Daddy Rabbit (oz5535)

About this Plan

Daddy Rabbit. Classic RC pattern plane for .61 power.

Quote: "1966 Nationals multi winner in full construction form to help you up the ladder of contest-winning. It isn't the magic formula that will change you overnight from a loser to a winner, but if followed without change, it certainly can give you the boost that you have been seeking. Daddy Rabbit, by Jim Whitley.

The Daddy Rabbit was designed with only one purpose in mind. There has been no attempt to design the prettiest, lightest, or most compact plane. This is not an all-purpose plane adaptable to .45 and .49 type engines. The basic design of the Daddy Rabbit is such that the best results will be attained through the utilization of a real healthy .61 engine. Again, we aren't trying to conserve fuel, Whether or not anyone agrees with the fact that a goal has or has not been reached in the basic design concept does not concern me. In other words, the Daddy Rabbit was designed with the idea that it just might possibly give me the slightest edge in competition. To achieve this goal one must take the entire AMA pattern, weigh each maneuver and decide for himself what is most important.

There are ever so many variables to contend with. The most unpredictable of all variables is weather. If we could be assured that there would never be any turbulence, gust, cross wind landings to master, or that which requires a little more attention to details is a descent presentation in a stiff cross wind. Too, how do you feel when a nice cross wind comes into play just before the tail slide? All of these things happen, and I suppose that most of us think that we have all the bad luck and the other fellow has all the good, but for the most part, circumstances will balance. Then, there is another line of thought that bears a little consideration. That being that luck is where opportunity and preparation cross. In either event, these things, we know will happen, can be practiced, and then coped with when they arrive. Something we can do before we practice is to be sure we have a flying platform that is worthy of being practiced with.

Back to old man weather. We, in the Southeastern section of the country can expect some pretty bumpy flying conditions during the contest season, so to me it seems reasonable to make planes accordingly. If we could be sure of those perfect conditions just mentioned, there would be far fewer differences of opinion as to exactly what the attributes of the best contest machine should be.

There are those who say that all Class III planes are the same, and only the pilots are different. I go along with the theory that the pilots are different - but so are the planes. The excellent pilot can make the average plane look pretty good, but with competition as it is today, every little bit helps. Again, we are not trying to win open pylon, or compete with a Veco .45 or Merco .49, or endeavor to make the tightest turn without stalling. These are not items to he scored in the AMA pattern. The Daddy Rabbit is the author's idea of a set of compromises rolled into one plane for one specific purpose. Best possible Cass III machine for all conditions!

I have been asked at contest sites, by letters, and by phone, how I justified this or that about the design and why did something contrary to what someone else has advocated. I have not tried to justify anything and do not intend to now, except to say that for me it works best at this time.

Just a word about design theory. One July evening in Chicago, Phil Kraft and I were talking about model design and the difference in the two planes we were flying at the '66 Nationals. Phil's sentiments were that most of us work on a design and refine it until everything works pretty well and then we look the plane over and find some theories as to why this and that has a lot of merit.

The Daddy Rabbit which was used to compete in the '66 Nationals was test flown three weeks previously. Unfortunately, the life of this ship was just under three months. During that period Daddy Rabbit was entered in five contests. The results were four first place wins before the FAI meet in Oklahoma last September..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 16/8/2023: Added vector format plan, thanks to theshadow.

Quote: "Jim Whitley's Daddy Rabbit. Drawn by Ed Hartley, 01/18/92."

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