Thunder Panzer (oz6733)

About this Plan

Thunder Panzer. Pattern plane by Rich Brand, RCM plan #619, November 1975.

Quote: "From Rhodesia, and one of the world's best pattern filers, comes this jet-like competition aircraft, designed to perform all FAI aerobatics with a great deal of finesse. Yet, it is an easy airplane to fly and can be handled by the novice. With an HP .61 and pressure carburetor it can really move out and perform the tough vertical maneuvers with ease. The slow speed characteristics are excellent with no tendency to drop a wing during a dead slow landing approach.

The 'Thunder Panzer' was especially designed for my crack at the 1973 World Championships. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the South African Team Selection Trials and, thus, lost my chance to represent South Africa at the World Championships.

Nevertheless the Thunder Panzer lived up to my highest expectations, being able to perform FAI aerobatics with a great deal of finesse. With a HP .61 fitted with pressure carburetor, the model really moves out with a jet-like appearance. The slow speed characteristics are good with no tendency. whatsoever, to drop a wing during a dead slow landing approach. Yet, flick maneuvers are possible and spinning comes natural when required, a good clean entry being achieved without the use of ailerons.

In designing the Thunder Panzer I attempted to capture some of the good points of my previous designs. One innovation, however, was the use of ailerons well outboard of where I thought they should be, The result provided truly axial rolls with minimum drag build-up. I would like to point out that the Thunder Panzer is a very easy aircraft to fly, displaying no vicious characteristics whatsoever. In all sincerity I would recommend it to both Novice and Expert alike. Should you decide to build the Thunder Panzer I would appreciate your comments, and if possible a photo.

Construction. Start by building the wing. After cutting out the foam cores, glue the rear spar in place. Next. epoxy the plywood undercarriage mounts in position, When set, cut out the foam to accept the undercarriage unit. Coat the foam in the recess with epoxy to protect it from solvents which may later find their way in while you are painting. Next, cover the mount with soft 1/16 balsa sheeting and shape to the original airfoil contour.

The wing is now ready for sheeting. Cover the core with one piece of 1/16 prepared balsa sheeting. Apply the contact adhesive with a sponge to both the sheeting and the foam cores to prevent excess glue weight. Use Titebond glue on all areas where wood meets wood, The method I used when covering the cores is as follows: Wet only the leading edge portion of the sheeting with ammonia. Make the initial contact between the foam core and sheeting at right angles. Now, slowly roll the core until one side of the wing is covered. Trim the sheeting at the rear spar. Now roll the core over to make contact on the other side. Trim the sheeting at the rear spar, and use pins to insure that no warps develop while drying, Allow the wet leading edge to dry with the wing standing upright. Failure to do this - ie allowing the wing to dry laying flat on the table could result in a leading edge warp. At this stage the two wing halves can be lightly sanded and trimmed. The sheeting can also be cut away to gain access to the undercarriage recess..."

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, text and pics, thanks to Pit.

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