Lunar-tic (oz4024)

About this Plan

Lunar-tic. Free flight half-A power competition design. Wing area 240 sq in, total weight 6.5-7oz.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 05/04/2020: Added article, thanks to RFJ.

Quote: "Half-A Gas Lunar-tic, by Harry Murphy. This is the current status of a four-year design evolution for a highly competitive model that retains simplicity of construction. The author also explains his effective, but radical flight testing procedure.

The 'Lunar-tic,' as presented here, is the current status of a four-year design evolution to perfect a high-performance I /2A-A free flight model with a dash of class. The initial inspiration was to develop a model pleasing in appearance, as well as highly competitive, that would be interesting to the experienced free flight contest modeler, yet retaining suf-ficient simplicity to prevent ruling out those with less talent, plus comparing favorably with normal construction time of a conventional 1/2A model.

The Lunar-tic is therefore a pleasant divergence from the general run-of-the mill 1/2A designs with their solid slab pylons, power pods, profile fuse-lages, and squared constant chord wing and stab planforms. Yet, it strives to marry conventional 1/2A model construction with just enough streamlining and complexity to make it an eye-catcher on the flying field - even before it's ultimate power pattern attracts even further comment.

Prototype models have progressed through numerous actual experiments with varying dihedral and polyhedral angles, decalage and CG locations, fuse-lage lengths and moments, stab and rudder areas, and various lightweight wing and stab constructions, including geodetic types. It has been this modeler's experience that down-to-earth, seat-of-the pants, trial-and-error, wins more contests than beer-parlor-paper-theories, and consequently, this design has seen the route of the contest battlefield.

Trailing Hulan Mathies to a second place finish in 1/2A at the 1974 Lake Charles, Louisiana Nationals, stands as mute testimony of its contest potential (any time I can place second behind this California super flyer - I feel I have won anyway).

After thirty years of active competition, I would suppose I should be permitted a few basic observations as to what it takes to win. The 1/2A free-for-all at any large meet is typical proof that the professional edge is more difficult to attain and maintain in the small engine classes than in the larger bore categories. For the moment, let us consider as constant the major influences that affect any single flight of any free flight model. These might be, Outhouse Luck, Mother Nature, The Thermal Gods, and the like - we may then analyze the other variables on which any given modeler may exercise positive personal control, if he really so desires.

To continue with our game plan, let us also consider the Cox .049, fuel, and props as constants, then what remains are two basic controllable factors. These may be categorized as, (1) individual model design and trim, and (2) attention to detail. I feel very strongly that these two areas separate the men from the boys - the winners from the losers..."

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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