Bootlegger (oz8417)

About this Plan

Bootlegger. RC pattern plane. Wingspan 64 in, area 720 sq in, for .61 power.

Quote: "Bootlegger Instructions.

Outlined below is the construction sequence which we feel will enable you to build your Bootlegger with the least amount of head scratching and in the shortest time possible. Along these lines, we feel you will find the plans very complete with numerous notes to help with the construction details.

Wing and Stab: The wing and stab cores in this kit were cut from blanks which were held flat and true during cutting. When allowed to sit unsupported, most blanks and cores will return to their original shape which may evidence itself as a bowed core. Don't worry about this. The cores, having been cut from true blanks, will result in warp free surfaces if you use the blanks as temporary covering jigs. The following steps describe the correct method of sheeting the wing and stab cores.

1. Glue the trailing edges to the cores and sand to the surface contour. Lightly sand or brush each core to remove loose particles.

2. Prepare 4 wing skins and cut to size, allowing 1/2 in overhang all around. If using edge glued balsa, it is recommended that you begin your skins with full width sheets at the LE and carry them back as far as possible.

3. Select the sheaths from one core to serve as covering cradles. Temporarily attach these to a flat true surface with double-sided ape.

4. Mark the sheath with the wing root on the left as the No.1 cradle. The other sheath (No.2 cradle) was the sheath which was held to a flat true surface during cutting and should be used last to insure a true panel.

5. Apply Southern Sorghum to the skins and cores following the instructions on the bottle. A piece of sponge rubber makes a handy uisposable applicator... "

Update 05/04/2019: Added kit instructions, thanks to Roguedog.

Update 27/9/2025: Added kit review from MAN April 1979, thanks to RFJ.

Quote: "Field & Bench Review: Bootlegger. Southern RC Products kit and OPS 60 engine combine to make a potent pattern package.

Pattern aircraft have come under fire lately from various critics who claim they are too big, too fast, too expensive, or too something or other. There is still, however, no other type of R/C aircraft that flies smoother, or with as much precision, as the .60-powered, trike-geared, low-wing pattern ships. They can penetrate the wind cleanly when other planes (including some of the 'biggies') struggle merely to stay aloft; take off and land crosswind with relative impunity; and fly with enough precision to take the pilot to, the limit of his reflexes and ability.

Southern RC Products' Bootlegger kit represents one of the newest and most advanced pattern planes available. Steve Helms, the plane's designer, has proven its competition ability repeatedly, and placed second in the Masters Pattern at the 78 Nats.

The Bootlegger follows the 'basic kit' concept and includes fiberglass fuselage, molded fiberglass belly pan and pipe compartment floor, foam wing and stab cores, a few plywood parts, fiberglass tape, full-size plans, and instruction sheet. Some builders may prefer a more complete kit, but the 'basic' concept keeps the price competitive and allows the modeler to select his own preference in wing sheeting, balsa, and hardware. The full-size plans, a feature omitted in many fiberglass kits, are very helpful during construction and equipment installation.

The fuselage is molded in dark blue polyester resin with an agent that adds flexibility. Alignment marks for the firewall, thrust line, pipe compartment floor, pipe, and stabilizer openings are molded in. The fuselage and belly pan are very light weight. Polyester resin or Southern WC Epoxy can be used to install the firewall and bulkheads. The vertical fin is not molded in and must be built from balsa and attached to the fuselage. This is a bit more work, but allows the builder to align the fin perfectly. I have seen several fuselages with molded fins that were slightly warped or canted.

Wing cores are cleanly and accurately cut. Each core comes with its own set of packing blocks. This is very convenient when sheeting as it allows one core to be covered, weighted, and set aside while sheeting the other core. The same is true for the stab cores.

While designed with rear exhaust engines in mind, the Bootlegger is perfectly suited to conventional side exhaust engines with or without tuned pipe. Construction in this case is even simpler because the pipe compartment floor is omitted. The kit can also be built with fixed gear or retractable. Because of its large wing area (720 sq in) the Bootlegger could be built with fixed gear and a conventional .60 and the resulting light wing loading should make it a very docile airplane for the less experienced flier's first entry into pattern flying..."

Supplementary file notes

Instructions.
Review.

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