Eastbourne Monoplane 1911 (oz6221)

About this Plan

1911 Eastbourne Monoplane. Radio control scale model.

Quote: "Don Srull's .020 powered, 25 in span version of the Eastbourne Monoplane is an ideal first scale project. Easy to fly on Pulse Rudder or Galloping Ghost.

After reading about the New Testers 2.4 volt, lightweight superhet receiver. I began toying with the idea of trying one out in a little scale airplane. Coupled with the new Adams baby magnetic actuator and a pair of 225 mah nickel cadmium cells, you have a superhet proportional rudder system for under 3 ounces! Owen Kampen's Skampy (oz1919) featured in the January RCM, was a neat little semi-scale racing bug using this system.

I thought a slower flying and lighter wing loading airplane might be a little easier to fly, and also more suitable for small field use. In addition, I've always enjoyed scale models, and since they can be as easy, or easier, to build than the usual sport model - why not? I'm not speaking of competition scale models, of course - these do require a substantial investment in time compared to any size or type of spurt model.

I had recently built several free flight (what's that?) indoor scale models of the little-known 1911 Eastbourne Monoplane. They varied in span from 12 to 24 inches, and all flew extremely well; in fact, considerably better than was expected. These models were inspired by an H Warner and H Osborne plan shown in the 1964/65 Frank Zaic Year Book. The Eastbourne is a relatively 'standard' monoplane of the 1910 era resembling, in many respects, the Bleriot-types of that period.

In addition to its rather nice flying characteristics, the Eastbourne has another feature which makes it a very attractive period subject from a modeler's stand-point, and that is its very simple, straight-forward landing gear. Not as colorful, perhaps, as the wood-and-wire conglomerations of skids, skiis, and wheels found on many aircraft of this era, but much simpler to build on a small model.

A 25 inch span version eventually materialized, having about 120 square inches of wing area. In order to achieve the slow, easy flying characteristics desired, a wing loading of 8 to 9 ounces per square foot was set as a goal. At this weight, the reliable and inexpensive Cox Pee Wee .02 would easily haul the airplane around. A 3 ounce radio system meant that about 5 ounces were left for the airplane - a fairly easy task, provided reasonably light balsa is used and the finish is kept within limits.

The prototype was completed, and due much more to luck than science, the weight, sans radio gear, was slightly under 5 ounces. Even with an antiqued paint job yet! Pulse rudder flying was really smooth - especially when the Pee Wee was over-propped with a 6x3 Cox nylon vintage propeller. Very slow, scale-like flights, never getting above 75 to 100 feet in altitude, with a minimum
of steering. Sort of free flight (there's that thing again) with periodic rudder commands - just enough to land back at the launch site. It couldn't do the stunt pattern, but a heck of a lot of fun for a minimum of radio complexity.

The next step was to install and try a miniature GG system. The advantage of GG for small scale models is quite different from the larger, hotter planes. Since a relatively low powered scale airplane can't stunt anyhow (curses on anyone who would snap roll an Eastbourne, even if it could), why bother with elevator anyway? Simply because these little ships are meant to be seen while flying, the pitch trim capability of GG allows you to fly them with a safe margin of power, and at eye level..."

Hi Steve - Here is Don Srull's Eastbourne monoplane from RCM magazine issue 01-69.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, text and pics.

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