Phantom (oz8049)

About this Plan

Phantom. Semi scale sport model for radio control.

Quote: "Everyone has his hangup. Mine happens to be anything with wings, but in particular, the Phantom jet. It's not hard to get hookecl on this beast; in fact, you'll try harder not to. It all started about five years ago. Anytime I was close to Lambert Field, I would stop and watch planes embark and depart. Once in a while, one of these Phantoms would come roaring in fast and loud with its flaps and wasp-like gears extended. When it hits the deck the jet blast deafens your ears and shakes your bones, and if this doesn't make your imagination whirl and your skin tingle - buddy, you're dead!

Back in those days, I was a U-controller. So I decided to build a close-to-scale carrier event type Phantom jet with throttle, flaps, and arresting hook. I tried to gather as much info as possible through magazines, plastic scale models, and actual photos of the plane. I still remember the day when I nonchalantly drove past a couple of McDonnell guards, stopped as close to a Phantom as I could get, and got out of my car and tried to get a photo of it. About that time an excited guard came running up to find out what I was up to. I simply explained that I wanted a couple of photos to construct a model plane. Then he simply explained that I could be a spy, for all he knew. While he was trying to decide whether to shoot me or turn me over to the funny farm, I made good my escape. From then on I stuck to other sources of gathering material!

I was ready to fly my new creation in the summer of '64; and fly it did. I probably would never win any contests, but it really impressed me with its stability and realistic appearance. On low motor, with flaps and hook down, it would fly with about a 25° nose high attitude. Then one day it happened! Somebody was flying a big free flight - no - it was a new fangled radio controlled airplane! I had never thought about, or paid any attention to, R/C until that day. I can't remember the fellow's name. However, he was very patient and he demonstrated his Taurus (oz612) with a Controlaire tube type reed rig. He was just passing through St. Louis, so I never did get to know him. But I decided right there that it was just a matter of time before I could save enough to get a modern Controlaire transistorized reed set. have built quite a few R/C kits and had good success with all. When I was able to purchase an Orbit 6-1255, I realized I could now build my dream plane.

Unfortunately, the Phantom does not lend itself to scale. However, its lines can be captured in semi-scale. My first intention, when I started this plane, was to build a lightweight con-test ship. But when I started the plans, I could see the possibilities for something really different, not just another Kwik-Fli (oz6526) - sorry, Phil. I have been building models since I was knee-high to a landing gear, and this was my fifth R/C model. I have spent a lot of time designing the Phantom and tried to put the best of my experience and what I could learn from my fellow R/C friends into it.

After reading some of R/C Model-er's design articles, I decided to use most of the recommendations they came up with. To give the plane good rolling and inverted flight tendencies, I used inline thrust, wing, and elevator alignment. To give the plane good stability and low speed flight characteristics, I used a delta wing design with flaps, stall plates, and dihedral and washout in the wing tips. To give the plane clean flowing lines, all con-trol horns are enclosed. To save weight and time, I use what I call 'hollow ribless wing construction'. For strength and durability, the plane has two coats of Sig epoxy brushed on. These are merely some of the design highlights.

The nervousness generated by getting the Phantom ready for its first flight was only surpassed by my day at the altar, but that's another story. I cleverly shanghaied one of my best friends as test pilot, Charlie Litzau. Now Charlie's a lousy flier, but he does sell some fantastic insurance policies cheap. After several postponements - you know - too much wind, not enough wind, too much sun, not enough rain, etc., we ran out of excuses. But all of our anxieties were unwarranted. This ship bore straight and true down the strip, then lifted beautifully skyward.

The Phantom flies magnificently and really shines on rolls and inverted flight. Landings are very realistic with the ship coming in nose high to touchdown. Inspired? Let's start construction; later on in the article we will discuss flying in more detail.

Construction. I will try not to get too detailed with the construction section. However, I will try to answer questions for the newcomers. Let me say first that the Phantom is very straightforward and easy to build. Read the plans thoroughly and get a clear mental picture before starting to build. Weight is always a problem so use lightweight contest balsa and watch the amount of epoxy you use. The basic main wing should be constructed first..."

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, text and pics.

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