Whatizit (oz3922)

About this Plan

Whatizit. A 37 inch span control line stunt design, from MAN July 1958.

Quote: "Is this the answer to the wing versus fuselage controversy in combat? Designer of the Quicker comes up with a dilly. Whatizit, by Riley Wooten.

This plane was designed and built as an experiment. I have always liked the simple construction and short build-ing time required for a flying wing, but, so far, I haven't found a wing with just the stability and maneuvering characteristics that I like. I drew sketches of wings and added a stabilizer in almost every conceivable place that I could think of. Some were built into the wing itself, others added on. After looking them all over I decided that this plane would be the most simple to build and also the most logical approach. When the plane was finished, we had so many people ask us if it would be classified as a flying wing or a conventional plane, that we called it 'Whatizit.'

After the first flight we were very pleased to find that the stabilizer still had its stabilizing effect, setting above the wing as it does. The plane is more stable than a flying wing and control is more positive, but still very quick. It flies more like a conventional short-coupled plane than like a flying wing.

The Whatizit has a wing area of approximately 340 square inches, a 13% thick airfoil section, and will weigh from 17 to 20 ounces when completed, which gives it a very light wing loading (7 to 8 ounces per square foot). The outboard wing was also shortened to give good line tension. The plane was originally designed around and powered with a Johnson .35. However, any .19 to .35 engine will do. Stick to the 35's for combat and use a .19 to .29 for sport flying. The lighter engines should be mounted farther forward to balance the plane properly.

Whatizit is fast and stable so you can watch what the other fellow is doing. It maneuvers at very high speed and turns tight without loss of speed. It stays out on the end of the lines well and I have flown it in a 30-mph wind with no difficulty. It is very easy to build and I believe anyone can make it in a couple of evenings.

If you intend to use this plane for combat, we suggest that you cover it with silk. We have found that this type of construction will take a lot of punishment when cov-ered with silk and we believe the extra investment would be well spent.

Construction: If you have all the necessary material, let's get started. Construction is very simple. You simply build up, the wing, cement the stabilizer supports in place, cement on the stabilizer and rudder and you are in business.

Begin construction by trimming the 1 in square, medium hard, leading edge to the proper shape. The preliminary shape can most easily be obtained with a bench saw..."

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