Thor (oz5195)

About this Plan

Robbe Thor. Radio control model.

Quote: "Hi Steve, here is a plan from THOR (robbe) - it was a lowwing trainer (aerobatic) from the end of the 50s or early 60s manufactured by robbe/germany. Sorry, I`ve got no pics from Thor."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 26/06/2019: Added review from Model Aircraft, September 1965, thanks to RFJ.

Quote: "Review. THE NEXT STEP in the Editorial radio control progress.

NOT having the sort of mind which delights in accurate statistics or, in this case, flight records, we can only state that our multi Super 60 (oz552), described in the June issue, was just starting on its fourth gallon of fuel when it met its doom. This is a lot of flying and it speaks worlds of this design that it stood up to all sorts of pilot error crashes, from wing tip to tree top landings. During its flying career the airframe was submitted to various stresses and strains for which it was never designed or intended and that eventually the wings should fold during Cuban 8's, gave no legitimate cause for surprise. The amazing part about the subsequent crash, that buried the model some 10 inches in the ground, was that the overall damage was light and could, if necessary, have been repaired.

However, some time before this, we had realised that we were growing out of the Super 60 and started on a replacement. We had received a Robbe Thor kit for review, when they first arrived here, but its completion had been held up due to lack of suitable equipment and flying experience. The OS Minitron Superhet 10 obviously filled the bill equipment-wise and the Super 60 had provided the experience, so the Thor was almost ready to have the equipment installed, when the Super 60 made its last flight.

Although the equipment was still working after the crash, we took expert advice and asked Harry Brooks to check over the Rx and the five Duramites which are fitted with Brooks amplifiers. He found one or two irregularities caused by the crash which could have given trouble and proved the wisdom of a thorough check after such mishaps.

The Thor kit is very complete, with pre-formed u/c, wheels, etc, plus all the balsa and ply parts pre-shaped or die cut and, generally, the selection and quality of the wood is very good. The two sheet plan has all parts numbered and these tie in with a table on one of the sheets. As the model can be flown rudder only, ailerons, although shown on the plan, have no constructional parts supplied.

With three exceptions, two intentional and one accidental, the plan was adhered to precisely throughout. The exceptions were (a) increasing the thickness of the tailplane bye, 1/4 in and sanding to a streamline section; (b) binding the u/c to its former with iron wire, which was then soldered to the u/c wire, this in addition to the aluminium mounting clips supplied; (c) setting the dihedral at 2 in under one wing tip, instead of both (accidental).

The kit went together well, and made up into an attractive model, a little on the small side for the weight, possibly, but compact and rugged. The fuselage, being designed for Telecont gear, allowed ample room for the relayless O.S. and Duramites to be installed without undue cramping and with adequate rubber packing round the Tx.

The Thor is designed for a 35 motor, but it is stated that engines up to 8 cc can be used. We were doubtful of the ability of our 35, fitted with a silencer, to haul it off the comparatively rough grass field where we do all our flying, so decided on a bigger motor with plenty of oomph for take-off and which could be throttled back if necessary in the air. Obvious choice was our new OS 50 with a silencer (obligatory on our airfield) fitted with an ex-haust baffle. This is a beautiful motor to handle, powerful, smooth and with wonderfully progressive throttling. Other items we used to complete the model were Skol-kits nylon; Bradshaw 8 oz clunk tank, Soraco control horns, a KK 12 x 6 propeller and Kwick-links for all the hook-ups where adjustment was likely.

With empty tank the CG was as per the plan and, as far as we could see, there were no warps. Our original intention had been to make the first flights ourselves, but expert counsel prevailed and Harry Brooks kindly agreed to take this responsibility off our shoulders..."

Supplementary file notes

Review.

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