Gypsy Half Size (oz2940)

About this Plan

Gypsy Half Size. Rubber sport model. A 50% replica of the Keil Kraft Gypsy (oz1359) design.

Quote: "Half a Gypsy. Try this pretty Keil Kraft reduction for rubber power by John Davies.

Having been an aeromodeller for close to 50 years, the Anno Domini were creeping up on me. A medical disorder precluded craning my neck, which meant that I could not follow Radio Control and Control Line models for minutes on end. I didn't want to give up the hobby, as I am too far into it, to ever let it go. I began casting around for something interesting and within my limits to build. Fortunately, I came across Bill Dennis's half size Zombie (oz1856). I suffered that rush known to all aeromodellers, Cor!!! and the balsa knife was out and flashing. The original Zombie V (oz7812) had been very popular with my old club (Crystal Palace) at one time, so I was no stranger to its construction method, or its flying characteristics. I have had a ball with this model, and it is still around after some 120 flights. Thanks to Bill, I rediscovered all the pure fun of rubber power.

I had so much success with this model that I thought that I might reduce a couple of Wakefields which I had built around 1950, and with which I had done fairly well. The first of these, was the Keil Kraft Gypsy (oz1359). Now this model in full size, if not a world shaker, was a pretty good performer. Its strength lay in ease of construction, and an almost uncanny reliability, which used to the full, could and did win contests.

My half sized version has many of the traits experienced with her larger sister. Her absolute reliability and typical light, airy flight pattern, so turned me on, that I was spurred into sending to England for the full sized kit.

The performance, typically on a warm still day, using 250 turns, has never been less than 30 seconds, and is more usually 45 seconds. With more turns the magic minute is easily attained.

If you wish to preserve the plan, cover it with cling film. I won't give a blow by blow account of how to build this model, as anyone who has built a couple of models will be aware of what is needed.

Fuselage. This is a typical slab-sided unit, and doesn't need much comment. Select hard 1/16 x 1/16 balsa for the longerons, and steam the lower ones to conform with the plan. Cross members, spacers and nose stringers may be a little softer. I imagine any glue would do, however, the original model was built using ZAP CA. Should you decide to follow suit, be sure that you place cling film between the fuselage sides while under construction, or you simply won't get them apart without seriously weakening them. One small tip: cut all spacers and uprights in pairs, accuracy in buiding a model such as this, cannot be over stressed.

Be sure to build in the 1-1/2 degree side and down thrust, it will save time and trouble later. Use 1in commercial wheels, or if you have the facilities, laminate 2 pieces of 3/32 in balsa, with a 1/16 in ply core, and turn them..."

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