Ballerina (oz16909)

About this Plan

Ballerina. Free flight profile scale model, for rubber power. Wingspan 16 in.

Quote: "Ballerina. A NOCAL Profile Construction Project By AA Lidberg. One of three Cosmic Wind full-scale planes to compete in the National Air Races in 1947, the Ballerina was piloted by well-known flier Bob Downey. This profile version is a fun flyer and easily built.

Right after WWII, the National Air Races were dominated by what we now call Warbirds; P-38s, P-51 Mustangs, F2G1 Corsairs, and other fighter planes. While races with these planes were spectacular, they were felt to have some disadvantages as far as the paying public was concerned. For one thing, some race events were for distance, and the people in the stands would only get to view the finish. Another problem was that due to their size and speed, fighter planes in pylon races could be seen by almost as many people (nonpaying) outside the fences. Someone suggested that a prewar idea for restricted design airplanes be tried. The resulting event for 190 cu in 'Midget' racers was sponsored by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.

Races with the Midgets (what are now called Formula 1) were really exciting as the planes flew around pylons just 30 feet tall and the course was in full view of the paying crowd in the stands.

Some of the prewar planes were brought out to race but there were some new ones, too. One of the new planes was the winner of the 1947 race, the Cosmic Wind 'Minnow', 'Little Tony' and our subject plane, the #5 'Ballerina' which I chose because of its uncommon green color. My references don't say anything about racing results for #5, but its pilot, Bob Downey, became a well-known and successful race pilot.

Construction: Ballerina follows the building methods used in my previous NOCALs; that is, the covering material is prepared before the plane is built. Green tissue is taped over the plan and the NC, race numbers, and other lines and lettering are traced onto the tissue using black markers. The trim color is made from cream or white tissue or tracing paper attached with spray glue or rubber cement. On my model, the #5s were made from black tissue - looks nicer, but it's a bit more difficult than using the markers. The canopy, roll bar, and pilot can be traced onto some white paper and glued on. Put the covering aside in a safe place, and we'll move on to building.

Begin the wing by making the rib template from thin cardboard. Use the template to guide your blade, and slice the ribs from a sheet of 1/16-inch balsa about four inches long. Just move the template down 1/16 inch for each new rib. Make six extra ribs; these will be used for wing, stab, and fin tips and for the wing mount in the body. Pin down the wing's leading (LE) and trailing edges (TE); and fit the ribs, trimming them from the TE end to fit. Leave out the center rib for now. Block up one panel with two dihedral jigs, and fit the center rib and the 1/16-inch square gussets. Those little sticks add a lot of strength to the wing so be sure to include them.

The body and stab are very simple flat plate structures, mostly made from 1/16 square. On the body, a few pieces of 1/16 sheet are used to fill out some of the shapes. Make up the landing gear (LG), and add some small plastic wheels. If you want to build a really lightweight model, take the time to make up the balsa wheels. Laminate the motor stick as shown..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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