RC Voodoo (oz7775)

About this Plan

RC Voodoo. Radio control version of the classic CL combat design. Plan and article showing modifications to a Goldberg Voodoo CL kit to convert to radio control flying. Wingspan 36in, for .19 power.

Quote: "Whether for combat or sport, converting the Goldberg kit is quick and easy. Same alterations for any CL wing. Voodoo for radio, by Ed SWeeney.

I REALLY THOUGHT Terry Prather had flipped his lid when he walked into the MATS Trade Show in January, 1970, carrying a radio-controlled Combat Winder. He had designed the control line plane for the Sterling kit and he had a small radio, so the parts got together with a rear rotor K&B 40 up front. Terry wanted a hot Open Pylon racer and he had created just that.

It occurred to me that RC Combat with this type of plane might be interesting, so I purchased a Goldberg Double Voodoo (oz3693) kit and an Enya 35. The Double Voodoo kit provides two complete models in one box for $9.95. Originally designed by Riley Wooten many years ago, it is an old kit but still a winner in control line circles. Being a simple and small model, the ship went together easily, including modifications for RC as shown on the plans. The RC version could be built in two evenings with fast glue and a kind wife.

One Saturday, three hairy flights using the 35 engine were made - enough to prove that this Voodoo was overpowered and potentially dangerous. However, the ship was stable and predictable, although hard to see. That evening the nose was modified to take a ST 19. Sunday's flying with the smaller engine proved that this was a fine, safe flier. Before the second Voodoo was built, several other modelers flew the original and everyone liked its performance. We felt that RC Combat was just about to begin, but no one would make a model to fly against the Voodoo. So, the second Voodoo was made and tested; then came Toledo.

The rest is history. Don Lowe, John Elliott and I flew these two Voodoos in RC combat for the first time at the show. We used short leaders and streamers. No cuts were made, but the fun had begun. An event was born.

Construction of the Voodoo begins with obtaining the kit, which is old but still available at most hobby shops. The plans presented here show the necessary modification for converting the ship from control line to RC. The Voodoo could be scratch-built, but it is easier and cheaper to buy the kit.

Other items required are a 19 engine with muffler or a 15, a two-oz. fuel tank, two-in. spinner, RC-type hinges, aileron material, a 6 x 12 x 1/16 in ply sheet, and control parts. Step by step construction instructions are provided in the kit, as are most of the parts.

Assemble the plane, keeping in mind that ready-to-fly it must weigh (less fuel) two lb - no more and no less. With this weight restriction, the radio compartment can be beefed up to protect the vital parts from crash damage. An aluminum equipment hatch is a good idea. Our models weighed well under two lb, so build and protect accordingly.

Flying is easy, but seeing the Voodoo in flight is hard. It appears as a thin line, and overhead it is symmetrical. New reflexes must be developed, based on discovering which way the ship goes with each control movement. The aileron and elevator controls quickly must become second nature, without regard to up or down or left and right. The model is not particularly sensitive.

By all means use the ten-ft leader and ten-ft streamer on all flights. Without the streamer, the Voodoo flies faster, but that's all. Launch the model by releasing underhand with a slight up-ward toss. It will climb out almost vertically VTO style."

Supplementary file notes

Article page, text and pics.

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