Swiss C-3603 (oz232)

About this Plan

Swiss C-3603. Control line scale model WWII fighter, for .35 engines. Scale is 1/12.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 01/03/2020: Added article.

Quote: "TO THE SWISS, perhaps more than any other nation, war is abhorrent and a phenomenon peculiar to others. Despite their aversion to violence, the Swiss will readily fight to maintain their now traditional neutrality. The Swiss Air Force is unique in that its personnel are militia-civilians for more than 10 months of each year The terms of the Swiss Confederation expressly forbid the maintenance of regular forces. The Flugwaffe, as the Swiss Air arm is generally known, is a true component of the militia. The tasks of the Flugwaffe have remained virtually unchanged throughout the history of Swiss military aviation, namely to ensure the integrity of Swiss air space by challenging and, if necessary, destroying any intruder; defending Switzerland from aerial attack, and providing strike and reconnaissance support for Swiss ground forces.

The Federal Aircraft Factory is the official government establishment which manufactures aircraft for the Swim Air Force. Most Swiss aircraft have been bought or built under license from other countries. One of its few indigenous designs was the C-3603. As the threat of the war in Europe appeared ever more likely to materialize. the Swiss Federal Government revived in 1938 the C-36 design evolved a few years previously, with a view of providing the Swiss Air Force with more modern ground-attack equipment. The original single tail C-3600 project remained a design only, but two prototypes with twin tail assemblies were ordered. These differed in powerplants only. Both machines had non-retracting undercarriages, and the two-man crew was accommodated in tandem seats beneath an extended canopy. The C-3001 made its maiden flight in the spring of 1939, the C-3602 following in November of the same year.

A thorough test program on these two machines was followed by an order for 160 production aircraft under the designation C-3603. A more powerful model made its appearance with the first flight, on August 21, 1944 of the C-3604, and an order was placed for 100 machines of this type. As things turned out, however, the advent of jet engine fighters caused the Swiss government to curtail orders for the C-3604. and production of this type ceased after only 13 had been completed. Over 30 years later, C-3604's are still serving with the Swiss Air Force. Twenty-two have been converted to turbo-prop engines for target-towing duties and designated as the C.3605 version.

The model is built to a scale of 1 in = 1 ft, which gives a wing span of 45 in and a length of 35.5 in. It is quite light for its size and is adequately powered by engines from .29 to .35 size. It was designed for scale sport flying. It was not built for stunt flying, although the model will do a sharp wingover. The flat-bottom wing and thick airfoil gives a lot of lift at low speed and prevents the model from sinking like a rock when the engine stops. The landing glide is smooth and stable. The stance of the main landing gear is wide enough to give smooth landings without wing tip scraping. In addition, the long tail-moment and forward location of the main gear virtually eliminate nosing over on landing.

The size of the model allows the engine to be neatly cowled, eliminating a protruding engine cylinder head. The canopy is made of balsa and not plastic for two reasons. First, it is easier for the average modeler to build it of balsa and secondly, few photos are available from which to obtain interior cockpit details, However, I think you will agree that the balsa canopy with its block strip framework presents a neat appearance.

Before I start on the construction phase, I wish to thank Mr H Rhomberg of the Swiss Aircraft Factory Technical Department for providing me with a set of 3-view drawings of the C-3603 aircraft.

Construction: Wing: Cut out all wing ribs. Cut out holes in ribs for the bellcrank leadout wires in left ribs only. Cut out and join the 1/4 in balsa spars with the 1/8 ply joiner with the proper dihedral angle as shown on the wing front view. When dry, glue all ribs to the spars..."

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