Space Shuttle (oz16495)

About this Plan

Space Shuttle. Free flight stand-off scale model. Wingspan 24 in, for Mills 0.75 diesel engine. Pusher prop layout.

Quote: "Space Shuttle. David Goodenough's 'stand-a-long-way-off' scale space machine is just right for 0.8cc motors.

THIS model was originally conceived as a stand a long way off or 'cartoon' scale model, having only the general shape of the original. The fuselage has been narrowed and the wing widened away from true scale dimensions.

Its first outing was to the Aeromodeller Scale Weekend, 1990 and true to most hastily built models of outrageous shapes, flew not off the building board but like one!

History tells of a lone manic modeller flinging a black and white Delta shape all around Old Warden until, five hours later, trim was finally achieved and some nice flights made. Since the original power unit was a vintage and somewhat tired Mills .75, it makes success all the more remarkable.

Construction: Cut all the wing strips from 4 x 3/32 medium soft straight grained balsa, since the wing needs to be relatively flexible to withstand 'landing' loads on the trimming flights.

Assemble them into the complete wing form on the building board, as all else is attached to the top only during construction. Lightly pencil in the wing centre line at this stage as it will aid assembly later.

Mount the engine bearers at the spacing that suits your motor direct onto the wing sheet, with no side thrust. I used cyano for most of the basic construction because it is so quick.

Next glue fuselage formers F3 to F7 in place, ensuring they are square to the wing and accurately aligned along the wing centre line. Cut a length of 4 in x 1/16 medium soft straight grained balsa sheet to fit from F3 back to the rearmost extent of the fuselage. Dampen one side only to start it curving and, using PVA or aliphatic resin, attach it to the top of the fuselage formers allowing equal overhang both sides.

To hold the sheet in position while it dries, push pins into the edge of the fuselage formers, halfway down, and use small rubber bands passed over the top to keep it firmly held down.

When dry, cut the fuselage sides to fit the gap left between the wing and fuselage top. Glue in position after first adding the nose doublers. One right and one left hand (we all get it wrong simetimes!). Once the glue is set pull the nose sides together onto F1, then add F2. Finish off by using soft block over the nose and cockpit area, this will be carved and sanded to give the distinctive shape.

Pull up the wing sheet from F3 forwards and fix to the nose underside. Cut a slot for the fin, aligning it with the cutouts in F6 and 7. Use PVA and leave a small glue filler all round the fuselage/fin joint. Fit two hard strip (or ply) inserts where shown in the wing to stop splitting away from the elevon cut..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

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