Barnstormer Baby (oz4982)

About this Plan

Barnstormer Baby. Baby Barnstormer. Sport model for single channel RC and .8 - 1.0cc engines. The original 52 inch Barnstormer (oz8785) design was published in RCME 1969. This here is a later, smaller version at 39 in span.

Quote: "Barnstormer Baby. A reduced size version of David Boddington's delightful Barnstormer.

When I particularly like the appearance and flying characteristics of a specific model design, I frequently build a number of different size versions of it. This happened with the Super 60, (Sub Mini, Mini Super and Mighty Super), Tyro (Mini Tyro and Super Tyro), Warrior (Mannock) and a number of other designs. The latest family I have been working on is the Barnstormer which started with the 52 in version, proceeded to a giant 96 in 'Big Barnstormer' version followed by the small one presented here. In addition to a 72 in version flying at the moment there is also a biplane design nearing completion.

This sytem works fine providing the original design is sufficiently stable to be flown well with rudder only S/C equipment. It would certainly be disastrous to take the average multi stunt model, scale it down, and hope to fly it with S/C equipment. The prototype Barnstormer Baby was built, as was the 52 and 96 in versions, by David Toyer; indeed he will not now allow me to build any of these types until he has finished each prototype. In keeping with the other two models this one is covered in nylon and painted in red and black with white trim.

This model has a lot of in-build strength so a medium density balsa will be sufficient for most areas. The main departure from the larger versions of the Barnstormer is the use of piano wire for the cabane struts and undercarriage in place of dural. For beam mounted engines either use a Micro Mold N32 nylon mount (reducing the thickness of the nose doublers to 1/8 in) or install 3/8 sq beech engine bearers. There is ample room to fit a metal or commercial fuel tank between formers F1 and F2.

Cut out the 1/16 sheet fuselage side and glue into position longerons, uprights and doublers. Note the difference in length of the left and right hand side nose doublers to allow for engine side thrust. Form piano wire cabane struts and undercarriage and bend and epoxy to plywood formers F2 and F3. Sand the 1/8 sheet stem blocks to a tapered section to allow the rear end of the fuselage to mate properly.

At this stage the type of radio installation must be decided upon to allow for the introduction of torque rods, push rods and escapement rubber hooks, etc. Small notches must be cut in the top fuselage longerons to allow for housing the cabane struts. Glue formers F1, F2, F3 and F4 in position, checking that the whole assembly is square, and temporarily pin the stern blocks together. Add the 1/8 sq cross pieces to the rear of the fuselage, F5, underside sheeting and front and rear top deck sheeting.

For rubber driven escapement it is advisable to make the tailplane, fin and rudder removable and the tailplane seating area should be in-creased by adding some 3/16 balsa strips to the outside of fuselage sides under the tailplane. Sandpaper the fuselage to a smooth finish, rounding off the nose section and bottom fuselage corners, glue on the engine and dorsal fairings, carve the removable soft block decking for access to the radio equipment.

The wing section features a flat bottom from the front spar rearwards, and the wing can therefore be built flat over the plan. Make the wing ribs by the block method using the 1/16 ply ribs as a template..."

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