Don Juan II (oz6715)

About this Plan

Don Juan II. Radio control pattern model.

Quote: "From the Lone Star State comes one of the most beautiful pattern ships we have seen to date. French curves instead of straight lines. Something better. Don Juan II by Don Curtis.

Don Juan II. Something above the crowd. French curves instead of straight lines. Different. Better. (Of course now fellows, this is just my opinion, I realize!).

However, I do think you will agree that this design definitely varies from the squarish shape of most of today's R/C models after having made a few noteworthy comparisons. Most obvious, of course, will be the extensive use of compound curves; the generous use of fillets; and the large, fully elliptical wing.

Why go to all the trouble of building an elliptical wing for an R/C pattern ship? I did it to be different - out of the ordinary. In addition, it is a well-known fact that elliptical wings have less induced drag, which in turn enhances high speed performance.

I decided in the early stages of development that this design had to be fast and as aerodynamically clean as possible in order to perform the large, smooth, high-speed maneuvers necessary in today's competition.

After the initial test flights it was easy to see that Don Juan II lives up to all my expectations. The ship flies at a constant speed throughout the pattern which, along with its smoothness, gives it a very graceful appearance in the air even though it is very fast. The model does beautiful, constant-speed axial rolls with very little elevator correction. The four point rolls, slow rolls and knife-edge flights are extremely smooth and easy to perform.

Construction. Since it is assumed that the construction of Don Juan II will not be attempted by an inexperienced builder, no step-by-step instructions will be discussed here. I will, therefore, discuss only the important construction features.

Fuselage. The 1/8 fuselage sides are constructed using full-length side sheets. Select medium grade balsa of equal density to allow equal bending. Be sure to use contact cement to install the 1/8 balsa doubler, starting at bulkhead A1 and extending rearward to aft of the wing saddle..."

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, text and pics, thanks to SteveBailey.

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