Westland P12 Wendover (oz16309)

About this Plan

Westland P12 Wendover. Radio control scale model. Wingspan 40 in, for electric power with brushless motor.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Quote: "The P12 Wendover looks like the result of a riotous encounter between a Lysander and the tail end of a Lancaster, but was an attempt to protect the vulnerable rear of a Lysander from attack by adding a gun turret. The enlarged tailplane coped with the rearward shift of the CG position. Although successfully tested with a dummy turret, this Lizzie variant was never put into production.

There's a build thread on RC Groups here: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?379249"

Note: Although Tim's plan was originally drawn up with a span of 40 in, the publishers (Traplet) managed to print and publish the plan at an enlarged scale, bringing the span to 46 inches. Not a terrible disaster, but it meant the wood sizes shown were slightly out. This here plan is fullsize at 40 inch span as originally intended - and the wood sizes shown are correct.

Update 4/10/2025: Added article, thanks to RFJ.

Quote: "Free Plan. Not your everyday Lysander then? Westland P12 Wendover, by Tim Hooper.

Although the Westland Lysander is rightly regarded as being a very successful aircraft, it did suffer somewhat by being vulnerable to attack from the rear. Recognising this, in 1940 the Westland company began to liaise with the leaders in tandem-wing design, the Delanne company in France. The outcome was a full-sized gun turret in the tail, carried by a much-enlarged tailplane (thus permitting a rearward CG) with twin fins on its outer ends.

To test out the theory, prototype K6127 was built with a revised rear end and was reported by test pilot Harold Penrose to handle very stably. In spite of its potential as a ground-strafer, the Wendover never saw production though.

I first became aware of the Wendy whilst mooching about on the Internet and was smitten immediately, and given my penchant for unusual aircraft, it seemed only right to have a bash at a small-scale model just to see if it could be clone. As it turns out, i'm glad I did!

I settled on 40 inch span, lightweight balsa sticks construction and aimed for an AUW below 20 oz to suit the total wing/tail area of 234 sq in.

Although a small model, the Wendover probably wouldn't make a good first project. There are some quirks in the construction that need care in their execution; the incidence and overall rigging of the wings depends on the accurate fitting of mini-hinges in both fuselage and wing root and of the functional wing struts. And all those fuselage stringers are pretty delicate and won't tolerate rough handling, so be aware!

Construction: The wings are the best place to start. I've increased the tip chord by 50% over the original, both to add a little more useful area and to stop any potential tip-stall tendencies. The mainspars are hard 1/8 x 3/8 balsa, whilst the spliced LE, tip plate and TE are from softer stock. Pierce the relevant ribs for the aileron servo wire before the ribs are added.

The root rib is cut from firm 1/4 balsa, and is reinforced by a further balsa support on its lower edge. There's a similar support to accept the ends of the wing struts at R5 - this piece also doubles as a mount for the aileron servo.

The ailerons can be cut free after the wings are lifted from the board, and their front edges bevelled to allow top-hinging after covering.

The tail surfaces can come next. Pin down and glue the outlines and diagonals flat on the board. When the glue has dried (about 5 seconds if you use CA!) tips can be raised by 25 mm, and the centre section innards added from more firm 1/8 balsa. The outer ends of the centre joiners will need chamfering to shape below the tailplane later..."

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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