Aspis (oz2920)
About this Plan
Aspis. Vintage-style free flight model. For any diesel or glow engine from 0.3 to 0.8cc.
Quote: "Build this attractive vintage style free flight model for 0.5cc engines by Pete Fisher.
Introduction: The 'Aspis' is named after a small musical dragon. It is a Vintage Style semi-scale free flight sports model, for leisurely flying, under all weather conditions. Three Aspis models have been built and tested. All flew off the board, with no modifications required, giving pleasing and ultra stable flight characteristics. The first flights were on Jurby aerodrome, on 7th May 1985.
Design and development: The Aspis is the 319th model built by the designer. It is intended for use with a Dart 0.5 cc diesel, as per the prototypes, or any other small diesel or glow-plug engine of 0.3- 0.8 cc. Construction is straightforward and traditional; but incorporates an unusual and efficient elliptical type wing plan form; which greatly enhances the overall character of the design. The swept back leading edge helps to provide extra lateral stability without the excess dihedral, sometimes used on small free flight models.
The final concept is developed from a long line of sports free flight models, designed for Performance Kits, the last of which was the very successful PK 'Wasp Wings' of a similar size.
Construction: Fuselage: Before commencing construction, cover the plan with a piece of wax paper, the inside wrappings of cereal packets are suitable, this stops the structure from sticking to it.
Build the two basic fuselage sides, made up of 1/8 x 1/8 longerons, uprights and diagonals, nose formers and wing gussets of 1/8th sheet, together with the tailplane gussets, directly over the plan. When the first side is finished, build the second over it, to ensure identical shapes.
Assemble the fuselage, over the plan view, starting with the six 1/8 x 1/8 spacers under the wing centre section. Check vertical alignment with a set-square. Draw in the tail section, fit the tail post and then the other spacers. Fit firewall B2 and bulkhead B1, then smear the entire inside of the engine bay with balsa cement from B2 forward; to act as additional fuel proofing.
Smear the engine bearers with cement and mount the engine with 8 BA nuts and bolts and washers, then securely cement the unit to the inside of the front 1/8in sheet nose formers. The engine cowling is steamed, shaped and smeared on the inside with cement and then having mounted a small free flight fuel tank, worked into position over B2. Carefully check down and side-thrust as per the plan.
Undercarriage: Bend the undercarriage wire to shape over the full size drawing on the plan. Bind the upright sections of the wire to pieces of hard 1/8 x 1/4 balsa with strong carpet thread and cement securely in position. Finally fit the 1/Sin undercarriage gussets at each corner, where the legs protrude from the base of the fuselage. The wheels are located by threading the axles to 8 BA. Final 1/16 sheeting can now be fitted.
Fin: Build directly over the plan. Start with main 1/8 sq fin pillar, then farmers F1-4, and finally the 1/8 sq leading edge and lateral members. The finished unit should be sanded to an airfoil section. Tailplane: Shape the 1/4 x 1/8 mainspar, so that it tapers to 1/8 sq at the tips, and pin over the plan. Fit 3/16 sq leading edge and formers T1-3. The 1/4in x 1/8 tailplane ribs are shaped and sanded to blend with the mainspar and leading edge to form airfoil sections. Fit gussets and fairings. After covering, the fin is cemented in position, check alignment with a set-square.
Wings: Pin W1-4 over the plan, followed by the lower 1/8in sq main-spars. Fit the ribs R1-9, canting root rib R1 with the dihedral template shown on the plan. Fit leading edge and top main spars. Fit gussets, Having built the centre section, assemble the wing panels, checking the 2.4 in dihedral at each tip. Fit the 1/16 sheet inter-spar webbing..."
Update 28/5/2024: Added spec sheet for 46 inch version, thanks to Mark Robinson.
Quote: "Hi Mary/Steve, Please find attached a note from Peter Fisher/Performance Kits, which is a specification sheet for an enlarged version of the Aspis, from the original 36" to a 46" powered by a 0.75 diesel engine. The note came from the estate of the late John Kemp, via his friend David Hill. John Kemp was a close friend of the late Peter Fisher and had a number of Peter Fisher’s plans and documents. Regards, Mark"
Supplementary file notes
Article.
Spec sheet for 46 inch version.
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
-
(oz2920)
Aspis
by OFW Fisher
from Aeromodeller
February 1986
36in span
IC F/F Cabin
clean :)
all formers complete :)
got article :) -
Found online 15/05/2012 at:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=21616560...
Filesize: 244KB
Format: • PDFbitmap
Credit*: algy2
Downloads: 2793


Do you have a photo you'd like to submit for this page? Then email admin@outerzone.co.uk
User comments
Lovely model that looks just right with slightly sweptback elliptical wings. I built a single channel / rudder only version powered by an MP Jet 040 PB 0.6cc diesel and on full power it would go almost vertically. Much better with engine on half power. Therefore anything more than 0.5cc is not advised. Use firm balsa for the fuselage longerons as they are rather skimpy.David Hill - 02/01/2021
Peter Fisher also referred to the Aspis 46" version as the Greater Aspis in correspondence. 0.75 - 1.25cc diesel power suggested.
David Hill - 30/05/2024
Photo of my Aspis [main pic]. 3 channel RC conversion, powered by an MP Jet 040PB with throttle.
David Hill - 23/10/2024
Add a comment
- Aspis (oz2920)
- Plan File Filesize: 244KB Filename: Aspis_oz2920_.pdf
- Supplement Filesize: 605KB Filename: Aspis_oz2920_article.pdf
- Supplement Filesize: 391KB Filename: Aspis_oz2920_spec_sheet_46in_version.pdf
- help with downloads
Notes
* Credit field
The Credit field in the Outerzone database is designed to recognise and credit the hard work done in scanning and digitally cleaning these vintage and old timer model aircraft plans to get them into a usable format. Currently, it is also used to credit people simply for uploading the plan to a forum on the internet. Which is not quite the same thing. This will change soon. Probably.
Scaling
This model plan (like all plans on Outerzone) is supposedly scaled correctly and supposedly will print out nicely at the right size. But that doesn't always happen. If you are about to start building a model plane using this free plan, you are strongly advised to check the scaling very, very carefully before cutting any balsa wood.
Terms of Use
© Outerzone, 2011-2025.
All content is free to download for personal use.
For non-personal use and/or publication: plans, photos, excerpts, links etc may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Outerzone with appropriate and specific direction to the original content i.e. a direct hyperlink back to the Outerzone source page.
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site's owner is strictly prohibited. If we discover that content is being stolen, we will consider filing a formal DMCA notice.