Custom Privateer (oz574)

About this Plan

Custom Privateer (McGovern's Monster). Radio control flying boat model. Wingspan 114 in.

Note this here is the plan as it first appeared in Air Trails 1954. For the later Berkeley kit plan, see Custom Privateer (oz278).

Update 4/6/2022: Added article, thanks to davidterrell80.

Quote: "Stout hearts weaken when it comes to first flights, ours was no exception. Months had been spent on design and construction, and now it was time for our monster amphibian to try its wings. Long Island Sound was glassy smooth, the ind of late fall weather you dream about.

The .60 roared to life and screamed as we leaned it out. We lowered the model into the water, and it was on its way. Ripples turned to foaming wake as the hull knifed the water at thirty miles an hour.

All our efforts were rewarded with the memory of that first perfect take-off. As it broke water, she climbed steeply in a left spiral till just a speck in the sky. The glide was majestic, as only a 'C' job can be, culminated by an effortless 100-foot-long touch-down on the water.

1440 square inches of area, 9-1/2 foot span, an 8-foot hull, this is a big airplane. Yet, weighted with radio rear, it is off the water consistently in 150 feet.

Open water flying is more fun than anything we ever experienced. It combines boating, swimming, fishing and flying all at once, and is equally enjoyed by all.

Aside from the social advantages, there is no dirt in the engine, no bent shafts, broken props, weed-punctured covering, no ground-in dirt, bent gears, or ground-looping damage, no abrasions, no waiting for your turn to fly R/C, and no thermals to worry about.

All this means that your model will last five to ten years. A single coat of dope each season keeps it looking like new. Salt water has no effect on the model at all!

It is practical then to put a great deal of effort into a model, as 2,000 flights can be expected. But who could transport it, you may ask.

The fuselage fits with ease inside most club coupes and all sedans. We transport the wing strapped to an 8 ft pine plank lashed to carrying racks on the roof of the car. A speed of 50 mph does not disturb it.

Complete building details are available on the full-size plans."

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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