Santos Dumont 14-bis (oz8553)

About this Plan

Santos Dumont 14-bis. Radio control scale model.

Quote: "This unusual airplane makes a very good RC Sport Scale model for calm conditions. Its slow flying speed makes it suitable for small field flying. If you like your modeling subjects to be out-of-the-ordinary, here's the project for you. For .15 engines, three channels.

IN SPITE of the very unconventional appearance of the 14-bis, it has proven to be a remarkably good modeling subject. There have been several very successful Indoor and Outdoor Rubber Powered Scale 14-bis models over the years. Recently one placed first in the 1980 AMA Nats Indoor Scale event, and another larger 14-bis model won the 1980 FAC Nats Jumbo Scale competition. I have built four Free Flight models of Alberto's vintage aircraft in various sizes, and can attest to their fine performance.

Partly becasue of the success with Free Flight models, and partly because of a fascination with canard configurations, I decided to build an RC version of the plane to help commemorate the 75th anniversary of its pioneering flights in Europe. The model was designed to a scale of 1-1/2 in = 1 ft, which yields 55 in span and 800 sq in wing area.

Since no authentic, accurate drawings were available from any source known to me, a research effort was initiated to develop construction drawings. With the kind help of Tom Crouch of the National Air and Space. Museum, I was able to assemble enough data to put together a reasonably accurate general arrangement drawing, which is included with this article. The drawing shows two of the many versions of the 14-bis (which was almost continuously modified and repaired during its short life).

The only intentional deviation from true scale in the model is an enlargement of the canard horizontal surface span to help increase longi-tudinal stability. Otherwise, scale dihedral (a whopping 10°), the crazy scale airfoil, scale control motion, scale shock-absorbing landing gear, etc., are used on the model. Due to the light wing loading of 10 oz/sq ft, an OS Max .45 is adequate power for this large model. Covering is Sig Silray (true scale would be silk) with a low-shrink butyrate dope finish.

The model is certainly an eye-catcher on the ground and spectacular in the air. It is not a beginner's model, however. Neither is it a windy weather airplane. It is at its best on those.calrn summer evenings at the local flying fieldto be enjoyed simply because of its slow and graceful flight.

Construction: A few comments on some of the unusual feaures will be given, rather than a full construction sequence. The model is built largely of spruce, and for that reason I recommend the use of Titebond or equivalent glue. No other glues, including cyanoacrylates, seem to work as well on spruce. After building the simple fuselage frame, build in the radio control system..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, thanks to RFJ.

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