E. Then repeat for each rib.

The rear spar is a strip of 1/16”x1/8” that is slipped into the each rib from root to tip and snugged toward the T.E. The trusses are 1/32”X1/8” and glued to the spars. If they touch the under side of the rib top. Glue may be applied to them.

This is a quick and easy way to build strong and light ribs. Once these ribs are in place you can add a turbulator strip (1/16”sq) between the L.E. and the front spar which make the airfoil more rounded in the front.

Fuselage Construction: I usually build my fuselages on a 'Ladder Jig'. There are many ways to make a ladder style jig. Check out stickandtissue.com under Current Builds to find building structures/jigs. I use 1/32”X1/16” stringers and alternate sides as I place them on the formers.

Empennage: A fancy term for tail surfaces. The horizontal and vertical flying surfaces of the plane. The vertical fin/rudder are made hollow using L.E. and T.E. and top outlines adding a vertical spar of 1/32” triangular shape glued to the top of the fin and bottom of the fin/rudder. Adding 1/32”x1/8” strips over the spar and glued to the L.E. & T.E.& spar. I’ve heard this called “building in the air” meaning not pinned to the building board.
The horizontal stabilizer is built flat on the building board as the wing was built.

I love the early jets and these later jets as well. The nose of the A7D makes a perfect spinner for a clear prop made from a 2 liter soda bottle and bamboo skewer (supermarkets sell them for shiskabobs) for the connecting blades. Check out Maxfliart’s videos on Youtube for ideas on how to make these props.

I hope you find this plan enjoyable.
Tom Akery/Sky9pilot"

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