Vultee P-66 Vanguard (oz4665)

About this Plan

Vultee Vanguard. Stand-off scale WWII fighter, for .60 power. Nick Ziroli's Vultee Vanguard, from FM August 1973.

Quote: "Rom-Air retracts and a Heathkit system highlight this fine flying machine. An able aircraft to recall old memories. Vultee Vanguard, by Nick Ziroli.

Vultee is a name that is well known to anyone who was aware of military aircraft, during the WWII years. Three well known aircraft were produced by Vultee during that period, the Vanguard, Vengeance and the Valiant. The

The BT-13 Valiant was also known as the Vibrator in slang terminology. Thousands were built and served as basic trainers for both the Army Air Force and the US Navy. They were replaced by the AT-6 in 1943, though there are many still flying all over the world.

The A-35 Vengrence was conceived in 1940 in answer to a contract from Great Britain for a new dive bomber. A total of 1,900 planes were built, most of them serving on the eastern fronts. A few hundred remained in the states as trainers.

The P-66 Vanguard was designed in the late 1930's to compete with the P-35 and P-36 fighters that were then in service. The prototype had its radial engine streamlined with an extension shaft, spinner and tight fitting cowl. You had to look hard to see that there was a radial engine under the cowl. This plane had performance superior to anything then in service, but it could not compete with new designs that were coming oil the drawing boards. The included the P-38, P-39 and P-40.

Sweden ordered 144 Vanguards, but Vultee was not allowed to deliver them. Instead, they were sent to Canada and then 129 planes went to China. These Vanguards did not have the streamlined nose of the prototype. Only a few remained in the United States to serve as trainers.

The Vengence was the last plane produced under the Vultee name. It disappeared into what is now Convair.

I have always liked the lines of the Vanguard and decided it would make a very interesting Stand-Off scale model. One problem I must mention about this particular airplane is the lack of color documentation. After I had it built. I realized that I did not have anything in color to pattern it after. This is important if you plan to compete as correct color scheme and markings are worth a high percentage of points. Some further library research would be in order here. There doesn't seem to be even a plastic model with its box art available to use as a guide, though United States, British or Chinese markings could be used.

The model is built to approximately 1-3/8 in =1 ft scale. This makes a 60 in by 600 sq inch wing. Finished weight came out to be 7-1/2 pounds, including some lead that was required to get it in balance. A set of Rom-Air retracts handle the long landing gear legs without any problem. These are simple to install and work every time.

Building the Vanguard is not too difficult, but is not meant to be flown by a beginner. Heavier wing loaded planes such as this take more experience to take-off and land than a beginner has had. Other than that it could be flown by anyone with a little solo time under his belt.

Pick the wood that goes behind the wing carefully so a minimum of weight will have to be added to the nose. Cut the sides and doublers from firm but pliable 1/8 in sheet. The sides must be curved over the farmers so they must be flexible. Use a good contact cement to join the sides and doublers. Dampen the outside of the sides when joining to the firewall and formers. Sheet and plank the top and bottom. Leave enough of the rear end open so the pushrods can be connected to the rudder and elevator horns.

The wing is built over the plan. Be sure to use the 1/4 sq rib shim. This automatically builds in the correct amount of wash out so important to good slow speed performance..."

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