EAA Biplane (oz6664)

About this Plan

EAA Biplane. Radio control scale model of the homebuilt biplane.

Quote: "A delightful scale model with classy lines and sporty appearance, it builds quickly and flies with ease, just like the real plane. EAA Biplane, by Nick Ziroli.

HOME-BUILTS! You can't help but admire them; they are so varied and personalized, Their builders work in garages, cellars and back yards to build them. Some are real Works of art.

My favorite home-builts are the little biplanes. They look exciting and must be a real thrill to fly. If I had a pilot license, I know I would build one. Since I don't have the required license, I decided to do the next best thing. That is, build a scale R/C model of one. I wanted something that would perform as I imagined the full-size bipes do.

The 'EAA Bipe' was picked from the many standard designs for a number of reasons, the most important being its classic appearance. It looks like an old-timer from the barnstorming days, yet at the same time, has a modern sporty appearance.

The EAA Biplane Model P was inspired by EAA president Paul Poberezny, back in 1955. Although the original was a complete success performance-wise, a few changes were made to improve its appearance and ease of duplication. Over 1600 sets of plans have been purchased by prospective home-builders since they were made available in 1964.

For $15, you can purchase all the drawings and detail sheets required to build the full-size bipe. Reproducing these for a 2 in to 1 ft scale model proved a simple task. I made everything exact scale except the stabilizer area. Its length was increased 2 in. Now that I have flown the model, I don't feel this was necessary. The scale outline is shown on the plan, for those who may desire to use it.

One deviation from scale I wish I had made but didn't, is the location of the landing gear. Its position is a little too far forward for dependable ground handling as a model. Rudder must be handled very carefully during the acceleration to flying speed. If a takeoff is attempted in a haphazard way, it is sure to result in a ground loop. The landing gear could be easily modified to move the wheels about 3/4 in to the rear. This would reduce ground-loop tendencies considerably. The scale position is shown on the plan.

The model has about 460 sq in of wing area and weighs a few ounces under 5 lb ready-to-go. I powered it with a ST 40 running an 11x4 Tornado prop. A ST Muffler has been used for all the flying. It is required equipment on all the local fields.

As far as performance goes, I think it's pretty great. It goes wherever you put it, and at the same time, it looks pretty. This is a plane that can be flown by anyone with any size engine. It is meant to be a small high-powered model to take advantage of the modern proportional equipment. A 35 should be considered minimum power, with a 45 not being out of the question as maximum engine size. No matter what power you use, keep an eye on weight. Try to keep the completed plane under 5 lbs.

Construction is pretty much conventional. The only thing that is out of the ordinary is the cabane strut mounts. Here, the engine mounts also serve as the strut mount. This has proved to be simple, strong and easy to align.

Begin construction with the fuselage sides. Cut them from medium hard 3/32 sheet and the doublers, both inside and out-side, from medium 1/4 in sheet. Cement the doublers and up-rights to the sides, making one right and one left. While this is drying overnight, cut out the formers and wing ribs..."

Hi Steve, Here is Nick Ziroli's EAA Biplane from American Aircraft Modeler 1969 Annual.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, text and pics.

Corrections?

Did we get something wrong with these details about this plan (especially the datafile)? That happens sometimes. You can help us fix it.
Add a correction