Uranus (oz4528)

About this Plan

Uranus. Free flight 1/2A power competition model.

Quote: "The Uranus is a high performance contest aircraft designed by and intended for the serious free flighter. The construction is fairly simple and any average modeler can manage it. Trimming must be precise and gradual. If you are inexperienced but have flown some free flight, the Uranus will offer you a thrilling challenge and reward; as it is a very stable and exceptionally fast model.

At the end of the 1962 contest season, the Uranus was conceived; when we realized that in order to compete with the high caliber ships brought about by the new rules, it would he necessary to have a design that would climb very well and still have a slow flat glide. To obtain this, we decided on a wing area of approximately 275 square inches, an airplane with little or no frontal resistance and lightly loaded, coupled with an airfoil with which we have had good experience and the Uranus exceeded our expectations.

Such functional extras as elliptical surfaces, rudder aft of stab, assymetric fuselage and an NACA 4407.5 airfoil were employed. These all helped to obtain the streamlining, looks and performance we wanted. The airplane also had be rugged for our fields are small and our trees large and numerous.

At the beginning of the 1963 season, the Uranus saw action, and in its first contest with poor weather, and 75 contestants, it was the only model to max out that day. Later in the season, it was to repeat that feat; only this time against a field of 85 contestants. This speaks well for the consistency of the design. The FAI version (still in testing) now holds the Junior National Record for my son, Jim.

To date the Uranus has taken nine trophies and five merchandise awards out of a possible sixteen places. Flown in the late evening, near dark, it consistently averages 3:20 to 3:40 on eight to ten second engine runs. This is because of its flat glide and surprisingly fast climb; due in part to the fine power supplied by the Cox Tee Dee .049. This power is absolutely necessary for good transition from power to glide in all contest ships.

I want to thank Joe Wagner, a fellow modeler, for his helpful advice. His knowledge helped me greatly.

Construction: There is nothing unusual about the construction of the model that the average modeler cannot cope with. The geodetic wing is really, quite simple, a little extra work, but it will pay off in strength and a warp free structure in both wing and stab..."

Here is Oscar Mayes' Uranus from Model Airplane News magazine issue 03-64. Winner of 14 awards in one season.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 12/01/2018: added article, thanks to RFJ.

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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