BAE Kingston P.1214-3 (oz16162)

About this Plan

BAE Kingston P.1214-3. Free flight scale model for rubber power.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Quote: "BAE KINGSTON P.1214-3 (ASTL/VL) 'X-WING FIGHTER'

Drawn by Tom Akery 15 July 2025 27” Span Static or Free Flight Model. This model could be made as a single rubber motor tractor model or a twin rubber pusher using the inside of the booms to carry the rubber motors with props out back. The idea of this plan came from Stefan Wulph following his post on my Convair Model 200 VSTOL (oz16136) plan.

The idea of this aircraft came from the country’s engineering minds of BAE Kingston. It was also called the “Star Wars Fighter” after the movie Star Wars and their X-Wing fighter. It seems everyone at the time was looking to build a super-sonic (VTOL) Vertical Takeoff Landing, aircraft. The BAE called theirs (ASTO/VL) Advance Short Takeoff/ Vertical Landing, aircraft.

Check out this article on this aircraft: https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.php?aircraft_id=2431

Construction: This model is built in components as most models, it’s just the components look vary different.

Wing: This model’s wing is predominately the major portion of the “X” in the X-Wing. Lay out all the leading edges and trailing edges flat on the building board. L.E. is 1/8” sq hard balsa on edge and pinned in place. Never stick your pin through the balsa. The T.E. is 1/16”x1/2’ sheet strips. The ribs are added in the Dave Rees’ sliced rib style, but instead of slicing them from the balsa sheet with this thin wing just use 1/16” sq stringers. The bottom of the ribs are flat on the building board between the L.E. and the T.E. as shown on the plan. Again this is a different wing layout. So there are T.E. extensions making up part of the “X-Wing”. Once all of the bottom of the wing is in place, add the Spars over the bottom of the ribs as shown on the plan. Once the spars are in place add the upper ribs of 1/16” sq stringers and bend gently over the spars and glue and pin in place. Once the ribs have dried add the 1/32”x1/8” truss strips in place. When this has all dried crack the L.E. and T.E. at the center of the wing and add the 1” dihedral under each tip.

EMPENNAGE: The horizontal stabs are done in a left and right panel. These are angled down as per the front view attached to the booms after they’re completed. The vertical stabs are built on the board for the outline and completed in the air after the vertical spar is added to the 3/32” sheet cap. The spar is 1/16” a triangular balsa sheet 3/32” at the top and 1/8” at the bottom. Then add the outer ribs of 1/32”x1/8” strips as shown on the plan. This gives a nice fuller looking vertical stab instead of the flat look of all the same sq balsa strips.

FUSELAGE: The fuselage is built using a Ladder Jig. Maxfliart has a very good video showing this technique: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yUYY1dqfH8
The cockpit pod is built first and then the Engine Component is add next. Once the cockpit pod is complete, add it to the wing and fit it to the wing surface. Bottom will be easy as it’s flat but the top will take some fitting and sanding. Now the Engine Pod.
The Engine/Intake and Exhaust pod is constructed by first cutting out the upper shape from 1/16” balsa sheet. Then add foam to the upper balsa plate thick enough to allow you to carve the shape of the intake and the three exhausts . On the original design these exhaust had rotating nozzles which later became familiar in the Harrier Jump Jet. The intake is set off from the fuselage with 1/16” wedges which make the splitter plates to eliminate the buffeting of boundary layer air into the intake. Once this is completed I usually coat the foam with several thinned coats of Titebond yellow carpenter’s glue. This dries quickly. When dry sand lightly with 300 grit wet/dry paper. Then repeat till your satisfied with the finish on the foam. One the engine pod is complete add this component to the fuselage/ wing components. You’ll need to fair the top of the engine pod to the fuselage behind the splitter breaks.

BOOMS: The booms are laminated sheets of balsa. Cut out the shapes from ¼” balsa sheet. Sand the top of the booms that fit the wing under surface. Angle it to keep the booms vertical and not angled with the dihedral of the wing. Once you’re satisfied with the angles glue the booms in place, making sure they’re parallel to the fuselage. This alignment is very critical. Add the Horizontal stab panels and the vertical panels to the booms. If you’re going to cover with tissue, I encourage you to cover them in components before gluing them together. There will always be areas to fill with tissue later.

Because it wasn’t produced the fantasy color schemes are left to your imagination.

Regards, Tom Akery/Sky9pilot. Thanks to Steve and Mary for this great site!!"

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