PZL 104 Wilga (oz16338)

About this Plan

PZL 104 Wilga. Radio control sport scale model. Wingspan 1.35 m.

Quote (google-translated): "A Simplified Design. Wilga, by Jean-Michel Sevestre. Photos by the author and Laurent Berlivet.

Aviation has existed for a hundred years (this year, I know) and instructors have always used a lot of imagination to create original machines. Some are so because of their technical or aerodynamic merit, and simply because they have 'one.' Among these, there is one that has always haunted my mind: the famous Wilga, manufactured in Poland by the Pezetel firm. Aeromodelers are familiar with this machine because, a few years ago, it was the darling of 'little fat' enthusiasts.

I, too, would have loved to own a little fat Wilga, but that would have required me to have a real workshop with space to build it and then store it, to change cars to transport it, and, a significant aspect of the problem, to seriously break the bank to buy and equip it. So, goodbye vast project, I had to resign myself: I would never own the obscure object of my dreams!

What you just read is roughly the summary of a discussion I had with my modeling friends during the summer. We were discussing the advantages and disadvantages of the 'little fat' formula (some are die-hard fans, others detractors) and the lack of imagination of manufacturers who, overall, always offer us the same versions of airplanes, without trying to think outside the box.

It was then that I proudly announced that I was surprised that no one had thought of creating a small Wilga, a finding that everyone approved. From ribs to ribs, from spars to spars, from frames to frames (and perhaps from beers to beers), I came to proudly announce that since no one had done it for the modest Sunday flyer, I was going to design it, my Wilga! The objective being that it would be economically feasible for the average person.

The day after this modeling evening, immersed in a Polish book on the Wilga and watching the February 1951 RCM 'Eastern Europe Special' featuring some photos of a real Wilga as well as a 3-view, I realized that I might have overestimated my technical abilities on the subject and decided to give my former instructor, now editor-in-chief of Looping, a call.

Laurent told me that the Wilga was a complex aircraft, but that building a semi-scale model seemed possible to him. He even added that if I felt brave and capable of taking photos of the construction, Looping would be interested in publishing an article on the subject. That was all I needed to redouble my enthusiasm and get me to work without delay.

As you will see from the assembly photos, the construction of this small aircraft is simple. The plan was simply drawn by taking dimensions from the 3-view and from the photos I had. So, even if the shapes are not correct, they nevertheless allow us to clearly recognize the inimitable look of the Wilga.

The construction uses classic materials: balsa, plywood and fiberglass (for the engine cowling). The wing profile (NACA 4415) was chosen on the advice of the chief designer..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

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