Spitfire Stunter (oz2358)

About this Plan

Spitfire Stunter. Control line model for .29-.36 engines. MAN August 1955.

Quote: "With a few modifications from true scale this designer turned out a realistic machine that performs the stunt pattern. For .29 to .36 engines. Spitfire Stunter, by Frank B Baker.

Many stunt fliers desire to have a fighter type aircraft that stunts yet maintains its scale appearance. The Supermarine Spitfire fills the bill. Its large wing and graceful lines have made it a favorite with model builders for years. It has natural stunt proportions though the elliptical wing may have kept most model builders from attempting a stunt version. The wing actually is not difficult to build.

The construction of this plane must begin with the wing and the flaps. The wing spar is used as a jig and, as it is not a key structural member, it may be cut away later for the bellcrank. The ribs are placed on the spar and a piece of 1/4 in balsa pinned to the trailing edge. The height of each rib is marked and the piece removed. Taper this spar according to the marks and note that spar extends to the wing centerline. The flap spars are constructed in the same manner but are 3/32 in shorter in height throughout their entire length. Cut four flaps from 1/32 in sheet and cement one right and one left to the flap spars. A 1/4 in wide, 3/32 in thick, outline of the trailing edge of the flap is added to strengthen the flap trailing edge. The flap ribs and block at the root end are added. This block and the reinforcement are tapered to match the ribs. The top sheet is then added and the leading edge rounded.

Hinges and flap horns are added. Be sure to put the hinge on the flap horn before installation. Attach the flaps to the rear wing spar before cementing this whole assembly to the ribs. The 1/16 in sheet trailing edges are added and allowed to overlap the flaps approximately 1/16 in. Don't worry about the flaps moving at this time. The leading edges are cemented in place. The 1/16 in sheet is placed on the top of the wing and a slot cut for the body width only of Former 4. Mount the landing gear on Former 4 and cement into the wing; then add the lower 1/16 in sheet. The rest of the wing is constructed by normal methods. The pushrod cross arm is installed and the flaps can be freed by trimming the overlap-ping 1/16 in sheet. The flap arms move in an arc, hence may need some adjustment. A 3/4 oz lead is added to the outboard tip, as far forward as possible.

Cut the body sides from hard 3/32 in sheet and assemble Former 2, the motor mounts, tank, body sides, and the assembly containing Former 4 simultaneously as a unit. Cement the body sides to the wing after the remaining body formers have been installed between the body sides. The body sides do considerable twisting in and out, which is necessary to maintain the oval cross-section. The top of the body from Formers 2 to 6T is covered with a 3 in wide sheet of 1/16 in. Soak this in hot water and it will make the transition from a square section at Former 2 to the round section at Former 4 with ease. The stringers can be added at this time. The side stringers taper from the front and back to a maximum thickness about Former 8..."

Supplementary file notes

Planfile includes article.

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