Boxcar (oz2797)

About this Plan

Boxcar. Free flight all-sheet balsa rubber sports model.

Quote: "Boxcar. Your FULL-SIZE plan!

Cut fuselage sides accurately to the longeron out-lines which are 1/16 in inside the full outline (make sure you make a right and left side!) and glue the longerons and spacers on the inner faces. Cut out formers, not forgetting the apertures for the motor. Smooth any roughness on the inside so that it will not abrase the rubber motor. Glue in the reinforcement support for the motor peg.

Assemble the fuselage, beginning at the rear which is pinned and glued first. Insert formers F2 and F3 and when firm, proceed with the nose. Take care that alignment is accurate, ie no bulges or twists; though with reasonable care, no problems should arise. Sheet the top and bottom, not forgetting to cut away a small area for access to rear motor peg from the underside. Cut ply nose former with the angular key on one corner to shape accurately and glue in place. Smooth off with fine grade sandpaper. Put a few turns of cotton thread around nose, this prevents 'bursting' and makes for a lasting job.

Cut the wing to shape in one piece (not much to do here) and fit the ribs to the underside - see that curve is uniform, ie all ribs are stuck on properly. Cut carefully in centre, leaving, if possible, a little material in the centre uncut (the cut is all the way through at front and rear), bend to dihedral angle and reinforce with bandage on top.

You should have no problem with the tail assembly - just a little care to see that fins are stuck on at right angles to tail. The stiffeners in the centre are also keys to prevent the tail twisting so mark care-fully their position before fixing. The tail is attached by one or two elastic bands to allow a little adjust-ment, DO NOT glue this to the fuselage.

The undercarriage is optional, but if fitted it does enable ROG. (Rise off ground!). The noseblock may be rather tricky for a youngster and it is advised that the 'old man' or somebody with the 'know-how' helps to make it. Similarly, the shaft may be difficult, so let a senior have a go..."

Update 28/06/2016: article page added, thanks to RFJ.

Supplementary file notes

Article page.

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