Barnstormer (oz8785)

About this Plan

Barnstormer. Radio control sport model. Classic sport RC design.

Quote: "THERE is a general and constant outcry from R/C aeromodellers for 'different' types of R/C designs to allow them to get away from the 'standard' models. Perhaps the majority of single-channel models are high wing cabin types with slab-sided fuselages, and multi models tend to be low wing bombs with tricycle undercarriages of apparent identical appearance. Perhaps, also, the average modeller does not want to go to the time and trouble of building scale models but there are problems in presenting 'out of the rut' designs.

For one thing, these types do not always have sufficiently popular appeal - and magazines must try to cater for the majority of readers - and frequently with single-channel designs, the designs do not have the flying qualities of models such as the Pal Joey (oz4719), the Robot (oz6906), the Super Sixty (oz552), the Tyro (oz558) etc. It is possible to have a different design which remains easy and pleasant to fly and, equally, be simple enough to build to appeal to a wide section of modellers.

The Barnstormer was designed with these aims in view and the prototype now in its third year of flying, has suggested that these aims have been fairly well met. With its parasol wing and open cockpit, the Barnstormer is reminiscent of aircraft of the late 1920's and early '30s', an era when aeroplanes were full of character.

One problem with parasol wing models is the formation of the carbane struts, this is usually overcome by using piano wire struts faired with balsa. The bending of the piano wire has to be accurate otherwise the wing seating is out of alignment and this problem alone is enough to frighten off many would-be builders. Dural flat strip material has been used for the carbane struts on the Barnstormer; this material is easy to bend to shape (it is only bent in one plane) provided it is accurately marked.

One bonus in using a parasol wing is the high efficiency of the total wing area due to its 'clean' state and lack of fuselage wing junction drag. Despite the relatively high (12-14 sq ft) wing loading, the glide is extremely flat and the position of the wing makes for a very stable configuration. Motor control is a definite advantage with this model if only to allow slow, low fly-pasts to take full advantage of the model's attractive appearance in flight.

The only trouble encountered with the prototype was the fixing of the carbane struts to the fuselage. After the model had been upturned in the long grass of our flying field a few times the struts were knocked off. The method of fixing the carbane struts has now been revised.

Take care in building the Barnstormer both accurately and strong and you will be rewarded with months of faithful service and enjoyment..."

This plan appeared in the David Boddington book 'Radio Control Primer', printed 1974. This scan of the plan is from that book. Note this is a low resolution scan.

Update 07/11/2017: Replaced this plan with a clearer copy (scanned from fullsize) thanks to AndyLuckett.

Quote: "Hi Mary and Steve, David Boddington's Barnstormer is the 'model of the meet' for F/F and R/C at Oily Hand in 2018. Here is a copy of the Aeromodeller plan for the original 1965 52in version. The one currently on Outerzone prints out poorly as it is a blow up of the page from David's book: Radio Control Primer. This one even has an oil spot to show it has been built from [edit: fixed now, see morepics 009]. That should help modellers get out the tools and build from the plan rather than let it languish as a file on their computer. At Oily Hand we expect to see about thirty Barnstormers. All diesel powered. Regards, Andy"

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, thanks to RFJ.
Previous scan version.

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