Laser 200 (oz6461)

About this Plan

Bud Light Laser 200. Radio control scale aerobatic model.

Quote: "My interest in this particular aircraft goes back several years to when I bought an early ARTF imported model from the Far East. Unfortunately, the model didn't last as long as the full-size, which to the best of my knowledge, is still going strong after first being built in 1971, starting life as a Stephens Akro and undergoing numerous modifications since then in Leo Loudenslager's quest for the finest acrobatic mount ever.

His record of achievements in N10LL must surely bear testimony to how success fut he has been: United States Aerobatic Champion - 1975 through 78, and 1980 through 82. USA Team Member World Championships 1973, and 1975 through 1983. World Champion - 1980.

The various modifications have included the introduction of a turtledeck, increased span ailerons, changes to the airfoil section, and numerous engine modifications. During its lifetime, it has borne several color schemes but the two most widely known ones are the earlier Blue and Yellow with White stars (which has been the subject of most other models), and later the Red, White, and Blue 'Bud-Lite' livery which is the version modeled here.

Being the UK agent for Bob Banka's Scale Aircraft Foto-Paaks has shown me how popular scale acrobatic models are with a tremendous demand for photos of Extras, Sukhois, Caps, and Ultimates. But little or no interest in Lasers, despite the fact that the current UK aerobatic champion is now flying one - albeit a more recent new build. I am also fortunate in having two separate videos of Leo flying his airshow display routine, one at the Reno Races, and another at a local American display. To see him doing consecutive inside and outside flicks at ultra low level, octagonal loops, tail slides, torque rolls, Lorncevaks, etc., in a continuous routine of 15 minutes plus, without staying straight and level for more than ten seconds from take-off to touch-down, simply leaves me breathless and wondering if I could ever get anywhere near that standard of flying with my models. I doubt it, but at least a true scale replica would be a good start - and so to the model.

The full-size aircraft has a wingspan of 24 ft which made it ideal for a Quarter Scale with a .90 2-stroke or 120 4-stroke glow engine. Construction is conventional with built-up tail surfaces and fuselage, sheeted foam wings, and epoxy glass moldings for the cowl and wheel pants. The objective at all times is to build to minimum weight, particularly the tail end, consistent with the strength to cope with the severe positive and negative G forces suffered during the most demanding maneuvers.

So select your wood carefully (no planks of oak nor paper strength) and use glues sparingly (I use mainly Superphatic for general work with Aliphatic for formers and slow epoxy for fire wail). Covering and finishing is of the iron-on type; please do not be tempted into beefing up the structure unnecessarily.

The following is not meant to be a step-by-step instruction manual, I assume anyone build-ing this model has the relevant experience to he able to read plans and has built and flown similar models in the past.

Tail Surfaces: I always start with these as they soon build up into a completed section. Start with the 1/16 cores, butt jointing standard sheets together to make up the correct width, and cutting out the circular lightening holes, as well as the slots for the Robart hinge points. This will help later on as a guide for drilling out to the full diameter. Build one side at a time onto the cores, remembering the rear spars arc spruce, and the rear fin spar continues as a tail post for building into the slot left between the fuselage sides when they are joined together. The ribs are initially cut as rectangular blanks out of..."

Update 24/04/2018: added second article, from Radio Modeller January 1996, thanks to RFJ.

Supplementary file notes

RCM article pages, text and pics, thanks to AugustaWest.
Radio Modeller article.

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