Douglas BTD-1 Destroyer (oz16760)

 

Douglas BTD-1 Destroyer (oz16760) by Tom Akery 2022 - plan thumbnail

About this Plan

Douglas BTD-1 Destroyer. Free flight scale model Carrier bomber, for rubber power. Wingspan 16 in.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Quote: "DOUGLAS BTD-1 PSEUDO-DIMER
16” SPAN
DRAWN 17 MAR 2022

This is an unusual prototype by Douglas for a Bomber/Torpedo plane. I thought this would be a fun easy build of a WWII era aircraft.

CONSTRUCTION:

FUSELAGE: The fuselage construction is using the half shell method. This uses a dorsal and ventral spine with the formers being half their full size. Make the dorsal and ventral spines from 1/16” sheet balsa and when they have been constructed add the formers in their proper position making sure to keep them vertical. 90 degrees to the spines. Once you have all the formers in place and the glue is dry add the lateral spine down the center of the formers along the demarcation line. Once this is dry take the fuselage off the building board and add the other side formers keeping them aligned with the previous side. When these formers have dried add the lateral spine for this side. Now that you have all four spines in place begin adding the stringer of 1/16” sq to the fuselage alternating sides to keep equal tension on the fuselage. Check for straightness of the fuselage as you go.

WING PANELS: The wing is in two panels built flat on the building board. With 1/16” sq L.E. and 1/16”x1/8” T.E. and sheet balsa ribs. Make two ribs each for each panel. Use 1/16” sheet balsa for the wing tips. For dihedral the ROT (Rule Of Thumb) is wing tips right at the bottom of the canopy.

EMPENNAGE: The horizontal stab is made from 1/16” sq nnd sheet balsa. The vertical fin/rudder is also made with 1/16” sq and sheet balsa.

This being a prototype it was in bare metal finish with the USAAF markings. I planned on using silver tissue from Easy Built. I’ve found this to be excellent tissue, with nice wet strength. But you could cover in white tissue and lightly paint with a rattle can or airbrush."

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Datafile:
  • (oz16760)
    Douglas BTD-1 Destroyer
    by Tom Akery
    March 2022 
    16in span
    Scale Rubber F/F LowWing Military Bomber
    clean :)
    all formers complete :)
  • Submitted: 03/04/2026
    Filesize: 289KB
    Format: • PDFvector
    Credit*: TomAkery
    Downloads: 226

ScaleType:
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    ScaleType: This (oz16760) is a scale plan. Where possible we link scale plans to Wikipedia, using a text string called ScaleType.

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Scaling

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