Bambinetta (oz2744)

About this Plan

Bambinetta. Free flight sports model for Bambi diesel power. Model Aircraft December 1955. Bambinetta 21 in span F/F, a Ray Malmstrom design.

Quote: "When I lovingly caressed my Bambi diesel for the first time I knew I had to wrap something very special around this minute bundle of power. At the risk of having my head referred to as being rather larger than normal size(!) I think Bambinetta is that 'something.' An all up weight of less than 2 oz ensures that your Bambi won't have to tear its heart out hauling Bambinetta aloft, and there is no fear of bending that precious metal prop on landing.

The fuselage is from medium hard 1/8 sheet thinned to 3/32 at the rear, Cover the cut-out portion with lightweight Modelspan. Cement in position the 1/8 ply engine mount supports, and the rear wing mount Add the pod sides, made from sheet, and round off all edges with fine sand-paper. Complete by adding wing pegs, and give two coats of clear dope after water-stretching the tissue. Fuel-proof the engine mount.

The wings need little explanation. Check for correct polyhedral angles and do be sure your wings are free from warps. Water-stretch and give one coat of clear dope. Fuelproof the three centre panels.

Add the tailplane mount to rear of fuselage. The fin is cut from sheet; note the small trim tab. Tailplane is perfectly conventional, and of simple construction. Give fin and tailplane one coat of thin, clear dope.

Flying Make sure your balance is correct (see plan); original balanced without any weight adjustment, and has packing under leading edge of tailplane, Test glide over long grass. Obtain a reasonably flat glide, without any suspicion of a stall, or turn to the right. Then with your Bambi giving less than full revs, try your first power-on flight. A gentle climbing turn to the left should result. Avoid a sharp left turn by slightly offsetting the fin. Do make all adjustments gradually. On full power, Bambinetta should fly into a left hand climbing circle. When the engine stops, the model should settle into a flat glide with a wide left-hand circuit. Avoid any tendency to turn to the right, which on this type of model can be very dangerous.

Less than 2 oz is not much to battle against half a gale so please fly Bambinetta on calm days! It is my hope that Bambi owners will try this little job, as I feel sure they will get a great deal of fun flying it. I should be delighted to hear from any aerobod who builds Bambinetta. Please write c/c Model Aircraft."

Supplementary file notes

Planfile includes article.

Corrections?

Did we get something wrong with these details about this plan (especially the datafile)? That happens sometimes. You can help us fix it.
Add a correction