Electric Brigadier (oz3122)

About this Plan

Berkeley Brigadier (Electric Brigadier). Radio control electric powered version of the old-timer.

Here is Mitch Poling's electric version of the Bill Effinger original Brigadier, from Model Builder issue 09-82.

The plan says: "drawn by Mitch Poling from the original Berkeley design".

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 22/3/2023: Added article, thanks to IanSalmon.

QUote: "Our 'Electric Power' columnist introduces a famous early post WWII design by Bill Effinger, kitted by Berkeley, that is a perfect match for the latest in model aircraft power - electric motors. Electric Brigadier, by Mitch Poling.

The sun shines through the covering of the old timer as it cruises by, and then it slowly turns into the field. It gently settles in, almost hovering, like a bird in flight, then touches down in almost dreamlike slow motion. Suddenly there is applause from the field, the fliers and spectators have been captivated by the beauty and the sheer class of the experience! The Berkeley Brigadier does that to you, and does it every time! It can't help it, as the song goes, and it just comes natural, just like anything that is just perfectly right.

The Brigadier has class, and it shows on the ground and in the air. Perhaps 'charisma' is a better word, for lack of any other. But its talents don't stop just there. It is competitive, having won first place in every electric old timer contest I have entered. It can fly itself, once a rudder servo failed, and it flew overhead until the motor ran down, then made a perfect landing just at the end of the field! It is a perfect trainer; I taught my 11-year-old nephew to fly R/C on it, and after he had soloed after two flights, he said, Gee, this is easy! Right, if you are flying a Brigadier!

It loves thermals, it will turn into one and stay there until you insist on it coming back. In fact, at times I feel like I'm interrupting its business, and I'll let it fly free, with just a little rudder trim for gentle circles. So, if you would like to have a plane that has a free spirit of its own, and appeal, and superb flying abilities, try the Brigadier!

The construction of the Brigadier is a little simpler than the usual old timer, especially the wing which is very simple indeed, with only a leading edge, solid spar, and trailing edge. Let's start with the wing first, as it is so simple. Cut the ribs from 3/32 sheet. I always keep track of the weight of the balsa; a 3x36 sheet of 3/32 balsa should weigh about 3/4 ounce.

After the ribs have been cut, stack them to be sure that the spar notches and the leading edge notches line up, and that the trailing edge is the same length on all of them. Cut the notches in the trailing edge with an Xacto saw. The notches are quite important; they make the wing assembly much easier, and strengthen the rib to trailing edge attachment, which really helps when the covering goes on!

The leading edge is just a 1/4 square balsa or spruce length, set on edge, like a baseball diamond. Round the edge that will face forward a little, I use an emery board (for fingernails) for this. A lot of rounding isn't needed, I just take off the sharp edge.

The spar is 1/2x1/4 spruce. This size is sometimes hard to find, so you can glue two 1/4x1/4 spruce lengths together to get the same result. Basswood should do as well, but do not use balsa, it could fail under stress.

I use the thick cyanoacrylate throughout construction, except where other-wise noted. Note on the plans that the spars are tapered upward at the tips, use the plans to get the right angle. Cut the tip pieces from 1/8 balsa (about one ounce for a 3x36 piece), then assemble the wing..."

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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