Mockingbird (oz7202)

About this Plan

Mockingbird. Radio control canard pusher sport model.

Quote: "TTry this .19 to .30 powered canard with the option of making it a pusher or tractor powered model. David Pulliam feels that anyone who passed the totally novice stage should not have any trouble building this bird. Mockingbird, by David Pulliam.

I have been intrigued with the Canard (which is French for 'duck') configuration since my association with Charles Green of Swearingen Aircraft Corp, who assured me that a canard could be made stable. That, of course, was well before I had heard of Burt Rutan's Vari-Eze. As luck would have it though, we went our separate ways before I could glean the how-to's from him. I have subsequently attempted several canard models, none of which could be termed a success, until the Mockingbird flew.

The Mockingbird is a composite of bits of information and ideas from numerous and scattered sources; thus the name. I can't begin to give a bibliography but foremost in my mind are: the aforementioned Charles Green; Andy Lennon, author of a Model Airplane News series and correspondence; and Charles Duke of our local Columbus-Fort Benning (GA) R/ Flyers, who gave valuable theoretical and flying expertise with several of my previous models.

This model was designed to test several bits of information, to match iny flying skills (or lack thereof), my economical traits (low power), and a firm desire for it to look like an 'aircraft.' I estimated that a sturdy structure of some four to four and a half feet span could be built that would weigh three to three and a half pounds. The wing loading would then be in the one pound per square foot range and quite flyable on a .15 to .30 engine. After several enjoyable hours with a calculator, a few books, some ire from my wife, etc, more definite parameters evolved. The only disappointment in the model as originally sketched is the half pound of excess weight, which included 6 ounces of lead in the nose. I still haven't figured out a way to eliminate that excess without weakening the structure, except that a lighter engine mount would help. The four pound weight of the original gives a 17-1/2 oz/sq ft wing loading.

I considered moving the pusher engine 1/2 in forward but realized that would save only a fraction of an ounce of note weight and would make access to the plug awkward. Incidentally, the box you see between the main gear in the pictures does not represent an omission in the plans; the plane was built for a radio with smaller servos than the Futaba now installed..."

Hi Mary/Steve - Here is David Pulliam's Mockingbird from RCM magazine issue 03-87... Regards,

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, text and pics. Also, cover pic from magazine.

Corrections?

Did we get something wrong with these details about this plan (especially the datafile)? That happens sometimes. You can help us fix it.
Add a correction