Powerhouse 020 (oz703)

About this Plan

Powerhouse 020. Free flight power model. Wingspan 36 in, for .020 Cox power.

The Powerhouse (oz5644) first appeared in MAN, Nov 1939. This here is a later and smaller version by Gene Wallock in MB 1974.

Quote: "Old Timer Model Of The Month. Famous Sal Taibi design, reduced to .020 Replica size, by GENE WALLOCK, text by JOHN POND.

This month's design, the Powerhouse (oz5644) by Sal Taibi, first appeared in Model Airplane News in November 1939. The model had been featured in many published photos prior to his, notably for its ability to rise off water. Up to this time, most designs employing the Forster 99 engine, ranged in size from 9 to 12 feet in wingspan. Taibi was the first to exploit the power potentialities of the Forster 99 in a smaller model designed strictly for the 1939 limited motor run events.

The Powerhouse reflects Sal Taibi's philosophy of model building to a tee; keep 'em simple and they simply fly! The construction of the original Power- house was simple, strong, and light; the main reason so many have been built.

According to Sal, he actually built a smaller version of the Powerhouse, but the details of this design have been since lost in limbo. Attesting to the popularity of the Powerhouse design, an English kit produced in the 1941-1945 era called the Air Master, put out by the Cloud Mfg Co, was an absolute dead ringer to Sal's design. A smaller version was alleged to have been kitted, but the author has been unable to find a trace of this one.

The Powerhouse design is so popular that since being accepted in the Antique Class, it has taken all places in this event time and time again. The model flies in the classic cabin method; left under power, right in glide. The .020 version being presented is remarkably similar in power pattern.

Gene Wallock is responsible for the .020 plan being offered this issue. The model flew so well, that your F/F Flying Scale Editor, Fernando Ramos, had to build one. Fernando reports the model checked out almost perfectly on the first flight-only two test flights were required!

This model will also make an ex- cellent vehicle for the new .020 Old Timer Free Flight Replica radio con- trolled event presently being proposed by the Old Timer Eagles for the SAM Championships at Lakehurst. Using the small Ace Radio single channel system for rudder-only (weight is only 2-1/2 oz), this ship makes an excellent competition model. In a 20 second engine run contest, who needs motor control? With the undercambered wing section, the Powerhouse can be a threat from most any altitude. Try one and see!"

Update 28/07/2014: Replaced this plan with a clearer copy, thanks to theshadow.

Supplementary file notes

Planfile includes article.

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