Ugly Bug (oz16773)
About this Plan
Ugly Bug. Radio control sport model. Wingspan 36 in. Uses the Ace foam wing.
Quote: "It looks simple - but is not a beginner's model. Hot and unusually maneuverable on a Cox 049, with rudder and elevator. Ugly Bug, by Larry Renger.
It's true that a model as plain as 'Ugly Bug' needs some excuse! How about 10 hours of construction time, including finish and radio installation? That is something even a married man can manage in under a week and fly on the weekend! Total cost of airplane and motor is about $15.00.
Ugly Bug was designed after the destruction of a rather fragile two-channel model. I wanted something quick to build which would still be fast and maneuverable. The design considerations emphasized minimum construction time, and compact size, with no thought given to looks.
The first prototype used a raw foam wing; eventually the fuselage oil soaked and the wing was nibbled to death by the rubber bands. After a couple of months of flying, it was retired to an honored spot in my trash can and another took over. The second model, presented here, has an improved layout which reduces speed sensitivity of trim.
Ugly Bug is an intermediate training aircraft. Fairly neutral stability, economy of time and materials, and power by the ubiquitous Babe Bee and Tee Dee .049 engines are some of the outstanding features. It still doesn't look like much!
Warning: Ugly Bug is not a raw beginner's airplane, the wing loading being too high for forgiving flight characteristics. It will do loops, consecutive rolls, and pylon turns which will delight anyone. So, if you have flown RC at least a little, and want a quick-building, fast-flying model (1/2A RC rat race, anyone?) here is how Ugly Bug goes together..."
Direct submission to Outerzone.
Quote: "Here is one you do not have yet, the Ugly Bug by Larry Renger. Another one designed for the Ace foam wing, so use the files for the built up version Ace Foam Wing Straight (oz16445). A cheap 100w 2000kv motor will make this thing move. I can't imagine a much simpler plane to scratch build, if you have a foam wing laying around... I measured the scaled plan to arrive at a conclusion that the parts sheet was 1/2 size. This was published in the January 1975 issue of Sport Modeller. $1 per issue back then!
Dave"
Supplementary file notes
Article.
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(oz16773)
Ugly Bug
by Larry Renger
from Sport Modeler
January 1975
36in span
IC R/C
clean :)
all formers complete :)
got article :) -
Submitted: 19/04/2026
Filesize: 266KB
Format: • PDFbitmap
Credit*: dfritzke
Downloads: 326
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User comments
The layout for the hatch, undercarriage mounting plate and fuselage side lengths indicate built-in side thrust which is not shown on the plan. Generally, you want that to be right thrust!Dave - 27/05/2026
Oh never mind, it IS shown…as left thrust, because it is shown from the bottom side. Doh. He drew the prop screw on the centerline and shifted the engine to the side which threw me.
Dave - 27/05/2026
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- Ugly Bug (oz16773)
- Plan File Filesize: 266KB Filename: Ugly_Bug_oz16773.pdf
- Supplement Filesize: 1400KB Filename: Ugly_Bug_oz16773_article.pdf
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Notes
* Credit field
The Credit field in the Outerzone database is designed to recognise and credit the hard work done in scanning and digitally cleaning these vintage and old timer model aircraft plans to get them into a usable format. Currently, it is also used to credit people simply for uploading the plan to a forum on the internet. Which is not quite the same thing. This will change soon. Probably.
Scaling
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