Stinson Detroiter (oz5032)

About this Plan

Stinson Detroiter. Free flight scale model, for rubber or IC power, both are shown on the plan.

Quote: "OUR Stinson Detroiter has been thoroughly tested, both as a rubber-powered flying scale and as a gas model with the OK Cub Spanning approximately three feet, with material sizes selected to hold down weight, it is an excellent flyer. The rubber motor is tensioned and wound like any contest model (though this is optional) ; the Cub engine is fitted with an 8 x 3-1/2 in Top Flite propeller which holds down the rpm enough to provide realistic performance. An Infant should give realistic scale-type flight, but will be unable to take off such a big airplane.

The plans show the true-scale outline, which will enable solid fans to reproduce the ship as a replica. U-control enthusiasts can use the same scale outlines to modify the Stinson for their kind of flying. With the light structure shown, U-control models will be limited as built to small engines, from 09 to .19. But by redesigning the structure with typically sturdy wing edges, sheet fuselage sides, and sheet tail, the Stinson can be made to handle engines commonly used in ships of this span and area.

Flying scale models seldom trim out as built. Rub-ber motors for instance, cause the CG position to fall far to the rear and, in this size, the gas engine shifts the CG correspondingly far forward. For rubber, your Stinson will balance at the 75% chord point before ballast is added for trim, and, with gas, balances at or about the leading edge of the wing. For the latter condition, ballast is added to the tail.

While some liberties were taken with scale, such as additions to dihedral, landing gear length, and tail area, every effort was made to hold the wing and other assemblies in their proper position, hence the use of solder ballast.

Although the original model used interchangeable gas and rubber motor assemblies, making dozens of flights with each type of power plant, it is better to decide which version you wish to fly. If it is to be gas, it then will be possible to expend more weight mi heavier covering, filling, fuel-proofing, and finishing. However, the structure is so light that it is possible to fly the rubber version when also finished for gas.

The original had two coats of clear dope, followed by one of Testor's sanding filler, and two coats of orange, and was then fuel-proofed - yet it put up a creditable performance under the winder! Except for the nose, both versions are identical in structural design.

Fuselage. All longerons and cross pieces are of very hard 3/32 in square. If hard wood can't be obtained, use 1/8 in square. The sides are pinned down, superimposed, on wax paper directly over the plan. Note that the upper part of the cabin, on the sides, is 3/32 sheet with two 3/32-square holes cut precisely to key the wing spar ends in final assembly..."

Hi Steve - Here is William Winter's Stinson Detroiter from Air Trails magazine issue 12-49.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 19/12/2017: Added article text, thaks to JJ.

Supplementary file notes

Article text.

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