Gnat (oz2960)

About this Plan

Gnat by Claude McCullough from MAN Oct 1947.

Quote: "Nice FF model at 39 1/2 inch span. Note that the airfoil cross section in the middle of the plan was kept at "full size" though the rest of the plan was scaled up."

Planfile includes article.

Quote: "THE Gnat is a high-performance gassie with a consistent contest record, yet so simple in construction that it is unhesitatingly recommended as an ideal subject for a modeler's first powered model. Class A ships have always been popular for their convenient size, and the short moment arm and low aspect ratio wings make this one just about the minimum size for its engine range.

Although flown in many extremes of weather, the ship undoubtedly received its acid test for ruggedness in the stiff (!!) Kansas breezes at the '46 Nationals, coming through with nary a scratch. Its first flight of 4 min 17 sec was one of the longest of the day, but a defective mttor which insisted in revving down immediately on launching whittled down the total time to 6th place. Notable flights with Gnats last season include John Heasley's 15 min OOS (and never recovered) flight at the Omaha, Neb, contest, and a 16 minute OOS flight by the author's ship at Burlington, Ia. This smallest ship our club contest team flew is credited with the biggest trophy - the giant David Lodwick Memorial taken by fellow Hornet Bill Hasting at the Centerville, Ia. Central States Meet.

The plans may be enlarged by use of the scale ruler on the plan or with dividers. Grid squares have been provided for the curved portions which require accurate reproduction, and this method can be used on the entire plan if so desired.

FUSELAGE:The fuselage is of box construction made by building two main frames on fuselage side view from 1/8 sq hard balsa and attaching them with crosspieces of widths indicated on top view. Build up the pylon from 1/4 in sheet pieces (indicated by dotted lines) and plank with 3/32 sheet balsa. Sand to streamline shape and notch the bottom to fit into fuselage cross-pieces. Cement to fuselage and plank on both sides and on fuselage bottom with 1/8 sheet balsa.

The fuselage sides are planked with 3/32 sheet. Face the front of fuselage with 1/6 plywood and cement two small nails securely in center of the top and bottom of the facing to key the firewall in place. A 1/16 plywood insert with a 1/16 wire hook is cemented into the fuselage side for the firewall attachment rubberbands. Plank the inside of the fuselage with 1/16 balsa.

The firewall is 1/4 spruce plywood, to which is bolted, by means of sheet aluminum brackets, the 3/32 spring steel landing gear. The motor mounts can be the standard aluminum variety, but it is suggested that you have a pair of steel mounts made from sheet metal at a tin shop. These mounts are a good deal more rugged than aluminum, and by using them your adjustment won't be altered every time the ship makes a hard landing.

The ignition is mounted on a 3/16 x 3/8 plywood track as detailed on the plan, and is bolted to the firewall on one of the landing gear bolts with a small aluminum bracket. The cowling is carved from a solid block, fitted to the type motor used, and silked inside and out for strength. The firewall attachment hooks should not be fastened to the cowling but to the motor mounts. Small hooks are used on the cowling so that several loops of the firewall attachment rubber bands may be used to secure the cowl in place..."

Supplementary file notes

Planfile includes article.

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