Little Dee (oz8163)

About this Plan

Little Dee. Free flight sport model, for Jetex 50 power.

Quote: "For the sport fan, a ship that looks like a space vehicle - for Jetex 50. Little Dee, by Lorne A Williams.

To put it simply, 'Little Dee' means little delta, that's all. Supplemented by a small wing at the nose, the design is that of a canard. Canards are models which are built on a pusher layout but which have the power plant installed so that it operates in a conventional direction. The perfect example is that of a pusher layout with a prop-driven engine mounted in tractor position. We feel that the mod-l fits into delta class in spite of the two delta wings. However, it might also go under the title 'Double Dee' for those who have any qualms over a proper name.

The ship is obviously the outcome of day dreaming and doodling at the same time. It is, however, more than a doodle for it has run the gamut of trial and error development. Most unknown projects need some extra design work to make them practical. We started with a series of gliders and worked our way up to powered ships. The design you see here is for the popular Jetex 50. We have also built larger ships under the 'Big Dee' label which used the larger Payloader engines.

CONSTRUCTION: Make the main body from two pieces cut to the fuse-lage shape and cement them together to form a lamination 1/8 thick. A stronger body can be made by cutting out one outline and laminating 1/8 sheet to the sides in cross-grain fashion. Doing this will result in a very rigid and split-resistance piece. The intake tubes are formed by wetting the sheet balsa and wrapping it around a dowel or mailing tube. Use rubber bands to hold the sheet in place until the wood dries. If you are the type that hurries, the piece can be forced dried in a warm oven. Please don't try open dame, you might scorch a finger or two - worse you might have to make a fast dive for the sink to put out the fire. That is, if you're fast enough. Patience pays out. The size of the form around which you bend the intake tubes should be 1-1/4 in diameter.

The finished tube is then split in two to obtain the intakes. These are mounted to the slotted gussets to form the oval-shaped assembly shown. Mount the engine clip to the ship from the rear. Note that this is screwed to the engine mount...."

Attached is Lorne A. Williams' Little Dee from Flying Models magazine issue 02-59. Regards, 'theshadow'

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