Little Dragon (oz7293)

About this Plan

Little Dragon. Single channel sport model for .09 - .15 power.

Quote: "A 49 inch span 'traditional' type sport single channel model. Little Dragon, by Hoh Fang Chiun.

THIS little sport design is recommended if you want fun at low expense and little effort. It is easy to build, robust in construction and possesses a constant stable flight performance once the model is trimmed. Powerplant can be any diesel or glow engine of .09 to .15 capacity. Any radio outfit providing rudder and motor throttle controls may be readily installed. Because there are so many suitable R/C outfits available on the market I did not specify any particular installation on the plan. My original prototype uses German Variophon-Varioton 4-channel outfit, with a Bellarnatic servo for rudder and a Servo-autoMatic servo for throttle, the installation of which is clearly shown in the photograph.

The construction of the model is quite conventional, so building it should not offer difficulties even to beginners. As can be seen from the plan, materials used are often generous, so you should select only medium or medium-soft balsa wood throughout the entire model, in order to keep the weight down. I find this a better method than using hard stock of lesser proportions.

Construction. Wing. After cutting the ribs and spars from the indicated wood, pin down the trailing edge directly on the plan, over wax paper or polythene sheet - having previously cut the appropriate notches in the trailing edge. When cutting these notches, make them slightly undersize for a tight fit to the ribs. Cement all ribs in place except centre rib WA, using pins to hold these in position while they are drying. Note that rib WB is cut 1/16 in undersize, top and bottom, to hold the centre section sheet covering. Add 3/16 in sq top spar and leading-edge stock while the panel is still on the working board. Now cement the lower spar and sheet wingtip in place.

The opposite wing panel is built in same manner having traced it through to the back of the drawing. The three dihedral braces are cut from 3/32 plywood. To join the wing panels, first cement brace BB to the 3/16 thick centre rib WA, checking carefully that the joint is at right-angles..."

Quote: "Steve, Attached is a copy of the Little Dragon plan by Hoh Fang-Chiun. I was given a well used copy of this plan by a friend in the early 70s. My Little Dragon had a Alan Mercury 1.5cc diesel up front and was modified to take 2 channel proportional r/c gear controlling rudder and elevator. I learnt to fly with this combination, the Little Dragon was very stable and could even carry out some basic aerobatic manoeuvres, I seem to remember performing loops, Immelmann's and very slow barrel rolls. Great fun."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 13/04/2016: Article pages, text & pics added, thanks to RFJ.

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