Tipsy Nipper Mk2 (oz6564)

About this Plan

Tipsy Nipper MkII. Stand-off scale model for .29 to .45 power.

Quote: "Tipsy Nipper Mk2 by Bryce Petersen.

Education and experience gives us the ability to design creations that are new and different. Sometimes these creations go one step beyond in performance and beauty and become outstanding. If you analyze this type of creativity, you usually find the creator is in love with his work and is just doing 'his thing'. The rumor is the engineers that created the Tipsy Nipper were short on work and were given the freedom to play with a project they themselves would like to design. Naturally, their choice was a semi-acrobatic, single seat, ultra-light sport plane - what else! l have no doubt they envisioned themselves floating around in their own private sport plane during its creation.

The Nipper MK2 was designed by the Avions Fairey SA in England. It flew for the fast time in 1959 and was originally intended for manufacture in kit form. Nippers were sold to aero clubs and private owners in many parts of the world before the design was sold to the Cobelavia Company in Belgium. The MK2 was powered by a 45 HP engine and had a maximum speed of 101 mph and a service ceiling of 3,100 feet.

To me, the design is perfect for modeling. It is round in the right places for beauty and square in the right places for construction. The shoulder wing must be removed and requires a little tight fitting. It is the only factor that keeps it out of the beginner's class. The foam wing is simple to cut and is cored out in the center for lightness.

It has been disappointing to hear that foam cutting is losing popularity with home builders. Even Don Dewey gave away his foam cutter! Could it be that he has been playing with gliders too long? Seriously, I suggest you give foam another try. It will give you perfect wings every time; it is quicker to construct; and it will take more punishment on the field. Balsa is the king of construction materials and always will be. It will stand up to vibration better than just about anything else except one material; you guessed it - foam!

Flying. My Nipper tracked down the runway and lifted off with a little up elevator. The Super Tigre .29 seemed to be plenty of power for round loops and vigorous aerobatics associated with Sunday afternoon flying. The real fun with the Nipper is landings. It was designed for landings and has no equal in this maneuver. Slow flight is exceptional with very little wing drop-off after full stalls. The rudder was less sensitive than I expected and requires more than average travel to be effective.

The roll rate is brisk and axial with extra air speed, The elevator's reaction seems normal for a short coupled airplane and normal movement is recommended. The nose gear should be geared down for shallow turns on the ground because of the short distance between the nose gear and main gear. Actually, there are no bad flight characteristics that I can find after thirty flights, and I feel the Nipper would make. an excellent trainer..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

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