Lite Tiger 60 (oz8583)

About this Plan

Lite Tiger 60. Radio control sport model, for 60 power.

Quote: "The article: 'Semi-Monocoque Fuselage Construction' (Nov 1993 RCM) illustrated a light, strong construction method for fuselages that are comprised of simple curved sections. Since that article was published I've had requests from readers for a model that utilizes this construction method.

In choosing a subject, I decided to use a well known sport model rather than a scale or original design; as it would better illustrate the adaptability of semi-monocoque construction. I've always thought the Goldberg Tiger 60 has very nice lines in spite of its slab sides and square corners. So, it didn't take too much effort to convince myself that here was a swan trapped inside of a square duck!

Semi-monocoque construction saves about a pound of weight versus the Tiger 60's conventional bulkhead construction. This weight savings yields a significant increase in both vertical and aerobatic flight performance. The retract-equipped model in the photos weighs 7 Ibs 1 oz and it has a heavy cast aluminum engine mount! An additional 6 oz could be saved by using a fixed landing gear. With a little forethought a model in the 6 Ib range is very possible.

The Lite Tiger 60 maintains the fuselage profile of the Tiger 60, but has a more rounded cross section. It also includes some minor design changes based upon what others have done to improve the model's aerobatic performance.

I shortened the fuselage about 2 in, reshaped the stabilizer, enlarged the elevators, reduced the wingspan, dihedral and rib spacing, repositioned the spars and got rid of the nose gear in favor of a lighter and simpler conventional landing gear. Because of the new cross section I was able to reduce the fuselage width without compromising interior space.

Oh, did I mention the inverted engine? Well, why have a cylinder head sticking out of the nose when there is all that room underneath to tuck it in out of sight? Don't be afraid to mount your engine inverted, either. Properly adjusted, modern 2-stroke engines start just as easily inverted as upright..."

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, thanks to hlsat.

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