Maybe (oz2171)

About this Plan

Maybe. FF gas model, based on the Ken Willard Drake, but with wheels. Elfin .09 diesel shown.

Update 17/8/2022: Added article, thanks to Pit.

Quote: "Maybe, by Pete Hartzell. Scaled-up version of Willard's Drake (oz1251) to landplane for sport flying proves beautiful, realistic flier with ability to perform well in high winds

This design is a scaled-up conversion of ken Willard's Drake flying boat in the November 1951 issue, intended for sport model use with an .09 Diesel. Since there were none available at the time the design was projected, it was decided to gather ideas on the drawing board. As there are several inherent factors of the Drake that had to be included in this model, you may get the impression that it is a dry land Drake, and rightly so; however, it needed more than that to put this heavier and higher powered Diesel model over as a successful flier.

Bear in mind that while some of the construction may seem unorthodox, over 100 ROG take-offs and landings on concrete prove that this model can take it. Transition from power to glide is made without a change in altitude. As to wind, this model can be flown when others cannot and has, on occasion, been retrieved upwind, its weather vane stability being slightly terrific. In calm weather, it is like flying controlline with 200 ft lines. So get on the ball, fellow balsa dusters, and see what you can do!

A few things should be pointed out in the construction of this model. The sides of the fuselage are made by first cutting suitable 1/16 sheet balsa to shape, cutting out the window openings, and then marking off the locations of the cross members. This is faster and more accurate than the reverse order. 410M cement was used with hard wood as most strain is encountered here.

Begin assembly of the fuselage by installing the cross members, starting from the cabin and working back. Then, very carefully bend the front section to meet the set position of cross members and wrap with Scotch tape to hold this position until the cement dries. Use the cut-and-try method to get the shape of the plywood..."

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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