DHC-2 Beaver (oz7394)

About this Plan

DHC-2 Beaver. Free flight scale model.

Quote: "The D.H.C.2 Beaver fulfilled my requirements admirably providing a model with a radial cowling which allowed plenty of room for an upright motor, a reasonably long undercarriage sprouting from an ample fuselage, and filletless wings permitting an easily detachable fixing. Above all the Beaver is a good looking aeroplane having rugged yet clean lines.

The original model was powered by an E.D. Bee though an Amco 0.87 or any other good engine of a similar capacity could manage as efficiently. Anything smaller would have difficulty in dealing with the fairly high wing loading. The pendulum rudder was fitted to cure instability which resulted from the small dihedral angle.

The sprung undercarriage was fitted after the prototype had been flown because it was found that downwind landings on tufty ground or ploughed fields tended to tear Former No.5 away from the fuselage sides. The installation of sorbo pads and gussets cured this and the present undercarriage will deal satisfactorily with all landings on reasonable terrain in normal weather conditions.

The weight of the original was 16-3/4oz but in spite of this, with the CG at about 50 per cent of the chord, quite a slow glide was obtainable.

The model has stood up well to 'cartwheel' landings, which occured before the fitting of the pendulum rudder. On one occasion half of the tail-plane became loose and began to fall off. Once clear of the locating peg it turned through 90 deg. so that it was vertical in relation to the airstream. The only damage resulting from the ensuing 50 ft plunge to earth was a cracked rudder..."

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