Astra (oz1784)

About this Plan

Astra. A 44 inch span, easy to trim rubber power competition model. From 1952 May Model Aircraft.

Quote: "ASTRA is an attempt at a competition rubber model large enough to catch the thermals (and stay in sight), but without the trimming difficulties one associates with Wakefields. This is not meant as a slur on that fine type of model; it is generally agreed, however, that the successful Wakefield men (with a few notable exceptions) have virtually to specialise and to fly nothing else.

Astra is of approximately Wakefield wing area, weighs 6 oz in flying trim, and has a very narrow fuselage and small amount of rubber. Models of this type are singularly easy to trim and one does not need to be an expert to get good results. Not possessing the kind of courage that rubber winding requires, the writer has never dared to put on more than 650 turns, which gives a motor run of around 45 sec and a climb to about 350 ft. The glide compares well with many sailplanes.

The original model won the 1951 RAF Championships (open rubber event) at Coningsby with two flights of 2 min 33 sec, and 5 min 00 sec. It had previously qualified for the championships by taking top place in the rubber team of Flying Training Command. On this occasion one of its flights clocked 9 min 13 sec OOS, which was submitted as an RAF record. A second model, the builder's second-ever rubber job, went OOS in its first week of life with a 6 min flight on very few turns. Best Astra flight so far is 13 min 15 sec d/t.

Wing construction. Build each wing separately on the plan, beginning construction with LE and bottom half of TE. (built up from sheet). Front of TE should be chocked up about 1/16 in to allow continuation of rib contours. Cement wing ribs in position and add top spar and wing tips. Now add top half of TE, and rib capping strips (top only). Next crack wing LE, TE and spar in the position shown on plan and prop wing tips up to 3 in to give correct dihedral..."

Supplementary file notes

Planfile includes article.

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