Super Brigadier (oz16568)

About this Plan

Super Brigadier. Radio control sport model. Wingspan 58 in, wing area 500 sq in.

Note the Berkeley Super Brigadier (oz342) first appeared in 1949. This here is a later redrawn plan.

Quote: "Designed by Bill Effinger & Henry Struck. Early Bird RC kitted 1949, Berkeley Models. Adapted for 3 Channel by Doc Mathews. Traced for Model Aviation by Ray Borden."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 10/2/2026: Added article, thanks to Pit.

Quote: "Berkeley's Super Brig was the first powered RC kit. Marking the turning point from a handful of experimenters to the excited masses, it has a singular historic significance. Super Brigadier, by Dee B Mathews.

THIS is a modernized Berkeley Brigadier, featuring a simplified,stronger structure, modified aerodynamics and for three channels rather than the original rudder-only. This development of the pioneering design requires a 3.0 to 4.0 cc power plant with a throttling device. Prospective builders are strongly discouraged from any attempt at flying the model as a rudder-only craft (the design's original form), as numerous aerodynamic modifications have been made to increase the model's airworthiness; elevator and throttle are absolutely essential for safe flight.

First advertised in August 1949, the Super Brigadier was the first American kit of a powered radio control model. The Super Brigadier pre-dates deBolt's Live Wire Trainer (oz5554) and Guillow's Trixter Beam (oz2864) by nearly three years, as they both were introduced in the spring of 1952. The plans for the Super Brigadier illustrate the escapement placed at the rear of the fuselage, with the elastics being wound through the cabin. Also shown on the original kit plans is a PAA-load dummy. The radio equipment illustrated was the Aerotrol, also produced by Bill Effinger's Brooklyn firm.

Originally developed in 1940 for use in the AYA program (see MAN 11-77 for details) the initial Brigadier had been designed by Bill Effinger and Henry Struck. These two men took the original planform and dimensions, added polydihedral and strengthened the structure in develop what became known as the Super Brigadier - the daddy of them all.

The year 1949 was the most significant in the history of RC models in the US. It was in late 1949 that the first commercially manufactured exam-free RC equipment was introduced. From the mid-1930s. models had been flown with homebuilt radio units on the ham bands by such pioneers as Sigfreid, Lanzo, DeSoto, and the Good Brothers. Although these articles were of immense interest when published, the radio expertise required was well beyond the great majority.

The possibility of exam-free frequencies had long been a dream of the AMA. In 1949 the FCC announced that through the efforts of the AMA several exam-free (but licensed) channels would become available for model use. Ths opening up of radio technology to the non-electronics background modeler prompted several manufacturers to enter the market. The earliest license-free units were the Citizenship units from McNabb on 465 and later 27; the Beacon units which were commercialized from the Good Brothers' designs: units from Radio Control Headquarters who had been supplying components to the experimenters since prior to WW 11; and the Berkeley Acrotrol which had been designed by Fd Lorene.

Several well engineered and aerodynamically sound designs were being pub lished, among these were the Good Brothers' Rudder Bug (oz7009) in MAN May 1949, Fran McElwee's Radart (oz5761) in the April 1949 Air Trails, and the Citizen (oz2820) by Bill Winter in MAN February 1950, and the RC Special by Bill Winter and Walt Schroder in a 1948 Mechanics Illustrated.

The Super Brigadier becomes a design of extremely high historic interest and importance as it represents the first commercial break from the 'suitable for radio control' free flight kits of the era. The Super Brigadier was relatively simple to construct, much smaller than other RC designs, and flew well. It became a 'standard' for the time.

The development of this article was prompted by remarks in 'For Openers' in MA, September, 1978. To quote: "These vintage RCs do not fly like converted free flights. In terms of power and wing loading their performance index is roughly half way between that of thc Old-Timers and modem sport low wings. These old RC designs could be the next Klondike - gold rush, that is."

It quickly became apparent that the most logical choice as a subject for a modernization was the daddy of them all, the Super Brig. It possessed the best combination of esthetics, size and building techniques.

The resultant model has proven itself an excellent sport job. Admittedly, several major force and rrornent changes were needed to correct some rather alarming spiral instability problems. but the plans reflect these changes.

General: Unless otherwise noted, all adhesive joints are of Aliphatic resin glue such as Sig and Tite-bond. The term CA refers to cyanoacrylate adhesives, such as Hot Stuff and Super Jet. All wood sizes are standard and should not be altered. All hardware is out of my dealer's stock. with the exception of the pre-bent landing gear and the wheel pants which Are available from Sig.

Drill required holes at the time the part is being cut to avoid the 'forgotten hole' problem. Trial fit pans before gluing for a snug but nonbinding fit.

A steerable tail wheel is not shown since the tail will not stay down on grass when enough power is used to move the model. The protoype used elastic bands to retain the rudder and stab unit, primarily to allow for needed inidence changes..."

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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