Bylark (oz7384)

About this Plan

Bylark. Radio control sport model. This is not a full plan, this is an article and some drawings showing how to convert the Carl Goldberg Skylark 56 MkII into a biplane. The full size parts and details shown can be used for this conversion.

Quote: "Just about every modeler is familiar with the fine flying characteristics of Carl Goldberg's well-known Skylark 56 (oz1842). Personally, I have built and flown many of Carl's models over a period of many years, and my favorite has been the Skylark, even before it became the MK2. The Skylane (oz868) and I learned to fly R/C together, and the Falcon 56 (oz2424) was my second model. As I became more proficient (I could take-off and land by myself) I stepped up to the low wing Skylark 56. After a number of years

the Skylark became the MK2, and I knew that I just had to build one of them. This model, powered by an Enya .45 has seen me through many fun flies over the past few years, and continues to reward me with excellent performance and a great deal of pleasure every time I take it out to the flying field. Last fall, while cleaning the Skylark in preparation for its winter hibernation, it occurred to me that because of the very pleasing moments it could be made into a biplane with very little modification.

Since I was planning to build a bipe for sport competition anyway, I figured that I owed the Skylark a new lease on life. A few days at the drawing board with the Skylark MK2 plans convinced me that the changes I would make were few and very simple. A new Skylark kit and a Skylark wing kit provided me with most of what I would need to build the Bylark.

I figured this to be a winter project, but once started, things went together so well that in about three weeks the model was completed. Wouldn't you know, it was now the middle of December and we were in the midst of our first good cold snap (zero degrees). A few days later the weather moderated (14 above), and I could no longer wait to try the new Bylark. I checked everything over one last time, took a few pictures (always take pictures first) and headed out to the Checkerboard flying field.

At this point it might make me look good if I related a tale of many problems that were successfully overcome; but to tell the truth the first flight was almost boring. The model required only slight trim correction, control responses were very good, and the ship showed no apparent bad tendencies. The second flight was a real barn burner; loops, rolls, spins, snaps, and everything I could squeeze into an 11 minute flight. The Bylark is a fast and groovy biplane, capable of performing any maneuver you ask of it. I now have two Bylarks, one powered by a Fox .45BB, the other powered by a K&B .61.

If you already have the Skylark MK2 plans, go ahead and scratch-build one. Any way you go I am sure that you will enjoy the Bylark as much as I do.

Many thanks to Carl Goldberg for kitting an excellent Skylark kit and providing the basis for a sensational Bylark.

Construction. By observing the Skylark plan sheet, photos, and drawings, you should have no problem building the Bylark.

Fuselage: Lay the 1/16 ply fuselage doubler on a flat surface. Lay a straight edge on the length of the doubler. Measure 1-5/16 down from the top at the front of the doubler and 1-1/4 from the top at the rear, as indicated in Figure 1. Draw a line the length of the doubler. This line determines the depth of the cabane struts. Now mark off the other dimensions indicated in Figure 1.

Clamp both doublers together and cut out the 5/8 cabane strut slots. Make the cabane support struts from 1/4 in ply. (Two front and two rear) also, make two upper wing supports from 1/4 ply. Figure 3. Now follow the excellent construction procedures on the Skylark MK2 plans, steps 1 through 9. Don't forget to cut out the tri-strip where it crosses over the cabane strut support slots..."

Attached is James Petrzelka's Bylark Biplane from RCM magazine issue 11-82.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, text and pics.

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