Vultee Vengeance (oz752)

About this Plan

Vultee Vengeance. Rubber scale model WWII dive bomber, by Sid Struhl from 1942 Air Trails.

Quote: "This giant flying scale model has real endurance. It flies like a contest job. Vultee Vengeance, by Sidney Struhl.

SEARCHING for an airplane that could match the performance of the German Stuka, England cast her eyes toward American manufacturers to see what they had to offer. And in answer to John Bull's problem, Vultee comes crashing through with its latest creation - the Vengeance. The Vultee Vengeance is a two-place dive bomber of the most striking design. Perhaps the most unusual item in that design is the wing. The odd-shaped wing was created especially for slowing the ship in a vertical dive to obtain the maximum accuracy with the bomb load.

The bomb is carried inside the fuselage and is swung into posi-tion for release by a special arm.

Of course, much of the performance figures of the Vengeance are still a much-guarded secret. We do know, however, that power is supplied by a 1,700 horsepower Wright Cyclone engine, the range is 1,000 miles, service ceiling is 27,000 feet, and the climb is 2,900 feet a minute for the first five minutes. Due to the wing design, the diving speed is less than the maximum horizontal velocity.

As a flying-scale model, the Vultee Vengeance is a pippin. Flights are rather fast but exceedingly stable. Flights of two minutes were very common in still evening air. The glide is really something to behold, and when the ship comes floating in for a landing - well, it sure looks like the real thing. The construction is not too difficult, and if the plans are studied carefully beforehand, you should find no trouble in completing your Vengeance.

CONSTRUCTION. Use the half-shell construction method for making the fuselage. This is the best system for a fuselage of this type, since there are so many straight lines in the fuselage.

Cut the fuselage bulkheads to the exact shape as shown on the plans. Now pin the top and bottom 1/16 x 1/8 center stringers in place, then the bulkhead halves on the plans in their proper locations. Now add the remaining fuselage stringers. These are all 1/16 x 1/8 strips of balsa. Put two coats of cement on each joint and be sure that the cement has set firmly before you remove the frame from the plans.

Note that bulkhead K is made from three pieces of 1/16 sheet glued cross-grain. This strength is needed to hold the rear hook. Bend the rear hook from .049 music wire and ce-ment very firmly in K.

Cement the remaining fuselage halves to their corresponding members, allow to dry and then add the rest of the fuselage stringers. Cut the cockpit from 1/16 sheet and cement in place. Add the 1/16 sheet fill-in around the wing joint and the soft 1/8 sheet fill-in to simulate the cowling..."

Update 04/03/2019: Added article, thanks to RFJ.

Update 22/2/2023: Replaced this plan with a re-scaled version now at fullsize, wingspan 42 in, thanks to GeorgeCooke.

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