Sting Ray (oz8082)

About this Plan

Sting Ray. Radio control sport aerobatic model.

Quote: "I simply didn't care for what I saw on the flying fields so I decided to do something about it. Being a former ukie stunt flier, I wanted to see beauty and grace in my aircraft.

R/C Class III designs are in a drastic rut insofar as being conventional is concerned. I feel that, for me at least, the Sting Ray is a step in the right direction. A lot of fliers will scoff at the cowled inverted engine, but they can stay in their rut. You and I will step forward and, at least, try to improve, beautify, and put realism into our aircraft. After all, that is why we fly radio control.

The first prototype of the Sting Ray flew 'right off the drawing board.' The only modification I had to make was to the landing gear, which was too far apart. I recommend a twenty-four inch wheel width for this particular design. The Top Flite Taurus nose gear tiller arm proved to be too sensitive, and I subsequently found that a tiller one inch in length was quite satisfactory.

Insofar as the general acceptance of the Sting Ray is concerned, it has been overwhelming. The very fact that well known R/Cers have shown a definite interest in this ship has confirmed my own idea that R/Cers, in general, are looking for more modern and realistic designs.

Okay, so much for the sales pitch. You guys who will be spending your money to build the Sting Ray (or stealing your wife's grocery loot) will want to know how she performs. In one word - beautifully! I use a Super Tigre .56 and a Rev-Up 12 x 5 prop. With this combination she is a sweet, docile aircraft. With an 11 x 8-1/4 she becomes a hot contest stunt ship. If a bumble thumb like me can fly this airplane, anyone can fly it. Even a beginner!

Insofar as the construction of the Sting Ray is concerned, it is quite simple, and anyone with a moderate amount of build-ing knowhow will find little difficulty in putting this bird together. If you should have a problem, or a question, drop me a line c/o Dean Hawks, 2950 West Lynrose Drive, Apt. R2, Anaheim, California.

Construction. I normally begin construction with the fuselage. Take a sheet of 1/6 x 4 x 48 inch medium soft balsa and mark the location and dimension points of bulkheads, wing centerline, and engine mount bearer, on the wood itself. Then, with a ball point pen, draw the fuselage outline on the balsa.

Cut out the fuselage side, then trace this on a similar sheet of matched wood for the other side. Make absolutely certain your wing cradle will give you a 0 degree incidence and is absolutely true to the airfoil curve.

Next, cut your spinner bulkhead, fire-wall, and next two bulkheads. The firewall is cut from 1/4 in plywood. Now cut two 3/32 plywood doublers and glue them in place with Titebond or epoxy. While these are drying, mark the holes in the firewall for the nosegear mount, throttle control linkage, and fuel draw and air vent tubing. Drill these accurately. Now epoxy the firewall in place..."

Supplementary file notes

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