Rambler (oz2739)

About this Plan

Rambler. Free flight sports model. A 35 inch span Cox Pee Wee powered low-wing sportster. F/F. Has something of the Fournier powered glider about it, but with rather stylish swept wings. Model Aircraft September 1964.

Quote: "THIS semi-scale free flight model was designed to get out of tht 'rut' and to have a small, attractive model resembling American light 'plane practice. It flies fairly fast, but is quite stable and has a very good glide. The original model weighed 7 oz complete. It is not suitable for high winds, but can withstand fairly hard knocks, the wings knocking off before sustaining much damage. Take off is very smooth, providing the under-carriage is tracked correctly.

Construction is fairly simple, and should present no difficulties to anyone who has built at least one power model.

Fuselage: Cut out two sides and all formers. The front undercarriage leg is formed and bolted between the two parts of F1 with the engine mounting bolts. Cement the 1/8 in sq corner gussets on the fuselage sides where shown. The formers F1 - F5 can then be cemented in position on one side, adding the other side when the joints have set.

The wing tongue should now be prepared. It is made in two separate halves and these are inserted through their respective slots in the fuselage sides to join on the centre-line, flush with the bottom of the fuselage. The cabin floor can now be fitted, and any 'furniture' and trim added.

After drawing the rear end together, the rear formers and stringers can be added and the bottom of the fuselage sheeted. The top decking is next added and carved with a razor-plane. The exhaust ducts are built up from scrap sheet.

The engine cowling is made up from 1/2 in sheet top and bottom. with 1/8 in sheet sides. When thoroughly dry, it can be hollowed slightly to fit round the engine and carved externally to a variety of intake shapes to suit the individual builder. It is recommended that a two-pin or co-axial plug is fitted at this stage to make the starting procedure much easier.

The cockpit canopy is by far the most difficult part of the model to make, but it is well worth the extra trouble as it gives the model a lot of its character. it is moulded over a wooden former (either hardwood or balsa). Make this former a fairly good fit on the model and obtain a smooth finish before moulding or any slight marks will be greatly exaggerated when the canopy is made..."

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