Roughneck Too (oz2166)

About this Plan

Roughneck Too. RC sports model, a TeeDee .010 powered biplane. Appeared in the Nov/Dec 1965 issue of American Modeler. For single channel rudder only, escapement motor.

Quote: "An appealing little low winger has been updated for R/C rudder control into this sleek bipe. If you're admirer of the earlier Lil Roughneck, we think you'll find it difficult to pass this new beauty by!

So enthusiastic has been the response to Lil Roughneck (oz3102) since it appeared in the December 1963 American Modeler it seemed only natural that the original concept be taken a step farther. We toyed with the idea of enlarging the model but this approach would have destroyed the reason for the design in the first place. Our first intention had been to develop a small R/C job capable of steady dependable flights from small fields which were not capable of handling the larger single or multi-ships. The logical follow-on seemed to be a Bipe. Basically, Roughneck Too is a Lil' Roughneck with an added top wing.

However, comparison will show that a few subtle but necessary changes were made. The fuselage is deeper to accommodate receivers other than the Otarion equipment around which our original monoplane was designed. Fin and rudder area are both up a bit for added directional control.

If you have shied away from biplanes in the past because of the intricacies of the usual bird cage design of the center section wing struts, come back. Our struts are relatively simple to form, require no soldering and yet are rugged enough to more than take the imposed loads. Flying with the wing 'I' struts in place is also quite normal as these are designed to pop off on rough land-ings.

Lil' Roughneck has been a delight to fly. Roughneck Too, by virtue of its more docile nature, is even more of a fun ship. But put a Cox .020 in the nose and you'll have a real tiger on your hands.

For .01 power, your Roughneck should weigh no more than 7-1/2 ounces. For .02 operation a few extra ounces will be tolerable. Choose your lumber wisely, especially those sheets to be used aft of the lower wing. Avoid building a tail heavy structure that will require stuff-ing the nose full of dead weight. In other words, use very light wood where
structural strength is not needed and save the heavier grades for use in and around the nose section.

Except for the difference in their respective center sections, the top and bottom wings are identical. They are more easily formed if 4 in or 6 in wide straight grained medium soft stock is used. The bottom wing is built in two halves and joined together glider fashion, after which the center section doubler is added. This doubler spans the dihedral break from rib 2 of the left panel to rib 2 of the right panel and thus forms a flat section on the top surface only.

Cut the bottom sheets to outline shape. Cut all ribs from 3/32 soft sheet and cement them in place. Add the 1/8 hardwood dowel leading edge. The use of the dowel greatly strengthens the wing and protects it against nicks and cracks. Taper the trailing edge of the bottom sheet to conform to the rib airfoil. Add the landing gear struts. Cut the top sheet oversize to allow for the bend and cement it to the dowel, ribs and trailing edge. Use a slow drying cement..."

Update 15/11/2016: added article and model photo, thanks to theshadow.

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