Vampie (oz6376)

About this Plan

Vampie. Free flight sport pusher model.

Quote: "An all-sheet balsa sport model for .75 cc. Vampie, by Lt Cmdr TE Naughten.

IT WAS AT THE Northern Heights Gala that we first noticed one of these all-sheet sport models, when we came across the Abingdon and District MFC encampment, and found a whole squadron of Vampie's. This design was created by Lt Comdr TE Naughten, MBE, RN, Retd, to be an unbreakable flyer calling for a minimum of constructional time, and such a specification also obviously called for a model made from solid sheet, but the problem was would it be too heavy to fly?

Although the wing loading was obviously high, the first version used a Frog 50 and flew magnificently. Subsequent models have been flown with undercarriages, using an Allbon Dart, there is a 6 ft version having a Mills 1.3 and another was made for control line with an Elfin 2.49. The pusher arrangement is a perfect propeller-saver, and the robust construction has survived all crashes. No wonder the idea has caught on like wildfire among the Abingdon clubsters.

If you have a .5 cc - 1 cc engine lying spare, and would like to get some enjoyable hours in, regardless of the weather conditions, Vampie is the ideal project for you.

Be certain to choose balsa with straight close grain and if in doubt over the quality, choose a hard grade for preference. Start with the wing, cut from a in. sheet and divided in the centre for the dihedral angle. Carve to airfoil section from the booms outboard and with one half lying flat on the building board, lift the opposite tip 6 in. and glue the centre joint secure.

Cut two fuselage sides from in. sheet, making up the 16 s.w.g. skid bound to # in. square spruce mountings, and sandwich the centre j in. balsa fuselage core with the sides. Chamfer the fuselage to take the wing which is now fitted and securely glued (slow drying cement can be used if joint is "pre-cemented").

Drill the engine bearers to take your engine, bolt them to the engine and then attach them to the wing centre section having been chamfered on the underside to fit. Note that the .5 cc or lighter engines should be mounted just behind the trailing edge, heavier engines go farther forward. Whilst drying, make up the tail booms on either side of 1/8 in strip and sheet core, and chamber to fit the under surface of the wing..."

Supplementary file notes

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