Pinata (oz8038)

About this Plan

Pinata. Radio control sport / pylon racer model. Uses cardboard skin construction.

Quote: "RCM introduces 'Stressed Skin' construction, an all new building technique. Except for the firewall, landing gear support, nose block, cowl cheeks, and necessary balsa supports, this 600 sq in Formula II Racer is built entirely from corrugated cardboard for a cost of 30c!

When plastic R/C models started to come into being, I can remember hearing remarks like - too heavy, never fly, cost too much, etc. Well, they came, and are still here, and more popular than ever. The one point in their favor that keeps them popular is the speed with which a modeler can assemble the plane. They are, however, expensive.

This article introduces a new construction material, which is very INEXPENSIVE, as well as a new construction technique. The material is called, 'stressed skin' or in non-technical language, you will hear it called 'corrugated board.'

Competition Models, home of the Starduster (oz6330) the hottest free flight model in the country (what's free flight?) is pioneering this new material and construction technique for R/C models. I can hear the critics now - What does a free flight outfit know about designing, building and flying R/C models? - I guess I can't blame you for being skeptical, so read on and judge for yourself.

To an old model builder this new material and building technique will not have the appeal of balsa, but it is less expensive and very easy with which to work. There is, however, enough balsa used with the stressed skin to keep that old model builder in touch with it. One of my friends commented, after viewing my stressed skin ship - Look at this guy, he has a shop chuck full of balsa and he builds an airplane out of corrugated board!"

The day I developed the idea to try the corrugated board on a model, I hurriedly built a wing out of some regular corrugated box material, since we had received some furniture shipped in it from North Carolina. The wing looked so good I thought I might as well investigate the board to see if better sizes and weights were available. As you can guess I found that there is all types and sizes of corrugated board.

In evaluating the sample wing I decided not to investigate any board over 1/8 thick. At first, my main concern was to try and get the board as thin as possible..."

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