Renard R-17 (oz4148)

About this Plan

Renard R-17. Peanut scale model.

Walt Mooney's Renard R-17 was published first in MB Sept 1974, and then reprinted in Feb 1995.

Quote: "A lesson in how to be boxy with character! Of all the peanuts that Walt turned out, the almost caricature-like Renard remains one of our all-time favourites. Reprinted from the September/October 1974 Model Builder. By Walt Mooney.

A few days ago a copy of L'ALBUM du fanatique do L'Avialion, No.55 came in the mail, This translates, I guess, as The Aviation Fanatic's magazine. The title might even be right. In any case, inside was a nice three-view of the Renard R-17, a Peanut builder's delight. The scale horizontal tail is very small and was enlarged on the model for better flight characteristics, but the rest of the airplane looks like model construction.

The plans presented here are drawn with as scale a structure as possible. Because this results in rnore structure than is really needed for a Peanut, and because it makes the model heavier than necessary as well as somewhat complicated looking for the beginner, we're going to tell you how to simplify and lighten it.

First, there are many diagonals in the fuselage structure. These may all be omitted. The tissue covering of a Peanut model is more than adequate to take the shear loads that the diagonals took in the full-size airplane.

Second, scale rib spacing is shown in the wings. Starting with the two center ribs, two out of every three ribs may be omitted in the wing. This will leave a rib spacing which is plenty strong and still looks OK on a Peanut.

Third, the same approach can be used be the tail as for the wings. And if you want to save even more weighs, pick some light balsa.

Fourth, the dummy engine can only be simulated with something simple, like lengths of soda Si WIN painted black, or something similar.

None of the above changes will affect the looks of the model in flight significantly, but of course, in a scale contest, one built with all the detail will out-point a simplified one in the scale judging. The simplified one will fly better or at least will fly longer, because it will be lighter.

The Hungerford wheels shown are delightful, but since the wires on the full-size aircraft were fabric covered, simple balsa or hardwood solid wheels can certainly be used.

The color scheme on the original appears to have been overall silver with black trim and registration numbers. The trim consisted of a black stripe along each longeron. Have fun flying your Renard R-17!"

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Planfile includes article.

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