Cherry Bomb (oz6802)

About this Plan

Cherry Bomb. Radio control sport model for .19 power.

Quote: "The 'Cherry Bomb' is guaranteed to put a little zest back into your sport flying activities and also is an airborne attention getter! By Bob Wallace.

Cherry Bomb, a term with perhaps little significant meaning for younger modelers, but one that brings back fond memories for many fellow members of the 'over the hill gang.' Who can forget the Big Boomer, the granddaddy of all audio pyrotechnics, the M-80 of its day. With its deep roar, which was easily distinguishable from the 'snap, pop and crack' of less potent fireworks; the 'legislated out of existence' Cherry Bomb still remains as a term synonymous with raucous power or high performance.

The R/C aircraft which is the subject of this article is aptly named. Under full power and moderate control surface throws, it is a real 'boomer.' It is fast and responsive, yet smooth, with a roll rate somewhat akin to a flying corkscrew. With reduced control surface rates, it becomes a far more docile aircraft and well-within the flying capabilities of any intermediate level sport flier, who is a thoroughly proficient four control function flier. Obviously, the Cherry Bomb is not a beginner type aircraft! It is a fast flying sport-type aircraft.

The design of the Cherry Bomb was precipitated by an urge to produce a high performance sport aircraft, with good flight characteristics, that would be a bit different, be easy and quick to build, inexpensive, and one possessing a military appearance. Being a hand launch type, it can be easily flown from any type of open area and its high performance with a conventional .19 size engine will put most of the present .40 to .60 size sport type aircraft to shame. The key to obtaining optimum performance, however, is in keeping it light. Our Cherry Bomb weighed 41 ounces ready to fly, with standard size servos and receiver and a four ounce fuel tank. We did opt for a 100 mah battery pack instead of the normal 450 mah pack, in order to reduce weight by several ounces.

Construction. The only construction phase that could be defined by some as being somewhat difficult is the cutting of the foam wing cores; due to their rather sharp taper. The foam cores shown in this article were cut by the author with no problems, however, this step is simplified if two people do the cutting with each person operating one end of the hot wire cutting bow. Foam is inexpensive, so it is no great loss if you ruin a piece or two in order to obtain a set of good cores.

The core cutting templates shown in the photo were cut from scrap pieces of plastic laminate (Formica). They can also be made out of 3/32 to 1/8 plywood or 1/16 aluminum. Half of the secret to obtaining good foam cores is to use good smooth templates. Be sure that there are no burrs or rough spots on them which will cause the hot wire to 'hang up' and produce a ridge in the foam core. It also helps to slightly radius the template edges and to wax them prior to use. I use an old candle for this purpose. For those modelers with no foam cutting experience, RCM offers an excellent book..."

Hi Steve - Here is Bob Wallace's Cherry Bomb from RCM magazine issue 10-81.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

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Article pages, text and pics.

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