Hi Climber (oz2706)

About this Plan

Hi-Climber. Rubber sport model. September 1939 Flying Aces, by Earl Stahl.

Quote: "A top-notch Hi-Climber, by Earl Stahl.

Now that summer's here in full blast, we thought you potential contest winners would want a Job that'd put you in the prize-taking class at tourneys. Well, our Hi-Climber is just that ship, boys! Yessir, she's a push-over to build and a humdinger for turning in long endurance flights. So don't lose any time in constructing YOUR copy of this thermal-loving balsa-baby!

HOW MANY times have you wanted to build a swell flying sport model - one that would turn in an excellent performance every flight yet isn't too hard to build? Well, here it is, boys - the FLYING ACES Hi-Climber!

Originally designed to provide good flights with a minimum of construction labor, the Hi-Climber in the past eighteen months has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to make consistently good flights. During the past summer, blue prints of the original plans were given to members of the Model Flying Club, of Johnstown, Pa, and more than a score of successful planes were constructed. In fact, quite a number of these models placed high in several contests.

Any model builder will find the performance of this contest corker interesting. When well adjusted, consistent 90 second flights can be made in most atmospheric conditions, and when the weather is ideal the length of flights is considerably longer. The longest flight to date lasted 14 min, before the Hi-Climber became invisible in the distance - it was recovered, however, and was finally wrecked by an enthusiastic retriever who fell on it.
The method of construction is quite orthodox. And since the plane is so simple, most any boy will be able to build it. Naturally, it is important to understand the general procedure before actual work is begun, so the plans should be studied carefully. Most details are shown full size, but such parts as the wing and stabilizer, because of their size, are not shown full scale. Therefore, the first job is to make the proper size plans on a large sheet of paper.

A complete list of necessary materials is provided on the opposite page, and for a few cents your neighborhood model dealer will supply everything needed to build your Hi-Climber. Note the various grades of wood indicated, and try to obtain the exact kind specified. Now, if your workbench has been cleared, and the required tools are on hand - razor blade, small pliers, and pins - you can get to work.

FUSELAGE CONSTRUCTION: By working directly over the plan, the two sides are built, one over the other (the use of pins. incidentally, will aid in keeping the longerons and uprights in their exact positions until the glue is dry). It is advisable to build the tail piece as a part of the fuselage, and then, when the unit is entirely completed it can be cut off.

The diagonal members are cemented directly to the fuselage sides as the plans show, but note that they are on the inside when the top and bottom cross-pieces are added to complete the framework. All joints should be well cemented, since the fuselage is subjected to much strain and punishment. Shaded areas in the front and back are filled with 1/16 balsa on all sides to provide a suitable place to hold the model while winding the rubber motor. Two thin metal plates should be glued to the back of the fuselage, and a hard wood dowel is fitted through to retain the rubber motor.

The frame is not complete until the landing gear is added. Bend .034 piano wire to the size indicated, bind the struts to the fuselage with strong thread, and glue the small wood gussets in piece.

WING AND TAIL: Cut sixteen ribs from a sheet of 1/16 medium balsa. But be very careful and make them exactly as the plans show. The spars should be hard balsa and must fit accurately into the notches in the ribs. This multiple spar type of construction is very strong and helps to retain the airfoil's shape. The wing tip pieces are cut from 1/8 sheet balsa and are glued firmly in position. Remember that a good fit makes for neatness..."

Supplementary file notes

Article.
Alternate PDFvector version of this plan. Quote: "I was cruising through your site today and came across the Earl Stahl Climber plan... I have 'CADed' this plan and built it. I have attached the pdf file of the plan and a couple of photos."

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