Don Quixote (oz6971)

About this Plan

Don Quixote (Samolot Amatorski J-1 Don Quixote). Radio control sport-scale model. An electric powered sport scale version of the Polish home built pusher aircraft. Wingspan 52in (1/6 full size) for direct drive using a 540 buggy motor, 3 channel radio, 7 cells. AUW 48oz, wing area 370 sq ins, wing loading 18.3 oz/sq ft.

Quote: "An electric powered Sport Scale model of a Polish home-built aircraft.

Being a scale modeler at heart, I began looking for a prototype which I felt Li would be ideal for an electric powered model. I finally decided that 'Don Quixote' would be the right subject, for the following reasons:

(1) There is plenty of room inside the pylon for any standard size receiver and a motor speed controller. The main flight pack battery could be placed in the fuselage below these to provide plenty of pendulum stabili-ty, thereby not requiring ailerons as a result.
(2) It is a reasonably simple and cheap model to build, e.g., a box-type fuselage and a constant chord wing.
(3) It is a reasonably good looking, even pretty, airplane.
(4) A pusher propeller is very efficient, and furthermore, you don't break props or bend motor shafts.

The motor 1 used was a Schumacher (22 Turn Club 10) 540, although any similar size 540 motor will do. I need say no more, except that the first flight of this model confirmed all my thoughts on the subject, I had a perfect hand-launch and a 12-minute flight. It could have been longer had I chosen to let the model climb really high, instead of holding it down to enable me to enjoy it more closely!

You will be able to use your existing radio, servos, RX, and 500 or 600 mA battery pack. You will need a speed controller or switch, plus, of course, the main power pack consisting of seven sub C cells of 1400 to 1700 mAh capacity, and a means to charge them. There you have it; if you fancy a bit of fun electric scale, here's how to do it. I usually start by building the wing.

Wing: Commence by making the main spars from two pieces of 3/8 x 1/4 in balsa, then gluing the 1/8 x 1/4 in hardwood on the top and bottom. It is best to use aliphatic glue for this, as you can adjust the straightness if nec-essary while the glue is still wet; binding the spars together with soft cord or string. Set aside to dry. Meanwhile, make templates for the ribs WI and W2 from 1/16 ply - make sure that they are accurately profiled and smooth. Using the templates, cut out eighteen W2 ribs and four W1's..."

Dennis Tapsfield's Don Quixote from issue 09-95.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 26/08/2015: Replaced the article supplement with a clearer copy, thanks to theshadow.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, text and pics.

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