Viking (oz5324)
About this Plan
Viking. Free flight old-timer model, for electric power.
Also kitted by Astro Flight.
The original Cleveland Viking design had 48 in span and was a FF gas model. This here is a later version at 62 in span, for Astro 05 geared electric motor and 3 channel RC.
Quote: "Electric Cleveland Viking. In a double feature, Astro Flight's major domo comes up with a quite rare but also classic looking Old Timer and puts in electric power. You may want to 'convert' this one to gas power!
INTRODUCTION: I had been searching for a different old timer model for my Astro cobalt 05 geared motor. My Playboy flew great, but the pylon was a hassle to build and made installation of all that electricity difficult. I wanted a nice cabin job with a Playboy style wing. My search ended in Rider's Hobby Shop in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Rider's had a cute little Cleveland Viking hanging from the ceiling. The Viking was designed at a 48-inch span, so I had Bob Sliff and John Lupperger blow up the Cleveland plans to 62 inches.
A few weeks later, the first Viking was finished and just in time for the Reno Nets. For passer I used the Astro geared cobalt 05 motor, a seven-cell Sanyo 800 MAH battery, the Astro electronic on-off motor control, and a Rev-Up 11 x 7 prop. My Monokoted model weighed 36 ounces, complete with Futaba radio.
I balanced the model on the spar and set the elevator throw to 15 degrees and the rudder throw to 30 degrees. The V-dihedral wing has about an 1/8 inch of tip wash-out for good luck.
The Viking flew beautifully right off the board. It is very stable and easy to fly, but still quite responsive to radio command. I was able to average over 10 minutes of glide time from a 1-1/2 minute motor run; more than enough to max. On many flights I got over 20 minutes. I packed up the Viking and headed for Reno.
The thin air at Reno was a problem. The prop just did not bite enough air to get a really good climb. I borrowed a 12 x 8 Top Flite prop, and it worked much better, but still more prop was needed for best results. Bob Slilf had a 16 x 8 Zinger which he cut to a 12-inch diameter to fit the SAM rules. His Cobalt 05 Playboy beat me by 30 seconds, so I had to be satisfied with second place. Just wait till next year!
It's unfortunate that the author of the SAM rules was not concerned with altitude when he formulated the 12-inch prop rule. This rule needs changing..."
Direct submission to Outerzone.
Supplementary file notes
Article, thanks to theshadow.
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(oz5324)
Viking
by Bob Boucher
from Model Builder
January 1985
63in span
Electric R/C Cabin
clean :)
all formers complete :)
got article :) -
Submitted: 09/02/2014
Filesize: 502KB
Format: • PDFbitmap
Credit*: JJ
Downloads: 2275
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User comments
Hi Steve and Mary, As a kid in the early 1960s radio control was out of reach so most of us flew control line and free flight. Free flight teaches you a LOT about aerodynamics. So fast forward to the late 1980s when RC gear was becoming reasonably priced and I wanted to get back into the hobby. Knowing I wanted a slow flying (ie. plenty of time to react) stable (ie. self-correcting) RC plane, the answer was obvious... a big free flight with RC assist. Hence the Astro Viking was my first RC plane. After the maiden flight I pulled out the disappointing electric motor and NiCads and installed an Enya .099 and yes it flew quite well on such a meager engine. Upgrading to an Enya .19 really did the trick though, permitting a reasonable range of aerobatics.Fast forward again to 2021 and a friend from my old flying club back in Canada sends me an old stock new in box Astro Viking kit, saying, "Hey, wasn't this your first plane?" So of course I had to build it, but this time with a modern electric propulsion system using an 1100 Kv motor and 3S LiPo battery. So here's the result of the second time around 35 years later [pics 004-012].
I would advise anyone building one of these from the plans to lengthen the nose at least an inch because I've had to add a lot of extra weight in the nose to get the CG anywhere close to optimum. Cheers,
Steve C - 07/01/2022
Pictures of the Viking [main pic, 012, 013]. Model built by me, electric power. Cheers,
Gotthelf Wiedermann - 17/09/2025
Hi from New Zealand. I have always admired the Viking lines and decided to build one [pic 015]. After downloading the plan from your site, I had it enlarged to two metres wing span. Because of the increase in size, I have had to beef up the structure a little to take the additional stress. I am the point where I am fitting the control runs and engine mounting, then it will be on to covering the model. Some small modifications were made – eg: a flat centre section for the one piece wing, additional diagonals in the wing for rigidity, etc. I have used the same wing rib aerofoil so it should have a nice glide. With the additional centre section wing span comes out at 2.1m. Power will be an ASP .52 which I anticipate will be more than enough but, with vintage designs having short nose and long tail moment arms, the additional weight up front won’t go amiss!
Thank you for this wonderful site providing such a wide source of OT plans, very much appreciated.
Allen Teal - 23/10/2025
Although not quite finished with glazing still to be completed, I thought you may like to see the covered model [pic 016].
Allen Teal - 03/11/2025
Hi Mary, Have just finished the model [pics 017, 018] and so it is ready for the test flight. Weight came out at 80oz (5lb or 2½Kg) so the 84 inch wingspan should easily carry this. Has been an enjoyable build and I am pleased with the end result. Hopefully the flying will be just as enjoyable!
Very much appreciate Outerzone providing the plan (oz5324 Bob Boucher, Model builder Jan 1985) which I enlarged. All the best and have a great Christmas.
Allen Teal - 22/12/2025
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- Viking (oz5324)
- Plan File Filesize: 502KB Filename: Viking_63in_oz5324.pdf
- Supplement Filesize: 512KB Filename: Viking_63in_oz5324_article_.pdf
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Notes
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Scaling
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