Majorette (oz43)

About this Plan

Majorette. A 45 inch span model for free flight or RC, designed by Vic Smeed.#

Update 17/6/2024: Added article, thanks to ilgk48, this is an extract from his full magazine scan as posted on HPA at: https://www.hippocketaeronautics.com/hpa_plan...

Quote: "F/F sportster is just right for 0.8cc motors. Majorette, by Vic Smeed.

Here is a model that was never intended for publication. The idea was to produce a calm-evening sport model, free flight but convertible to rudder-only radio, for personal amusement and to have something to pick up to entertain a couple of young grandchildren. However, the first public appearance, at Old Warden, produced so many enquiries as to availability of drawings that we have redrawn the plan to fit the 'free plan format with the certainty that quite a few will be built in time for those still autumn days we always hope for.

When sketching our the basic design there was something familiar about the wing and tail, and when we checked they were each found to be within I/4in chord of those of the Miss 38 design. Not surprisingly, really, since they were both intended to meet exactly the same requirements, So we decided to stick with the earlier dimensions, though by this time the fuselage was already built. Sharp eyes might spot two dowels at the wing trailing edge as a result of this change of mind.

If built for free flight only, there would be no need for the 1/16n sheeting on the fuselage. An open frame of medium hard 3/16 square with inset 1/16 panels at handling points, and to shape the cabin and reinforce between F1 and F3, would be adequately strong if covered with heavyweight Modelspan or similar. If the sheeting is applied both the frame and sheeting balsa can be quite soft to produce a stiff, strong and light structure.

The model in the photos, with a Merlin up front and no real attempt to save weight, came out at only 12-3/4 ounces in free flight form and is quite strong enough to take radio components. Its performance is slightly surprising. a brink climb and a nice floaty flat glide despite the lack of sophistication of the airfoil section; it is also very forgiving and will turn quite tightly in either direction without putting its nose down.

Possibly the only part of the construction which could cause trouble for a beginner is the undercarriage, which is a swept-forward double wire affair. The answer is not to bend the axle lengths until the legs are bound in place and the rear wires wire-wrapped and soldered to the front ones. The axles can then be bent using two pairs of pliers - it is only 14swg (say .080in) piano wire, but even this is tough to bend accurately if it has not been encountered previously. The advantage of double wire legs is that they will take a lot more rough usage without distorting, but they can be frustrating to shape accurately for an inexperienced builder.

Construction: The fuselage is built in the conventional way of one side- frame over the other; we always pin down both sets of longerons, taking care that they are exactly aligned, and cut the spacers in pairs, but some builders make one complete side and then position the second bits over it to make the other. The frames are separated by working a double-edged razor blade round any joint held by surplus cement (or whatever glue you use) after everything has set, preferably overnight.

On the original, formers F1 and F3 are 1/8in gaboon (Cuan) ply, which is the very light reddish-brown ply used for such things as door panels Hard, heavy ply is unnecessary; and it would be better to use 1/16 (1.5mm) ply laminated to 1/16 balsa. Each of these formers has an undercarriage wire bound to it..."

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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