Mike (oz3796)

About this Plan

Mike. Free flight power model.

The Mike (oz5138) design by Gil Shurman first appeared in Flying Aces, June 1940. This here is a later redrawn plan in MB 1984.

Quote: "OT of the Month: The Mike, by Gil Shurman. Drawn by Al Novotnik. Text by Bill Northrop.

Although it's relatively unknown, this month's OT should prove to be a popular choice for free flight competition. Modification for a DT only requires the addition of a stab platform, along with the usual snuffer tube and rubber hooks. The model is Gil Shurman's 'Mike', as featured in the June 1940 issue of Flying Aces. Gil's better-known design, the Rambler (oz2587) was also a single-wheeled model with twin rudders, but it did not have a retracting gear. The Rambler is MB plan No, 1276.

With only about 450 sq in wing area, and weighing around two pounds, the relatively moderate Brown Jr power must have hauled Mike into the air at a pretty rapid clip. Note also that the wing and tail sections are unusually thin, which also must contribute to a rapid climb. It would seem that the frail wing structure probably depends a great deal on the skin strength of the recommended double-tissue covering. If you plan to use soft-tension plastic covering film, you better plan on some reinforcing. 1/32 by 1/4 cap strips certainly wouldn't hurt either. In fact, one photo in the article appears to show cap strips, although they are not called for on the plans.

Yes, the balance point is totally ignored in the article and plans. We'd suggest making the first test glides with the balance about four inches aft of the wing leading edge. Who will send us the first photo of their 1984 Mike?"

Supplementary file notes

Planfile includes article.

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