Eastbourne Monoplane 1913 (oz6274)

About this Plan

1913 Eastbourne Monoplane. Sport scale model, for geared 400 electric motor.

Quote: "Using the new micro size R/C equipment and a geared Speed 400 motor, this little Sport Scale electric is a real performer, and is a 'must have' for a special R/C treat. 1913 Eastbourne Monoplane, by Pat Tritle.

I was taking my afternoon break at our local hobby shop and talking about what great new electric projects to do next, when somebody mentioned 'Those Magnificant Men and Their Flying Machines.' Somebody else laughed and said it might be fun to race those old airplane in the park, set up pylons and go for the most laps in three minutes, or the English channel crossing event. You know, overfly a turkey roaster full of water carefully placed in the middle of the field, or ball diamond racing, standing at home plate flying around the bases. Shoot, we could even do Schneider cup re-enactment using a Slip n' Slide for take-offs and landings - man, the possibilities are endless.

The more I thought about the basic idea, the better I liked it, so I went scrounging for something to do. A couple of evenings at the drawing board brought forth enough lines from which an airplane could be built. The first design was a toss up between the Eastbourne Monoplane and the Caudron Racer. The Eastbourne won out because it seemed a bit simpler to build. I had a few Speed 400 designs under my belt at the time, but these type airplanes were far less conventional than what I had been doing and figured that if was going to design a 'Goober,' I really didn't want to spend any more time on it than absolutely necessary.

As it turned out, the Eastbourne Monoplane is anything but a 'Goober'. The flying characteristics are very stable and 'groovy' with no tendency to swing the tail from side to side if the rudder input gets a little overly aggressive. The initial test flights were done with the CG at 33% and has been tested as far aft as 39%. The airplane really likes the CG at 36%, which is just ahead of the point where one must exhibit extreme finesse, lest ye shall induce the dreaded snap roll! At 36%, the landing flair is smooth and predictable and still very docile.

As far as the racing part goes, if you have to go fast to race, this one is for you! This airplane has been clocked at speeds in excess of 14 mph (in tailwind) and lands at about half of that. Take-off can be accomplished either ROG or hand-launched, and average flight times are around six minutes at full throttle and as much as nine minutes at 60% power.

All-in-all, it is a fun little airplane to fly and doesn't possess any ofthe nasty chanieteristi es that one would think a model like this would have. The real secret to success in all of these Speed 400 designs is not as much in airfoils or set-ups, bat in the light wing loading. The Eastbourne noodled out to a flying weight of 18.6 ounces and wing loading of 8.67 oz/sq ft. Balsa selection was basically 'off the shelf.' Although I did select the best available aircraft grade wood. l didn't go as far as removing the receiver case, but hey - a half ounce is a half ounce.

The Eastbourne was designed around two sheet wood sizes and three stick sizes. The firewall and motor mount are 1/8 in lite ply. LG mount beams and servo rails are spruce and the lower hatch cover is 1/64 ply. Construction is very conventional with only one exception, the fuselage, so let's start there..."

Hi Steve - Here is Pat Trittle's Eastbourne Monoplane from RCM magazine issue 11-96.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, text and pics.

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