RCM Trainer Jr (oz6465)

About this Plan

RCM Trainer Jr. Radio control sport/trainer model.

The original RCM Trainer (oz5306) appeared in RCM Jan 1972. This is a later, reduced-size version, for 40 power.

Quote: "Another reliable, good flying 60 becomes a reliable, good flying 40. An aerodynamic design that makes for slow, stable flying when you want it but, will loop, roll, spin, fly inverted. The .40 size offers more economical flying, more convenient storage, and easier transportation to and from the flying field.

What goes into the design is only part of the story. What you make out of it is the other part. To get a good flying ship the parts must be cut and assembled correctly, accurately, and with care. Begin with a flat building board. When you glue a part in place, make sure it is properly aligned - and stays that way while the glue dries. Use pins, spring loaded clothespins, clamps, masking tape, elastic bands, spring loaded paper clamps, weights, blocks, or whatever you have handy that will do the job. When you use other than epoxy glues, double-double glue all of the joints. Put glue on both surfaces to be joined, wait a few minutes for the glue to soak in, apply a bit more glue, as necessary, and join the surfaces. When you use epoxy apply it to both surfaces before you join them.

When it comes to adhesives we recommend you use aliphatic resin glue, specially formulated for use in modeling work. In using this or any other glue, spread it thin. Except in some special cases, building glue up around the glue joint doesn't help at all. As a matter of fact, a blob of glue around a joint may actually keep the glue from drying properly and give you a weaker glue joint! Use a glue stick or rag to remove excess glue. It helps keep the plane a bit lighter, too!

The sequence we'll follow begins by putting the stabilizer together and installing the pine insert into the elevator and rudder. Then you'll work on the fuselage, which is built upside down on your building board. First the top block or fuselage top is built, then the sides and bottom are installed. Finally, the cabin front and read blocks and sides are glued in place and the rudder and elevator are hinged. Note that the nosegear is mounted on the engine mount - in holes drilled for that purpose.

With the fuselage completed, the wing halves are built, ideally on a wing jig to insure warp-free construction. The wing halves are joined, the center section is sheeted, and the center is glassed. Finally, the ailerons are finished and installed and you're ready for the final alignment. Finish it, install your radio equipment, check out the operation of the surfaces and have fun. Now that was easy, wasn't it? (See picture #1).

Time to get to work.

Your first job is to read through the entire construction procedure. That way you'll know where you're going before you get there. As you glance through it you'll notice that we put a box in front of each step. Check 'em off as you go. The check marks also make it easier for you to find your place as you read about the next step, do the work, read, do the work, and so on..."

Direct submission to Outerzone. Scanning by Don at EAC, cleanup by theshadow.

Update 18/09/2016: Replaced this plan with a cleaner copy, with some pencil construction lines removed, thanks to Rob.

Update 25/09/2018: Added PDFvector plan tracing and dxf CAD file, thanks to AlanSinclair.

Update 25/09/2018: Added article part 2 (from next month), thanks to AlanSinclair.

Supplementary file notes

Article part 1, thanks to theshadow.
Article part 2, thanks to AlanSinclair.
PDFvector plan tracing.

CAD file

This plan is available for download in CAD format.

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