Albatross (oz5406)

About this Plan

Albatross. Free flight gas model. Note this is not a full-size plan, this is a scan of the original magazine pages and drawings, as printed 1941.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Quote: "SOARING ability interests me. And does the Albatross soar? Just build it and you'll agree it more than lives up to its name. It seems to have an instinct for thermals as it wheels in its flat, soaring glide. These are the factors that entered into its design:

Spiral Stability: It will be noted on the side view of the body plan (Plate II) that the center of lateral area is in a low position in respect to the center of gravity. This makes the model extremely stable and, therefore, very consistent.

Efficient Climb: This largely depends on how the model is adjusted, but clean lines and a little streamlining help a great deal. The drag on the body is kept to a minimum by not having any more cross section than is necessary by having a V-shaped body, and by cowling in the motor.

Flat, Soaring Glide: High-lift wing section, combined with the proper location of the CG produces this to the nth degree. The center of gravity is slightly behind the center of lift of the wing because of the lifting tail. A lifting tail of proper thickness will completely eliminate the use of downthrust. No negative thrust is needed in this design if a Dennymite is used. However, if an Ohlsson 60 is used, it would be wise to increase thickness of stabilizer to about 13/16.

Flight Record: The model has a full 4-minute contest average. Longest official flight, 16:29. Longest official average. 6:37. Longest unofficial flight (motor run 23 seconds), one hour. Two first places, two seconds, one third out of seven contests.

CONSTRUCTION: Before starting any construction, study the plans thoroughly and then make fall-size drawings.

Start cronstruction of body by making sides. Out of 3/16 x 7/8 medium-bard stock, the front part of the side is formed. After this has been laid down and cemented, proceed by completing the outline of the body with 3/16-square hard balsa.

The uprights out of the same size are of medium stock and are cemented in place. Then put in the diagonals of 1/8 x 3/16. This will have completed one side. Now build another on top of it without any waxed paper between. Be sure to use the same grade of wood for all the longerons, and the same grade for all the uprights.

After both sides have dried take up off plan (both sides will be stuck together) and sand the outline so both sides will be alike. The sides can then be easily separated with a razor blade.

To assemble the body, each side is pinned upside down along the straight portion from Station A to F. Then insert all the cross pieces from A to F and glue. After thoroughly dry, take up and finish assembly by gluing in all remaining cross braces. working from Station F to the cud of the body. It will be noted that beginning at Station L the body has the form of a V and there are no cross pieces on the bottom. The lower longeron of each side from Station L to the end should be beveled on the inside as shown on the cross section detail of Station L on Plate II. After all the cross bracess have been cemented in, put in diagonals on top and bottom..."

Supplementary file notes

Planfile includes article.

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