Wedell Williams Turner Special (oz5799)

About this Plan

Wedell Williams Turner Special. Radio control semi-scale model racer.

Quote: "A Golden Age Air Racer That's Also An Excellent Aerobatic Sport Flier.

It was 1932 and the National Air Races being held at the Cleveland Airport in Cleveland, Ohio, looked like a real dog fight. It was the first (and only, it turned out) year for the fabulous Gee Bee R-1 and R-2 racers to race in the Thompson and Bendix races. The gull-winged Hall Bulldog was entered, as was Jimmy Wedell flying his No.44 second place winner from last year's Thompson race. The always colorful Roscoe Tuner was there with a brand new, and fast, No.121 Wedell-Williams racer as well.

Turner's racer was sponsored by the Gilmore Oil Co. and sported a spectacular paint job done up in cream and red graphics advertising his sponsor's products. This racer came in third in this 1932 Bendix cross-cournry race from Glendale, CA to Cleveland, OH, and Turner was anxious to try for a win in the 10-lap Thompson closed course pylon nice. He was destined for disappointment.

In the Thompson, Jimmy Doolittle, flying the barrel-shaped Gee Bee R-1 especially designed for the shorter closed course races, thundered past the field, shattered the speed record, and easily took first place at 252.87 mph. Second place went to jimmy Wedell in No.44 and Roscoe Turner had to settle for third place at a speed of 233.04 mph.

Jimmy Wedell was not only a truly great race pilot of his time, he was one of the most respected designers and builders of wing aircraft or the period of 1931 to 1936; that era known as the Golden Era of air racing. Wedell had only a ninth-grade education, could not read a blue print, and usually drew out the shapes for his planes on the hangar floor. They were the fastest, safest, and easiest to race aircraft around at the time.

He joined with Harry Williams, who supplied financing, to form Wedells Air Service in 1928 so his aircraft were listed as Wedell-Williams.

This model is a sport scale version of that Wedell-Williams Model 44 registered as NR61Y, flown by Roscoe Turner, and trimmed with the colorful and intricate Gilmore Oil Co logos. Since it is not an exact scale replica, I chose a cream and metallic maroon color for scheme on the prototype model, done entirely on Monokote.

The model wing is slightly larger and thicker than the original aircraft, and the ailerons are larger to permit better aerobatics. The fuselage is slightly longer to get better moments and the tail surfaces are larger too. My prototype is powered with an O.S. 25 2-stroke engine, with a homemade muffler to allow an enclosed exhaust system. The second version has the same engine on its side with a commercial Pitts style muffler. The .25 engine
will be plenty for most pilots. The model gets along nicely despite its relatively large frontal area since the completed model should weigh less than 4 lbs.

You should know right now that this model is designed for the builder who enjoys a challenge and loves the Golden Age air racers as I do. Building from plans takes more effort, time, and skill than building from a precut kit, but I think it really pays off in satisfaction when you get it right and make that first flight.

With the short nose moment, you need to think light on any part aft of the wing. Since this model is intended for modelers with some experience, L will not be giving a step-by-step description. Special areas will be covered in more detail. I like the idea of cutting most of the pieces before starting construction. Do not cut the 1/8 in fuselage stringer notches until after assembly of the formers to the fuselage sides. Just mark the locations on each former for reference..."

Hi Steve - Here is Ron Peterka's Wedell Williams Turner Special from RCM magazine issue 03-97.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

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