Short Skyvan (oz16333)

About this Plan

Short Skyvan. Radio control scale model twin. Wingspan 48-1/2 in.

Quote: "Your full size plan. 48-1/2 inch span, twin .049 powered. Short Skyvan, by Kevin Flynn.

THE Skyvan was built to satisfy a desire for a simple model with plenty of room for all kinds of radio gear, easy and quick to build. Usually a model with these requirements does not look or fly too well. After looking through many magazines, I saw an article on the Skyvan in Aircraft Illustrated magazine and decided this was it.

A quick phone call to Palos Verdes and I was on my way to see my fellow aeromodeller, JE Headley. After a good cup of tea and an enthusiastic conference we were at the old drawing board and the plan was hatched.

Well, about a week of evenings later the model was finished, the colour of the original was cream with green trim which looked real sharp.

There are several Skyvans around in this area of USA, two at Los Angeles International Airport, flying with Cherokee Airlines, so choose your colour scheme and let's get started.

Fuselage: Cut the sides from 3/32 sheet medium balsa, pin to plan (be sure to make one left and one right) and add 1/4 in sq longerons and uprights. While the sides are drying, cut out the tailplane, elevator, fins and rudders from 3/16 medium soft balsa, and sand to airfoil section. (I used 1/4 in triangular braces where the fins are epoxied to the tailplane for added strength, although these are not shown on the plan.)

Now back to the fuselage. Remove the sides from the plan and make the t/4 in. noseblock from 1/4 in balsa laminations with grain from nose to tail. Epoxy the noseblock to fuselage framework, add 3/16 in. wing dowels and when dry add the top and bottom 3/16 sheet balsa. Be sure to leave an opening for the undercarriage sponson and when dry, sand fuselage and contour noseblock. The next step is to build the u/c sponson from hard 1/4 in square balsa and medium 1/4 in sheet. Add the 1/16 wire undercarriage legs, bind them to the spar with thread and glue. Add top and bottom sheeting and cut fairings from 1/4 in sheet. Slide sponson into fuselage and glue into place, then add 1/4 in sheet fairing and main wheels.

Wing: Place the plan on the building board and cover with wax paper, pin down 1/16 medium sheet balsa wing panels, adding 1/4 in sq leading edge and 1/16 ribs. Note that the eight ribs in the centre section of the wings are cut to allow for 3/16 in spar and spar joiner. Also add aileron linkage at this point. When completely dry, remove panels from the plan, pin one panel flat and block the other up 3 in to give dihedral.

When this has set, remove from the building board and complete the aileron linkage, then cover the tops of the wings with 1/16 balsa. Make wing struts from 1/4 x 1 in trailing edge stock. Bend 1/16 wire clips and fix to struts with gauze. These clips fit into 1/16 brass tubes epoxied into place when the model is completed. Now place the wing on the fuselage, build up the wing fairing and cover with 1/16 sheet. Shape the nose undercarriage wire, instal the wheel and epoxy into nose-block. Glue the tailplane in place, add hinges for rudders and elevator.

Engines: The engine nacelles are constructed after the wings are completed. Follow. the plans and when finished, epoxy glue to wings. Cut holes into the wing skins and insert the fuel tanks, ensuring to use epoxy for all joints. The throttle linkage is left up to you, Nyrods and the like work fine. When everything is dry, sand the entire model, covering and finishing as desired. The cabin windows are cut from black contact shelf paper which is excellent for trimming most models.

Flying: Check all flying surfaces for alignment and make sure that the C of G is correct.

The best way to fly the model is with both engines at full power. Start each engine individually and tune to maximum rpm then stop them, refill the tanks and restart engines. The motors should now both be running fairly well synchronised. This is the only way to do it unless you have a tachometer.

Our original model had a take-off run of about 60 yards or so. It is quite sensitive to aileron and rudder control, so keep movements to a minimum."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

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