Elfin MkII (oz1668)

About this Plan

Elfin MkII. A baby pylon free flight power model for .5cc to .8cc motors.

Quote:- "ELFIN was designed for those modellers with baby engines who want a machine which they can not only pleasure fly but also enter for competitions with more than the usual chance of a 'baby' of placing. The original has been flown consistently throughout the past season, and in spite of sundry flights into houses, trees, etc., has suffered no damage whatever apart from torn tissue, not even a broken prop.

Fuselage and Pylon. Select 4 good pieces of 3/32 sq and build in the normal manner; when dry add the plywood formers at each end, it being advisable to shape the blocks for the engine mount and tail fixing before cementing the formers to the fuselage. Cement in the flush 3/32 in sheeting at the point of pylon attachment and sandpaper the whole smooth.

Bind undercart leg to a piece of 1/8 sq birch and cement firmly in the position shown, it will be necessary to cut a piece from the bottom longeron to place the wire central. Sheet cover the top two sides FIRST, leaving the bottom two uncovered.

Now build the pylon; the bottom rib is of 1/2 in sq, a Vee being cut in the bottom to fit the fuselage before sanding the rib to section. The pylon is built in the same manner as a symmetrical tailplane, but make sure to leave the 1/8 in sq spars projecting at the bottom. Sheetcover the pylon and add the two obechi dowels before cementing it to the fuselage.

Now cut two holes in the top of the body to take the pylon spars, slide these through and thoroughly gusset it to the bottom longeron. You can now finish sheeting the fuselage. When dry, sandpaper and cover with tissue banana oiled on. This method of fuselage and pylon construction is one of the lightest and strongest I have yet encountered, the original taking dozens of severe knocks without any damage whatever..."

Update 26/11/2015: Replaced this plan with a clearer copy (patterned background removed) thanks to TonyP.

Supplementary file notes

Article page, text and pics. Also, previous scan version.

Corrections?

Did we get something wrong with these details about this plan (especially the datafile)? That happens sometimes. You can help us fix it.
Add a correction