Cirrus (oz8532)

 

Cirrus (oz8532) 1969 - plan thumbnail

About this Plan

Graupner Cirrus. Radio control scale model sailplane. Wingspan 3m. Scale is approx 1/6. This kit used a ready-moulded ABS plastic fuselage.

Quote: "The model version of the Cirrus sailplane offers a wingspan of 118-1/8 in, approximate scale is 1/6th.

The design of the model required several deviations from the dimensions of the fullsize machine in order to gain optimum flight characteristics and performance.

The photos show the sailplane owned by the Fliegergruppe Wolf Hirth of Kirchheim/Teck. This plane carries the name 'Rolf Kuntz'. It sports a slightly larger wingspan than the standard version.

A prominent feature of the model's wing is its high aspect ratio. With a ratio of 1:17 it closely resembles the fullsize ship's shape. Thanks to its torsion box leading edge and the appropriately selected airfoil shape the wing is nonetheless torsionally stiff and strong.

In the case of the canopy no attempt has been made to duplicate the intersection between the fixed and the sliding section of the canopy. He who wishes to incorporate such detail may paint it on, using a non-shrinking varnish (such as Alyyfiz enamel varnish, ident no 1470). Refer to plan for details.

As a departure from fullsize practice the model has been designed with a full floating stabilator. This is an adventage from both a constructional and an aerodynamic point of view. In the case of the all moving ailplane the entire surface is used for control about the transverse axis. It is movably mounted and operated via a control horn in the case of the radio control model.

Just like its full size counterpart the Cirrus model is not a dyed-in-the-wool aerobatic model. This is easily recognised from its configuration.

As the model will be generally flown without aileron control, a dihedral angle of 6° has been selected as suiting its wing span best. Wing attachment points at the fuselage are designed for this dihedral angle.

But even if equipped with ailerons the Cirrus is incapable of flying rolls. In this case the ailerons must only be used for attitude control and to initiate circling flight.

Attention: If you are going to incorporate ailerons, please do read the R/C Installation instructions first. For the model equipped with ailerons the dihedral angle may be reduce to approx 4°. To this end the four wire prongs (104) must be bent accordingly. The gap formed by this modification between fuselage and wing panels should be fulled by a conical false rib..."

Note this kit used a ready-moulded ABS plastic fuselage, but see Cirrus Fuselage (oz9876) for a plan showing alternative built-up balsa replacement fuselage design, by Trevor Faulkner.

Update 10/04/2018: Added kit reviews from RCM&E December 1969 & Radio Modeller November 1969, thanks to RFJ.

Update 13/10/2020: Added kit review from Flying Models, June 1970, thanks to RFJ.

Update 15/12/2020: Added kit review from MAN, April 1969, thanks to RFJ.

Update 13/10/2021: Added motor mount pod drawing, thanks to Pit.

Update 8/2/2024: Added instructions in German, thanks to Reinhard. Note this file includes some photos and an exploded view which do not appear in the English file.

Update 28/5/2024: Added mods article, titled "Mods to a Cirrus" written by Howard G McEntee, from MAN March 1972, thanks to Pit.

Update 28/5/2024: Added the 2 missing pages to the end of the mods article.

Supplementary file notes

Instructions.
Instructions (de).
Mods article, 1972.
Motor mount.
Reviews.

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Cirrus (oz8532) 1969 - model pic

Datafile:

ScaleType:
  • Schempp-Hirth_Cirrus | help
    see Wikipedia | search Outerzone
    ------------
    Test link:
    search RCLibrary 3views (opens in new window)


    ScaleType: This (oz8532) is a scale plan. Where possible we link scale plans to Wikipedia, using a text string called ScaleType.

    If we got this right, you now have a couple of direct links (above) to 1. see the Wikipedia page, and 2. search Oz for more plans of this type. If we didn't, then see below.


    Notes:
    ScaleType is formed from the last part of the Wikipedia page address, which here is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schempp-Hirth_Cirrus
    Wikipedia page addresses may well change over time.
    For more obscure types, there currently will be no Wiki page found. We tag these cases as ScaleType = NotFound. These will change over time.
    Corrections? Use the correction form to tell us the new/better ScaleType link we should be using. Thanks.

