Victa Airtourer 115 (oz7908)

About this Plan

Victa Airtourer 115. Radio control scale model.

Quote: "A magnificent scale model of the Australian Victa Airtourer 115. For .60 engines, this is one scale model that flies the way you wished all RC models flew by George Hahn.

The June/July 1963 issue of Air Progress featured two photographs of the Victa Airtourer which immediately caught my eye as its proportions seemed ideal for Radio Control flying. Correspondence was initiated with Victa Ltd, Aviation Div, Horsley Rd, Milperra, NSW Australia, and a factory print was gracing the drawing board in a matter of weeks. Since that time, I have had a great deal of correspondence with Victa who have been most cordial in cooperating with me as far as sending additional information. I have recently been informed, though, that the company no longer is manufacturing the Airtourer.

The drawings and basic balsa structure were all but completed by December of 1963, but that was all I could accomplish for a full year, finally finishing the model by the late Spring of 1965. The one and only problem was to be forming the large (8 x 17 x 4-1/2 inch) canopy. A commercial contract for the canopy was prohibitive from a cost standpoint (minimum $50.00) and a homemade process was finally hit upon at minimum cost and with excellent results.

Two models of the Airtourer (110 and 115) are shown on the factory print, and my choice of the 115 model, due to the longer and cleaner nose moment, was toward a plane that might balance more easily. The choice appeared right, as the model balanced on the spar line and flew 'off the board.' Although the plane weighed 8-1/2 pounds and a small wing area of then 586 square inches gave it a loading of over 34 ounces, the model had a tendency to climb on full throttle; going to 1/2 to 3/4 power on the ST .56, without changing the trim setting, gave the plane a most realistic airspeed. Handling was very smooth, with ailerons being no problem if one prefers them sensitive.

If you've noticed, I have been mostly using the past tense the last few sentences. The reason being a disaster at the 1965 Nationals when a poor aileron linkage and a balky servo combined to distract me enough from observing an upcoming stall at about 20 feet. The results of this crash prompted me to rebuild the front end, completely enclosing the engine, plus a new wing was to be built full scale. The original wing was balsa using the V-spar construction found in most models; landing gear was formed wire. The new wing is a foam core, box spar type, and scaled down to a dural aluminum gear, bolted to basswood spars. Flaps have also been added as the model is 'hot' due to the high wing loading. In addition, a decreased landing speed may be desired by some modelers who will build the Airtourer.

The flaps, in fact, are practically a must for take-off's from a short field. I presently use only about 1/3 flaps for take-offs, although our field is quite large. If you've never used full flaps before, I heartily recommend them as they make your touch downs not only more realistic, but less nerve-racking from high speed approaches, as the wing loading is now up to 40 oz/sq ft!

The plans show interior fittings which have been included on the rebuilt model. These call for servo installation at the cockpit rear and may present a problem to some, when balancing, due to differences in servo weight or individual construction choices. This problem may be compensated for by placing the battery pack to the left of the engine or installing servos on the larger servo rail and not including a full-scale cockpit. In either case it is recommended that the 3/8 x 1/2 in servo rail be installed for the strength factor alone. The receiver is mounted at the location of the right scat if a cockpit is included.

The rebuilt plane, using a ST .60, now weighs in at 9-1/2 lbs, plus any weight needed for balancing. It balances between the spar and rear CG with approximately 3 oz of lead in a compartment right behind the front of the cowl.

The instrument panel was fabricated from 1/8 in aluminum sheet in two pieces. Tatone paper dials are glued to the back of the instrument section which is then bolted to the main panel; the main panel, in turn, is bolted to the front of the cockpit where blind nuts have been inserted.

A feature not common to aircraft is the position of the joystick, which is on the center console for use from either seat. The cockpit seats and console are a box affair which is attached via blind mounting nuts on the main servo rail.

If you want a full scale model that flies just the way you wished all your planes would fly, this is it! The plane grooves so nicely I have been putting off a temptation to build a duplicate or two for my everyday flying. Try one and see if you agree..."

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