Curtiss P-6E (oz8300)

About this Plan

Curtiss P-6E. Radio control scale model American biplane fighter.

Quote: "On reflection, I think that it was the color plate on the inside cover of the Profile Publications No.45 (RCL-1903) which finally decided me to go ahead and tackle this project. Here, to my mind, was an aircraft which was colorful, plenty of character and also presented something of a challenge. With proportional radio gear, it has now become accepted that with this type of aircraft, no compro-mise need be made in tail areas to make a model fly; this model is an exact scale outline in every respect, though personally, at this stage, I am not ready for the rib-for-rib copy. The plans were drawn from photographically enlarged Wylam drawings to a scale of 1-7/8 in = 1 ft and I am indebted to club member Peter Tearall for his help in this matter.

My thanks are also due to Dick Meixell of Dayton, Ohio, who kindly passed on to me his file on the P-6E, just when I was getting desperate to obtain a decent photograph. None of the construction is tedious, just time-consuming: when you start to flag, keep looking at the color plate from the Profile #45 pinned up on the workshop wall.

CONSTRUCTION (Note: a Monogram 1/72 scale plastic kit is a handy reference of mine)

Wings: I don't like building wings, so I always get them built first, after which I kid myself the model is nearly finished. Start with the top wing—this is made in two halves in the normal manner. Cut out all the wing ribs from medium 1/16 sheet and notch ribs for the front 1/4 x 1/4 spars, but leave notching for rear 1/-8 x 1/4 spruce spars until ribs are fitted. Carefully splice the leading edge spar from 1-1/4 x 1/2 balsa; be accurate here.

Cut out top and bottom trailing edge sheets from 1/16 sheet balsa. Pin lower front 1/4 x 1/4 hard balsa spar over plan and pack up from building board with 1/16 sheet scraps. Glue lower 1/4 x 1/8 spruce spar in place on lower 1/16 sheet trailing edge and pin over plan.

Now glue all ribs in position, notching same for the rear 1/8 x 1/4 spruce spar as required; when dry, glue leading edge in position, then glue in top 1/4 x 1/4 front spar and rear 1/4 x 1/8 spar. Owing to the curvature and taper of the ribs, I found it necessary to attach the upper trailing edge sheeting with contact adhesive. I do suggest you do a couple of dummy runs on this before gluing; use pins as a guide and mark the 1/16" sheeting to line up on a selected rib and you will have no trouble.

Now fit the top leading edge sheeting in place and when dry remove it from the board and fit balsa tip blocks. Build other wing panel and join both with the upper 1/4 x 1/4 spars flat on your building board to give the required dihedral on the lower wing surface only; the top surface of the wing being flat..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 03/01/2016: added article, thanks to RFJ.

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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