Mama Mia (oz6071)

About this Plan

Mama Mia. Pattern ship for .60 power.

Quote: "By JOE BRIDI and DENNIS MILLIKEN. Joe designed this 'biggie' to test the merits of a large pattern ship. Dennis built the prototype for Joe and wrote the construction part of the article. Flight tests were even better than expected. Careful wood selection and construction techniques required to avoid overweight.

The 'Mama Mia' is a big aircraft, especially so for a pattern ship. However. don't let the name, or the size fool you. The design is capable of every maneuver in the FM schedule (including the snap maneuvers), with dean, precise accuracy.

Even though it is a big aircraft, its flight characteristics are such that the 60-sized engine with tuned pipe used in today's pattern ships will do the job.

When I first observed Dean Koger flying the EU-1, I was impressed by its flight characteristics and ability to fly an accurate FAI pattern. This started me thinking about designing and trying out a larger size pattern ship to see what it would do, and indeed to see if the large size was the way to go.

During construction of the model, I soon had second thoughts about its size, and that its performance would not be up to my expectations. However, when we finally flew the Mama Mia we were astounded by its flying characteristics.

Despite its size, it is an exceptionally easy handling aircraft, with good, clean, accurate, and precise maneuvers. Because of its size, we felt that the aircraft's speed would be on the slow side, thereby allowing us to set up our maneuvers in close. However, its speed was such that after several flights, we were out in our normal maneuver placement position (the 13% airfoil contributes to the low drag for a ship of this size).

The prototype sported a Webra .61 rear exhaust with a Rossi pipe, and a Zinger 10-1/2 x 7-1/2 prop. This proved to be a winning combination, as the vertical maneuvers were clean, with ample available power.

Rolling maneuvers are good, with its best feature being rollouts on the Top Hat, etc. Double Immelmans and spins are a pleasure to do and watch. The snaps are slow and precise with aircraft heading easily maintained. With 975 square inches and 11 pound weight, the landings are a piece of cake.

With a plane of this size, it is important that care be taken to keep construction as light as possible in order not to go over the 11 pound, 3-1/2 oz maximum weight limit (FAI). Our prototype model weighs exactly 11 pounds. A careful choice of balsa, retracts, and finish must be observed so as not to exceed the 11 pound weight. K&B Super Poxy was used on the prototype, but some weight savings will be realized in Monokote is used. In summary, we are currently building more Mama Mias because we feel that the model has excellent potential, on or off the contest circuit.

Construction: Keep in mind that this aircraft, due to its size and engine displacement, must be built as light as possible. The prototype shown in these photos weighed in at 11 pounds, complete with Webra .61 Speed, rear exhaust with mixture control, Rossi tuned pipe, Kraft Signature Series radio and Giezendanner heavy duty retracts.

Remember, a great deal of care should be taken in the selection of the balsa wood. Plywood parts in this aircraft consist of..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

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