Georgia Cracker (oz2321)

About this Plan

Georgia Cracker. Radio control sports model. 62in span vintage low winger designed for single to three channel RC operation. For .19-.35 engines. From the August 1967 edition of RCM.

Quote: "IF you've built every kit on the shelf of your local hobby shop and are beginning to repeat yourself, the GEORGIA CRACKER will make an excellent change of pace. Also, cutting out your own formers, ribs, etc from good-grained., warp-free Sig balsa will be a pleasure if you've had the same experience I have with some die-cut kits where apparently the job was done with mom's cookie cutter.

The CRACKER is a BIG airplane (span 62in) probably approaching the outer limits in size for single channel. But it has excellent flight characteristics and is very stable and forgiving of pilot error. With some wing modifications and a bigger engine, it could be made into a hairy multi job for the pros. Me, I like things calm and peaceful-like, as I am what they call a 'white-knuckle' flyer.

I would like to report that the CRACKER flew right off the drawing board like Lou Perretti's Gulf-Hawk (oz5520) from RCM April 1966, but a funny thing happened on the way to the Hall of Fame.

We decided on a hand launch for the first flight because the terrain was somewhat uneven. The Max 19 fired up co-operatively and my friend and trusted flying companion Bill Bell took off across the field as fast as his little bandy legs would carry him, brandishing the CRACKER like a fat javelin. Now Bill had never hand-launched a low-wing plane, especially one this big, and he failed to accurately compute the distance between the top of his head and the wing.

As a result, when he made the throw, his hat caught neatly on the left leading edge and the CRACKER took to the air as probably the first airplane in history to wear a white 6-7/8 Spinnaker hat.

Bill's lid was firmly lodged, and the big ship proscribed a quick arc to the ground, picking up a complete venturi load of gritty red Georgia clay. No serious damage, though, and soon the intrepid aviators are at it again, this time attempting an ROG.

With only a 19 (it really should have at least a 25) up front, the CRACKER is definitely not suited for carrier operation. Tail high, she rolled across the field ... and rolled and rolled and rolled. Power lines loomed, and I kept having flash backs of Jimmy Stewart trying to coax the overloaded Spirit of St Louis off that muddy runway. Finally, however, she broke ground, gained altitude rapidly, and I was off on a most gratifying flight. Smooth, sweeping turns (a little too smooth - had to add some area to the rudder), lazy 8's, some general field circling, and a bounce-free perfect landing, dead stick.

Those of you who are experts may be tempted to alter the design of the Cracker... less wing and stab area, etc. If you know what you're doing, be my guest. If not, my advice is don't mess with it. She flies just fine like she is, and the semi-scale appearance will be a conversation piece at any field... the wing is standard in every sense, with flat bottomed airfoil, planking along leading and trailing edges and cap strips on the ribs. The centre section is stressed to take the shock of landing..."

Update 25/10/2017: Replaced this plan with a clearer copy thanks to davidterrell80.

Update 24/10/2018: Replaced this plan with fixed scaling, thanks to davidterrell80.

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