Hawker Typhoon 1B (oz23)

About this Plan

Hawker Typhoon 1B. Free flight scale model. Engines Frog 180, Elfin or similar.

Scanned and restored feb 2011 by pd1.

Quote: "A 32 inch span flying scale model for engines from 1.8 to 2 cc. Hawker Typhoon 1B, by PE Norman.

THE designer states that, throughout his modelling years, it has always been his ambition to build and fly scale models of low-wing fighters, having the same flight characteristics as the full-size machines. These are: high speed and extreme manoeuvrability with very little regard for the glide after the engine cuts. He believes that the quest for a glide of long duration with this type of model is all wrong; who judges the performance of a Spitfire or Tempest by what it does when the engine has stopped? In the majority of cases, the pilot would be only too anxious to open the hood and jump in the event of the engine cutting in the air! Provided, therefore, that the model is strong enough to withstand the crashes, it should not matter much what happens after the engine cuts.

In order to reproduce fighter performance it is necessary to have high power, and to withstand the high-speed crashes which must occur, the model has to be extremely strong.

Another major problem is the propeller; usually of enormous size in proportion to the model and with three or four blades, which result in great torque and gyroscopic forces. In the case of the Typhoon, Tempest, Spitfire and Fw190, the propeller has a diameter of approximately one third the span.

Apart from these items, there are aerodynamic problems which must be overcome; very small dihedral angle, small tail and rudder areas, true airfoil sections and so on, which further handicap the success of the projected model. The type of construction and size of model to fulfil the requirements were only found after many experiments; spans of about 32 in and all-up weights of 22 oz to 26 oz were the result. This particular Typhoon, which is one of several, has a span of 32 in and an all-up weight of almost 26 ozs. This gives a wing loading of 1-1/4 lb/sq ft.

The trimming and flying of this type of model is quite different to any other and has to be carried out with the greatest care if results are to be obtained. Due to the heavy loading, the Typhoon flies and glides fast, so hand-launched glides are difficult; any sudden jerk will throw the elevator weight backwards and forwards.

The correct drill is to place the model on smooth ground and, grasping the top of the fin, run forward until there is some sign of lifting. Repeat this several times until the model actually leaves the ground, when a tendency to turn in either direction may be noted. In the latter event, the wing should be slewed a fraction to bring the side which drops, a little ahead of the other.

If sloping ground, up which a breeze is blowing, is available, the model may be hand-launched. Run forward until the model tries to become airborne, and release. Slight nose heaviness is a good thing to maintain forward speed and, at height, the auto-elevators will take care of the longitudinal attitude. When these preliminary tests are completed satisfactorily, a power flight can be tried.

Steep left turns must be counteracted with engine offset and right turns are not permissible, as they will result in a gyroscopic spin, from which there is no recovery.

For those who would like to try their hand at building and flying one of these scale Typhoons and experiencing the thrill of the long fast take-off and the high-speed manoeuvre flight, detailed building instructions will be supplied with the full-size APS plan. Several new methods of construction and a pendulum-controlled elevator are used, and the designer advises anyone without much modelling experience not to attempt building the model. "

Update 02/11/2018: Added article, thanks to RFJ.

Update 13/08/2019: Added build notes (5 pages), thanks to SBurling.

Quote: "Hi Steve and Mary, Here are the original build-notes for the above. The document was typed on thin sheets of foolscap and very faded, so I have done my best to make it readable. It was issued with the plan on purchase and I believe was never reproduced in Aeromodeller. It describes the innovative features of the model, some of which are not shown on the plan, all designed to resist crash impacts: a 'knock-offable' engine mount attached internally by sections of elastic trouser braces (suspenders), a wrapped and laminated 'monocoque' fuselage created over a male mould, a rubber spinner turned from the heel of a shoe, a crushable papier-mâché nose cowl, three-ply spars and paper and celluloid-covered wings. Plus, a pendulum elevator, v. popular in England in the 1950s for free flight scale models.
About 10 years ago, Peter Miller (he has several plans on OZ) wrote up some reminiscences concerning P. E Norman, whom he had met (Norman died c.1965 ?). He noted that P.E.'s scale designs were all constructed to be very strong in order to resist multiple crashes. This made them heavy and as a consequence they had to fly fast (40 - 50 mph) to stay aloft. Most people in the 1950s went the other way and built for lightness in order to soften the blow of landing, but P.E. preferred the tank-like approach. Peter remembered the Typhoon as being 'absolutely lethal', because it flew fast and never rose above head height - so builders beware, if attempting a faithful free-flight reproduction! It looks pretty accurate to me - one of the better Typhoon plans on Outerzone.
Regards"

Supplementary file notes

Article.
Build notes.

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