Streamline Experimental (oz16648)

About this Plan

Streamline Experimental. Free flight rubber cabin model. Wingspan 26 in.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 22/3/2026: Added article, thanks to Pit.

Quote: "An Experimental Flier for Novice or Expert. Here's One of the Most Reliable All-Balsa Fliers That You Have Ever Built. Graceful and Easy to Construct. Streamline Experimental, by Felix Gutmann.

Here is a model where looks and clean lines count as much as good flying ability. It is very sturdy and a hard one to wreck. This is due mainly to its all-balsa construction and the use of the proper grades of balsa throughout.

The original model had a wing loading of 1-1/3 ounces per 50 square inches of wing area, which is quite high. Despite this fact it flew as if it were of ordinary built-up and tissue-covered construction, but naturally would fly in winds prohibitive to the latter type plane. If the builder wishes to reduce the weight of the model, he may leave off the decorations (shown also on the plan) for which 2/3 ounce of colored dope was used. Doing this of course takes away part of the 'eye-catchiness' so desirable in a ship.

Builders who feel ambitious enough and wish to have just a fair weather flier should build up the wing and possibly the tail with ribs and spars, and use tissue for covering. Builders who would like a 39 in model instead of one with a 26 in span should multiply the dimensions on the plan by 3/2 when scaling it up.

If the builder does decide that he wants to decorate the ship, he should paint it before the wing and tail sections are cemented together. It is advisable to use Scotch cellophane tape for the striping.

Construction: Wing: The wing is cut from 3 in wide triangular glider wing stock or from medium 3/16 wood, preferably the former. 1/8 stock may also be used. The shape may be laid off right on the wood, except the tips. For these a pattern must be made. Use a piece of smooth cardboard 3 in x 3-1/2 in. Lay off a series of 1/2 in squares corresponding to those shown on the plan. Now lay off a series of dots on the sides of the squares corresponding to the sides of the squares on the plan through which the outline of the tip passes, making sure that the dots are at a distance from one end of the line proportional to the corresponding distance shown on the plan. Now connect the dots either carefully free-hand or with a drawing curve. The outline is then cut and traced on the wood. For the other tip turn the pattern over and trace.

The outline may now be cut and the wing section carefully formed. Note the center section of the wing has the ends inclined for the dihedral of 2-1/4 in to be put in the wing after it is finished with 10 nought sandpaper and two coats of banana oil.

Tail The tail is made from 1/32 medium hardness sheet balsa. The outline is obtained in the same manner as the wing tips, by patterns. The tail is also finished with 10 nought sandpaper and given two coats of banana oil with intermediate sandings. The rudder is cemented to the top of the elevator.

Fuselage: Only the fuselage side need be drawn over. Get a piece of paper longer and wider than the fuselage and draw a center line which is 16-7/8 in long. Next lay off all the longitudinal dimensions, that is, the distance between all the vertical cross-braces (shown directly under the side view.) Next lay off all the vertical dimensions at each station starting from the center line..."

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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