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Do you have a photo you'd like to submit for this page? Then email admin@outerzone.co.uk

User comments

Photo of completed Cirrus model [main model pic] was found online at http://www.koralpe.biz/cirrus.html
SteveWMD - 23/03/2017
I'm glad to see the Cirrus Graupner plan on Outerzone. Cirrus is from 1968, see picture, world champion 1968 [more pics 006]. Here are my three Cirrus gliders, two white and one yellow [more pics 007-009]. My three gliders, built in 1973, have more than 1000 flights, without one crash. The Cirrus flies 100 meters with a hand start.
JulienVermeire - 27/03/2017
I'm a French modeler from Paris, France. I'm rebuilding an old Cirrus from Graupner. It would be super nice and very helpful for me (because the list of materials are in millimeters ) if you have the instructions for the Cirrus in French. They start at page 25. Merci beaucoup et bonne journee.
SergeB - 01/10/2018
Can anyone help Serge with a scan of the instructions in French?
Mary - 01/10/2018
Thanks you very much for this plans. I'm a lover of Cirrus, I'm 65 years old and practice soaring with cirrus in 1980 years!! Is it possible to find fuselage in epoxy or fiberglass or perhaps a guy who sells fuselage in wood? Thanks for work.
Eric - 03/12/2019
Here on Oz there is a plan for front wood fuselage rebuilding, not difficult to add a wrapped plywood rear section, see Cirrus Fuselage (Wood) (oz9876).
On rcgroups some years ago were offered fiberglass fuselages, see https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?2490686-Replacement-fiberglass-fuselage-for-the-Graupner-Cirrus
Pit - 03/12/2019
Hello everyone, I can soon produce fiberglass fuselages with my new moulds. I change the wing profile for a thinner Selig 3021... Sorry... Laser cutted ribs will be also soon available. I'm not a commercial company, so I will produce few shorts kits only for "friends".
Xavier - 09/12/2020
Hello Xavier, SergeB, and anybody, I'm French too, a have a Cirrus from 70's, that stay a long time in my garage ! I would like to make it fly again. But the stab is broken. The wings should be refreshed. And I would like to switch from 2 axes to 3. I'm looking for plan at the good size and any help will be helpfull !
Vince 95120 Ermont
Vince95 - 11/05/2022
Hello Vince; Cirrus is best with 2 axes; 3 axes are not necessary for thermal floating. this is for aerobatic flight only. a thermal glider must be light. the people of the 1930s, 40s, 50s and 60s created these perfect gliders. Even better than Cirrus is the Mosquito, still the best thermal glider ever for RC., also with 2 axes.
groeten van Julien uit Aalter Belgie.
julien vermeire - 31/10/2022
This Graupner Cirrus was completed in 2022 [pic010]. Flown Torrey Pines 2023.4 channels: elevator, ailerons, rudder, spoilers. Solartex covered, urethane paints, clear coat and Callie graphics. Would not use Solartex aga, fabric really soaked up the paint for an adequate finish. Would use Monokote or Ultracote. Ailerons and rudder have coupling capability. Weight 4.5lbs (9oz added to nose). Wing loading 11oz/ sq.ft. Aileron version-dihedral reduced from 6* to 3*. Balanced at 3.3”. Highly recommend ailerons, rudder authority poor. Recommend minimum rudder travel 1.5”-2” preferred. Slow, easy flying design, best with winds 8-15mph. My livery a tribute to George Moffat, an English teacher at my elementary school-Pingry (Hillside, NJ)back in the early ‘70s.
Brad Lang - 28/02/2023
Here some pictures of my Cirrus... Wings and elevator from the Graupner Kit, fuselage by a different provider, maybe Topp ! Bought it at a "Flohmarkt" in spring this year. I added Spoiler , and had a lot more work that I expected ....Engine: BL, diameter 35 mm, 3 Lipos, Prop 11x7"
Many Greetings,
Reinhard Lehmann - 15/07/2024
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  • Cirrus (oz8532)
  • Plan File Filesize: 1508KB Filename: Cirrus_Graupner_oz8532.pdf
  • Supplement Filesize: 2205KB Filename: Cirrus_Graupner_oz8532_instructions.pdf
  • Supplement Filesize: 747KB Filename: Cirrus_Graupner_oz8532_instructions_de.pdf
  • Supplement Filesize: 640KB Filename: Cirrus_Graupner_oz8532_mods_article_1972_.pdf
  • Supplement Filesize: 65KB Filename: Cirrus_Graupner_oz8532_motor_mount.pdf
  • Supplement Filesize: 3543KB Filename: Cirrus_Graupner_oz8532_review_FM.pdf
  • Supplement Filesize: 7757KB Filename: Cirrus_Graupner_oz8532_review_MAN.pdf
  • Supplement Filesize: 1437KB Filename: Cirrus_Graupner_oz8532_review_RCME.pdf
  • Supplement Filesize: 1435KB Filename: Cirrus_Graupner_oz8532_review_RM.pdf
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Scaling

This model plan (like all plans on Outerzone) is supposedly scaled correctly and supposedly will print out nicely at the right size. But that doesn't always happen. If you are about to start building a model plane using this free plan, you are strongly advised to check the scaling very, very carefully before cutting any balsa wood.

 

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