Paragon (oz16173)

About this Plan

Paragon. Rubber duration model. Wingspan 33 in, wing area 145 sq in.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Note this here is a later reprint from RCMW, Nov 2015.

Quote: "The PARAGON, an attractive rubber endurance model designed by Paul Plecan appeared originally in the June 1940 issue of Flying Aces magazine. We’re reprinting the original construction article and plans here and a redrawn full size plan.

HERE, BOYS, is a CLASS C contest model that refuses to stay on the ground. During its ramblings through the ozone, it has had its share of rooftop and treetop landings, yet it's still in one piece! What's more, all repair work that's been necessary has been minor.

The trophy this job won (see photos) was awarded for the highest average time in the cabin event at the first Metropolitan Model Airplane Council contest held last year at Holmes Airport, New York City.

The first two official flights the Paragon made were of two minutes duration each. But on the third try, the model was taken in hand by a kind thermal, raising the three-flight average to three minutes, plus. In tests conducted during cool evenings after the contest, the average flight time was two minutes.

This model is intended for the model builder who has already achieved success with other designs. And if you have successfully built and flown a cabin model like Earl Stahl's now famous Hi Climber (oz2706), then you can easily construct the Paragon. Note, incidentally, that all ribs and wing outlines are given full size, relieving you of the time and energy required in scaling-up parts.

FUSELAGE CONSTRUCTION USE HARD balsa for the longerons. Medium balsa may be used for the cross-braces as these parts are not subjected to the strains that the longerons carry from the rubber tension.

After the fuselage sides have been assembled, they should be lifted from the plan and pried apart with a razor blade. Now, the cross-braces are cemented between these two sides, resulting in a framework as shown in step one on the fuselage plate.

In step two, balsa blocks, approximately 1/2 in thick, are glued to each side of fuselage as shown. Use 1/4 in thick soft stock on the tail portion. Remember that these blocks are for fairing and need not be strong.

While the framework is drying, cut from 1/8 stock four soft stringers and shape as shown above the fuselage side drawing. These four stringers are cemented in place next, care being exercised in centering each one.

All joints in the fuselage should be cemented a second time for extra strength, and the landing gear should be glued in place before the fuselage is covered.

Make sure that the landing gear strut is anchored solidly in the fuselage, and, if necessary, bind the strut with thread wherever it contacts balsa.

The nose and tail blocks should be sanded to a circular cross-section. The fuselage is covered with plain tissue and clear doped three times.

Carve the 1-5/8 in wheel from hard balsa, 1/4 in thick, and mount a large-faced bushing through the center to keep the axle from wearing the wheel center away. The cross section of the wheel should be an approximate streamline, and the wheel should revolve freely on the axle.

The pylon on which the wing rests is tilted so that the wing has 1/8 in incidence in relation to the fuselage centerline. Note the U shaped hooks on the front and rear of the pylon. These hooks allow the wing to disengage immediately if the plane strikes anything while in flight. Do not forget to cement the tail incidence blocks in place now..."

This plan is stamped as Archive #003688 from the Cooperative Plans Service. See their website at www.co-op-plans.com

Update 28/7/2025: Added original article (1940) thanks to Pit.

Supplementary file notes

Article 1940.
Article 2015.

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