Guided Mite (oz4269)

About this Plan

Guided Mite. Radio control model for Cox .020 power. All up weight 8 oz for a wing loading of 12oz/ft.

Quote: "Here's a ship to challenge the multi-monsters - and, it's powered by the smallest production model engine. Guided Mite, by Bob Coon.

The 'Guided Mite,' a vest-pocket-size R/C model, was conceived and flown within a two-week period. It has proven itself a good performer and should please those beginners in radio control who wish their efforts and expenditures to remain on a lower plane than is currently fashionable.

The Deltron R109, the latest in transistorized tone receivers, was used because of its extremely small size and weight. A single sub-miniature 22-1/2 volt battery is the only current source needed to operate the receiver. Total receiver and battery weight is just 2-1/2 ounces. The all-up weight of the model is only 8 ounces, which works out to a wing loading of 12 ounces per square foot.

The simple single escapement may seem like a backward step to some, but it remains the simplest, most reliable actuator for the lowest weight penalty. For those who prefer a compound type escapement, the fuselage has ample room and will accommodate it.

The Cox .020 is a surprise package and provides plenty of power, enough to take the model high overhead.

Stab and Fin: Cut the stabilizer and vertical fin from a sheet of 3/64 balsa (or sand a sheet of 1/16). For a rudder hinge, pink a piece of silk and dope it to the rudder and fin as shown on the plan. After drying, make sure the rudder moves loosely. Cement the fin in position on top of the fuselage using a small strip of balsa at the base for added reinforcement. Cement three ribs to the underside of the stab so that a curve is evident on the top, then, cement the stab to bottom of the fuselage.

Wing: The 'skyhook' wing is made from 3/32 sheet balsa dampened on the top with water. This makes the wood fibers on top swell, thereby creating an airfoil shape. While still damp, cement all the ribs except the center one in place on the bottom side. Block up for the required dihedral and cement the wing halves together. When dry, cement the remaining center rib in place on the underside and clear dope the top and bottom..."

Quote: "Steve, Attached are image, article and plan for the 'Guided Mite' from Flying Models April 1958. I built a couple of these back in the 90’s and seem to remember they flew better than many of the smaller designs. Having lost my own plan I searched around the net and found scans of varying quality. The plan I’ve included here I have stitched, scaled and cleaned up and I’m fairly confident it’s the best one out there... I forget where I found the article. Hope it’s useful for Outerzone."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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