Fierce Arrow (oz5845)

About this Plan

Fierce Arrow. Control line stunt model. Delta wing layout, for .35 power.

Quote: "For that new 1957 pattern, why not build and fly a real airplane. This .35-powered big wing won two firsts in its first two meets. Fierce Arrow, by Bill Netzeband.

The Fierce Arrow was conceived mainly to be different. Design analysis indicated possibilities of superior performance, in that high Reynolds Number (740,000) allowed a CL max of 1.3 or almost as good as flaps. Wing loading is actually less than the Half Fast or 7.63 oz per square foot. Drag was the only thing that had us worried, but it has proved to be no more than a conventional 500 sq in job.

We see no reason for the flying wing to be maligned the way it is, except that its detractors have not achieved the proper balance. Also, the Half Fast and Arrow have a thicker tip than root (16% to 12%) giving the same stable stall characteristics as washout on conventional wings. Hence, no roll-in from stalled conditions, and a nose dropping affect to pull out of said stall. Tug is achieved from yaw which also removes the necessity of shortening the outboard panel. The outboard wing has more sweepback, hence is less effective - therefore, no engine offset. Area is 810 sq inches while speed hovers between 60 and 65 mph, weight around 3 lbs. Tug is generous, particularly overhead. The proof of the pudding is the way it eats up the pattern.

All the superlatives have been used up describing stunt ships, leaving little room for describing flight characteristics which are superior. Suffice it to say, that out of two meets it has won two firsts, one of them at the King Orange meet on its 6th flight. Six of them have been built and more are in progress. By the way, that's a '35' in there!

We calculated the minimum turn radius at 10.2 feet, and the large area lets it go around square turns clean with no tendency to bobble. Nose-heavy trim brings it out clean and there's always a margin of safety on eights. Overheads, where it's up to the ship, are easy. Also, landing and take-off are automatically maximum points if you do not fight the ship. It flies slow enough that landing run is about one foot on concrete. Interested yet?

I have been fairly dissatisfied with ordinary stunt ships but I have been unable to find much wrong with the 'Arrow,' and I've tried, believe me! In any wind up to 25 mph, at least. At 30 she will do a pattern, but not too prettily.

After the usual study of the plans, pick out some good 3/8 x 1 in hard balsa for the trailing edge. Splice is noted on plans. Be very careful that this piece is straight or the whole deal will be off. While this splice is setting, lay out two pieces of 1/4 x 1 in for leading edges, marking rib locations and cutting them to exact shape..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

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