Grumman American Cougar (oz5838)

About this Plan

Grumman American Cougar. Scale model for RC and twin .25 engines. Scale is 1/6.

Quote: "A beautiful 1/6 Stand-Off Scale version of Grumman's light twin for .20 or .25 cu. in. engines designed by Dennis Tapsfield, one of England's top scale designers.

Multi-engined models have always proved something of a fascination to me, so that l'm always on the lookout for a prototype that has those features which I think could contrihute to a successsful R/C model. When I first saw the photos of the prototype Cougar, I lost no time in writing to Grumman in the USA who very kindly sent me a copy of the factory 3-view drawings, you can't do better than that, and the area agents in the UK were also very helpful when they supplied the colour brochure of the aircraft. The colour scheme anid reeistration on this model are authentic see the cover on Flight International of the 5th August 1978.

The main requirements, in my opinion, are: Adequate wing; area. engines fairly close to the fuselage to minimize assymetric power/drag which occurs if one engine fails, lots of side area behind the Centre of Gravity, engines well forward of the Centre of Gravity also helps with single engine performance.

Simple lines also make it possible to produce a lighter airframe, and weight is always a prime consideration with multi engined models. I always find it difficult to keep to planned, or should I say hoped for, weights, as there is always an odd 8 or 12 ounces that sneak in when your back is turned - and the Cougar was no exception. I aimed for an all-up finished weight of 8-1/2 pounds, the resulting 9-1/4 pounds speaks for itself!

Do select your wood with loving care, do not accept without question, any materialwhich might he pushed at you in the model emporium, since you could finish up with a guided middiles and not a model aeroplane! The wing loading on the Cougar is around 28 oz / sq ft, a very fair figure for a scale twin.

The wing area of this model has been increased by 15% and the engines moved in towards the fuselage by 1 inch. Neither of hese changes detracts from the overal appearance of the model, indeed one would have to take measurements to find them..."

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