Jodel D.9 Bebe (oz6939)

About this Plan

Jodel D9 Bebe. Free flight scale model.

Quote: "Like many ardent scale modellers, Ho Fang-Chiun, a Chinese resident in Sweden was greatly attracted by contributor George Cull's description of the Jodel Bebe in our issue for April '54. Rough calculations showed that a ten-times enlargement of the 1/72nd scale plan would give 275 sq in wing area and a span of 38-1/2in - making it an ideal project for engines of .5 to 1cc. Webra diesels are freely available in Sweden, so one of the little Piccolo .8cc radially mounted engines was selected for the prototype. After early flight tests when dihedral was increased slightly more than scale, the Bebe was soon delighting the residents with its smooth and very scale-like mannerisms in flight.

Ho Fang-Chiun boldy eliminated all thought of a pendulum operated rudder and had no trouble at all with the soft aluminium tab adjustment shown on the plan. However, to satisfy the many British modellers who prefer a pendulum rudder as a margin of safety, he provides alternative details of such a rudder, using the system already proven so successful on the popular APS Dart Kitten (oz1635). Similarly, the drawing caters for the more common beam mounted engines, whilst Piccolo operators can still use the main bulkhead F.2 as a base for their radial mount.

Start building with the wing, making the large flat bottomed centre panel first, not forgetting the ply and thicker centre ribs, then adding the tip portions with indicated dihedral before applying any of the leading edge sheet. When the wing set is firm, add the u/c on its ply plates, then the hard 1/16 sheet for this u/c panel on the bottom surface, and all 1/32 sheet on top surface. Between centre ribs it is let in, though if you prefer, these 1/8 ribs could be cut 1/32 undersize. Add soft tips, and cut out the hand holes as on the full-size.

The tailplane is of lifting section with flat bottom and built simply on the plan. Likewise the rudder for either pendulum or 'permanent' trim. '

Two fuselage sides are made over the drawing with sheet inserts added to come flush with each respective side. the medium to soft balsa for the longetons as the top view curvature is rather sharp about the cockpit. When the sides are thoroughly set, assemble fuselage upside down on the top longeron over the plan view, Join cockpit area spacers first, then add F.3A at the front, and bring together at the rear. When the box frame is complete, remove from the plan and add top formers, sheeting, dowels, and pendulum detail.

Engine mounting plate in 3/16 ply is keyed into F.2 and supported by a triangular section block. Fixed cowl between F.1 and F.2 also supports the mount, whilst the port side of the cowl is made detachable by using four dress snaps. Tank can be fitted in this compartment, windscreen, pitot tube and wheels added, then the whole model covered in lightweight Modelspan and clear doped. The original was finished all-white with black letters."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 18/09/2015: Replaced this plan with a clearer copy (patterned background removed) thanks to TonyP.

Update 15/06/2021: Added additional article from American Modeler, December 1957, thanks to RFJ.

Update 16/06/2021: Belay that. I think this is actually a different model, at smaller span and for CL not FF. Have now extracted the plan and split this into a new listing, see Bebe Jodel (oz13108)

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