Little Brother (oz16591)

About this Plan

Little Brother. Control line profile sport stunt model. Wingspan 26 in, for .049 engine.

Quote: "Free full size plan. Little Brother. A 26-1/2 inch span all-sheet control-line sportster with the good looks and lively performance. Uses 0.049 cu. in. engines. By 'Rapid Rick' and Dick Sarpolus.

This 1/2A model is of all sheet construction; it can be built rapidly, is rugged, and most important it flies very well.

In the past, we have considered that all sheet models of this nature are suitable only for basic training; they all flew, but not well enough for acrobatic training and they were just not capable of providing sufficient interest to a skilled flier.

Several things contribute to the better flying characteristics of this model: it is big with enough wing area to permit real acrobatic flying; it is light despite being of all wood construction, and the large wing area provides a low wing loading for better performance. The Cox Tee Dee .049 used has ample power for good performance and 35 foot .008 in wire control lines offer vast improvement over the commonly used dacron or terylene lines. Finally, it features coupled flaps and elevator controls, like the larger .35 and .40 cu in powered stunt models.

1/2 A control line flying is growing, rapidly in the USA, with many contests now being held. However, Little Brother is definitely not a fullhouse contest model; for top competition you must go to a built-up or foam wing, full fuselage, landing gear, etc. However, Little Brother does make a good pattern trainer and being of all wood construction it will merely bounce from almost any sort of crash when flown over a grass field. If damaged, five minute epoxy will quickly put it back in the air. It is fast and does require quick reflexes -which perhaps makes it less than ideal as a trainer - but its cost and ruggedness, we feel, enable it to serve well in a training role.

The plane was designed by my son, 13-year-old Rick. It was his idea to build a basic 1/2A model with the styling and overall appearance of a 'proper' contest stunter. He selected styling features from a number of contemporary models, and combined them with the size and moments of other 1/2A models we had been successfully flying.

Construction can be accomplished in a few evenings work. Only two thicknesses of balsa are required, 1/8 and 1/4 in stock. The wing is from Kin balsa, the width being made up by edge-gluing narrower sheets together. The cross-grain wingtips help prevents warps and so should not be omitted. The tail surfaces are also 1/8 balsa; thinner stock could be used but would not appreciably lighten the model. Simple cloth hinges are used but commercially available plastic bellcrank and control horns are employed..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Quote: "Hallo Steve, here is the Little Brother, a C/L model printed on one side of a pull out banner given free with Aeromodeller May 1975.
I attach the original scan too. Paolo."

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